trip specifics

price

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 our Antarctica cruises, the sights, sounds and emotions will stay in your mind forever.

Experience the National Geographic 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. Our expert Ice Team will get you out exploring daily.

--Please scroll down to see video--

Day 1 - U. S. to Buenos Aires, Argentina

Depart U.S. this evening on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires. (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 - Buenos Aires/Overnight Hotel

We arrive this morning in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, set on the Rio de la Plata, and check in to the fine Caesar Park Hotel. In the afternoon, we have a guided overview of the city, seeing its Beaux Arts palaces, grand boulevards, and the famous balcony forever associated with Eva Peron.

Accommodations: Caesar Park Hotel
Included Meals: lunch

Day 3 - Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Embark Ship

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 Beagle Channel before embarking National Geographic Explorer.

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/Buenos Aires

After breakfast, we disembark in Ushuaia with some time to explore before proceeding to the airport for our LAN charter flight to Buenos Aires, and an overnight flight to Miami.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

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: 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 ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our expedition staff.

Not Included: 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 ship's crew at your discretion.

Arrival/Departure: The White Continent Cruise begins and ends in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Embarkation time may vary as it is based upon arrival of group flights from Los Angeles or Miami, California. Disembarkation is after breakfast on day 13 of the outlined itinerary.

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.

Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage is required for this trip. Consider Travelex Select or Max policies to ensure the best level of coverage. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.


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
return to top of page

AdventureSmith Explorations

Travel Specialists  |  Contact Us