Quest for the Antarctic Circle - An In-Depth Exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula
Experience an in-depth exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula with the pioneers of Antarctic cruising, featuring nine days on the continent—our longest, most comprehensive Antarctica experience available. This is the pinnacle of expeditionary travel as we push further south into rarely visited territory in pursuit of the Antarctic Circle. National Geographic Endurance, your home base for the adventure, is purpose-built to offer unprecedented access to these rarified places, and our diverse team of experts will ensure we maximize our time in the region. Along the way, Zodiac cruise around enormous icebergs, watch for whales off the bow, kayak in tranquility, and hike onshore. Choose an active agenda or surrender to the pleasures of relaxing downtime and shipboard camaraderie. Plus, get top shots with the help of a National Geographic Photography Expert.
Highlights
• Experience a once-in-a-lifetime occasion as we draw on 55 years of expedition heritage and venture ever south, as conditions allow, in hopes of crossing the imaginary line at 66°33′ south latitude, and celebrate with a group toast
• Sail aboard the state-of-the-art National Geographic Endurance, a top-tier ice class vessel (PC5 Category A) with safety technologies that far exceed industry requirements
• Explore the last great wilderness in the company of a team of veteran naturalists and take epic photographs with the help of a National Geographic Photography Expert on board every departure
• Watch whales off the bow; glide around enormous icebergs in Zodiacs; explore on shore; and kayak near porpoising gentoo, Adelie, and chinstrap penguins
• Discover the unexpectedly dazzling undersea with a dedicated undersea specialist
Arrive Buenos Aires. Transfer from the airport to the Alvear Icon or similar.
Arrival Time: Arrive before 11:30 a.m. local time.
Arrival City: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Enjoy lunch on a catamaran cruise of the Beagle Channel. Embark National Geographic Endurance.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This 500-mile-wide strait between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula is one of the most famous bodies of water in the world. Sometimes ferocious, sometimes flat calm, the Drake is always a fascinating place in its own right. This part of the journey is our best opportunity to see gorgeous seabirds like the wandering albatross, and we might be lucky enough to encounter killer whales or rare species of dolphins. This is also a day to get to know our ship and prepare for the adventures ahead. Visit the Bridge (a great place to spot wildlife), have a relaxing massage, attend a talk about the biology of the penguins you’ll soon be seeing, or settle into a comfy chair in the observation lounge, look out over the waves and reflect on the incredible history of this fabled passage. If it does get a little rough, just take a couple of nice naps; we’ll be in Antarctica before you know it.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
With long hours of daylight at this time of year, and nine days on the Continent, we can experience more as we sail in the wake of history’s boldest explorers on a quest to cross the legendary Antarctic Circle. Our schedule is flexible, and our state-of-the-art ship allows us to get deeper and go further to take advantage of the unexpected, whether we’re watching whales at play off the bow of our ship, walking amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins, enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise under the spectacular midnight sun, or even discovering a new uncharted cove. While wildlife is magnificent, ice defines the Antarctic. You’ll get to know ice up close and personal—from icebergs the size of islands, bergy bits and near-vertical glaciers, to the fragile, nearly invisible layers that have just begun to freeze.
One day, we might set out by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level or embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags. The next, we might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice. Everywhere we go in Antarctica we’re surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. Along the way your expert expedition team will enrich your experiences and our Icemaster Captain will navigate you safely through these icy waters.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy the ship’s amenities as the coast of Antarctica disappears from view. Round the southernmost tip of South America and see the meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Take some time to go through your photos. Send a message home to friends and family saying: “Don’t want this to end!” And celebrate your voyage at a farewell dinner on board.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we disembark in Ushuaia. Fly to Buenos Aires and connect with your overnight flight home.
Departure Time: Depart after 9:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Meals Included: Breakfast
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Vessel Type: Expedition Ship
Passenger Capacity: 126
Length: 124 m
Built: 2020
National Geographic Endurance is a state-of-the-art expedition vessel purpose-built for year-round polar navigation. Named in honour of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary Endurance expedition, she is the first polar ship in Lindblad’s history designed from the keel up for exploration. With an ice-class rating of PC5 (Category A) and a fully stabilised hull, she grants access to remote and often uncharted corners of the Arctic and Antarctica in exceptional comfort and safety.
Her revolutionary X-Bow®—a striking forward-leaning design—enables superior wave-cutting performance, ensuring a smoother, quieter ride and minimising spray on deck for better wildlife observation. On board, guests enjoy thoughtfully designed public spaces including a wraparound observation lounge, library, and an expedition base for gear and briefings. Dining is offered across three flexible venues, all serving sustainable, locally inspired cuisine. With a full suite of tools for exploration and a design deeply rooted in expedition heritage, Endurance is the ultimate platform for discovering Earth’s most remote regions.
Inclusions
• All accommodations, meals, and non-alcoholic beverages aboard ships
• Use of snorkeling equipment, wet suits, and kayaks (where available)
• Services of our expert expedition team and guest speakers
• Services of a ship physician on most voyages
• Certain hotels and meals ashore as indicated in the itinerary
• Round-trip transfers based on group flights
• Shore excursions, sightseeing, entrance fees, and special access permits
• Taxes, service charges, and tips (except for ship’s crew, at our guests’ discretion)
Exclusions
• Air transportation (except when we indicated in the itinerary, as included) Extensions
• Passport, visa, and immigration fees
• Travel Protection Plan
• Special and unique excursions such as scuba diving, flightseeing, etc. (where offered)
• Alcoholic beverages (alcohol is included on select ships)
• Items of personal nature
• Phone and Internet Service
• Laundry
• Gratuity for ship’s crew, at our guests’ discretion (crew tips are included on select ships)
Expedition
Our Associates Include
