Journey to Antarctica // Born Free Safaris

Journey to Antarctica

At a glance

Polar Regions

Arctic & Antarctic

13 Days / 12 Nights

December-March

From $14,890 USD/PER PERSON

Overview
Itinerary
Accommodation

Journey to Antarctica

Nati Geo Cruise to The White Continent

13 Days / 12 Nights

Antarctica. The name alone is epic. No place is more synonymous with adventure, extremes and untouched wilderness. Though rumored to exist even among the ancient Greeks, Antarctica had no documented sightings by humans until 1820. Today, Antarctica's white wonders are within reach of anyone with an explorer’s spirit. Born Free offers trips to Antarctica on private yachts as well as with our partners at Natural Habitat with the National Geographic ships. All are meeting the highest standards of protocols. Navigate among colossal icebergs and giant whales, while hundreds of thousands of penguins and other seabirds congregate ashore, nesting and nurturing their young in the endless light of a southern summer.

Meaningful nature adventures can’t happen in big crowds. Expedition ships in Antarctica offer an exhilarating, up-close experience of the southern ice and the abundant wildlife of the White Continent. Their small size makes them nimble enough to access protected coves and channels that big ships can’t reach, while full stabilization and state-of-the-art technology make them exceptionally safe following the highest protocols.

A fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks allow for exploring icebergs, near penguins, leopard seals and marine mammals along the bays and coastlines of the Antarctic Peninsula. Led by veteran Expedition Leaders, hikes and activities on shore are accessible at a variety of physical exertion levels. Monitors offer a rare opportunity to see (screen) Antarctica’s seldom-seen underwater world.

Explore Antarctica with a passionate team of experts whose knowledge will enhance your adventure and your comprehension of the polar landscape. The first-rate team of naturalist guides specializes in Antarctica, from wildlife biologists to ornithologists, marine scientists and polar historians.

Journey Priced From: $14,890 per person, double occupancy.

Request rate if you would like a single room.

Rates are in US dollars and will vary for various departure dates.

The ship, itinerary and departure date you select for your Antarctica expedition will determines the start and end point of your journey. Additional itineraries are available in this region.

Does not include international or intercontinental airfares.

Is this your dream trip?

Physical rating is moderate as getting in and out of the Zodiac rafts requires good balance. Being able to walk on rocks and slippery terrain will allow you to explore further afield. You can select the activities that you feel comfortable participating in. Speak with the Born Free Consultant to make sure this is the right journey to Antarctica for you. Other expeditions and ships are available.

Highlights

Sail on the National Geographic ships organized by one of the World Leaders in Conservation focused on Small Ship Cruising
Explorer capacity is 148 Guests and described in this itinerary. Alternate itineraries and ships available on the smaller Orion Deluxe standards 100 Guests. The luxury Endurance with X-BOW construction is the newest of the fleet and can accommodate 100-120 Guests
Green cleaning and Sanitizing Systems Fleetwide
Close-up exploration on Zodiacs (rafts) and kayaks.
Monitors display rare views from Underwater Vehicle on Polar Dives
Onboard specialized Antarctica Lecturers
Crossing of Drakes Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula
Encounter penguins, seals, whales, seabirds
Guided exploration on land and at sea by experienced naturalist guides
Top Polar Experts will offer lectures on board

Day-by-day itinerary

Day
01

Buenos Aires or Santiago

Welcome arrival in either Santiago or Buenos Aires. The gateway of the cruise will depend on which departure you select. The Explorer and Endurance arrive and depart via Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Guests traveling aboard the Orion arrive and depart via Santiago, Chile.

Buenos Aires, Argentina - guests are escorted to the Alvear Art Hotel (or similar). Buenos Aires is Argentina’s sophisticated capital. This afternoon, a guided tour of the city includes Beaux Arts palaces, grand boulevards and Eva Peron’s famous balcony.

Santiago, Chile - Upon arrival guests are escorted to the centrally located Hotel Santiago by Mandarin (or similar). Santiago is nearly surrounded by the Andes, which form an inspiring backdrop for an afternoon tour of this vibrant city. Explore the Plaza de Armas, the main square and nearby Presidential Palace, taking in expansive views from Santiago's many hills and parks.

Lunch / Dinner
Day
02

Tierra del Fuego

Board Ship
Travel by private chartered flight to Ushuaia this morning, surveying the peaks of Patagonia below before landing at the bottom of Tierra del Fuego, the foot of the southern Andes. There’s no mistaking the "end of the world" feel of the world’s most southerly city, which is the point of embarkation for expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula.

If weather permits, embark on a catamaran cruise for lunch in the Beagle Channel. Then board your ship and prepare to set sail.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
03

Drake Passage

The Drake Passage is named for the 16th-century English privateer Sir Francis Drake, whose ship was blown far off course in these challenging waters. This 600-mile-wide channel that separates Cape Horn from the Antarctic Peninsula is notorious for its frequent high winds and rough seas.

