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Our journey to the “White Continent” offers six days of exploration on the incomparably beautiful Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands and waterways. The sights, sounds and emotions will stay in your mind forever; enormous tabular icebergs, hillsides covered with thousands of penguins and the excitement on deck as someone shouts, “Whales!”.

Explore the vibrant capital city of Santiago, round Cape Horn, on the tip of South America, and sail past the islands of Tierra del Fuego. Learn about the Lindblad legacy of exploration in Antarctica as you travel with our experienced expedition staff, which includes an Undersea Specialist. Zodiacs and kayaks further our ability to examine this remote wilderness.

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Day 1 - U. S. to Santiago

Depart North America 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.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Santiago

With the soaring Andes as a backdrop, Santiago makes a spectacular and welcoming first impression — as does our hotel, the Hyatt Regency Santiago, located in a gracious residential neighborhood. The morning is free for resting up or exploring on your own. Santiago offers an intriguing blend of European, Spanish Colonial and innovative modern architecture. Its sun-mellowed facades and stately palms invite leisurely walks. After lunch, join a guided excursion of Santiago, including the Presidential Palace and historic cathedral area. We’ll head up into the San Cristobal hills for a panoramic city view, sure to inspire photographers. We return to the Hyatt for a relaxing dinner.

Accommodations: Santiago Hotel
Included Meals: lunch, dinner

Day 3 - Santiago, Ushuaia - Argentina, Embark Ship

The morning's flight offers some fascinating and rare views as we fly over the vividly rugged terrain of Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. This windy and desolate outpost is awe inspiring in its starkness. As our luggage is transferred to Explorer, we'll head to the nearby El Restaurante Relincho for a lunch that includes Argentina's traditional barbecue. Tierra del Fuego National Park at Lapataia Bay is our afternoon destination. Bordering the Beagle Channel, it is home to an array of plants and animals that are rarely seen anywhere else in the world, including the Tierra del Fuego red fox and the chungungo otter. After our walk, return to town and board the Explorer, your seafaring home for the next several days. As you step aboard, surrounded by Ushuaia's soaring mountains, you'll be aware, in an exciting way, of the fact that you're a long way from home. Settle into your cabin before joining your first dinner onboard. It's time to start our voyage toward Antarctica.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - At Sea

Awake this morning well into your 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.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 5-10 - 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 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."

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 11-12 - At Sea

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.

Accommodations: National Geographic Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13 - Ushuaia, Disembark, Santiago

As we disembark in Ushuaia, a location that mere days ago seemed wild and remote, is now, in contrast to the "farness" of Antarctica, cozily familiar. We then proceed to the airport for the flight to Santiago, and the subsequent independently arranged overnight flights home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 14 - Arrive Home

Independently arranged overnight flights home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: n/a

Extend Your Antarctica Cruise

Optional pre voyage extension to Machu Picchu-Land of the Inca and post voyage extension to Easter Island are available. Please call for details.

Notes on Itinerary: Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Single Travelers: We will make arrangements for roommate shares for solo travelers at the double occupancy rate in categories 1 and 2. We match you with a cabin mate(s) of the same gender. Even if we are unable to find a cabin mate for you, no single supplement will be charged.

Children Age Requirments: There are no age requirements for children. Children under the age of 17 are eligible for $500 off the cost.

Land Cost Includes: One night pre-cruise hotel in Santiago; Shipboard accommodation, meals, shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage; Leadership by experienced expedition staff; Presentations by noted naturalists and other experts; Zodiac cruising and transfers to and from the ship for shore excursions; Comprehensive pre-departure information kit and Antarctica handbook; Group transfers and baggage handling as per itinerary; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges; Sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits; use of kayaks (where available); taxes and service charges; services of a ship physician on most voyages.

Not Included: Any airfare, whether international or required charter flights from Santiago to Ushuaia and back; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals in Santiago; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to confirm a reservation with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. All prices and payments are in US dollars and no other currencies can be accepted. A special cancellation policy applies to all Antarctica trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing.
Cancellations received 120 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of $250 per person ($150 of which is a Travel Certificate).
Between 119-90 days, per person deposit amount is forfeited.
Between 89-60 days, per person cancellation fee of 25% of trip cost.
Between 59-30 days, per person cancellation fee of 50% of trip cost.
Between 29-0 days, no refund.

For your party of 8 or more, you will each receive 5% off your expedition. A 10% deposit is due at time of reservation, and an additional 25% is required 120 days in advance. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with

Accommodations Aboard: The Explorer accommodates 148-passengers in comfortable twin and triple cabins each with a desk and ample storage space. Public areas include a Lounge and bar with facilities for slide shows and lectures; Library; Swimming pool; Fitness Center; Sauna; Hair Salon; Gift Shop. Views are excellent from the large, open decks and the navigation bridge, where we are always welcome. The chefs produce a varied menu and the comfortable bar is stocked with a good selection of wine. The ship officers and crew are all highly experienced in ice navigation. The atmosphere aboard is relaxed and informal, more like a private expedition than a cruise.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join any off-vessel excursions, passengers must be able to navigate the steep, 30-stair, gang-way, un-assisted both down and up. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. You are traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.


We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.





Photos courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions
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