Unearthing a Dinosaur on The Luminaire’s Luxe Expedition

In partnership with Dutch museum and research hub Naturalis Biodiversity Center, the company has curated a four-night tour to a classified dig site in northern Wyoming, US. Taking place between July and September 2023, the itinerary allows private parties of up to 10 to help palaeontologists, researchers and geologists unearth one of the bones of a Diplodocus dinosaur.

Led by Dutch expert Anne Schulp, participants will study excavation techniques and how to accurately record fossils, as well as get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spot dinosaur trackways from the sky via a helicopter. On completion, guests will be awarded the title of Sponsor of the Diplodocus Dig, with the option to take home a 3D-printed version of the uncovered bone.

Beyond the extraction, travellers can engage in night-time chats with a renowned astronomer, explore Wyoming on horseback or by kayak, and learn about cowboy culture at a cattle ranch nearby. Each evening, people will unwind at a deluxe retreat featuring roomy lodges filled with locally sourced textiles and artworks, private bathrooms with rainfall showers, and luxurious tents dedicated to dining and lounging. Meanwhile, American chef Shon Foster and his team will provide them with premium campfire dishes that can be personalised according to their preferences.

With prices starting from £28,485 ($35,230) per head, The Luminaire promises to use a portion of the sales to support the work of Naturalis’s scientists – a savvy move considering luxury tourists are willing to pay more for trips that protect natural and cultural heritage (Virtuoso, 2022).