FREE BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED
Special Offers
We will cover your bar tab and all tips for the crew on all National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Resolution, and National Geographic Endurance voyages.
One of the grandest wild experiences the planet offers
This voyage has it all: the impossible beauty of the Antarctic ice, the vast king penguin colonies of South Georgia, and the Falklands' amazing albatross colonies. Not even the mass migrations of Africa can rival the awesomeness of seeing a king penguin colony of tens of thousands individuals stretching as far as the eye can see. You’ll have other rare sightings here too: massive, in both senses of the word, herds of elephant seals: and a wandering albatross stretching its 11-foot wings. It’s the impossible beauty of an Antarctica trip exponentially increased by unimaginable numbers of animals. For most travelers, visiting Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So for those with the luxury of time, including the Falklands and South Georgia just makes sense. And it makes for a genuine experience of a lifetime.
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
See less highlights
Duration
24 Days
Price
From $25,890 per person
Dates
Feb
Mar
Nov
Next departure
11/17/2021
Special offers
FREE BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED
BRINGING THE KIDS
COMBINING OFFERS
BACK-TO-BACK SAVINGS
TRAVELING AS A GROUP
FREE AIRFARE ON SELECT VOYAGES
EARLY BOOKING SAVINGS
PRODUCT CODE
ASG2
ASGF
Antarctica
Day By Day
Kayak or Zodiac cruise among icebergs, explore the rusted ruins of an abandoned whaling station, hike the last mile of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s trek across the island of South Georgia. Options about to make the expedition as active as you choose, and each day join a different naturalist for more viewpoints. Plus, get top shots with the help of a National Geographic photographer.
Standard Itinerary
Embark
Ushuaia, Argentina
Disembark
Ushuaia, Argentina
Reverse
Embark
Ushuaia, Argentina
Disembark
Ushuaia, Argentina
Special Offers
Special Offers
Dates, Rates & Cabins
Travel on this itinerary from $25,890 per person
Browse our team directory to discover the full cast of expedition staff
View DirectoryDaily Expedition Reports
Mar 20
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National Geographic Orion
Isla San Francisco & La Paz
Our time has come, the circle is closed. Twenty days ago, we left Ushuaia. Headed towards Antarctica, the infamous Drake Passage, and certainly some unknown. Now we return, after an incredible voyage to Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falklands, and a lot of ocean in between. Calm seas in the Beagle channel were certainly enjoyed, but it was a bit shocking to see trees and civilization. We did enjoy the sunshine, dolphins, and abundant birds. I think for many of us, we wished we were heading back out instead of into Ushuaia, but the memories we have created will last a lifetime.
Mar 20
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National Geographic Orion
Leaving the Falkland Islands
Today was a great day to stay indoors. Robust seas and high winds made for a somewhat rough ride and outside decks were closed to guests. Waves to around 5 metres and spray causing white out on the windows of the deck-6 observation lounge from time to time were the norm. Fortunately there were plenty of engaging presentations. Conor Ryan spoke of the underwater soundscapes of the oceans, communication between cetaceans and some of the significant and disturbing impacts of human activity on those soundscapes. Andrew Atkin gave some further insights to the Heroic Era of Antarctic exploration with stories from those expeditions that visited Cape Adare on the edge of the Ross Sea between 1895 and 1914. These included the more obscure visits of Carsten Borchgrevink ( Southern Cross Expedition) and Captain Scott’s northern scientific party during the Terra Nova Expedition. National Geographic photographer Todd Gipstein wrapped up his medley of presentations with ideas about how to develop our photographic collections into books, presentations and videos to share with family and friends. It was an absolute treat to see the treatment of his first Antarctic trip: reflective and inspirational indeed. The mid-afternoon treat was a broadcast of David Attenborough’s excellent program on the Antarctic, enjoyed by many guests from the comfort of their staterooms. Most folk emerged in time for the evening cocktails, update on plans from expedition leader Peter Wilson and a medley of interesting recaps. Particularly memorable was Rob Edwards’ simulation of plate tectonics using volunteers to represent different continents and mountain chains. After dinner entertainment in the lounge was hosted by guests Ruey and Amy who had put together a challenging trivia quiz. Topics ranged from Lindblad’s operational history through to natural history questions based on some of the presentations given during the voyage. It was a well-attended and fun night.
