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Trip Details

Antarctica Cruise - Endeavour -  Possibly the best overall expedition cruise to Antarctica optional kayaking and scuba
15 Days | Departures: 10/31/08, 11/11/08, 11/22/08, 12/3/08, 12/14/08, 12/25/08, 1/5/09, 1/16/09, 1/27/09
From $10 250

Connected pages:  Request Information about an Antarctica Vacation | Travel - The Basics | Travel - The Details
Clothing  | Photography: equipment  technique  Prices in $USD, bookings readily arranged from anywhere

Locations:  Antarctic Peninsula | South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands | South Shetland Islands | Falkland Islands

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2008/09 Itinerary

Antarctic Peninsula, Falklands, South Georgia cruises

Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula
from $3,500
Antarctica Cruise
Possibly the best overall trip, kayaking and scuba
Falklands, South Georgia, & Antarctic Peninsula
South Georgia and the Falkland Islands
Antarctic Peninsula -climbing, kayaking
Antarctica Cruise
Comfortable expedition ship at half capacity
Emperor Penguin Safari, ice-breaker trip to the Weddell Sea
Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula (Active Adventure)
Antarctic Circle
optional scuba
Antarctic Circle Kayaking, Camping

Antarctic Peninsula - Hiking Voyage

Cruises in Eastern Antarctica - Ross Sea Region

Historic Huts & Antarctic Heroes
Ross Ice Shelf, McMurdo Sound
Epic Semi-Circumnavigation of Antarctica
31 days, icebreaker
Antarctica the Ross Sea Region
Ross Ice Shelf, Cape Adare, Shackleton, Scott's Hut, 26 days
Whale watching cruises
Galapagos cruises

Recommended Books


Lonely Planet travel guide to Antarctica
Buy USA Buy from Amazon USA 
Buy UK Buy from Amazon UK

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, Alfred Lansing

Antarctic Oasis: Under the Spell of South Georgia, Pauline Carr and Tim Carr

The Worst Journey in the World, Apsley Cherry-Garrard

Terra Incognita: Travels in Antarctica, Sara Wheeler

The Crystal Desert, David Campbell

 

Testimonials  |   Ship types

Trip Highlights: Best overall expedition cruise to Antarctica. Expect great guides with lots of experience, kayaks, underwater dive master. The ship is not too fancy, but the trip is fantastic!

Rates: $10,250 - $17,590
Twin from:$10,250, single from $12,810
Child Rate: $500 off per child (under 18)
Fuel surcharge: $10 per person per night

Just Released Offer Details: Book by Mar 1, 2008 and receive free, Miami/Santiago. -Applicable Dates: 10/31/2008, 11/11/2008

Ship: National Geographic Endeavour - Expedition Ship
Passengers: 110

Introduction

Antarctica is a land of superlatives. The world's southernmost continent, it has loomed large in the human imagination and in the history of exploration. Although most of its 18,500-mile coastline is fringed by ice cliffs, the coasts of the Antarctic Peninsula and the off lying islands are indented with fjords that offer spectacular vistas - and the chance to see some of the most extraordinary wildlife on earth.

Itinerary

Day 1: Miami/Santiago, Chile
You depart this evening on an overnight flight to Santiago, Chile's capital.

Day 2: Santiago
You arrive in Santiago this morning. With the soaring Andes as a backdrop, Santiago, makes a spectacular and welcoming first impression — as does your hotel, located in a gracious residential neighbourhood. 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 leisure walks. After lunch, join a guided excursion of Santiago, including the Presidential Palace and historic cathedral area. You’ll head up into the San Cristobal hills for a panoramic city view, sure to inspire photographers. You return to the Hyatt for a relaxing dinner.

Day 3: Santiago/Ushuaia, Argentina/Embark Ship
The morning's flight offers some fascinating and rare views as you 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 your luggage is transferred to Endeavour, you'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 your 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 your walk, return to town and board the Endeavour, 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 your voyage toward Antarctica.

Days 4-5: At Sea
You leave Ushuaia with Argentina and Chile behind you, and head to the Drake Passage. Lying between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula, the Drake holds a unique place in maritime lore and legend. From the Endeavour's bridge, observe expert navigation at work as your skilled Captain and officers sail these historic waters. 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.

