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This Antarctica travel journey aboard the National Geographic Explorer 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 this Antarctica cruise itinerary. 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, a National Geographic photographer and more experts on board.

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

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, enjoy 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: n/a

Day 3 - Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, Embark Ship

The morning's LAN charter flight offers some rare views as you fly over the vividly rugged terrain of Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. 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, it's easy to make the most of these six days in Antarctica. The National Geographic Explorer keeps a flexible schedule to take advantage of the unexpected — perhaps watching a 40-ton whale surface off the bow. You'll leave the ship daily. One day, you may take a zodiac foray amid towering bergs under a bright sun, walk along the shoreline amid a huge penguin colony, hike to a summit for a breathtaking view or kayak along a cliff-side rookery in search of blue-eyed shags. And the next, you’ll have the thrill of watching the ship crunch through the pack ice, or step ashore to the cries of thousands of gentoo penguins. You’ll learn from experts how to identify penguins and get photo tips from a National Geographic photographer while watching those same penguins. Back aboard, the ship's Undersea Specialist may present video from that day’s dive — rare images taken up to 1,000 feet below the surface using an ROV. The National Geographic Explorer's expert staff will craft an expedition where you will learn more, see more and experience more.

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

Days 11-12 - At Sea

As you sail back to Ushuaia, an albatross or two may join the avian escort of seabirds that cross the bow, and the ship's spotters will keep an eye out for marine life. Round the southernmost tip of South America, and see the meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 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 the staff will reflect on all you have seen and learned. Celebrate your voyage at a farewell dinner on board.

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

Day 13 - Disembark Ushuaia & Fly to Buenos Aires

After breakfast, disembark in Ushuaia with some time to explore before proceeding to the airport for your 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 Trip: Optional post voyage extensions to Iguazu Falls and Easter Island are available. Please call for details.

Itinerary Notes: 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.

Included: 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 kayaks (where available), gratuities (except to ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician and services of expedition staff.

Exclusions: Air transportation (charter airfare: $790 round-trip Buenos Aires/Ushuaia; sample airfare round-trip from Miami/Buenos Aires: from $1400), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, meals not indicated, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, voyage DVD and laundry. Gratuities to ship's crew at your discretion.

Room Configurations: 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. Third person rates are available in the designated triple occupancy cabins at one-half the double occupancy rate.

Families & Children: There are no age requirements for children. Children under the age of 18 are eligible for $500 off the double occupancy rate. Specially skilled staff have gone through a course designed by travel experts with years of experience in childhood and environmental education. This course has also been created in conjunction with the National Geographic Education department and NG Kids Magazine.

Parties of 8 or more 5% off per person on the voyage fare. A 10% deposit is due at time of reservation, and an additional 25% is required 120 days in advance.

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 & Cancellation: 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 Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:

120 or more days - $150 refund in form of a Travel Certificate
119-90 days - advance payment cost
89-60 days - 25% of trip cost
59-30 days - 50% of trip cost
29-0 days - no refund

Terms & Conditions: 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 and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. 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. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: National Geographic The White Continent 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.

National Geographic The White Continent Video:

Photo Expeditions: While all departures have a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Certified Photo Instructor onboard to provide help to beginner and intermediate photo enthusiasts, these special Photo Expeditions feature award-winning photographers that have graced National Geographic pages. Travel with Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson Nov 27 & Dec 7, 2013; Carsten Peter Dec 17 & 27, 2013; or Kevin Schafer Jan 6 & 16, 2014.


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