Antarctica - The White Continent
Cruise Highlights:
- View huge tabular icebergs.
- Experience hillsides covered with gentoo, Adélie or chinstrap penguins, whales and abundant marine life.
- Passage through the famed Lemaire Channel between towering blue icebergs.
At a glance
Duration: 14 Days/11 Nights
Coverage: Roundtrip Ushuaia, Argentina
From: $10,270
Season: November - February
Activities: Kayaking, Photography, Zodiacs
This Antarctica travel journey is the classic itinerary to the beautiful Antarctic Peninsula. It delivers everything you want: the huge tabular icebergs, hillsides covered with gentoo, Adelie or chinstrap penguins, whales and abundant marine life, a passage through the famed Lemaire Channel between towering blue bergs, and more. On these Antarctica cruises, the sights, sounds and emotions will stay in your mind forever.
Experience the Lindblad legacy of exploration on your Antarctica cruise. A fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks further your ability to examine this remote wilderness. You'll travel safely with an experienced Antarctica cruise expedition staff: Naturalists, Ornithologists, Marine Biologists, Polar Historians, an Undersea Specialist, National Geographic Photographer and more. Their expert Ice Team will get you out exploring daily.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
- Day 1 — U.S./Santiago, Chile
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Depart Miami this evening on an overnight flight to Santiago. We've found that Miami is a convenient gateway for most, but other air alternatives are available.
- Day 2 — Santiago/Grand Hyatt
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We arrive in Santiago this morning. With the soaring Andes as a backdrop, Santiago makes a spectacular and welcoming first impression — as does our hotel, the Hyatt Santiago, located in a gracious residential neighborhood. In the afternoon, we have a panoramic overview of the city including a visit to the Pre-Columbian Museum. Return to the Hyatt for a relaxing dinner. (L,D)
- Day 3 — Santiago/Ushuaia, Argentina/Embark Ship
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The morning's LAN charter flight offers some rare views as we fly over the vividly rugged terrain of Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. We'll have lunch during a catamaran cruise of the scenic Beage Channel before embarking National Geographic Explorer. (B,L,D)
- Day 4 — At Sea
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We awake this morning well into our journey across the Drake Passage. Lying between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula, the Drake holds a unique place in maritime lore. Sometimes misty and gray, other times calm and clear, crossing the legendary Drake Passage is unforgettable - a milestone in any adventurer's personal travel history. (B,L,D)
- Days 5-10 — Antarctica
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With nearly 24 hours of daylight at this time of year, we make the most of our six days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands. Out there, our ship will freely roam. Our expedition team is a veteran one, and their expert knowledge of Antarctica's waters enables us to take advantage of the unexpected. We'll be out daily - experiencing Antarctica with all our senses as we walk, cruise in Zodiacs, and paddle kayaks through berg fields, hearing the Antarctic seltzer (gases escaping from dissolving icebergs) around us, the cries of the penguins, and the huge, nurturing silence of this perfectly pristine place. We may sail through the incomparable Lemaire Channel, where a hush falls over onlookers as bergs of beauty and scale drift by. We'll learn to identify penguins, paddle kayaks through berg fields and land with Zodiacs on the "White Continent." (B,L,D)
- Days 11-12 — At Sea
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As we sail back to Ushuaia, an albatross or two may join the avian escort of seabirds that cross our bow, and our 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 had a minute to read. Talks from our staff will reflect on all you have seen and learned.(B,L,D)
- Day 13 — Ushuaia/Disembark/Santiago
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After breakfast, we disembark in Ushuaia with some time to explore before proceeding to the airport for our LAN charter flight to Santiago, and an overnight flight to Miami. (B,L)
- Day 14 — Arrive Miami/Home
Dates & Rates
| National Geographic Explorer | Cabin Categories | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 2S | 3S |
| January 5, 15 | $10,580 | $11,190 | $11,590 | $12,420 | $14,820 | $16,990 | $19,920 | $13,990 | $14,490 |
