On December 14, 1934 Australia’s Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services – now known as Qantas, in collaboration with Imperial Airways – the fore-runner of British Airways, operated the first scheduled air service between Australia and the United UK.
This unique accomplishment in air navigation was accomplished with a variety of aircrafts, the most famous of which was the Handley Page HP42. The early pioneering flights was at a time when travel was more in discomfort than comfort, primitive equipment with limited safety lading gears and little to do on ground. That was then.
The retrace journeys takes place in the modern Swearingen Metroliner III powered by twin allied Signal TPE 331 turboprop engines with a cruising speed of around 500 Kms/hour at an altitude of 17000 feet. This aircraft of which over a thousand fly our skies, is fitted with the latest satellite navigation technology as well as enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System.
The journeys of today offers the additional excitement of seeing remote and exotic places, short duration day time flights with each night spent in a comfortable bed at either a grand hotel, or occasionally, at a desert fort, minimal formalities, and the personal attention of the Flight Captain and crew who personally takes care of the passengers, affording them V.I.P. treatment at each port of call.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Saturday: Arrive Darwin. Meet & transfer to the hotel. Overnight: Saville Park Suites. (D)
Day 2: Sunday: By air to Mataram. Morning sightseeing in Darwin. Afternoon 1hr.50m flight to Kupang for refueling, followed by a 2 hour flight to Mataram. Overnight: Pool Villa Club (2 Nights). (B, L, D)
Day 3: Monday: On Lombok Island. Full day sightseeing on Lombok Island. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Tuesday: By air to Yogyakarta. Morning 1hr flight to Yogyakarta. Afternoon sightseeing and excursion to Borobodur. Overnight: Hyatt Regency Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Wednesday: By air to Singapore. Morning 3hr 15m flight to Singapore. Overnight: Raffles Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Thursday: By air to Bangkok. Morning 1hr 50m flight to Kota Bharu. 1hr 45m flight to Bangkok. Overnight: Oriental Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Friday: By air to Rangoon. Morning at leisure, Afternoon 1hr 30m flight to Rangoon. Overnight: Strand Hotel (2 Nights). (B, L, D)
Day 8: Saturday: In Rangoon. Full day sightseeing in Rangoon. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Sunday: By air to Mandalay. Morning 1hr 35m flight to Mandalay. Afternoon sightseeing tour. Overnight: Sedoka Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Monday: By air to Kolkata. Morning 2hr 30m flight to Kolkata. Afternoon sightseeing tour. Overnight: Oberoi Grand. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Tuesday: By air to Varanasi. Morning 1hr 30m flight to Varanasi. Afternoon sightseeing. Overnight: Taj Ganges Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 12: Wednesday By air to Agra. Morning Dawn cruise. 50m flight to Khajuraho. Sightseeing. Afternoon 55m flight to Agra. Overnight: Oberoi Amarvilas. (B, L, D)
Day 13: Thursday By air to Karachi. Morning sightseeing in Agra. Afternoon 2hr.30m flight to Karachi. Overnight: Karachi Sheraton Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 14: Friday By air to Muscat. Morning sightseeing in Karachi. Afternoon 1hr.55m flight to Muscat. Overnight: Barr Al Jissah Shangri-La Hotel (2 Nights). (B, L, D)
Day 15: Saturday: In Muscat. Full day sightseeing in Muscat. (B, L, D)
Day 16: Sunday: By air to Riyadh. Morning 55m flight to Sharjah, Sightseeing. Afternoon 2hr.15m flight to Riyadh. Overnight: Al Faisaliah Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 17: Monday: By air to Jeddah. Morning sightseeing in Riyadh. Afternoon 2hr 5m flight to Jeddah. Overnight: Inter-Continental Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 18: Tuesday: By air to Luxor. Morning sightseeing in Jeddah. Afternoon 1hr.25m flight to Luxor. Overnight: Old Winter Palace Hotel (2 Nights), (B, L, D)
Day 19: Wednesday: In Luxor. Full day sightseeing in Luxor, Thebes and Karnak. (B, L, D)
Day 20: Thursday: By air to Cairo. Morning 1hr.15m flight to Cairo. Afternoon sightseeing. Overnight: Four Seasons at the First Residence Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 21: Friday: By air to Heraklion. Morning 30m flight to Alexandria. Sightseeing. Afternoon 1hr.35m flight to Heraklion. Overnight: Hotel Megaron .(B, L, D)
Day 22: Saturday: By air to Malta. Morning excursion to Knossos. Afternoon 2hr.20m flight to Malta. Overnight: Phoenicia Hotel (2 Nights). (B, L, D)
Day 23: Sunday: On Malta. Full day sightseeing tour of Malta. (B, L, D)
Day 24: Monday: By air to Cannes. Morning 2hr.25m flight to Cannes. Afternoon sightseeing. Overnight: Hotel Martinez. (B, L, D)
Day 25: Tuesday: By air to London. Morning 2hr.55m flight to Jersey. Sightseeing. Afternoon 1hr.20m flight to London (Biggin Hill) for the short drive to Croydon. Overnight: Aerodrome Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 26: Wednesday: End of journey. Morning visit to Croydon Airport Museum before driving to Central London.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Airfares from Darwin to London
- Airport departure taxes
- Hotels as per itinerary (or similar)
- Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L= Lunch D=Dinner)
- Tips & Gratuities
- Free baggage allowance of 20 Kgs
- Services of a tour escort throughout
- Services of experienced local guide/lecturers at ports of call
Price Does Not Include:
- Other airfares not mentioned
- Laundry, drinks, room services and other items of a personal nature
- Visa charges
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
Australia
United Arab Emirates
Cultural Journey
Walking Tours
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