National Geographic Explorer

ANTARCTICA - THE WHITE CONTINENT
Description: The National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship. She is a fully stabilised, ice class vessel, enabling her to navigate polar passages while providing exceptional comfort. During this expedition cruise spend at least six days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, surrounding islands and waterways. Glide around enormous icebegs by zodiac, walk along beaches covered with thousands of penguins, and kayak amid abundant wildlife.

Itinerary:
Day 1:	Morning arrival in Buenos Aires. Afternoon city tour. Overnight in 4* hotel. (L)

Day 2:	Charter flight to Ushuaia. Explore the scenic Beagle Channel by catamaran before boarding the National Geographic Explorer and setting sail for Antarctica. (FB)

Day 3:	Cross the legendary Drake Passage. (FB)

Day 4:	First landfall is on one of the many islands of the Antarctic Peninsula. Hikes and zodiac excursions with naturalists. (FB)

Day 5 - 9:	Spend 6 days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands by foot, in zodiacs and by kayak. Conditions permitting sail through the incomparable Lemaire channel and land on the ‘White Continent’. (FB)

Day 10 & 11:	At sea. There is a time for a massage, a work out in the gym or catch up on some reading. (FB)

Day 12:	After breakfast disembark in Ushuaia with some time to explore before proceeding to the airport for the charter flight to Buenos Aires. Overnight in Buenos Aires. (HB)

Day 13:	Fly to London. (B)

Day 14:	Morning arrival in London.

2011/2012 DATES AND RATES (GBP per person)

DEPARTS	CABIN
	CAT. 1	CAT. 2	CAT. 3	CAT. 4	CAT. 5	CAT. 6	CAT. 7	CAT. 2 SOLO	CAT. 3 SOLO
JAN 06, 16, 26; FEB 05	£6710	£7100	£7440	£7730	£9225	£10685	£12395	£8880	£9305
NOV 26; DEC 06, 16, 26; 2012 JAN 05, 15; FEB 04	£6915	£7310	£7575	£8115	£9685	£11100	£13015	£9140	£9470

Class: Ice-class expedition ship • Capacity: 148 passengers • Overall Length: 356 foot expedition cruise ship • Cabins: 81 double or twin outside cabins with windows or portholes, private facilities and climate controls • Facilities: Bistro bar; chart room; restaurant; library; lounge with full service bar and state-of-the-art presentation facilities; observations lounge; fitness centre; spa treatment rooms; sauna; doctor; undersea specialist; photo specialist and video chronicler; internet access; laundry • Expedition Equipment: Zodiac landing craft; kayaks; remotely operated vehicle; hydrophone; underwater video camera; video microscope.

Click for deck plan (pdf)

Additional costs (per person)

Flights: Roundtrip flights from London to Buenos Aires: From £825 • Personal Items: Alcoholic beverages; emails; laundry; voyage DVD etc; discretionary tips to ships crew

Reading Suggestions:

In association with nhbs Environment Bookstore

	Bradt Wildlife Guides: Antarctica		A Complate Guide to Antarctic Wildlife

	Patagonia and Antarctica Field Guide		South Georgia Explorer