Set sail on an epic transatlantic voyage aboard National Geographic Explorer. Venture from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to the windswept splendors of the Falkland Islands, and from the wildlife havens of the South Atlantic to the far-flung volcanic isles of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Encounter thousands of king penguins in South Georgia; meet residents of the world’s most remote inhabited island, Tristan da Cunha; and explore the legacy of Napoléon Bonaparte on Saint Helena. Accompanied by a world-class team of experts and photographers, soak up the serenity of the open sea on a journey that recalls the Golden Age of Exploration.
Highlights
• Enjoy a rich program of lectures by an expert team of naturalists, historians, and photographers; and take advantage of the National Geographic Explorer’s many amenities, from wellness programs and spa treatments to gourmet dining options and wine tastings.
• Go snorkeling in sparkling waters along Ascension Island, where one of the planet’s largest colonies of endangered green sea turtles lay their eggs.
• See rockhopper penguins and albatrosses on remote Tristan da Cunha Island in the South Atlantic and meet some of the 250 hardy residents who live there.
• Visit the vast king penguins colonies on South Georgia, tens of thousands on a single beach.
• Learn about the 18th-century Atlantic slave trade at the Cape Verde Islands and walk through its UNESCO World Heritage-designated old town.
Arrive in Salvador, renowned for its exuberant
atmosphere. Settle into our hotel in the historic
Pelourinho district. Meet your fellow travelers at
our welcome dinner and enjoy a musical
performance. (D)
This morning check out of the hotel and set off to
explore the city. Salvador’s brilliantly hued center
is a living museum of 17th- and 18th-century
architecture. Explore the Pelourinho, a UNESCO
site; or choose to hear local music, visit a sea
turtle preservation site, or see a social project
assisting street children. After enjoying lunch at a
local restaurant, embark the National Geographic
Endurance. (B,L,D)
Enjoy the National Geographic Endurance’s many
amenities as we spend the day at sea. Soak in the
ship’s infinity-style outdoor hot tubs, take in
panoramic views from the rooftop observation
deck, and enjoy talks from our onboard experts
and learn about the amazing wildlife and geology
that we will see on our journey. (B,L,D)
Fernando de Noronha archipelago is a UNESCO
site recognized for its rich marine life and large
concentration of breeding tropical seabirds.
Pending official permission, enjoy two days
exploring its beaches, birdlife, and abundant
marine life, with a special visit to the TAMAR turtle
research project. Opt to hike, swim, and snorkel in
its rich surrounding waters or take a visit to the
remains of the 1738 Dos Remédios fortress. Go
on a boat excursion to Dolphins Bay to watch
spinner dolphins—their acrobatics are renowned,
and there is no better place to see them than
Fernando de Noronha. (B,L,D)
The day begins at sea as we make our way into
the northern hemisphere. Crossing the Equator,
we sail toward our destination—St. Peter & Paul
rocks. Sitting along the Atlantic ridge, this small
outcropping of rocks just breaks the surface of the
ocean. Officially claimed by Brazil, this archipelago
is geologically fascinating and home to seabirds
and a few researchers. Take a Zodiac cruise
through the rocks to see the Earth’s mantle up
close. (B,L,D)
Choose from an array of shipboard activities.
