Empires of the East

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Benoa, Bali / Disembark Clipper Odyssey / Sanur.

In the morning we disembark in Benoa, Bali. For centuries Bali has captivated the imagination of artists, writers, and travelers with its landscapes of emerald terraced rice fields, lush forests dwarfed by the sacred volcano, Mt. Batur, and exquisite Hindu temples. We drive to Ubud where artisans display their expertise in painting, sculpture, silver-working, and batik. Enjoy time to visit some of the countless galleries and artisan workshops. We continue to Sanur, an expansive beachfront area, where we enjoy dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Luang Prabang.

A full-day tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases the splendid Buddhist temples and monuments of this capital of the first Lao Kingdom. We visit many of the city’s pagodas and temples, such as Vat Visoun—the city’s most ancient temple and site of the impressive stupa, That Mak Mo—as well as the temple of Vat Aham. After lunch we climb Phousi Hill for an outstanding view over the city then visit Vat Mai. Built in 1796 this temple is famous for its five multi-tiered timber framed roofs and decorated columns. We hope to enjoy a superb sunset before our dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at our hotel.

Serra Cafema / Ongava.

Ongava, the ideal location for our activities in Etosha National Park, is our next destination. After breakfast we depart Serra Cafema for Ongava Camp situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve. Etosha, “the place of dry water,” offers one of the great wildlife experiences remaining in Africa. Covering over 8,000 square miles, the park encompasses a vast salt pan 80 miles long and is Namibia’s premier game-viewing destination. Large herds of plains game concentrate around waterholes in the dry season, and make for exciting encounters. Ongava is one of the few private game reserves in southern Africa where we may see white and black rhinos, and the area holds good populations of lions, elands, mountain zebras, black-faced impalas, a number of other antelope species, and a host of birdlife. In addition to our daytime activities, we enjoy game walks and nighttime game drives.

Sanur / Ubud / Embark Clipper Odyssey.

For centuries, Bali has captivated the imagination of artists, writers, and travelers with its landscapes of emerald terraced rice fields, lush forests dwarfed by the sacred volcano of Mt. Batur, and exquisite Hindu temples. This morning, as Balinese life returns to its lively routine, we drive to Ubud, surrounded by the sacred Monkey Forest, where a major artisan community displays their talents in painting, sculpture, silver-working, and batik. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy time at leisure for strolling among the countless galleries, small museums, and artisans’ workshops. Transfer to Benoa in the late afternoon to embark the Clipper Odyssey and sail eastward into the Flores Sea.