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Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage Expedition Cruise

Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage Expedition Cruise

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Description

Experience the wild grandeur of the White Continent in a more efficient, expedient way. On this new itinerary, cruise the Drake Passage one way, and then bypass the Drake Passage on the way back on a 2-hour flight from Antarctica and discover all of the highlights without sacrificing the extra time. Travel with a diverse team of experts aboard the National Geographic Explorer, the definitive expedition ship. Venture into channels and coves framed by towering peaks. Watch for whales off the bow; Zodiac cruise around enormous icebergs; and hike, kayak, and even possibly cross-country ski in complete tranquility. 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.
NOTE: This is an expedition in the truest sense—flexibility is key. Delays and early departures of flights due to inclement weather are common in Antarctica. In the event of a flight adjustment, your expedition team may implement a contingency plan with alternative activities.

Trip Name
Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage Expedition Cruise
Days
10
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 108 meters Passenger Capacity: 148 (single & twin cabins) Built / Refurbished: 1982 / 2008 Originally constructed for Norway’s renowned Hurtigruten Coastal Express, National Geographic Explorer was a natural fit for the Lindblad Expeditions fleet thanks to her exceptional manoeuvrability, ice-strengthened hull, and purpose-built expedition design. Now fully stabilised and refitted with over five decades of exploration expertise, she is ideally suited for navigating the most remote corners of the globe—from the rugged coasts of Europe to the icy passages of the polar regions. With vast windows throughout and a Scandinavian-inspired interior, the ship invites guests to stay connected with their environment at every turn. Aboard National Geographic Explorer, every feature is tailored to enhance discovery. From the open Bridge and observation deck to the Chart Room and mudroom for expedition gear, the ship is an authentic platform for adventure. Her recently updated suites offer comfort and understated elegance, while public spaces such as the library, Global Gallery, and multiple dining areas encourage camaraderie and relaxation. Carrying expert guides, state-of-the-art tools, and a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks, this 148-guest ship brings guests closer to nature with all the style and substance expected of a flagship expedition vessel.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 Ushuaia, Argentina
 Arrive in Ushuaia. Sandwiched between ice-mantled peaks and the frigid waters of the Beagle Channel, this is a fittingly wild place to be known as “El Fin del Mundo” or “The End of the World.” Transfer from the airport to our hotel. Join us this evening for dinner and a briefing on our upcoming adventure. Arrival Time: Arrive by 6:00 p.m. local time.  Arrival City: Ushuaia, Argentina Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 - DAY 2 Ushuaia / Embark Ship
 Check out of our hotel and begin exploring this amazing region. Visit Tierra del Fuego National Park, clad in dense beech forest just as much of Antarctica was millions of years ago. Savor lunch on board a private catamaran as you cruise the Channel, keeping an eye out for plump South American sea lions and sleek seabirds like the imperial cormorant. By day’s end, you’ll be comfortably on board the ship and ready to sail off to the White Continent. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - DAYS 3-4 At Sea Crossing the Drake Passage
 At times ferocious, at others flat calm, this legendary 500-mile-wide strait divides South America from the Antarctic Peninsula. Feel the excitement build as we begin the crossing, often accompanied by seabirds like the wandering albatross and—if luck allows—a pod of killer whales or rare dolphins. Get to know the ship and prepare for the adventures ahead. Visit the Bridge (ideal for wildlife spotting), relax with a massage, attend a talk on the unique biology of penguins, or simply settle into a comfy chair in the observation lounge, looking out over the waves as you contemplate the history of this passage named for English privateer Francis Drake, but first discovered by Spanish navigator Francisco de Hoces. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - DAYS 5-8 Exploring Antarctica