Attend a photo workshop with our National
Geographic photographer, enjoy a performance of
live music, or treat yourself to a massage or a
wellness class. (B,L,D)
The spectacular mountainous volcanic islands of
Cape Verde comprise one of the world’s smallest
independent nations. See impressive landscapes
on Santo Antão: terraced hillsides, eucalyptus forests, and deep valleys. Visit the island of Fogo
and add volcano-gazing to your life list. We drive
5,000 feet up the volcano to sample the local wine
at its source: inside the caldera! (B,L,D)
Visit the ship’s Bridge as we sail northward across
the Tropic of Cancer. Soak up the views from one
of the observation decks and attend engaging
presentations on a range of subjects, from 15thcentury Portuguese and Spanish navigators to
talks from our marine biologists on the amazing
navigation skills of the cetaceans who travel these
waters. (B,L,D)
Drop anchor in the azure waters of the Canary
Islands, which occupied a central place in the
history of Atlantic exploration. The larger island of
La Palma is known as La Isla Bonita, or “the pretty
island,” for its lushly forested mountain slopes set
against azure waters. Enjoy a scenic drive up to
Mirador de la Concepción, perched on the edge of
a crater. Take in fantastic views of the town and
harbor below and visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady
of the Snows, with its fusion of baroque and
Spanish-Moorish architecture. On the island of La
Gomera, visit a house where Christopher
Columbus stayed while his ships were provisioned
with supplies, then stretch your legs on a hike in
the verdant Garajonay Nacional Park. (B,L,D)
Start the day south of Madeira in the Desertas
Archipelago. This small group of volcanic islands
has been deemed a nature reserve, helping to
protect both the sea and land. The area is a refuge
to the Mediterranean monk seal and an array of
seabirds. Sail on to enchanting Madeira, a
subtropical island abloom in flora. First settled by
the Portuguese in 1419, the island’s capital city of
Funchal evokes a colonial time capsule, with
architecture from the 15th through the 19th
centuries. Explore its winding streets and culinary
delights. (B,L,D)
Enjoy all that our ship has to offer on this final day
at sea as we make our way to the Azores. Spend
time on deck with the expedition team as they
keep watch over the horizon, searching for the
marine creatures and seabirds who feed in this
fertile stretch of ocean. (B,L,D)
Spend the morning with local whale experts who
have centuries of ties to their surroundings and an
instinct for scouting its wild inhabitants. They will
guide us on our morning whale-watching. In the
afternoon, we go ashore at Santa Maria,
historically significant as the first landfall of
Christopher Columbus on his return from the
Americas in 1493. For those interested in getting
some exercise, there are hiking trails that will allow
us to experience the scenery and atmosphere of
the island. (B,L,D)
The Azores are a whale-watching mecca, where
more than 20 different types of cetaceans can be
spotted. Search for these gentle giants in the
channel north of Pico and Horta islands. Once
ashore on the island of Faial, head to Capelinhos
to see how dramatically the landscape changed
when the volcano at the western end of the island
erupted in 1957. Farms and villages were covered
with ash, adding an extra two square kilometers of
land to the island. Later, stroll along the marina,
visit the excellent scrimshaw museum, and raise a
glass at Peter Café Sport, a legendary pub where
sea adventurers historically dropped off their mail.
São Miguel combines the breathtaking landscapes
of Hawaii with the charm and culture of Old World
Europe. Explore the Furnas Valley and its famed
hot springs, hiking the trails or perhaps visiting a
tea plantation or the lovely garden of Terra Nostra.
Next, we will have a tasting of Azorean cuisine.
Savor a traditional cozido lunch, naturally cooked
from the volcanic activity—underground! (B,L,D)
Disembark in Ponta Delgada, the charming capital
of the Azores Archipelago. Spend the morning
touring the old town—stopping at the impressive
Museum of Carlos Machado to discover the varied
history of the islands. Enjoy lunch before
transferring to the airport and homeward flights.
(B,L)
Alternative route available. An expedition that runs the length of an entire ocean has to be a mind-stretching experience. Take a unique trek up the spine of the Atlantic Ocean, traversing nearly 90 degrees of latitude and 9,000 nautical miles. The fascinating islands that lie across it are some of the remotest in the world: South Georgia and the Falklands, Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena, Ascension Islands, plus Cape Verde, the Canaries and Madeira. And the different climates you’ll encounter, the balmy breezes and polar winds, volcanic mountainsides and lush forests, all will present you with a cornucopia of beauty and wonder—from the comfort of the National Geographic Explorer.
08 March, 2023 to 12 April, 2023
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#301-308 — Cabins feature one or two portholes. Most cabins feature two single beds that can be converted to a queen. Cabins #301-306 feature one queen-sized bed. All cabins feature a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, well-appointed bathrooms with a roomy glass-wall shower, and a TV.
#317-320, 335-336 — Cabins feature two single beds (some can convert to a queen-sized bed), and one large window. They offer a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, sitting chair, well-appointed bathrooms with a roomy glass-wall shower, and a TV.
