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South Georgia and the Falklands

South Georgia and the Falklands

From AUD $28,870

Description

Steeped in Shackleton and whaling lore, covered mostly in glaciers, South Georgia explodes with life: king, gentoo, and macaroni penguins, enormous elephant seals, and a thriving fur seal population. On South Georgia you can observe one of the world’s great wildlife spectacles: tens of thousands of stately king penguins on a single beach! The Falkland Islands are equally impressive, with colonies of nesting albatross and rockhopper penguins. This British Territory also adds a human element, with remote settlements and people living off the land.

Trip Name
South Georgia and the Falklands
Days
17
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Passenger Capacity: 126 Built: 2020 A next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation. National Geographic Resolution is a next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation. A twin to National Geographic Endurance, she is a fully stabilized, highly strengthened, ice-class Polar Class 5 (PC5) vessel, it is designed to navigate polar passages year-round, and safely explore uncharted waters, while providing exceptional comfort. Its patented X-BOW® is key to its design; its powerful wave-slicing action provides an extremely smooth ride in even adverse conditions, and even reduces spray on deck, for superior observation. She carries a full suite of expedition tools and offers a variety of experience-enhancing amenities. The luxury of comfort on expedition. National Geographic Resolution comfortably accommodates 126 guests in 69 outside-facing cabins. Cabins are efficiently designed, with sizes range from the 140-square-foot solo cabin to the 430-square-foot category 7 suite. Fifty-three of the 69 cabins, including all 12 of the solo cabins, will feature small balconies with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that bring in the spectacular views and ample natural light.  Comfort & convenience in every room. Every cabin has two portholes, a large window or balcony, and temperature controls. Bathrooms are modern and stocked with botanically inspired hair products, soap, and shower gel, plus a hairdryer. Cabins are equipped with expedition command centers with tablets and USB/mobile device docking, TVs, Wi-Fi connections, and hair dryers. Dining. Food served aboard is fresh, local, and delicious, and sourced from suppliers who share our values of sustainable use whenever possible. Meals aboard are almost always served in the dining room, located aft of the lounge deck. When weather conditions allow, lighter fare may be served on the observation deck. There is no assigned seating and our dining room accommodates the entire expedition community in a single seating. During meals your expedition leader, naturalists, and any guest speakers aboard will join you. Public Areas: Two restaurants, a Chef’s Table for small group dining, Observation Lounge with bar, gym, Wellness area, infinity-style outdoor hot tubs, library, main lounge with full service bar, 24-hour beverage, state-of-the-art facilities for films, slideshows and presentations, and a photo workshop area; plus, an expedition base with lockers for expedition gear, and an “open bridge” for access to our captain, officers and the art of navigation. Meals: Two restaurants, featuring local, sustainable choices and unassigned seating for flexible, inclusive dining; plus a Chef’s table for intimate, small group dining. Main restaurant has 270º views, and the Observation deck restaurant features lighter, made-to-order fare.  Special Features: A full-time doctor, undersea specialist, National Geographic photographer, Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor and video chronicler, an internet cafe and laundry. Wellness: The vessel is staffed by our wellness specialists and features a glass-enclosed yoga studio, gym, treatment rooms and spa relax area, and high- and low-heat saunas with ocean views. Expedition Landing Craft. Key to our operation is our fleet of expedition landing craft, which we use to land in places that would otherwise be inaccessible. With 14 of these boats and two loading stations used every time we disembark, we’re able to transfer guests off the ship quickly, so you can be out on adventures, not idly waiting. The expedition landing craft we use are 19 feet long, powered by four-stroke outboard engines, and are capable of comfortably carrying 10-12 people. They are widely recognized as the safest and most versatile small boats afloat. Remotely Operated Vehicle. Capable of reaching 1,000 feet, far beyond the range of any Scuba diver, the ROV allows you to literally view parts of the undersea that are as unexplored as the moon. Chances are you, like many of our guests, will be struck by how surprisingly colorful undersea life is in these unlikely places. And this glimpse may fundamentally change how you view the ocean. Kayaks. National Geographic Resolution will be equipped with a fleet of kayaks large enough to ensure everyone who wants to can paddle at every opportunity. Consequently, prior kayaking experience isn’t necessary—many of our guests have their first kayaking experience in extraordinary locations. Our custom-designed floating platform lets us deploy kayaks from the ship, or any location we want—including far from shore. Kayakers are usually free to explore where they want within boundaries set by the undersea specialist and officer of the watch. Underwater camera. Our undersea specialist will dive often during your expedition, even in polar regions, with cold-water gear, to shoot high-definition, Cousteau-like footage of the deep. Colorful nudibranchs, swimming, plant-like crinoids, and mysterious fish with antifreeze blood that thrive in the frigid sea will give you an entirely new appreciation of the marine environment. Video microscope. Naturalists will use the video microscope to help explain all elements of the environment, including tiny organisms that are the building block of the marine ecosystem. Spellbinding live views