The White Continent
National Geographic Expedition

Embark: Ushuaia Disembark: Ushuaia

Aboard National Geographic Explorer

11 days November - February

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.

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. The expert Ice Team will get you out exploring daily.

Day 1

Ushuaia - Embarkation

Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, and embark the National Geographic Explorer.

Day 2

Drake Passage

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.

Days 3-8

Antarctic Peninsula

With nearly 24 hours of daylight, we make the most of our six days, keeping a flexible schedule to take advantage of the unexpected — perhaps watching a 40-ton humpback 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.

Days 9-10

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.