Students will appreciate Africa's astonishingly diverse natural habitats by exploring Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Tai National Park in the Ivory Coast, home to hundreds of different species of birds and grazing grounds for millions of gazelles, antelopes and zebras. Ngorongoro Crater, part of the Serengeti Plain ecosystem in Tanzania, and Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary on the edge of the Sahara in Senegal, offer an equally rich assortment of creatures
Take an in-depth look at treasured sites associated with the rich cultural history of Africa by traveling to Ghana, Mali and Madagascar. In Ghana, investigate the rich Gold Coast, the home of the Ashanti kingdom, which flourished in the 18th century, and the famed villages of clay of the Dogon people in Mali. Then it's off to the beautiful tropical island of Madagascar to investigate the ancient and little known Vazimba culture, a people whose name means "those who have always been here."
In the 19th century, western adventurers reported on Africa's most beautiful natural wonders and exotic locales -- places that students will appreciate on a spectacular trip through Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Mali. From Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the largest freestanding mountains in the world, to Zimbabwe's stunning Victoria Falls, students will learn about the intrepid exploits of European missionaries and explorers to find these natural treasures. In Mali, follow the trail of Heinrich Barth's journey to Timbuktu
Take an in-depth look at Southeast Asia's most treasured sites on a spectacular journey through Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. From Cambodia and the famed temples of the Khmer Empire at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom to Thailand's ancient capitals of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, featuring impressive examples of Thai architecture and gigantic Buddhist monasteries, students will examine the history and ancient traditions of some of the world's richest cultures.
For a unique look at Pakistan's diverse cultural history, travel to the famed archaeological site of Taxila, an ancient ruined city that was once a renowned center of Buddhist learning, and explore the bustling metropolis of Lahore, noted for its splendid 16th-century Mughal architecture. At Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, viewers will be exposed to the rich heritage of Hindu and Buddhist monuments. And in Sri Lanka, experience the ancient city of Sigiriya with its magnificent Lion Mountain rock fortress.
