Expedition Overview
Expedition Overview
- Set out from the National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, or National Geographic Resolution in a Zodiac or kayak and glide among the exquisite icebergs of the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Trace the riveting story of Shackleton’s fateful expedition on South Georgia with our team of experts, and get immersed in a sea of black and white amid thousands of king penguins.
- Learn about the pioneer outposts of Port Stanley in the Falklands (Islas Malvinas) and the former military base of Port Lockroy in Antarctica.
- Get hands-on instruction from a National Geographic photographer as you frame breaching whales, elephant seals, and numerous penguin species.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Set out on a voyage to the remote lands made famous by Ernest Shackleton. Traveling aboard one of our ice-class expedition ships, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, or National Geographic Resolution, spend six days discovering the icy wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula. Stroll through lively crowds of king penguins in stunning South Georgia, and hike the rocky shores of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) to see nesting albatross. Experience boundless wildlife and captivating beauty as you venture into some of the planet’s most unspoiled landscapes.
This trip is operated in collaboration with Lindblad Expeditions.
Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires (National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Endurance) or Santiago (National Geographic Resolution). In Buenos Aires, settle into our hotel before setting out on a guided tour of the city’s Beaux-Arts palaces and parks. Visit Recoleta—the final resting place of Argentina’s iconic first lady, Eva Perón—and enjoy a private visit to El Zanjón de Granados, one of the city’s premier museums. In Santiago, check into our hotel before our guided overview of this vibrant city backed by the inspiring Andes.
This morning’s charter flight offers some rare views of Patagonia en route to Ushuaia, one of the world’s southernmost cities. Take a catamaran cruise through Patagonia’s scenic Beagle Channel before embarking our ship. This evening, we set sail for the open sea.
Wake up to views of the famed Drake Passage and enjoy time for talks from our onboard naturalists about the wildlife and geology that await us on the Antarctica Peninsula.
With long 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 killer whales perform off the bow or enjoying an after-dinner excursion on the water. We anticipate opportunities to take walks, explore by Zodiac or kayak, and experience close encounters with wildlife every day. Our stops will be adapted to 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 bickering 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 cliff-side rookery in search of blue-eyed shags. And the next, we might experience a thrill of the ship crunching through the pack ice.
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 even how to take beautiful photographs of the places we visit. Our undersea specialists capture 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.
As we voyage northeast towards South Georgia, watch for whales from the ship's bridge, hear talks by our experts, enjoy a book or a board game in the observation lounge, or opt for a spa treatment.
Spend five incredible days exploring stunning South Georgia, leisurely tracing the coast past towering cliffs and beaches peppered with penguins. Our schedule is flexible, and we anticipate opportunities to walk, hike, kayak, or explore by Zodiac every day. Our stops may include the abandoned whaling station at Grytviken, which played a part in the extraordinary story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition and is now the explorer’s final resting place; and conditions permitting Stromness Bay, where Shackleton, Tom Crean, and Frank Worsley finally reached help after a year and a half stranded in Antarctica. Watch the antics of huge elephant seals hauled up on shore, and encounter a vast colony of tens of thousands of king penguins.
Take advantage of the amenities on board as we make our way west to the Falklands (Islas Malvinas). Attend talks by our experts and National Geographic photographer, and unwind in the spa, library, or on deck.
Dock in Port Stanley and stroll along the streets lined with Victorian-style houses. See an archway made of whalebone at the Anglican Cathedral, and visit the Falkland Islands Museum. Hike and kayak along rocky coasts, spotting Magellanic penguins burrowing in tussock grass, elephant seals, and one of the largest albatross colonies in the world.
On our final day at sea, enjoy one last chance to view the marine life of these southern waters. Toast our epic voyage at a festive farewell dinner tonight.
Disembark in Ushuaia with time to explore before our charter flight to Buenos Aires (National Geographic Explorer or National Geographic Endurance) or Santiago (National Geographic Resolution). Continue on an overnight flight to the U.S.