#313-316, 321-328, 337-350 — Cabins feature two single beds (some can convert to a queen-sized bed), one large window, and two sitting chairs and a small table and ample storage. They have a writing desk, floor length mirror, reading lamps, well-appointed bathrooms with a roomy glass-wall shower, and a TV. Cabins 341 & 343 have a sofa bed for a triple.
Veranda Deck
#103-104, 107-108 — Cabins feature two single beds than can convert to a queen-sized bed, and at least one large window, climate controls, sitting chair, and a TV. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall.
Upper Deck
#201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228 — Cabins feature two single beds and at least one large window. All cabins can convert between two single beds to a queen, except Cabins 217, 226 & 228 that feature one queen-size bed only. All cabins feature climate controls, sitting chairs, and a TV. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall.
#209, 211, 214, 216, 218, 220-222, 224 — Cabins feature a balcony with sliding glass doors, feature one queen-sized bed, a writing desk and chairs, climate controls, a TV. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall. (Cabin 221 has two single beds that can convert to an Olympic-sized queen.)
#309-311, 329-334 — These cabins feature one single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-wall shower stall, and a TV.
Veranda Deck
#105-106 — These cabins feature one single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-walled shower stall, and a TV.
Upper Deck
#203, 208 — These cabins feature one single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-walled shower stall, and a TV.
Veranda Deck
#101-102 — These spacious cabins can be converted into triples. They have two single beds that can be converted into a queen, a writing desk, double closet, bookcase, sofa-bed, chairs, two large windows, and a TV. The sleeping area can be closed off with the glass partition. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall and twin sinks.
Upper Deck
#213 — This spacious cabin has a private balcony, two single beds that can be converted into a queen, a writing desk, double closet, bookcase, chairs, and a TV. The sleeping area can be closed off with the glass partition. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall and twin sinks.
#215, 219, 230 — These large cabins with private balconies have two single beds that can convert to an Olympic-sized queen. They have seating areas with a sofa-bed and can be converted to triples. Cabins also include a desk with chairs, coffee table with sitting chair, and a small table. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall and twin sinks.
National Geographic Explorer
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition
Length: 108 meters
Passenger Capacity: 148 (single & twin cabins)
Built / Refurbished: 1982 / 2008
National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship. It is a fully stabilized, ice-class vessel, enabling it to navigate polar passages while providing exceptional comfort. It carries kayaks and a fleet of Zodiac landing craft. An Undersea Specialist operates a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and sophisticated video equipment, extending access to the underwater world.
Public areas: Bistro Bar; Chart Room; Restaurant; Global Gallery; Library, Lounge with full service bar and state-of-the-art facilities for films, slideshows and presentations; Mud Room with lockers for expedition gear, and Observation Lounge. Our “Open Bridge” provides guests an opportunity to meet our Officers and Captain and learn about navigation.
Meals: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Menu is international with local flair.
Cabins: All cabins face outside with windows or portholes, private facilities and climate controls.
Expedition Equipment: Zodiac landing craft, kayaks, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), hydrophone, SplashCam, underwater video camera, Crow’s Nest remote controlled camera, video microscope, snorkeling gear.
Special Features: A full-time doctor, Undersea Specialist, LEX Photo Specialist and Video Chronicler, Internet Cafe and laundry.
Wellness: The vessel is staffed by two Wellness Specialists and features a glass enclosed Fitness Center, outdoor stretching area, two LEXspa treatment rooms and Sauna.

Inclusions
• Voyage on board in selected cabin category
• All meals while on board
• Non alcoholic beverages
• Experienced expedition team and leader
• All excursions
• Zodiac and kayak exploration
• Snorkeling, including wetsuits, masks, fins & snorkel where relevant
• Lectures and presentations on board
Exclusions
• International and domestic flights unless otherwise stated
• Travel insurance
• Passport and visa costs if applicable
• Alcoholic beverages on board unless otherwise stated
• Gratuities unless otherwise stated
• Wifi on board
• Any items of a personal nature including laundry