Endeavour's library, gym and guest e-mail station become welcoming haunts. Watching for seabirds on deck in the fresh air, socializing in the Lounge, as well as attending informal lecturers given by the naturalists onboard, are among the opportunities that make your time at sea an active and engaging preparation for the adventure ahead.

Days 6-11: Antarctica

With nearly 24 hours of daylight at this time of year, you are able to luxuriate in our six days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands. And what a light it is — ranging from brilliantly blue-skied to the famous "golden hour" light prized by photographers, and the shades of gray, from pearly to pewter.

Your expedition style of travel means that your schedule is completely flexible, adapting to give you the best experience during your time. Out there, amid the splendour of the ice, surrounded by penguins and snow-capped mountains, the ship will freely roam in the most spectacular environment on earth. Your expedition team is a veteran one, and their knowledge of Antarctica's waters enables you to take advantage of prime conditions as you find them. Perhaps to explore an inlet this year that was blocked by ice last season, or drop kayaks in a small cove for a more personal, "penguin level" expedition. Sometimes we're even able to take you places where no one has ever been before — places for which our Captain and Ice Master might make a "mud map" that will eventually be published by maritime authorities as a guide for other mariners. You may also be able to enter Lindblad Cove, named in memory of Lars-Eric Lindblad, a pioneer in Antarctic tourism.

Sail through the incomparable Lemaire Channel, also known as Iceberg Alley, where a hush falls over onlookers as bergs of beauty and scale drift by. Cruise in Zodiacs to make landfall on Deception Island, where you'll walk along the beach, in the shadow of high black hills, through the spectral ruins of an abandoned whaling factory which once employed 100 men. And visiting historical such as Elephant Island, a name known to anyone familiar with the story of Ernest Shackleton, and his legendary feat — bringing every member of his crew safely back home after the wreck of his expedition ship Endurance and a two-year ordeal.

As you voyage, you'll see all the creatures that thrive in this polar habitat. Seabirds — from Pintado petrels to albatross with their magnificent wingspans. You may see orcas and minke whales, Weddell seals and fearsome leopard seals. And you will see — penguins. You'll see Gentoos, Adélies and chinstraps in unimaginably large numbers, visiting their colonies and observing their antic hunting, gathering and parenting behaviour firsthand.

You'll be out daily — experiencing Antarctica with all your senses as you walk, cruise in Zodiacs, and paddle kayaks through berg fields, hearing the Antarctic seltzer (gases escaping from dissolving icebergs) around you, the cries of the penguins, and the huge, nurturing silence of this perfectly pristine place.

Day 12: At Sea
As you sail back to Ushuaia, an albatross or two may join the avian escort of fulmars, petrels and other seabirds that cross the bow in a mesmerizing, balletic display. There'll be plenty of time to enjoy a massage, log some time in the gym, or catch up on the book you haven't had a minute to read. If you did manage to finish it, you'll find hundreds of others to peruse in Endeavour's extensive library. During our time at sea, our Expedition Leader and naturalists offer talks and presentations that add depth and dimension to your experiences. And your Undersea Specialist will show rare footage of the seldom-seen creatures that inhabit these icy waters.

Day 13: Cape Horn
Today, you round Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America. This legendary seafaring spot marks the point where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. Standing on deck, marking your passage through and marvelling at this historic, even infamous, locale, the mind plays over what you've seen and where you've been. How comfortably and with what apparent ease you travelled to a place legendary for its hardships and danger. And perhaps, even think: How easy it would be to simply stay put in one's ordinary routine. How enlivening not to do so and to continue to live adventurously — putting oneself in the right place to experience exceptional moments.

Day 14: Ushuaia/Disembark/Santiago
As you disembark in Ushuaia, a location that mere days ago seemed wild and remote, is now, in contrast to the "farness" of Antarctica, cosily familiar. After your time at sea, your visit to the Maritime Museum in Ushuaia will have a richer context. You then proceed to the airport for the flight to Santiago, and the subsequent overnight flight to Miami.

Day 15: Miami
Arrive in Miami at sunrise. As you board connecting flights home, you will each carry vivid memories of your adventure.