 With long hours of daylight at this time of year, we have ample opportunities to explore. Our schedule is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of the unexpected, whether we’re watching whales at play off the bow of our ship, hiking alongside penguin highways, or enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise amid porpoising penguins. 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; embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags; or walk amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. 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 every experience. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - DAY 9 King George Island / Disembark Ship / Puerto Natales, Chile
 This morning finds us off of King George Island. Home to a diverse assortment of wildlife—Weddell and elephant seals; Adélie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins—this island also has a human presence. Researchers from a wide range of countries, including the US, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, call the various stations home. Disembark and Zodiac ashore to board our 2-hour flight back to Puerto Natales where we will overnight at Hotel Costaustralis or Remota Patagonia Lodge (or similar).  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - DAY 10 Puerto Natales
 Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward. Departure Time: Outbound flights from Puerto Natales should depart no earlier than 1:00 p.m. local time (or as late in the day as possible).Departure City:  Puerto Natales, Chile Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
18-11-202627-11-2026AUD $0Category SA
18-11-202627-11-2026AUD $0Category SB
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18-11-202627-11-2026AUD $24,606Category 03
18-11-202627-11-2026AUD $26,229Category 04
18-11-202627-11-2026AUD $32,039Category 05
18-11-202627-11-2026AUD $36,766Category 06
18-11-202627-11-2026AUD $40,309Category 07
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $0Category SB
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $24,327Category 01
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19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $27,447Category 03
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $29,157Category 04
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $35,293Category 05
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $40,287Category 06
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $44,037Category 07
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $0Category SA
26-12-202604-01-2027AUD $0Category SB
26-12-202604-01-2027AUD $0Category SA
26-12-202604-01-2027AUD $29,303Category 01
26-12-202604-01-2027AUD $32,279Category 02
26-12-202604-01-2027AUD $33,123Category 03
26-12-202604-01-2027AUD $35,217Category 04
26-12-202604-01-2027AUD $42,727Category 05
26-12-202604-01-2027AUD $48,843Category 06
26-12-202604-01-2027AUD $53,434Category 07
14-01-202723-01-2027AUD $0Category SA
14-01-202723-01-2027AUD $0Category SB
14-01-202723-01-2027AUD $29,143Category 01
14-01-202723-01-2027AUD $32,143Category 02
14-01-202723-01-2027AUD $33,000Category 03
14-01-202723-01-2027AUD $35,286Category 04
14-01-202723-01-2027AUD $43,214Category 05
14-01-202723-01-2027AUD $49,786Category 06
14-01-202723-01-2027AUD $54,572Category 07
26-01-202704-02-2027AUD $0Category SB
26-01-202704-02-2027AUD $0Category SA
26-01-202704-02-2027AUD $26,286Category 01
26-01-202704-02-2027AUD $28,929Category 02
26-01-202704-02-2027AUD $29,714Category 03
26-01-202704-02-2027AUD $31,643Category 04
26-01-202704-02-2027AUD $38,714Category 05
26-01-202704-02-2027AUD $44,572Category 06
26-01-202704-02-2027AUD $48,929Category 07
02-02-202711-02-2027AUD $0Category SB
02-02-202711-02-2027AUD $0Category SA
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02-02-202711-02-2027AUD $32,143Category 02
02-02-202711-02-2027AUD $33,000Category 03
02-02-202711-02-2027AUD $35,286Category 04
02-02-202711-02-2027AUD $43,214Category 05
02-02-202711-02-2027AUD $49,786Category 06
02-02-202711-02-2027AUD $54,572Category 07
14-02-202723-02-2027AUD $0Category SA
14-02-202723-02-2027AUD $0Category SB
14-02-202723-02-2027AUD $26,286Category 01
14-02-202723-02-2027AUD $28,929Category 02
14-02-202723-02-2027AUD $29,714Category 03
14-02-202723-02-2027AUD $31,643Category 04
14-02-202723-02-2027AUD $38,714Category 05
14-02-202723-02-2027AUD $44,572Category 06
