Active, immersive expedition travel
Exploring Antarctica in an authentic expedition style, aboard an authentic expedition ship is an incomparable experience, and your guarantee of an in-depth encounter with all its wonders. Lindblad Expedition’s pioneering polar heritage and 40+ years of experience navigating polar geographies is your assurance of safe passage in one of the wildest sectors of the planet. Our veteran polar expedition team enables you to:
- See more of the legendary landscapes and habitats
- Encounter iconic penguins, leopard seals, and marine mammals
- Kayak among icebergs, Zodiac cruise past resting leopard seals, and hike on the continent with the best ice team on Earth
- Experience the seldom-seen Antarctic undersea, too––through the efforts of our undersea specialist
- Benefit from our 175 collective years of Lindblad-National Geographic expedition experience to see and do all you came for and more.
Day 1: Overnight Hotel in Santiago – Guests traveling aboard National Geographic Orion arrive today in Santiago. We check in to the fine Ritz Carlton Hotel, centrally located in Santiago, and have the morning to relax. Santiago is nearly surrounded by the Andes, which form an inspiring backdrop to our afternoon guided overview of this vibrant city. We explore the Plaza de Armas, the main square, and nearby Presidential Palace, enjoying wonderful views from the many hills that dot the city. (L)
Day 2: Fly to Ushuaia, Argentina/Embark Ship – Today we fly by private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Guests traveling aboard National Geographic Orion will fly from Santiago, Chile to Ushuaia to embark the Orion. The morning’s LAN charter flight offers some rare views as we fly over the vividly rugged terrain of Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. We’ll have lunch aboard a catamaran cruise on the scenic Beagle Channel before embarking our ship. (B,L,D)
Day 3: At Sea – We awake this morning well into our 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. (B,L,D)
Day 4 – 9: Antarctica – With nearly 24 hours of daylight, we make the most of our days, keeping a flexible schedule to take advantage of the unexpected — perhaps watching a 40-ton whale surface off the bow. We are out 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 our experts how to identify penguins and get photo tips from a National Geographic photographer while watching those same penguins. Back aboard, our Undersea Specialist may present video from that day’s dive — rare images taken up to 1,000 feet below the surface using our ROV. Our expert staff will craft an expedition where you will learn more, see more and experience more. (B,L,D)
Day 10 – 11: 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. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Disembark Ushuaia/Fly to Santiago/Home – After breakfast, we disembark in Ushuaia with some time to explore before proceeding to the airport for our LAN charter flight (guests on Orion fly Ushuaia to Santiago.) Please confirm departure and arrival cities with an Expedition Specialist before booking your flights. (B,L)