Notes:

Travel with National Geographic: Flip Nicklin (Oct 31, 2008) & Ralph Lee Hopkins (Nov 11, 22, 2008)
The photo team can enhance everyone's voyage with useful tips for improving your travel and wildlife images, strategies for being in the right place at the right time, and time-saving hints for editing and storing digital images. Whether expert or interested beginner, you'll find added benefits such as walks ashore and Zodiac cruises dedicated to photography, presentations on the creative and technical aspects of photography, and one-on-one mentoring and coaching in the field.

About Flip Nicklin
Flip Nicklin is regarded as one of the world's leading photographers of whales. Of the more than 20 articles Flip has photographed for National Geographic magazine, five were shot in the Arctic, including "Polar Bears, Stalkers of the High Arctic" published in January 1998.

About Ralph Lee Hopkins
Lindblad Photo Director Ralph Lee Hopkins' wildlife images have appeared in National Geographic's books, magazines and online galleries.

Included:
Round-trip flights to and from Santiago/Ushuaia; accommodations aboard and all meals except two lunches and one dinner ashore; one hotel night in Santiago, all shore excursions and sightseeing; transfers to and from group flights; tips (except to ship's crew), taxes and service charges; services of a ship physician and natural history staff.

Not Included:
International air transportation except as noted above; extension; passport and visa expenses; two lunches and one dinner; baggage/accident/cancellation insurance; items of a personal nature; gratuities to ship's crew at your discretion; fuel surcharge ($10 per person per night).
 

Antarctic Peninsula Region Cruises - (not an exhaustive list)

Trip

Departure Dates

Highlights

Ship / Pax

Options* Prices** Days Departure port
Classic Antarctica 11/9/08, 11/19/08, 11/29/08, 2/10/09, 2/20/09, 3/2/09 South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, Port Lockroy Expedition Ship

110 - Orlova

  $3,360 - $9,200 11 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica - Cruise - The Peninsula
Comfortable expedition ship

 
12/8/07, 2/13/08 South Shetland, Paradise Bay, Lemaire Channel Luxury Expedition Ship

199 - Minerva

  $6,695 - $17,995 14 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise The Peninsula (Adventure Options)
 
11/22/08, 12/20/08, 12/30/08, 2/6/09, 2/16/09, 2/26/09 South Shetlands, Antarctic Peninsula, Penguin Rookeries, Lemaire Channel, Spectacular Glaciers Research Vessel

48 - Shokalskiy

Kayaking, Camping $4 800 - $10,600 12 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctic Peninsula - one of the most active programmes 12/08/08 South Shetland Islands, Abundant Wildlife, Lemaire Channel Research Vessel

56 - Polar Pioneer

Climbing
Kayaking
$5,790 - $8,990 12 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula 11/24/08, 12/4/08, 12/7/08, 12/14/08, 1/4/09, 1/14/09, 2/4/09, 2/14/09, 3/14/09 Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula - South Shetland Islands, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, Port Lockroy Research Vessel

52 - Professor Molchanov or Multanovskiy

  $4,890 - $9,790 11 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula (Active Adventure)

 

11/22/07, 12/16/07, 12/20/07, 12/30/07, 1/9/08, 2/6/08, 2/16/08, 2/26/08 South Shetlands, Antarctic Peninsula, Penguin Rookeries, Lemaire Channel Research Vessel

110 - Akademik Ioffe and Akademik Sergey Vavilov

Kayaking,
Camping
$4,400 - $9,010 12 Ushuaia, Argentina
Trip

Departure Dates

Visiting

Ship / Pax

Options* Prices** Days Departure port
Antarctica, Crossing The Circle 02/09/09 Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Island, set foot on Antarctica South of the Antarctic Circle Expedition Ship

82 - Ocean Nova

Kayaking, Camping $8,100 - £16,300 13 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - Endeavour - Possibly the best overall expedition cruise to Antarctica 10/31/08, 11/11/08, 11/22/08, 12/3/08, 12/14/08, 12/25/08, 1/5/09, 1/16/09, 1/27/09 South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, Port Lockroy Expedition Ship