14-02-202723-02-2027AUD $48,929Category 07
19-11-202728-11-2027AUD $0Category SB
19-11-202728-11-2027AUD $0Category SA
19-11-202728-11-2027AUD $20,861Category 01
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19-11-202728-11-2027AUD $24,598Category 03
19-11-202728-11-2027AUD $25,468Category 04
19-11-202728-11-2027AUD $30,630Category 05
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19-11-202728-11-2027AUD $40,227Category 07
01-12-202710-12-2027AUD $0Category SB
01-12-202710-12-2027AUD $0Category SA
01-12-202710-12-2027AUD $18,446Category 01
01-12-202710-12-2027AUD $19,223Category 02
01-12-202710-12-2027AUD $21,680Category 03
01-12-202710-12-2027AUD $22,434Category 04
01-12-202710-12-2027AUD $26,903Category 05
01-12-202710-12-2027AUD $30,994Category 06
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08-12-202717-12-2027AUD $0Category SB
08-12-202717-12-2027AUD $0Category SA
08-12-202717-12-2027AUD $18,446Category 01
08-12-202717-12-2027AUD $19,223Category 02
08-12-202717-12-2027AUD $21,680Category 03
08-12-202717-12-2027AUD $22,434Category 04
08-12-202717-12-2027AUD $26,903Category 05
08-12-202717-12-2027AUD $30,994Category 06
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20-12-202729-12-2027AUD $0Category SB
20-12-202729-12-2027AUD $19,646Category 01
20-12-202729-12-2027AUD $20,480Category 02
20-12-202729-12-2027AUD $23,120Category 03
20-12-202729-12-2027AUD $23,931Category 04
20-12-202729-12-2027AUD $29,200Category 05
20-12-202729-12-2027AUD $33,154Category 06
20-12-202729-12-2027AUD $37,703Category 07
27-12-202705-01-2028AUD $0Category SB
27-12-202705-01-2028AUD $21,428Category 01
27-12-202705-01-2028AUD $23,500Category 02
27-12-202705-01-2028AUD $24,143Category 03
27-12-202705-01-2028AUD $25,643Category 04
27-12-202705-01-2028AUD $31,071Category 05
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15-01-202824-01-2028AUD $30,457Category 04
15-01-202824-01-2028AUD $37,357Category 05
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15-01-202824-01-2028AUD $48,486Category 07
27-01-202805-02-2028AUD $0Category SA
27-01-202805-02-2028AUD $0Category SB
27-01-202805-02-2028AUD $23,343Category 01
27-01-202805-02-2028AUD $24,371Category 02
27-01-202805-02-2028AUD $27,600Category 03
27-01-202805-02-2028AUD $28,586Category 04
27-01-202805-02-2028AUD $35,014Category 05
27-01-202805-02-2028AUD $39,843Category 06
27-01-202805-02-2028AUD $45,386Category 07
03-02-202812-02-2028AUD $0Category SA
03-02-202812-02-2028AUD $0Category SB
03-02-202812-02-2028AUD $23,343Category 01
03-02-202812-02-2028AUD $24,371Category 02
03-02-202812-02-2028AUD $27,600Category 03
03-02-202812-02-2028AUD $28,586Category 04
03-02-202812-02-2028AUD $35,014Category 05
03-02-202812-02-2028AUD $39,843Category 06
03-02-202812-02-2028AUD $45,386Category 07
22-02-202802-03-2028AUD $0Category SA
22-02-202802-03-2028AUD $0Category SB
22-02-202802-03-2028AUD $21,957Category 01
22-02-202802-03-2028AUD $25,386Category 02
22-02-202802-03-2028AUD $26,343Category 03
22-02-202802-03-2028AUD $29,671Category 04
22-02-202802-03-2028AUD $31,943Category 05
22-02-202802-03-2028AUD $37,714Category 06
22-02-202802-03-2028AUD $43,214Category 07
05-03-202814-03-2028AUD $0Category SB
05-03-202814-03-2028AUD $0Category SA
05-03-202814-03-2028AUD $20,400Category 01
05-03-202814-03-2028AUD $23,543Category 02
05-03-202814-03-2028AUD $24,428Category 03
05-03-202814-03-2028AUD $27,486Category 04
05-03-202814-03-2028AUD $29,571Category 05
05-03-202814-03-2028AUD $34,871Category 06
05-03-202814-03-2028AUD $39,928Category 07

Inclusions

    • Experience it all—cruise the legendary Drake Passage aboard the National Geographic Explorer and then enjoy the ease of returning on our 2-hour direct flight from King George Island to Puerto Natales
    • Explore the world’s last great wilderness in the company of top naturalists, and the most experienced polar captains in Antarctica, with more than 55 years of expedition heritage
    • Hike amid magnificent mountains; see huge glaciers; and observe a parade of gentoo, Adélie, and chinstrap penguins
    • Kayak in protected waters, paddling in the Antarctic stillness as penguins swim nearby
    • November departures offer the possibility to cross-country ski or snowshoe across the frozen sea ice, conditions permitting
    • With National Geographic Global Explorers, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this exhilarating part of the world—from its massive glaciers to humpback whales

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