Expedition Details

 

Traveling aboard the state-of-the-art National Geographic Explorer, encounter the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands and waterways. Glide around enormous tabular icebergs by Zodiac, walk along beaches covered with thousands of penguins, and kayak amid abundant marine life.

Trip Highlights

    • View magnificent mountains, towering icebergs, and ice formations that make up the dramatic Antarctic landscape.
    • Cruise aboard sturdy Zodiac landing craft in search of leopard seals.
    • Kayak in protected waters, paddling around icebergs as penguins swim nearby.
    • Walk on shore amid thousands of penguins, including gentoo, Adélie, and chinstrap.
    • Explore the world's last great wilderness in the company of a team of top naturalists.

Itinerary - 14 Days

Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Buenos Aires, Argentina

Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires. Settle into your hotel before heading out on an afternoon tour of the city. Gather for a welcome reception and dinner.
Caesar Park Hotel (D)

Day 3 — Buenos Aires/Ushuaia

Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, and enjoy lunch on a catamaran cruise of the Beagle Channel. Then set sail on the National Geographic Explorer.
(B,L,D)

Day 4 — At Sea/Drake Passage

While crossing the spectacular Drake Passage, spot whales and other marine life that glide alongside the ship.
(B,L,D)

Days 5 through 10 — Exploring Antarctica

With nearly 24 hours of daylight at this time of year, we have ample opportunity to explore the Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands. In keeping with the nature of an expedition, the schedule is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of the unexpected—watching whales perform off the bow, taking an after-dinner Zodiac cruise, or heading out on an extra landing during the day. We anticipate making several Zodiac landings each day to hike, kayak among the icebergs, and experience close encounters with wildlife.
(B,L,D daily)

Depending on weather and sea conditions, we plan to make the following stops:

Paradise Bay
This pristine bay is edged by soaring ice-covered peaks. Hike to a summit for a breathtaking view, or kayak along a cliff-side rookery in search of blue-eyed shags.

Lemaire Channel and Petermann Island
Cruise through the Lemaire Channel between towering snowcaps and blue icebergs. Step ashore at Petermann Island to the cries of thousands of gentoo penguins standing along the shoreline as if awaiting your arrival.

Neko Harbor
Dock in Neko Harbor. Walk among the penguins on the beach or climb high onto an ice field for a panoramic vista of untouched peaks surrounding this idyllic bay.

Historic Port Lockroy
In 1944, the British government began a top-secret expedition code-named Operation Tabarin, creating a series of base stations in Antarctica. Base A, at Port Lockroy, is now a museum and Antarctica's only public post office.

Days 11 & 12 — At Sea

Enjoy the ship's amenities as the Antarctic coast disappears from view. Round the southernmost tip of South America, and see the meeting of the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. Celebrate your voyage at a farewell dinner on board.
(B,L,D daily)

Days 13 & 14 — Ushuaia, Argentina/Buenos Aires/U.S.

Disembark in Ushuaia. After lunch, fly to Buenos Aires and connect with your overnight flight home.
(B,L)

Related Trips

Special Offer

Complimentary Airfare

Book by June 30, 2013 and receive complimentary round-trip international airfare between Miami and Buenos Aires on the the December 7, 2013 departure, or the November 28 and December 8, 2014 departures.

Expedition Team

A diverse team of experts, including naturalists, historians, and a National Geographic photographer, will accompany each expedition aboard the National Geographic Explorer. See one of the members of our extraordinary team below.

Peter Hillary

Peter HillaryWhen Peter Hillary first climbed Mount Everest in 1990, he and his father, Sir Edmund Hillary—who made the first ascent of Mount Everest in 1953—became the first father and son to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain. Among Peter's 40 mountaineering expeditions, he participated in a 2002 National Geographic-sponsored ascent and film on Mount Everest. He is the author of six books on mountaineering and does charitable work to assist the local people of the Mount Everest region in Nepal.

Peter will join the following departure:
Nov 27 - Dec 10, 2013

SEE OTHER EXPERTS »

Lindblad/National Geographic Logo

This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.

Dates

2013
  • Nov 27 - Dec 10, 2013
  • Dec 07 - 20, 2013
  • Dec 17 - 30, 2013
  • Dec 27, 2013 - Jan 09, 2014
2014
  • Jan 06 - 19, 2014
  • Jan 16 - 29, 2014
  • Jan 26 - Feb 08, 2014
  • Feb 05 - 18, 2014
  • Feb 16 - Mar 11, 2014
  • Nov 28 - Dec 11, 2014
  • Dec 08 - 21, 2014
  • Dec 18 - 31, 2014
  • Dec 28, 2014 - Jan 10, 2015
2015
  • Jan 07 - 20, 2015
  • Jan 17 - 30, 2015
  • Jan 27 - Feb 09, 2015
  • Feb 06 - 19, 2015

Please call for information on a pre- or post-hotel stay in Buenos Aires at the Ceasar Park Hotel.

Expedition Cost

November 2013 - February 2014
 
Category 1 $11,990
Category 2 $12,890
Category 3 $13,290
Category 4 $14,290
Category 5 $17,150
Category 6 $19,650
Category 7 $22,870

November 2014 - February 2015
 
Category 1 $12,350
Category 2 $13,280
Category 3 $13,690
Category 4 $14,720
Category 5 $17,670
Category 6 $20,240
Category 7 $23,560

Prices are per person, double occupancy. For a single cabin November 2013 - February 2014, add $3,220 in Category 2 and $3,330 in Category 3. For a single cabin November 2014 - February 2015, add $3,320 in Category 2 and $3,420 in Category 3.

Economy airfare round-trip between Miami and Buenos Aires is $1,200 (subject to change). Charter airfare round-trip economy between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia is $690-$790 (subject to change).

View Ship/Deck Plan