Departures:
11/27/2013 12/07/2013 12/17/2013 12/27/2013 01/06/2014 01/16/2014 01/26/2014 02/05/2014
Ship(s):
National Geographic Explorer
Trip Highlights:
Travel to Antarctica in style onboard a luxurious and modern vessel with top-notch amenities, world-class guides, kayaking, and an Undersea Specialist.
Save up to $1,800 per person.
Summary: This journey to the "White Continent" offers six days of exploration on the incomparably beautiful Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands and waterways. The sights, sounds and emotions will stay in your mind forever — enormous tabular icebergs, hillsides covered with thousands of penguins and the excitement on deck as someone shouts, “Whales!” Travel with a very highly experienced Antarctica expedition staff, which includes an Undersea Specialist. Zodiacs and kayaks to further your ability to examine this remote wilderness. All departures are Photo Expeditions, see end of page for details.
Depart this evening on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires.
Day 2: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arrive this morning in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, set on the Rio de la Plata, and check in your fine hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided overview of the city, seeing its Beaux Arts palaces, grand boulevards, and the famous balcony forever associated with Eva Peron.
Day 3: Buenos Aires / Ushuaia, Argentina / Embark
The morning's LAN charter flight offers some rare views as you fly over the vividly rugged terrain of Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. Have lunch during a catamaran cruise of the scenic Beagle Channel before embarking the National Geographic Explorer.
Day 4: At Sea
Arise this morning well into your journey across the Drake Passage. Lying between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula, the Drake holds a distinct place in maritime lore. Sometimes misty and gray, other times calm and clear, crossing the legendary Drake Passage is unforgettable.
Days 5 - 10: Antarctica
With nearly 24 hours of daylight at this time of year, you make the most of the six days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands. The schedule is flexible to give you the best experience possible. Your veteran expedition team and their expert knowledge of Antarctica’s waters enable you to take advantage of the unexpected. You are out daily — experiencing Antarctica with all your senses as you walk, cruise in Zodiacs, and venture out in kayaks. See seals wallowing on the beach; hear the cries of penguins, and the huge, nurturing silence of this pristine place.
You may sail through the incomparable Lemaire Channel, where a hush falls over onlookers as bergs of beauty and scale drift by. Identify penguins, paddle kayaks through berg fields, and land with Zodiacs on the “White Continent.”
Days 11 - 12: At Sea
As you sail back to Ushuaia, an albatross or two may join the avian escort of seabirds that cross the bow, and spotters will keep an eye out for marine life. There’ll be plenty of time to enjoy a wellness treatment, log some time in the gym, or catch up on the book you haven’t read. Talks from staff will reflect on all you have seen and learned.
Day 13: Ushuaia / Disembark / Buenos Aires
Disembark in Ushuaia with time to explore before proceeding to the airport for your charter flight to Buenos Aires. Fly on an overnight flight to the U.S.
Day 14: Arrive Home
Today, you arrive back home.
Exclusive Global Perspectives Program:
Explore Antarctica with mountaineer Peter Hillary (Nov. 27, 2013); NG-funded polar explorer John Evans (Dec. 17 & 27, 2013); oceanographer Adm. Geof Chesbrough (Jan. 6 & 16, 2014) and polar scientist, Prof. Paul Arthur Berkman (Jan. 26, 2014).
Photo Expeditions:
The photo team, a National Geographic Photographer and a Lindblad Photo Specialist, will enhance your voyage by working with you on photo composition and exposure; helping you develop your own unique vision; showing you how professionals edit and store images while on the go; and sharing the stories behind some of their greatest images. Whether expert or interested beginner, you'll find added benefits such as walks ashore and Zodiac cruises dedicated to photography, presentations on the creative and technical aspects of photography, and one-on-one mentoring and coaching in the field.
Included:
Cabin accommodations aboard ship; one hotel night in Buenos Aires; all meals and non-alcoholic beverages aboard the ship; some meals ashore; all shore excursions and sightseeing; transfers to and from group flights; tips (except to ship's crew), taxes and service charges; services of a ship physician and expedition staff; use of kayaks; expedition parkas.
Not Included:
International air transportation; round-trip charter flights between Buenos Aires/Ushuaia (approx. $790 per person); extensions; passport and visa expenses; baggage/accident/cancellation insurance; immigration fees; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, email and laundry; gratuities to ship's crew at your discretion; fuel surcharge may apply.
Why does AntarcticConnection partner with ExpeditionTrips?
True experts with first-hand polar experience, the ExpeditionTrips staff has sailed on the ships they represent; with a combined amount of 100 Antarctic trips between them;and can help you thoroughly compare and contrast the expeditions.
Their approach to travel is highly personal and professional, offering unbiased travel assistance to ensure you choose the very best Antarctica trip to meet your needs!
ExpeditionTrips works only with the highest quality small ships-all under 200 passengers-ranging from a 48-passenger Russian research vessel to a 200-passenger luxury expedition ship.