Midway across, the Antarctic Convergence mixes cold, northward-flowing waters with the relatively warmer south-flowing waters, creating a highly productive marine zone for Antarctic krill, the favored food source for whales, seals, penguins, squid, albatrosses and other seabirds. The ship is likely to be escorted through the passage by resident wildlife, including dolphins, Cape petrels and wandering albatrosses.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Days
04-09

Antarctica

With long days of nearly perpetual daylight on this expedition, a flexible schedule allows you to take advantage of the unexpected—perhaps watching a 40-ton whale surface off the bow, or studying bobbing icebergs, or watching the ship crunch through pack ice.

On daily excursions, set out on the Zodiac among towering bergs, walk the shorelines amid huge colonies of penguins, hike to a summit for a commanding view, and kayak along cliffside rookeries to look at blue-eyed shags. Millions of animals thrive here, including a rich assortment of marine life such as Weddell, Southern elephant, crabeater and leopard seals, and minke, humpback, and fin whales, as well as orcas. A proliferation of seabirds includes kelp gulls, various petrels, snowy sheathbills, skuas, shags and Antarctic terns.

Zodiacs allow you to get close to wildlife and make shore landings, where you can walk among noisy colonies of four resident penguin species—chinstrap, emperor, gentoo and adelie.

Learn from your team of experts how to identify penguins and get photo tips from a National Geographic photographer to help you capture the best possible memories. On board, an undersea specialist may present video from any day’s dive—rare images taken up to a thousand feet below the surface using our Remote Operating Vehicle (ROV).

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Days
10-11

Drake Passage

On the return voyage across the Drake Passage, the ship's full staff of onboard naturalists, scientists and historians are eager to reflect upon the geology, climate and wildlife of Antarctica that you have witnessed, as well as the riveting human history of the White Continent.

Take advantage of the ship’s many amenities, including a fitness center, sauna, massage therapy at the spa, and a library filled with books about Antarctic natural history and polar exploration.

Keep an eye out for marine life and seabirds who may escort the ship through the passage.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
12

Ushuaia

After a final breakfast onboard the ship, disembark in Ushuaia. There is time to explore this adventure-focused mountain town before your private chartered flight returns you to Buenos Aires or Santiago (the same destination where you started your expedition) for the night.

Breakfast / Lunch
Day
13

Onward Journey

Your journey comes to an end as you board your international flight homeward.

Breakfast

Available accommodation levels

SHIPS - All feature high protocols with continual Green Cleaning and Sanitizing Systems Fleetwide. All have a high standard of comfort. Nothing is left behind in services or food. All cabins include private bathrooms, large beds and sitting area. Please recognize that a trip to Antarctica is considered an expedition and same quality of cruise line standards to other destinations should not be expected. Full details on cabins and amenities upon request.

Platinum

Overview
The Highest Level of Accommodations available.

Recommendations
EXPLORER - Adventure Standard - High Comfort (pictured)
The newly renovated National Geographic Explorer is an ice-class polar expedition vessel accommodating 148 guests in 81 outside cabins, all with private facilities, climate controls, and windows or portholes. It is fully stabilized, enabling it to navigate polar passages while providing comfort. The ship houses technology for sea exploration, such as Zodiacs, kayaks, hydro-phones, underwater HD cameras and a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV).

Public areas include two restaurants, a bar, library, observation lounge, spa, fitness center, and sauna. A mud room with lockers provides storage for guests’ expedition gear. Meals are served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling.
Gold

Overview
Excellent standards.

Recommendations
ENDURANCE - Luxury Standard
National Geographic Endurance is a next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for year-round polar navigation. A fully stabilized, highly strengthened, ice-class vessel, it is designed to safely explore uncharted waters in exceptional comfort, including a special patented bow that reduces spray on deck and provides a smooth ride even in adverse conditions. Enduracne features Ulstein X-Bow construction which splits wave's energy lowers impact from rising waves enabling the ship to remain more stable.

Communal highlights include the lounge, Jacuzzis, saunas and yoga studio. The ship carries a full slate of activity equipment, including expedition landing craft, kayaks, underwater camera, a remotely operated vehicle for undersea exploration, snorkeling gear and wet suits, hydrophone and more.

The Endurance accommodates 126 guests in 69 outside-facing cabins. Every cabin has two portholes, a large window or balcony, and temperature controls. Fifty-three of the efficiently designed cabins, including all 12 of the solo cabins, feature small balconies with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that bring in spectacular views and natural light.
Silver

Overview
Very good standards.

Recommendations
ORION - Deluxe Standard
The National Geographic Orion is among the most sophisticated vessels in its class. Launched in November 2003, Orion boasts a host of advanced design features including technology that sets new standards in sustainable marine environmental practices. Although custom-made for expedition cruising. No expense has been spared when it comes to the quality of fittings and furnishings, and the range and caliber of onboard recreational facilities are nothing short of five-star.

Orion's luxurious appointments means she is more mega-yacht than cruise ship. Guest capacity numbers approximately 100 guests with a crew of 75.

Wishlist

Journey to Antarctica

At a glance

Journey to Antarctica

Nati Geo Cruise to The White Continent

Is this your dream trip?

Highlights

Day-by-day itinerary

Available accommodation levels

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Associations

Insurance