ROB HERNANDEZ

Educated as an ecologist, Rob Hernandez has explored many of the world’s most remote places, studying and photographing wildlife and indigenous cultures. An authority on the Antarctic with years of experience leading expeditions in the region, he still is captivated by this polar wilderness. A 23-year veteran of National Geographic, Rob is senior vice president of international publishing. An enthusiastic teacher, he will share with you his love of nature, photography, and the landscapes and wildlife of Antarctica.

Rob will accompany the December 2005 departure.

ROFF SMITH

Writer and adventurer Roff Smith has traveled to the South Pole, to the top of Mount Erebus (Antarctica’s great live volcano), and around the Antarctic Peninsula. Author of six articles for National Geographic magazine, his recent article described Antarctica’s wildlife and environmental challenges. Roff is an expert on the continent’s history of exploration and the scientific research being conducted there. He has recently completed a National Geographic book about his travels, Life on the Ice.

Roff will accompany the January 2006 departure.

Day 1 Miami/Santiago, Chile
Depart Miami this evening on an overnight flight to Santiago.

Day 2 Santiago
Enjoy a tour of Santiago—a mix of European, Spanish, colonial, and modern architecture—with sun-mellowed facades, lush palms, and the Andes as a backdrop. This evening gather for a welcome reception and dinner.
Hyatt Hotel Santiago (D)

Day 3 Santiago/Ushuaia
This morning, fly to Ushuaia, visit the spectacular Tierra del Fuego National Park, then embark the National Geographic Endeavour.
(B,L,D)

Day 4 and 5 At Sea/Drake Passage
While crossing the Drake Passage, keep a lookout for seabirds and other marine life that glide alongside our ship. The passage, with its mountainous islands and spectacular seascapes, is usually quite breathtaking, especially if we spot whales.
(B,L,D)

Day 6-11 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. We'll sail through the incomparable Lemaire Channel, learn to identify penguins and other bird species.

Several landings are planned 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. At nearby Pendulum Cove, it may be possible to take a token "swim" in the shallows, heated by fumaroles.

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 await you standing along the shoreline. This tiny island is the site of a major penguin study, and we will have the opportunity to visit the scientists there.

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.
Daily (B,L,D)

Day 12 At Sea
Spend a restful day enjoying the ship's ample facilities as the Antarctic coast disappears from view.
(B,L,D)

Day 13 Cape Horn
Today we round the southernmost tip of South America and see the meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Celebrate your voyage at a farewell dinner on board.
(B,L,D)

Day 14 and 15 Ushuaia/Santiago/Miami
Disembark in Ushuaia. After lunch, fly to Santiago for your connecting flight to Miami.
(B,L)

The National Geographic Endeavour is a one-class ship with 62 outside cabins. It is fully stabilized, enabling it to navigate constricted waterways while providing comfort. It carries kayaks and a fleet of Zodiac motorized landing craft. An undersea specialist operates sophisticated underwater video equipment, extending access to the underwater world. Public areas include a lounge and bar, library, fitness center, and sauna. Services include a full-time doctor and massage therapist, guest e-mail, and laundry.

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