Mar 20
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National Geographic Explorer
At Sea, South Atlantic Ocean
Teatime is at its most delicious on sea days. And today our galley team outdid themselves with crepes, ice-cream, and a ridiculous assortment of nuts, chocolate, and other toppings. Of course, all this deliciousness is also well-accompanied by good coffee or tea! We are nearing the end of an incredible expedition. These moments are filled with a number of thoughts and feelings which often clash with each other. On the one hand we don’t want the trip to end and on the other we may well want to get back to our loved ones. And what a story we have to tell: there was the ice, in all its wondrous forms; the penguins, so many species, all equally enthralling; the seabirds, which make the Southern Ocean their home; the whales, which have accompanied us every step of the way; the land and icescapes; the camaraderie; and so much more. Then there is the responsibility for us to become more committed to caring for this unique planet and the duty we have to tell others to do likewise. This last day at sea has treated us very kindly, despite the swirling winds, clouds, and rain that have followed us most of the day. The early morning was an excellent time to spot seabirds and marine mammals; this included some uncommon species, and many kept us company well into the Beagle Channel. By midmorning, we were sailing around the Cape of Good Success at the entrance to the Beagle Channel. It was around here that Charles Darwin wrote home and shared that he had decided to dedicate his life to natural history and that he “hoped to make some small contribution to it.” During the day we were kept busy with a number of presentations, returning our gear, handing in our contributions to the guest slideshow, and of course packing. We learned about the discovery and the conservation of the hooded grebe bird, which was followed by a polar diving extravaganza. Lunch offered us a brief respite with beef burgers and French fries, always a favorite, before we headed for the afternoon presentations: the voyage of HMS Beagle and a poignant and personal look at the Falklands Conflict. The Captain then welcomed us to a farewell cocktail and dinner. By 8 p.m., the lights of Ushuaia, our final destination, could be seen ahead off to starboard. By 9:30 p.m. we were safely alongside the city, and a quiet night lay ahead of us. It has been a fantastic expedition and we have been privileged to have had some quite extraordinary experiences in some of the remotest and wildest places on the planet. There are no words to properly convey all that we have lived, and therefore it may be best to close with a poem by Pablo Neruda, entitled “Penguin.” Neither fool nor child nor black nor white but upright with curious innocence dressed in night and snow. The mother laughs at the mariner, the fisherman at the astronaut, but the infant child doesn’t laugh as he gazes at the bird-child and from the chaotic ocean immaculate traveler emerges in snowy sackcloth. I was without doubt that bird-child in the distant frozen archipelagos: when he looked at me with those eyes, with the old eyes of the sea: those were not arms nor were they wings but little sturdy oars which were carried at his sides: he was as old as the salt, he was as old as the moving waters and he gazed at me from his antiquity: since that encounter I know that I no longer exist, I am but a worm in the sand. The causes of my respect have remained in the sand: that sacred bird does not need to fly, does not need to sing and though its form is visible its soul bled salt as if it had pierced a vein from the bitter sea Penguin, static traveler, slow priest from the cold: I salute your upright salt and envy your feathered pride.
