Journey to Antarctica

14 Days From $15,380

Maximum Group Size: 148

Trip Type: Expedition Cruise

Activity Level: Light or Moderate

• Observe the antics of penguins and seabirds up close alongside wildlife biologists.

• Navigate Zodiacs among spectacular icebergs, spotting seals and whales.

• Discover rare marine life through footage from the deep filmed by undersea specialists.

On your trip, be on the lookout for...

Various penguin species, humpback whales, blue whales, killer whales, seals, albatrosses, blue-eyed shags, and more.

Crabeater Seal (Lobodon Carcinophagus)

Days 1–2: U.S./Buenos Aires, Argentina or Santiago, Chile

Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires (National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Endurance) or Santiago (National Geographic Resolution). Settle into our hotel before heading out on an afternoon city tour. Gather tonight for a welcome reception.

Accommodations: Alvear Art Hotel or Alvear Icon Hotel (Buenos Aires) or Mandarin Oriental (Santiago)

Meals: 1 lunch

Day 3: Ushuaia, Argentina

Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, and enjoy lunch and wildlife viewing on a catamaran cruise along the scenic Beagle Channel before embarking our ship.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, or National Geographic Resolution for the entire voyage

Meals: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 4: Drake Passage

Voyage across the legendary Drake Passage and watch for whales and seabirds gliding alongside the ship. Enjoy talks from our onboard naturalists about the wildlife and geology that await us on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Meals: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Humpback Whale (Megaptera Novaeangliae)

Days 5–10: Antarctic Peninsula

With extended daylight hours at this time of year, we make the most of our days, keeping a flexible schedule to take advantage of the unexpected—veering off course to watch orcas perform off the bow or enjoying an after-dinner Zodiac cruise. We anticipate opportunities to hike, explore by Zodiac and kayak, and experience close encounters with wildlife every day. Our route will be determined by the conditions and the ever-changing ice.

One day, we may take Zodiacs out to see towering icebergs at close range, walk a beach covered with seals and penguins, or hike to a summit for a breathtaking view. The next, we may be kayaking amid glittering brash ice or along a cliffside rookery in search of blue-eyed shags. And the next, we might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through the pack ice or slipping between the soaring rock walls of the Lemaire Channel.

As we encounter the volcanic isles and pristine bays of the peninsula, our team of experts will bring depth and insight to the experience, explaining the behaviors and interactions of different species, the geological and climatic forces that still shape Antarctica, the anatomy of a glacier, and how to capture beautiful photographs of the places we visit. Our undersea specialist captures images from the deep—revealing the hardy marine life beneath the ice—and our Expedition Leader is always on the lookout for the best way to experience everything Antarctica has to offer.

Meals: 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners

Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis Antarcticus)

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 where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. Celebrate our voyage at a farewell dinner on board.

Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Days 13–14 I: Ushuaia, Argentina/Buenos Aires or Santiago, Chile/U.S.

Disembark in Ushuaia. After lunch, fly to Buenos Aires (National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Endurance) or Santiago (National Geographic Resolution) by private charter, and connect with your overnight flight home.

Meals: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Your National Geographic Expert

Tommy Heinrich, Adventurer and Photographer

Born in Buenos Aires, Tommy Heinrich has traveled to the summit of Mount Everest, the North Pole, and Antarctica. On assignment for National Geographic, he documented a winter ascent of Pakistan’s Nanga Parbat and an ascent of K2.

Find the departure(s) Tommy will join on our website.

Information

This trip is operated in collaboration with Lindblad Expeditions.

This expedition is offered from November through February.

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and vary by cabin category. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Airfare is not included in the price. Internal flights are an additional cost. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. This itinerary is for informational purposes only and is subject to change at any time without notice.

Call 1-888-966-8687 or your professional travel advisor

Find details and dates for all our expeditions at natgeoexpeditions.com/wildlife