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Book August 14 - September 29, 2023. Save 25% on the cabin fare when booking any Category 1 cabin, including solo cabins, or Category SU on National Geographic Islander II, for departures in 2023 when you pay in full at time of booking. Valid for new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking, cannot be combined with other offers, and is not applicable on airfare or extensions. To qualify for the discount, non-refundable payment in full is due at the time of booking. Call for details.
Benefit from 50+ years of inside know-how
Remote. Untrammeled. Spectacular. Exploring Antarctica is one of the most exhilarating adventures on Earth. There are many reasons to go. See scores of penguins and whales. Fall under the spell of sculptural ice: an entire museum of colossal and magical ice forms defying description. And add the dashing history of the Heroic Age of Exploration. Over 50 years ago, Lars-Eric Lindblad took the first group of "citizen" explorers to Antarctica in 1966. Since then the Lindblad family has operated hundreds of Antarctic expeditions. This is a level of “institutional” experience that ensures your safety and a rich encounter with the region that no one else can offer.
Learn more about this captivating continent and get answers to frequently asked questions with our comprehensive How-To guide. Order your complimentary guide today!
(7) Antarctica Itineraries
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NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Feb
Mar
Nov
Dec
From
$16,568
Prices are per person
Highlights
Antarctica
Patagonia
Antarctica and Patagonia: Legendary Ice and Epic Fjords
Duration
20 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Feb
Mar
Nov
Dec
From
$16,568
Top Highlights
Seek out Antarctica’s iconic wildlife—including penguins, seals, and killer whales—and marvel at incandescent icebergs using our fleet of kayaks and Zodiacs
Navigate Chile’s coastal fjords and explore spectacular Glacier Alley, where monumental glaciers calve into the sea
Hike among the snowcapped “horns” of Torres del Paine National Park and enjoy special access to Karukinka Natural Park, the largest protected land area in Tierra del Fuego
Cruise the waters of Francisco Coloane Marine Park, searching for the humpback whales and dolphins that inhabit this vast marine reserve
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Feb
Mar
Nov
From
$20,400
Prices are per person
Highlights
Antarctica
Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands
Duration
24 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Feb
Mar
Nov
From
$20,400
Top Highlights
Trace the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s fateful journey in 1914 aboard Endurance, and toast his gravesite in South Georgia
See three distinct regions and benefit from our 50 years of experience here
Early November departures on all ships offer the possibility to cross-country ski and showshoe across the frozen sea ice, conditions permitting
Create incredible images of the ice and vast penguin colonies with help from a National Geographic photographer
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Dec
From
$42,525
Prices are per person
Highlights
Antarctica
Epic Antarctica: From the Peninsula to the Ross Sea & Beyond
Duration
35 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Dec
From
$42,525
Top Highlights
Discover four stunningly beautiful wilderness regions aboard the ultimate polar ship, which provides unprecedented access, opens up unexplored opportunities in polar environments, and makes polar travel safe, smooth, thrilling, and luxurious
Sail through the Ross Sea, one of the most remote regions on the planet, including the Ross Ice Shelf, the world’s largest ice shelf, approximately the size of France
View 100,000 pairs of king penguins on remote Macquarie Island
By special permit, sail for three days in the rarely seen remote subantarctic Islands, considered ‘bird-central’ and an ornithologist’s dream
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Feb
Nov
Dec
From
$11,880
Prices are per person
Highlights
Antarctica
Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent
Duration
14 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Feb
Nov
Dec
From
$11,880
Top Highlights
Explore the world’s last great wilderness in the company of a team of top naturalists celebrating Lindblad’s 50-plus years of expedition heritage
Hike on magnificent mountains and see huge glaciers, plus observe thousands of penguins: gentoos, Adelie, and chinstrap
Kayak in protected waters, paddling as penguins swim nearby
Zodiac cruise in ice-choked channels and land on distant shores to explore on foot
Early November departures offer the possibility to cross-country ski or snowshoe across the frozen sea ice, conditions permitting
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Feb
From
$25,711
Prices are per person
Highlights
Antarctica
South Georgia and the Falklands
Duration
19 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Feb
From
$25,711
Top Highlights
Hike in the footsteps of “the Boss,” Sir Ernest Shackleton, and toast his gravesite in South Georgia
Witness the spectacle of tens of thousands stately king penguins in South Georgia and observe magnificent albatross in the Falklands
Explore the ice by Zodiac and paddle a kayak amid curious fur seals
Compare aperture settings side by side with a National Geographic photographer
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Nov
Dec
From
$19,569
Prices are per person
Highlights
Antarctica
Australia and New Zealand
Southern Odyssey: New Zealand and the Subantarctic Islands
Duration
22 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Nov
Dec
From
$19,569
Top Highlights
Immerse yourself in unparalleled beauty: scenic beaches and lush native forests in the North Island and deep fjords and dramatic landscapes in the South Island.