| February 4 | $10,580 | $11,190 | $11,590 | $12,420 | $14,820 | $16,990 | $19,920 | $13,990 | $14,490 |
| November 27 | $11,740 | $12,390 | $12,850 | $13,760 | $16,490 | $18,890 | $21,990 | $15,390 | $15,940 |
| December 7, 17♦, 27♦ | $11,740 | $12,390 | $12,850 | $13,760 | $16,490 | $18,890 | $21,990 | $15,390 | $15,940 |
| 2013 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 2S | 3S |
| January 6, 16, 26 | $11,740 | $12,390 | $12,850 | $13,760 | $16,490 | $18,890 | $21,990 | $15,390 | $15,940 |
| February 5 | $11,740 | $12,390 | $12,850 | $13,760 | $16,490 | $18,890 | $21,990 | $15,390 | $15,940 |
♦Holiday Theme sailings
Included in Cruise Fare
- All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar
- All meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated
- Air transportation where indicated as included
- Shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits
- Transfers to and from group flights
- Use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits, use of kayaks (where available)
- Gratuities (except to Egyptologists and ship’s crew)
- Taxes and service charges
- Services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our expedition staff
Not Included in Cruise Fare
- Air transportation (except where shown as included)
- Extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees
- Scuba diving (where available)
- Meals not indicated
- Baggage/accident/travel protection plan
- Items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, and laundry
- Gratuities to Egyptologists and ship's crew at your discretion
Map
Ships
National Geographic Explorer
National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship, and the latest addition to the Lindblad fleet. It is a fully stabilized, ice-class vessel, enabling it to navigate polar passages while providing exceptional comfort. It carries kayaks and a fleet of Zodiac landing craft. An Undersea Specialist operates a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and sophisticated video equipment, extending access to the underwater world. View ship details...
Land Tours
Easter Island
Follow your Antarctica expedition with a visit to one of the most mysterious places on earth — Easter Island. Home to silent sentinels of a long lost culture, this tiny island is located 2,300 miles west of Chile in the Pacific Ocean and almost 1,200 miles from its nearest island neighbor. Learn about the ancient Rapa Nui culture that grew up in isolation. Where did these people come from and why did they carve more than 600 giant moai or stone statues? Learn from key archaeologists who have worked on uncovering these great relics.
- Day 1 — Ushuaia, Argentina/Disembark/Santiago, Chile
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Today we disembark National Geographic Explorer in Ushuaia and fly to Santiago, where we check in to the Grand Hyatt Santiago Hotel. (B,L,D)
- Day 2 — Santiago, Chile/Easter Island
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This morning you may explore Chile’s sophisticated capital before we fly to Easter Island and check in to the fine Taha Tai Hotel, our base for the next three nights. (B,L,D)
- Day 3-4 — Easter Island
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Easter Island Visit the Tahai Archaeological complex and museum to learn about the pre-history of the island, and the Rano Kau ceremonial site of Orongo, sited magnificently at the very edge of a volcanic crater. Explore Ahu Te Pito Kura, Punapau red stone quarry and Ahu Akivi, one of the latest constructions on the island with seven moai 14 feet tall. See Rano Raraku, where most of the stone statues were carved. Visit Ahu Tongariki, the largest ceremonial altar in Polynesia. (B,L,D)
- Day 5 — Easter Island/Santiago
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We have the day to continue our explorations of Easter Island before our late flight to Santiago, connecting to home-bound flights. (B,L)
- Day 6 — Arrive U.S.
Cost Per Person*
Double Occupancy - $2,690 Single Occupancy - $3,290
*To be added to your voyage cost. These costs are for the Oct. 2010-Mar. 2011 season.
Inquire for 2011/12 season costs.
Cruise Reviews
- National Geographic Explorer - January 2011
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We had an incredible time in Antarctica. It surpassed our wildest expectations. The scientists, explorers, guides and naturalists were entertaining, extremely knowledgeable, funny and engaging. We learned much about global warming, penguins, seals, and killer whales.
Birds & Mammals of the Antarctic, Subantarctic & Falkland Islands - by Frank Todd - $24.95
Endurance, Shackleton's Incredible Voyage - by Alfred Lansing - $14.95