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.
- Walk ashore 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 - 25 Days
Days 1 & 2 — Miami/Santiago, Chile
Depart Miami on an overnight flight to Chile. Framed by the snowy caps of the Andes, Santiago is a city of sun-mellowed façades and lush palms. Settle into your hotel before setting out on an afternoon tour of the city. Then gather for a welcome reception and dinner.
Grand Hyatt Santiago (L,D)
Day 3 — Santiago/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
While crossing the Drake Passage, keep a lookout for seabirds and other marine life that glide alongside our ship. The passage, with its spectacular seascapes, is usually quite breathtaking, especially if we spot whales.
(B,L,D)
Days 5 through 10 — Exploring Antarctica
With nearly 24 hours of daylight at this time of year, we make the most of our six days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands. In keeping with the nature of an expedition, our schedule is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of the unexpected—pausing to watch whales off the bow, taking an after-dinner Zodiac cruise or an extra landing during the day. Those interested may have the opportunity to kayak.
(B,L,D daily)
We anticipate making several landings each day in Zodiacs to explore this vast land. Depending on weather and sea conditions, we plan to make some or all of the following stops:
Deception Island
Part of the South Shetland Islands, this island is a giant caldera; a volcano that has collapsed into its underground magma chamber. It measures more than four miles in diameter and is still volcanically active. Sail right inside the flooded crater center, passing through the narrow entrance known as Neptune's Bellows.
Paradise Bay
The bay is aptly named because the surrounding mountains look as though they rise straight to heaven. Stretch your legs on a hike to a nearby summit for a breathtaking view, or slip into a kayak to quietly paddle along a cliffside rookery in search of blue-eyed shags.
Lemaire Channel and Petermann Island
Cruise through the narrow Lemaire Channel between towering snow-covered mountains and spectacular blue icebergs. Step ashore at Petermann Island to the cries of thousands of gentoo penguins that stand along the coast as if awaiting your arrival. This is the site of the research group, Oceanites, whose effort to inventory the region's many bird species is supported by National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. Meet with the scientists and learn about their research.
Neko Harbor
Step ashore in the spectacularly beautiful Neko Harbor. Enjoy an up close encounter with 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
The great French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot named Port Lockroy a century ago. In 1944 the British government instituted the top-secret expedition code-named Operation Tabarin, creating a series of base stations in Antarctica. Base A, at Port Lockroy, was the first and now serves as a museum and Antarctica's only public post office where we can send mail to be postmarked in Antarctica.
Day 11 — Elephant Island/At Sea
After giving the order to abandon the expedition ship Endurance in 1916, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew drifted by lifeboat and landed on Elephant Island. From here, Shackleton and five others set off in one of the lifeboats to South Georgia in search of rescue, ultimately bringing every member of his crew safely back home after a two-year ordeal.
(B,L,D)
Day 12 — At Sea
As we sail around the Scotia Sea, search the horizon for seabirds and look out for humpback and southern right whales. Enjoy talks by our experts on the history, wildlife, and geography of this remote region.
(B,L,D)
Day 13 — South Orkney Islands
Once known as the "inaccessible Islands," the remote and rugged South Orkney are rarely visited as they are so isolated and often icebound. The wildlife is surprisingly abundant, with penguins floating by on icebergs and snow or pintado petrels animating the skies as they weave through the air. Set sail for South Georgia, "the jewel of the sub-Antarctic" and keep a lookout for seabirds and other marine life that glide alongside the ship.
(B,L,D)
Day 14 — At Sea
Enjoy the ship's amenities as we make our way to South Georgia.
(B,L,D)
Days 15 through 18 — South Georgia Island
The following days are devoted to exploring the spectacular coastline of South Georgia Island. The schedule is flexible, and throughout our journey there will be opportunities for walking, hiking, kayaking, and taking Zodiac excursions.