Discover the history and dynamic culture of New Zealand and the Māori people.
Explore the sub-Antarctic islands which remain almost completely protected from human activity and are home to a diverse collection of endemic plant and animal species
Delve into New Zealand’s cultural riches – from Napier’s Art Deco architecture, to historical Maori sites.
Visit Abel Tasman National Park where we’ll discover its golden sand beaches, abundant bird life, and native forests.
New
Wild Coasts of Argentina, South Georgia and the Falklands
Duration
24 days
Oct
From
$44,298
Top Highlights
Seek out one of the world’s largest and most spectacular marine mammals—the southern right whale—in its annual breeding grounds off Argentina’s eastern coast
Experience traditional gaucho culture and cuisine at splendid estancias in Uruguay and Argentina
Capture the windswept beauty of the Falkland Islands—and the albatrosses, penguins, and sea lions that inhabit this remote archipelago—with guidance from a National Geographic photographer
Trace the spellbinding story of Ernest Shackleton’s fateful expedition on South Georgia, and walk a beach thronged with tens of thousands of stately king penguins
Exploring Antarctica, the wildness of South Georgia, and the rugged Falklands should be a pinnacle event in any traveler's life. Key to your experience is our fleet: top-tier Ice Class vessels, purpose designed and built to venture deep into the ice in comfort and safety. Go with an expedition team hand-picked for their knowledge of polar natural history and their ice skills, with state-of-the-art tools at your fingertips for unparalleled exploration. Observe the antics of penguins. Kayak ice-choked waters. Hike a hillside for a spectacular, otherworldly view of massive ice sheets. Search for whales, and see leopard seals lounging on the ice. Go with the freedom to choose how you want to explore.
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, undersea specialist, National Geographic photographer, and more.
Expedition Leaders
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Explore Antarctica with a diverse team of naturalists, many of them polar veterans, of a variety of specialties: zoology, biology, ornithology, geology, polar history, and more. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
Discover what lies beneath the waves withan undersea specialist aboard who can dive into the cold waters to shoot video or deploy an ROV to depths of 1,000 feet to explore rarely seen regions.
Travel and shoot with a bona fide National Geographic Photography Expert. These top pros are at your side and at your service—providing advice, inspiration, tips, and slideshows. Access to photographers of this caliber will help you improve your skills and ensure you’ll go home with incredible photos.
Certified Photo Instructor
Every Antarctic expedition also offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to help you become a better, more confident photographer—and to help you understand the movements of wildlife so you can create top shots.
Our wellness program embodies the belief that nature is vitalizing and that wildness, as Thoreau famously said, supplies a tonic. Wellness specialists are fully accredited and experienced licensed massage therapists and are aboard every ship in the National Geographic-flagged fleet. They lead morning stretch class on the deck, aerobic walks ashore, kayak outings, and more.
When you travel with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, you'll enjoy exclusive experiences on every departure, featuring renowned individuals from the worlds of science, exploration, literature, music, photography, culture, and more—thoughtfully curated to enrich your expedition.
Browse our team directory to discover the full cast of expedition staff
Visit itinerary dates to view additional staff and guests
Christian Cooper
Christian Cooper is the Host and a Consulting Producer for the upcoming National Geographic series Extraordinary Birder. As a board member of the New York City Audubon Society, he advocates for greater, safer access to green spaces for all, with a focus on outreach to youth in underserved communities. He looks forward to bringing the gospel of birding to ever wider audiences through Extraordinary Birder and his memoir, Better Living Through Birding, forthcoming from Random House.
Born in the Falkland Islands, Mensun Bound was the Triton Fellow in Maritime Archaeology at St Peter’s College, Oxford, and the director of the first academic unit for underwater archaeology in England. Known as the "Indiana Jones of the Deep," Bound has conducted wreck surveys and excavations all over the world in a career that spanned 40 years, and was Director of Exploration for the search mission that located the wreck of Ernest Shackleton's ship Endurance.
Dr. Bindschadler’s career spanned more than 30 years at NASA where he retired in 2010 as the Chief Scientist of NASA’s Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences Laboratory and a Senior Fellow of the Goddard Space Flight Center. He is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, a past President of the International Glaciological Society, and is currently both a NASA Emeritus Scientist and a Senior Research Scientist at Morgan State University. He maintains an active interest in glaciers and ice sheets and has led 16 Antarctic field expeditions to study dynamics of the West Antarctic ice sheet.
