Explore the world’s greatest rivers through National Geographic Expeditions

In the spirit of adventure and conservation, National Geographic Expeditions has launched river cruises in the UK in partnership with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours.

‘Off-the-map’ destinations, expert guidance, and environmental contributions – these are what you’ll get when you travel with National Geographic Expeditions. The programme recently launched in the UK and now offers river cruises to help travellers explore the planet.

On the trip, travellers will be guided by a National Geographic expert, who will provide presentations and discussions throughout the trip. The National Geographic photographer will document the journey, and while on the trip, there will be some photography tips which will definitely come in handy.

On National Geographic River Cruises, there are different packages to choose from. It ranges from hikes and bike rides to in-depth learning experiences that focus on the natural world, culture and history.

Sail along the mystical Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy river cuts through Myanmar, flowing from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean. The cruise takes 16 days as it passes through the ever-changing landscape of the country. Guests will travel past ancient shrines, historic sites, monasteries and timeless villages.

Things to see include over 2,000 temples in Bagan and the Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary. In addition, guests will learn about the efforts to protect the Irrawaddy dolphin from the Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation Project.

The trip will be accompanied by Paula Swart, an expert in Asian culture and history with a special interest in Buddhism. She has been a museum curator for over 20 years and will share her deep knowledge on the cruise.

The 16-day river cruise along the Irrawaddy will depart in December from £6,545 per person. It includes return flights to the UK, three nights in luxurious hotels, ten nights on board a five-star ship, complimentary dining and beverages, and three Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Explore the gems of the river Danube

The Danube is Europe’s second longest river. It flows through 10 countries, more than any other river in the world. On an eight-day cruise, voyagers will cruise from Budapest to the gardens of Vienna. The journey offers the exploration of five UNESCO World Heritage sites.

A highlight will be the specially arranged tour of Vienna’s renowned Museum of Natural History. It’s where guests will get an inside look at its meteorite exhibit, co-curated by a National Geographic grantee.

National Geographic expert Teresa Fisher will be leading the trip. She has written over 30 guidebooks and specialises in European cities. Travellers will receive true insight into the history, culture and architecture of the famous cities.

The eight-day river cruise along the Danube will depart in July and October from £2,625 per person. The trip includes return flights to the UK, seven nights onboard a five-star Scenic Space-Ship, complimentary dining and beverage, and 18 Scenic Freechoice excursions.

National Geographic Expeditions offers a wide variety of travel experiences, all of which are led by top experts and guides to more than 80 destinations across all seven continents. Along with the new river cruises, National Geographic Expeditions offers luxury eco-lodges, small ship sea voyages, private jet expeditions, small group trips and private tours.