110 - National Geographic Endeavour

Kayaking
Scuba
$10,250 - $17,590 15 Fly from Miami to Santiago - Chile, embark in Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula
Hiking voyage
2/24/09, 2/27/09 Antarctic Peninsula, Penguin Rookeries, Lemaire Channel Research Vessel

52 - Professor Molchanov or Multanovskiy

A special walking expedition, be prepared for walks up to six hours $3,950 - $7,490 10 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctic Peninsula and Across the Circle 2/6/09, 2/17/09 Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Crystal Sound, Antarctic Circle Research Vessel

56 - Polar Pioneer

Scuba $5,490 - $9,790 12 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - Emperor Penguin Snow Hill Island Safari 10/8/08, 10/20/08, 11/1/08 Weddell Sea - Ice-Breaker / Helicopter trip Emperor Penguin Rookery, Gentoo and Adelie penguins, set foot on continental Antarctica Icebreaker

108 - Kapitan Khlebnikov

Helicopter Sightseeing Flights $11,500 - $20,900 14 Ushuaia, Argentina

Cruises Including South Georgia

Trip

Departure Dates

Visiting

Ship / Pax

Options* Prices** Days Departure port
South Georgia & the Falklands 10/15/08

 

Vast Colonies of King Penguins, Breathtaking Scenery, Historic sites - kayaking option, resident photographer Expedition Ship

110 - National Geographic Endeavour

 

Kayaking option, Resident photographer

 

$12,740 - $21,660

 

20 Ushuaia, Argentina

 

Antarctica, Falklands, & South Georgia - Most popular trip including South Georgia at the best time of year 1/14/09 Falkland Islands,  South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, as much wildlife viewing as possible, visits to scientific bases, Great guides and cuisine! Expedition Ship

110 - Orlova

  $9 800 - $18,400 20 Ushuaia, Argentina
Falklands, South Georgia, & Antarctic Peninsula 11/19/08, 12/17/08, 1/4/09, 1/22/09 Antarctic Peninsula, Vast Colonies of King Penguins with chicks, Breathtaking Scenery, Sir Ernest Shackleton Historical Sites Research Vessel

52 - Professor Molchanov or Multanovskiy

  $8,590 - $17,350 21 Ushuaia, Argentina
Notes
*
options may be at additional cost and are usually booked when the cruise is booked - it may be too late once the cruise has started.
** prices are based per person, the lowest price is usually for triple occupancy and the highest for double occupancy in the best available suite.

Feeling overwhelmed? contact our travel partners who will help you find the best cruise for your requirements.

Antarctica Ross Sea Region Cruises - (not an exhaustive list)

Trip Departure Dates Visiting Ship / Pax Options* Prices** Days Departure port
Great Antarctic Explorers - Ross Sea

12/4/07, 12/9/08

Enderby Island, McMurdo Station, Historic huts of Scott and Shackleton, Dry Valleys Icebreaker

108 - Kapitan Khlebnikov

  $18,500 - $33,500 26 Christchurch New Zealand - disembark Hobart, Tasmania
Historic Huts & Antarctic Heroes - Ross Sea Exploration 1/8/09, 2/3/09 Auckland Islands, Macquarie and Campbell Islands, Explore the Ross Sea, Historic Huts, Ross Ice Shelf, McMurdo base. Expedition Ship

100 - Marina Svetaeva

Helicopter Sightseeing Flights $10,990 - $23,190 26 Port of Bluff / Invercargill, New Zealand - disembark Hobart, Tasmania
Epic Semi-Circumnavigation of Antarctica 11/13/08 Weddell Sea, Amundsen Sea, Ross Ice Shelf, Scott and Shackleton's Huts, Spectacular Scenery - rarely visited regions Icebreaker

108 - Kapitan Khlebnikov

Helicopter Sightseeing Flights $19,900 - $36,900 31 Ushuaia, Argentina - disembark  Lyttelton, New Zealand
Antarctica and the Ross Sea Region

1/11/09, 2/9/09

Macquarie Island and Campbell Island, Ross Ice Shelf and Cape Adare, Emperor Penguins, Shackleton and Scott's Hut.

Research Vessel

48 - Spirit of Enderby

  $11,881 - $19,115 30 Port of Bluff / Invercargill, New Zealand - disembark same
 

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