Award-winning travel and editorial photographer Susan Seubert has photographed more than 30 feature stories for National Geographic Traveler. Most recently, She has been participating as a travel expert in a series of workshops hosted by the University of Southern Denmark, where she, along with her academic colleagues, try to solve the issues surrounding sustainable travel in the polar regions. Her work has been recognized by Columbia University's Alfred Eisenstadt Award and the North American Travel Journalists Association for excellence in photography. She also lectures regularly at such institutions as Harvard University and the Portland Art Museum.
Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Jay Dickman's career has spanned more than 40 years. Among his more than 25 assignments for National Geographic, he lived in a Stone Age village in Papua New Guinea and spent a week under the Arctic ice in a nuclear attack submarine. A popular photography instructor, he has also published a best-selling guide called Perfect Digital Photography, as well as numerous articles for National Geographic, LIFE, Sports Illustrated, Time, and Forbes.
Krista Rossow began her career as a photo editor at National Geographic Traveler magazine. She has shot feature stories as a contributing photographer for Traveler in Japan, South Africa, Morocco, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and various U.S. cities. She regularly judges Instagram contests for @NatGeoTravel and photo edits for National Geographic Books.
Filmmaker, photographer, and producer David Wright has worked in over 65 countries on projects commissioned by National Geographic, PBS, and the BBC, among others. On other ocean-based adventures, Wright has accompanied National Geographic Explorer-at-Large Bob Ballard (of Titanic fame) on expeditions to search for the sunken U-boats and documented the natural history of the great white shark.
Peter Hillary is the son of Sir Edmund Hillary, who was the first man to reach the summit of Mount Everest with his climbing partner Tenzing Norgay in 1953. He is the first second-generation to climb Mount Everest, he has climbed the Seven Summits (the highest mountain on each of the seven continents), and he has been on more than 40 mountaineering expeditions around the world.
David Allen Sibley is the author and illustrator of the series of successful guides to nature that bear his name, including the New York Times bestseller The Sibley Guide to Birds. He has contributed art and articles to numerous publications and wrote and illustrated a syndicated column for The New York Times.
Witness the discovery in your child’s eyes, whether they’re gazing at the grooves of an iceberg or watching penguins from a Zodiac. Moments like these are abundant on our Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent—with our National Geographic Global Explorers Program for kids and teens 18 and under.
Expedition Spotlight: Photography on South Georgia and the Falklands
On voyage to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falklands aboard the National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Photography Expert Jasper Doest shared some advice for capturing compelling images while exploring such a remote and wild destination.
What to Expect: Crossing the Drake Passage
Join expedition leader Lucho Verdesoto as he describes what it’s like to navigate the Drake Passage, the legendary gateway to Antarctica.
South Georgia: Where Few Have Gone Before
There is a wildlife spectacle waiting in South Georgia unlike anything you’ve seen before: tens of thousands of penguins crowding one beach, enormous elephant seals hauled-out on shore, and flocks of seabirds soaring above. Get a glimpse of what it’s like to explore these rugged and remote islands and then plan to join us there this fall.
South Georgia Wildlife: Spot the Southern Ocean's Big Five
Just like the Serengeti, South Georgia has its own Big Five—the best of the best wildlife sightings that everyone looks forward to most. Naturalist David Cothran takes a closer look at some of at the fantastic wildlife highlights of this unique island.
An Adventure of a Lifetime: Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands
An expedition to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falklands is an amazing experience—one that you'll take home and treasure for years to come.
7 Amazing Activities for Kids in Antarctica
Although it can be overlooked as a family travel destination, Antarctica offers endless snowy—and unforgettable—fun. Here are some of the activities in store for kids and teens on an Antarctica expedition.
Just starting to think about Antarctica? This will help
Antarctica is remote, wild, and demands experience of those who venture there to explore. View this guide to consider the six most important questions to ask so you can choose wisely and well, and ultimately have the best experience.
While the grandeur of Antarctica is on display no matter when you visit, each month provides its own window of weather and wildlife. Here, we break down some of the highlights each month has to offer to help you plan your ultimate Antarctic adventure.
Glass calm seas and warm air greeted the morning in the Beagle Channel. A suite of sea birds flew by in the morning light as sea lions passed us by. Taking the same route Darwin took on the namesake ship of this channel, it’s easy to see what aspects of the natural world might have captivated him here.
Very much enjoyed the presentation by the killer whale researchers, and your efforts to support their work are laudable. Photo guidance and inspiration were HELPFUL. I actually learned things I could apply to future trips! Finally, your efforts to locate and maneuver to find wildlife added immensely to the experience.
Lisa B.
Making a Difference
Join a National Geographic BioBlitz on select South Georgia & the Falklands expeditions. Defined as a limited amount of time in a defined area while trying to find as many species as possible, it’s citizen science at its coolest in one of the planet’s most wildlife-rich locations. Guests will work with naturalists to collect and upload data on sub-Antarctic species. Since these islands get relatively few visitors, these contributions will matter.