Mar 20
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National Geographic Orion
The Falkland Islands
National Geographic Orion approached Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands at dawn today, through a hanging mist. Although we anticipated inclement weather the day turned out to be dry but windy, and only slightly brisk. The day was filled with a variety of onshore tours to local points of interest. The pick of the tours for those interested in the lifestyle of the local rural community was the “Long Island Farm” visit. Glenda, the owner, and her son Paul hosted about 25 guests at their farm and gave us a taste of life and work on one of the world’s southernmost wool growing enterprises. Paul and Glenda demonstrated mustering a mob of sheep using a working dog, sheep shearing and horse wrangling. Although the fodder is not the richest stock feed the population of sheep on the Falklands exceeds half a million. The main fuel used for heating at the farm is peat cut from the nearby peat bed. This is done using a sharpened, flat-bladed spade of nine inches in width, specially designed for cutting the square blocks of the dense, black substance that is composed of dense matted roots that have been compressed over hundreds, maybe thousands of years. After a round of morning tea (delicious gingerbread included) we travelled back to Stanley on the coach. Stopping at a hilltop we were treated to a fascinating natural feature known locally as a stone run. Geologists call this “solifluction,” and it comprises of what appears to be a river of like-sized rocks extending for hundreds of metres down the hillsides. This is the result of repeated freezing and thawing of high rocky crags causing pieces to break away and move downhill, all the while being sorted by size resulting in the larger pieces being evident at the surface and the smaller acting like bearings to aid the downhill “flow” of the whole mass. The effect is a surprisingly even sized mass of rocks that appears from afar as if it’s a stream of water. An interlude back in Stanley allowed a bit of fossicking in the gift shops and cafés before the afternoon “Highlights of Stanley” tour. This passed around the wreck of Lady Elizabeth , one of many in the area, scooted via Gypsy Cove and back into the “suburbs” of Stanley. The Governor’s Residence is a grand manor overlooking the harbor and the memorial to the 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina is a fitting tribute to the fallen. The last stop was the museum with comprehensive displays depicted maritime elements of the Falklands, the natural sciences and the life and times of the communities living in this colonial outpost. Finally, the chance to stroll around the waterfront and enjoy the ambience of this interesting slice of life topped off another excellent day.
Mar 20
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National Geographic Explorer
Beaver Island and New Island
Today, Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Explorer broke new ground in the West Falklands with a maiden visit to Beaver Island. In fact, no cruise or expedition ship has ever made a visit to Beaver Island! At 12,000 acres, this hilly, spacious land is a wonderful place for spreading out and exploring. We landed on a white sandy beach and had an easy walk on a grazed path leading to a sub-colony of gentoo penguins. The penguins are always a treat to view, but the really exciting wildlife were the two gray Patagonian foxes which scampered among the tussock grass and observed the molting birds. Striated caracaras (known on the Falkland Islands as “Johnny Rooks”) also patrolled the colonies. We hiked past another sub-colony of gentoo penguins for a walk on the wonderful shoreline, lined with fantastic rock formations. The walk took us along the beach and then up a hill for sweeping views of sheer cliffs and strong surf. The stiff breeze made the grasses sway and our hearts pounded as we hiked the vertiginous cliff-tops, but the exploration was a delight and the freedom to roam was much appreciated. The Zodiac ride to the ship from the beach at Beaver Island was a bit splashy and kelp-filled, but many of us had special marine escorts in the form of playful and curious Peale’s dolphins bow-riding. We didn’t even mind that their leaping next to the boat soaked us with even more with seawater! After lunch, we landed our Zodiacs at the settlement at New Island for our last stop of this incredible voyage. It was the first opportunity to observe a black-browed albatross colony. The amphitheater of steep, rocky sea cliffs provided a perfect backdrop not only to these wonderful chicks still on their nests, but also to southern rockhopper penguins and imperial cormorants. The albatross chicks were the stars of the show and at about six months, still had three to four weeks to go before being fully fledged. They tested out their wings, preened, and waited patiently for a parent to return to their high, cylindrical guano nests. A few adults returned to the colony and showed off their stunning coloration and the beautiful black “eye-liner” that gives them their name. The hotel team took advantage of a protected area on the soft white sandy beach to finish off the day’s activities with a beach barbeque, complete with grilled sausages, beer, and soft drinks. It was a wonderful end to a truly unforgettable 21 days in the Southern Ocean.