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Our itinerary & experience make the most of your time & curiosity
Important Note:
Guests traveling aboard National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Endurance will fly to and from Ushuaia via Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Guests traveling aboard National Geographic Resolution will fly to and from Ushuaia via Santiago, Chile.
Extraordinary adventure is a guarantee on all of our Antarctica expeditions. Flexibility is a hallmark of our explorations, and often the shipboard day-by-day itinerary will change—so we may take full advantage of rare wildlife sightings, watching whales feed off the bow, or perfect conditions for a late day kayaking excursion.
Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires (Explorer/Endurance) or Santiago (Resolution). Settle into the Alvear Art Hotel (or similar, Explorer) or Alvear Icon Hotel (or similar, Endurance) before seeing the city’s Beaux-Arts palaces and the famous balcony associated with Eva Perón. Or check into the Mandarin Oriental Santiago (or similar) before our guided overview of this vibrant city backed by the inspiring Andes. (L)
Today we fly by private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Guests traveling aboard National Geographic Explorer will from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Ushuaia to embark the Explorer; and guests traveling aboard National Geographic Orion will fly from Santiago, Chile to Ushuaia to embark the Orion. This morning's charter flight will bring us over Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. If the weather is fine, you'll have a chance to view the spectacular mountains rising out of the Beagle Channel as you enjoy lunch on a catamaran cruise. Then, you'll embark the expedition ship and set sail, (B,L,D)
Settle in to shipboard life as we sail to the Falkland Islands. Keep a lookout for albatross that glide alongside the ship. (B,L,D)
The Falklands boast the largest albatross colony in the world, irresistible Magellanic penguins in their burrows amid the green tussock grass and Peale's dolphins riding the waves. Stroll the photogenic tin-roofed, Victorian-style houses of Port Stanley. Visit the Anglican Cathedral with its organic archway of whalebones, and the Falkland Islands Museum. (B,L,D)
Whales beneath, birds above, as you continue on. Our naturalists will prepare us for the exciting days ahead with presentations on the wildlife of South Georgia, and, of course, the inspiring story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance. (B,L,D)
This is the final resting place for explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and we’ll hoist a toast at his gravesite. Teeming wildlife and breathtaking scenery greet our ship as our Zodiacs make landfall. Vast penguin colonies give you the opportunity to be surrounded by tens of thousands of king penguins! (B,L,D)
As we voyage, head up to the Bridge to watch for icebergs and observe expert navigation at work as our skilled Captain and officers sail these historic waters. There’ll also be time to enjoy a massage in the wellness center, workout in the gym, and browse in the library. Each day our naturalists offer talks that add depth to your experience. (B,L,D)
With long hours of daylight, we make the most of our days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands. Our schedule is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of the unexpected. We’ll sail through the incomparable Lemaire Channel and land on the “White Continent,” exploring via Zodiac, kayak and on foot, and using our arsenal of tools for exploration. (B,L,D)
On our final day at sea, enjoy one last chance to view the marine and bird life of these southern waters. Toast our epic voyage at a festive farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
Today we disembark in Ushuaia. Fly by private charter flight to Buenos Aires or Santiago and connect with your overnight flight home. (Day 22: B,L)
IMPORTANT: Some departures may have a slightly modified itinerary. Please confirm departure and arrival cities with an Expedition Specialist before booking your flights.
Please note: All day-by-day breakdowns are a sampling of the places we intend to visit, conditions permitting.