(B,L,D daily)
Depending on weather and sea conditions, we plan to make some or all of the following stops:
King Haakon Bay
This is the site of Shackleton's landfall after his rigorous voyage in the 23-foot lifeboat, James Caird. The untouched beaches, headlands, mountains, glaciers, and nesting wandering albatrosses are a great introduction to the wilds of South Georgia.
Grytviken/Shackleton's Grave
Wander on foot, visiting the ruins of the abandoned whaling station of Grytviken and its fine museum about whaling and the island's natural history. A host of seabirds, penguins, and marine mammals can be seen as we hike along the coast to the cemetery where Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.
Salisbury Plain/Elsehul Bay
At the height of breeding season, the northern tip of South Georgia is said to have more wildlife per square foot than any place else on Earth. We are likely to be greeted by thousands of king penguins. Visit a colony of wandering albatrosses and see colorfully crested macaroni penguins, fur and elephant seals, and gray-headed and black-browed albatrosses on their nests.
Right Whale Bay
Land on black sand beaches, inhabited by southern fur seals, elephant seals, and king penguins, plus dozens of other bird species.
St. Andrews Bay
St. Andrews Bay is teeming with wildlife. Hike past fur and elephant seals and a colony of more than 100,000 king penguins.
Gold Harbour
Gold Harbour is home to elephant seals, thousands of fur seals and tens of thousands of penguins, including a colony of aristocratic king penguins.
Cooper Bay
Whalers once sought shelter in this small bay. Here we are likely to encounter king, gentoo, and macaroni penguins; prions; petrels; and terns; and perhaps Weddell seals.
Stromness Bay
Stromness offers views of cliffs and glaciers that Shackleton and his companions descended to complete their famed crossing. Explore the glacier's ice face by Zodiacs. Walk along a pebble beach, passing king and gentoo penguins, and hundreds of fur seals.
Days 19 & 20 — At Sea
Spend some time resting and enjoying the view as the ship heads toward the Falkland Islands.
(B,L,D)
Day 21 — Port Stanley, Falklands
At Port Stanley, take in the photogenic tin-roofed, Victorian-style houses. Discover the wildlife-rich Falkland Islands and meet with island residents, while visiting the Anglican Cathedral with its organic archway of whalebones and the Falkland Islands Museum. The afternoon is at leisure.
(B,L,D)
Day 22 — Falkland Islands
Cruise around islands such as Carcass and New to look for rare species. The Falklands boast the largest albatross colony in the world, irresistible Magellanic penguins in their burrows amid the green tussock grass, and herds of enormous elephants seals.
(B,L,D)
Day 23 — At Sea
Set sail for Ushuaia and enjoy a final day at sea.
(B,L,D)
Days 24 & 25 — Ushuaia/Santiago/Miami
Disembark in Ushuaia and fly to Santiago to connect with your overnight flight to Miami.
(B,L)
Optional Extension
- Easter Island - Post-Trip Extension, 6 Days
Related Trip
View LargerExpedition 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.
Tim Laman
Field biologist and wildlife photographer Tim Laman received his Ph.D. in biology from Harvard University and is a Research Associate in their Ornithology Department. His scientific research has been supported by several grants from the National Geographic Society's Committee for Research and Exploration. Tim is currently focusing on photographing and writing for National Geographic and other popular magazines to promote the conservation of endangered species and habitats. His photographs have received recognition in various competitions such as the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Nature's Best International Photographic Awards.
Tim will join the following departure:
Feb 15 - Mar 10, 2011
This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.
Expedition Costs
Prices are per person, double occupancy. For a single cabin, add $4,890 in Category 2 and $5,150 in Category 3 in 2009/10 and 2010/11.
Round-trip airfare between Santiago and Ushuaia is included in the expedition cost. Round-trip economy airfare between Miami and Santiago is not included and is estimated at $1,285.
Deduct $250 per person from the expedition cost when you reserve at least nine months prior to departure.
Special Offer
Book by March 31, 2010 and receive the following
per person savings on our
November 7, 2010 departure:
$3,000 off cat. 1, 2 and 3 cabins
$4,000 off cat. 4, 5, 6, and 7 cabins
