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polar regions: antarctica

National Geographic Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands

Aboard the National Geographic Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands voyage, decades of exploring Antarctica and the surrounding region have given your expedition staff the expertise and time needed to uncover important landing sites beyond the Antarctic Peninsula that we now call on with ease: the wildlife-rich Falkland Islands and South Georgia, perhaps the ultimate destination for jaw-dropping scenery, boundless wildlife and the captivating history of Ernest Shackleton and his crew. Walk wild beaches as a hundred thousand king penguins go about their busy lives: calling for mates, flashing their bright colors in their courtship ritual. Take a rugged hike and go by Zodiac and kayak where few have gone before. The expedition covers 24 days and includes 21 nights of accommodation. The National Geographic Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands expedition will affect the way you tell stories about travel and wildlife adventures for years to come.

Days 1-2 - Depart Miami & Buenos Aires, Argentina

Depart Miami 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. Check in to the Caesar Park Hotel. This seductive city set along the Rio de La Plata has been the gateway to Argentina for centuries. Embark on a guided overview, 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 - Beagle Channel & Embark Ushuaia

This morning’s charter flight offers some rare views of Patagonia en route to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. Take a catamaran cruise through Patagonia’s scenic Beagle Channel before embarking the National Geographic Explorer.

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

Day 4 - At Sea

Awake well into your journey across the Drake Passage, a milestone in any adventurer’s personal travel history, with time to hear talks preparing you for the exciting days ahead.

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

Days 5-6 - Falkland Islands

The Falklands boast the largest albatross colony in the world, irresistible Magellanic penguins in their burrows amid the green tussock grass and herds of enormous elephant seals. Stroll the photogenic tin-roofed, Victorian-style houses of Port Stanley. Visit the Anglican Cathedral with its organic archway of whalebones, and the Falkland Islands Museum.

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

Days 7-8 - At Sea

Whales beneath, birds above, as you head to legendary South Georgia Island. The Explorer's naturalists will prepare you for the exciting days ahead with presentations on the wildlife of South Georgia, and, of course, the inspiring story of Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance.

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

Days 9-13 - South Georgia Island

This is the final resting place for explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and we'll hoist a toast at his grave site. Teeming wildlife and breathtaking scenery greet the ship. Hundreds of young Antarctic fur seals are on hand as the Zodiacs make landfall. And at a vast penguin colony, you'll be surrounded by 300,00 King penguins!

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

Days 14-15 - At Sea

As you voyage south, head up to the Bridge to watch for icebergs and observe expert navigation at work as the Explorer's skilled Captain and officers sail these historic waters. There’ll also be time to enjoy a massage in the wellness center, workout in the gym and browse in the library. Each day naturalists offer talks that add depth to your experience.

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

Days 16-20 - Antarctica

With long hours of daylight, you'll make the most of your days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands. The ship's schedule is flexible, allowing you to take advantage of the unexpected. Sail through the incomparable Lemaire Channel and land on the “White Continent,” exploring via Zodiac, kayak and on foot, and using the ship's arsenal of tools for exploration.

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

Days 21-22 - At Sea

As you sail back to Ushuaia, an albatross or two may join the escort of seabirds that crosses the bow. There’s time to share photos with the onboard National Geographic photographer, catch up on the book you haven’t had a minute to read and write emails home.

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

Days 23-24 - Disembark Ushuaia, Flights to Buenos Aires & U.S.

Disembark in Ushuaia with time to explore before your charter flight to Buenos Aires. Continue on an overnight flight to the U.S.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch



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: One night pre-cruise hotel in Buenos Aires; Shipboard accommodation, meals, shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage; Leadership by experienced expedition staff; Expedition parka; 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.

Exclusions: Air transportation (charter airfare $790 round-trip Buenos Aires/Ushuaia; sample airfare round-trip Miami/Buenos Aires: economy from $1400, business from $4300), 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 National Geographic Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands cruise begins and ends in Buenos Aires, Argentina; including a charter flight from Ushuaia back to Buenos Aires for flights home. Embarkation time may vary as it is based upon arrival of group flights from Los Angeles, California. Disembarkation is after breakfast on day 23 of the outlined itinerary.

Payment & Cancellation: A deposit of $1800 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: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility and leads an active life. Passengers must be able to navigate the 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.

Special Guests & Programming: The National Geographic Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands cruise features a number of special guests and programming.

November 7, 2013: Travel with professional photographer Michael Melford, who has shot more than a dozen features for National Geographic magazine, as well as mountaineer Peter Hillary, who's summited the highest mountain on each of the seven continents and established a new overland route to the South Pole. This departure also offers a shipboard hands-on video workshop with award-winning National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Cotton Coulson and Emmy-winning filmmaker David Wright. Talks and tips from the filmmakers are available to all guests; however, the hands-on workshop is limited to 25 participants at a cost of $500 per person.

February 15, 2014: Special guests onboard are Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Jay Dickman and former NASA Chief Scientist Robert Bindschadler, who has led 16 Antarctic field expeditions to study dynamics of the West Antarctic ice sheet.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com