National Geographic Endurance set sail from the western edge of the Falkland Islands late last night. There was a slightly overcast sky when we entered the Beagle Channel in the morning. For the last miles to Ushuaia, we had stunning views of the most southern part of South America. Birds glided and whales swam alongside the vessel. We enjoyed several educational presentations, and there was time for packing luggage and getting souvenirs for friends and family from the Global Gallery. It was a perfect day to enjoy relaxing aboard the ship and making use of the spa, gym, and wellness facilities. The afternoon was filled with the third part of National Geographic photographer Michael Melford’s presentation, “On Assignment with National Geographic.” We enjoyed the famous Guest Slideshow, where we saw photos taken by our fellow travelers during our voyage to some of the most spectacular and densely-populated wildlife regions on our planet. In the evening, we enjoyed delicious drinks and nibbles during the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail Party in the Ice Lounge, which rounded out this hard to summarize expedition of National Geographic Endurance to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. It is a trip we will surely never forget.
The day began with a beautiful orange sunrise over the island of Steeple Jason. The Falkland Islands have about 60-70% of the total population of black-browed albatrosses, and the colony on Steeple Jason is the largest in the world with about 180,000 breeding pairs. On the island, we also saw some very large South American sea lions basking in the sun in the tussock grass and a small gentoo colony as well. In the afternoon, we sailed over to Carcass Island, named after the HMS Carcass . The bomb-class navy vessel was refitted as a survey ship and sent down to participate in the first hydrographical survey of the Falkland Islands under the command of John MacBride in 1766. On the island, we split into three groups for long, medium, and short hikes. All ended at the tea and cookie house hidden by Monterey cypress trees. Along the way, we saw several new species of birds including yellow-billed teals, Magellanic oystercatchers, Cobb’s wrens, grass wrens, black-crowned night herons, and even a rare sighting of a great grebe. We ended our day with the sun setting in front of us as we turned our compasses west and back towards Ushuaia.
After getting our first glances of the East Falklands last night, we awoke in the west after navigating north of the islands through the night. On approaching Saunders, we were briefly accompanied by Peale’s dolphins, and distant sei whale blows were also seen. We spent the morning around the settlement, getting insights into farm life with shepherding and shearing demonstrations from expedition leader, Russ Evans. This culminated with a barbecue on land, where we were joined by many of the crew and the island’s dogs. We spent the afternoon exploring more of Saunders’ wildlife with a hike past gentoo and Magellanic penguins up to nesting black-browed albatrosses and rockhopper penguins.
Another day at sea as we headed west, bound for the Falkland Islands. The Southern Ocean was kind to us, with very moderate seas, but the low clouds turned to fog as the morning wore on. The expedition team pressed on with educational presentations in the lounge. Guests had time to reflect on the last week exploring South Georgia, to edit photos, or to catch up on an afternoon nap. For our galley team, it was business as usual as they prepared this evening’s Filipino Pinoy dinner. The menu included lugaw soup, crepes with vegetables in peanut sauce, chicken adobo, pancit sotanghon noodles, suckling pig, and flan de leche for dessert. We will need the energy for tomorrow as we go right back into expedition mode with landings and hikes as we explore the Falkland Islands.
After bidding a fond farewell to South Georgia yesterday, we settled back into our first full day at sea. With a minimal swell and some light winds, we made the most of the day’s activities and the numerous excellent lectures on offer. There was plenty of wildlife on offer, too, including the usual suspects – albatrosses, storm petrels, petrels, and shearwaters – soaring gracefully alongside the ship. Following a wholesome breakfast in Two Seven Zero and C. Greens, we were treated to the story of glaciers on South Georgia by our resident “Ice Man,” naturalist Eric Ruth. Shortly afterwards, our resident bird expert and often a native of South Georgia, Jamie Coleman, told us about past and present science projects being conducted on and around the island. After another brilliant lunch from the galley team, some of us sorted through the mass of photos we took over the past few days and submitted “just one” to the photography team for feedback later in the evening. Following our photo submissions, naturalist and dive leader Maya told us about the secret life of krill, the fuel for so many creatures in the Southern Ocean. With our energy resupplied after tea at C. Greens, we enjoyed the final lecture of the day from historian Pelin about Carl Larsen and the whaling industry. Our expedition staff gave us more great stories and insights during evening recap before we settled down to another fabulous dinner on the high seas. The day concluded with some brilliant photos shared in the Ice Lounge. Photography experts Doug, Eric, and Michael cast a keen and critical eye over each image.
On my first visit to Antarctica, I didn’t sleep for two days—I was so mesmerized as our ship crunched through the sea ice. It was unending ice. The size, the shapes, the color.
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