Journey to Antarctica

TRAVELER FAVORITE

14 DAYSFROM $15,840

• Explore icy realms alongside a team of biologists, geologists, and undersea specialists. • Navigate dazzling icebergs and get a closer look at wildlife on outings by Zodiac and kayak. • Capture images of penguins and seals alongside a National Geographic Photography Expert.

Expedition Cruise Light or Moderate

DAYS 1–2 I 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 the hotel before heading out on an afternoon city tour. Gather tonight for a welcome reception. Alvear Art Hotel or Alvear Icon Hotel (Buenos Aires) or Mandarin Oriental (Santiago) Meals: 1L DAY 3 I 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 the ship. National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Resolution, or National Geographic Endurance for the entire voyage Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D

DAY 4 I DRAKE PASSAGE Voyage across the legendary Drake Passage and watch for whales and seabirds gliding alongside the ship. Enjoy talks from the onboard naturalists about the wildlife and geology that await us on the Antarctic Peninsula. Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D

DAYS 5–10 I 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: 6B, 6L, 6D

DAYS 11–12 I 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