of krill at 80x magnification fills the high-definition screens in the lounge with vivid detail, and fills every onlooker with a sense of wonder at the importance of otherwise unobservable creatures. Hydrophone. This underwater microphone is deployed to listen to the vocalizations of marine mammals. Real time transmissions of their eerie, haunting sounds can be broadcast through the ship or recorded for later playback. Few experiences in nature are as captivating as watching humpback whales feed close to the ship as their vocalizations play through the ship’s PA system. Electronic charts. An electronic chart showing the ship’s location, course, and speed is almost always on display in the lounge. Open bridge. You’ll find our captains are engaged, knowledgeable members of your expedition who are eager to share their passion with you. National Geographic Resolution's open bridge features comfortable spaces to sit, enjoy the view, drink your morning coffee, or simply chat with the officers. Snorkeling gear & wetsuits. On warm weather itineraries where there will be snorkeling, you’ll select a mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit that remain yours for the duration of the expedition. There’s no need to pack and tote your own gear, although guests who prefer to are welcome to bring their own.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: Buenos Aires, Argentina (National Geographic Explorer & National Geographic Endurance) or Santiago (National Geographic Resolution)
Arrive in Buenos Aires (National GeographicExplorer & National Geographic Endurance) orSantiago (National Geographic Resolution).Transfer from the airport to the Alvear Art Hotel orsimilar (National Geographic Explorer), or AlvearIcon or similar (National Geographic Endurance)before setting out on a guided tour of the city’sBeaux-Arts palaces and parks. Visit Recoleta—thefinal resting place of Argentina's iconic first lady,Eva Perón—and enjoy a private visit to El Zanjonde Granados, one of the city’s premier museums.Or transfer to the Mandarin Oriental or similar(National Geographic Resolution) before ourguided overview of this vibrant city backed by theinspiring Andes. Discover sites like the Plaza deArmas and get a feel for the mix of old and newthat makes this city so great. This area is excellentfor photos! (Day 1: D)
Day 2 - DAY 2: Fly to Ushuaia, Argentina / Embark
Fly by private charter to Ushuaia, thesouthernmost city in the world. Enjoy lunch on acatamaran cruise of the Beagle Channel. EmbarkNational Geographic Endurance, NationalGeographic Explorer, or National GeographicResolution. (Day 2: B,L,D)
Day 3 - DAY 3: At Sea In The South Atlantic
Settle into shipboard life, listening to informaldiscussions from our naturalist staff to prepare forthe wildness in the Falklands. Spend time on deckand on the bridge, scanning for petrels, penguinsand albatross. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - DAY 4-5: Falkland Islands
Each Falkland Island is a variation on the theme oftopographical beauty with white-sand beaches,vaulting cliffs, windswept moors, and the sunlityellows and sage greens of waving tussock grass.The Falklands boast thousands of irresistiblegentoo, rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, aswell as magnificent albatross and fur seals. Walkalong beautiful white-sand beaches, meanderthrough tussock grass or sit atop a cliff and ponderthe views. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - DAY 6-7: At Sea
During our days at sea, we learn about thefascinating history of Antarctic exploration, as wellas the flora, fauna and geology of South Georgia.Our naturalists help identify the seabirds thatfollow us: wandering albatross, prions and blackbrowed albatross. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - DAY 8-13: South Georgia Island
Explore the spectacular coastline of SouthGeorgia Island. In keeping with the nature of anexpedition, our schedule is flexible withopportunities for walking, hiking, kayaking andZodiac excursions. Sailing along the coast, weplan to offer activities every day including visits toGrytviken, the final resting place of Shackleton,and Stromness Harbour, where Shackleton, Tom Crean and Frank Worsley finally reached aid at awhaling station. See huge elephant seals, and ona single beach, you will see thousands of kingpenguins! (B,L,D)
Day 7 - DAY 14-16: At Sea / Falklands
With whales beneath and birds above, head up tothe bridge, or spend these days enjoying theship’s spa, fitness center, library, and observationdeck. After time at sea, our journey across theSouth Atlantic Ocean takes us once more to theisland archipelago that teems with nature. Ourafternoon visit to Port Stanley offers a chance tosee the human face of the islands, to meet thehospitable locals, hoist a drink at a local pub, andstroll around this remote colonial town. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - DAY 17: Ushuaia, Argentina / Disembark / Ushuaia / Fly to Buenos Aires (National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance) or Santiago (National Geographic Resolution)
Disembark in Ushuaia. Fly by private charter flightto Buenos Aires or Santiago and connect to yourflight home. (B,L)
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
28-02-202516-03-2025AUD $28,870Category 1
28-02-202516-03-2025AUD $29,730Category 2
28-02-202516-03-2025AUD $36,220Category 3
28-02-202516-03-2025AUD $39,930Category 4
28-02-202516-03-2025AUD $44,450Category 5
28-02-202516-03-2025AUD $45,290Category A Solo
28-02-202516-03-2025AUD $49,900Category B Solo
28-02-202516-03-2025AUD $51,170Category 6
28-02-202516-03-2025AUD $56,700Category 7

Inclusions

    • Hike in the footsteps of “the Boss,” Sir Ernest Shackleton, and toast his gravesite in South Georgia
    • Witness the spectacle of tens of thousands stately king penguins in South Georgia and observe magnificent albatross in the Falklands
    • Explore the ice by Zodiac and paddle a kayak amid curious fur seals
    • Compare aperture settings side by side with a National Geographic photographer

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