Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent - Endurance
This brand new, state-of-the-art ship will offer one of the world's best platforms for experiencing Antarctica. This Antarctic Peninsula program will make you feel like you're visiting another planet!
SPECIAL OFFER
9.2*
ECO SCORE
126
PASSENGERS
12
DAYS
3/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Antarctica: Drink It In
Welcome Aboard the
National Geographic Endurance
Antarctica may be at the end of the Earth, but this operator has been bringing guests here for decades— safely sharing all the wonders of this vast land and sea. People come for the wildlife but fall in love with the ice: an entire museum of colossal and magical ice forms defying description. And you’ll get a front seat to the dashing history of the Heroic Age of Exploration. Armed with a flexible itinerary that allows you to go where conditions are best and wildlife is most active, you’ll experience all the splendor of Antarctica.
- • Venture into channels and coves framed by towering peaks. Watch whales play off the bow and glide around enormous icebergs in Zodiacs.
• Photograph penguin colonies with a National Geographic photographer; hike, kayak, and even possibly cross-country ski in complete tranquility.
• This operator has been offering this program for over 50 years! Benefit from their great expertise while traveling on their brand new, purpose-built ship.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
SPECIAL OFFER:
Rates:
From $19,254 per person
From November to February, the Antarctic Peninsula features milder temperatures and extended daylight. This period offers the chance to see nesting penguins, seal pups, and whales. The ice is melting, making it easier to explore the stunning landscapes and observe diverse wildlife actively engaging in their natural behaviors.
Inquire for specific dates.
November - February;
Hover here for more information.
Departures:
Trip Sustainability Awards
Carbon
Offsets 100% of operations and is carbon neutral
Waste
100% free of single-use plastics!
Food
Sources all food and seafood sustainably and locally
Itinerary
Day 1: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Transfer from the airport to the Alvear Icon, before setting out on a guided tour of the city’s Beaux-Arts palaces and parks. Visit Recoleta—the final resting place of Argentina's iconic first lady, Eva Perón—and enjoy a private visit to El Zanjon de Granados, one of the city’s premier museums.
Arrival Time: Arrive before 11:30 a.m. local time.
Day 2: Fly to Ushuaia, Argentina / Embark
Fly southward to Ushuaia. Sandwiched between ice-mantled peaks and the frigid waters of Beagle Channel, this is a fittingly wild place to be known as “El Fin del Mundo” or “The End of the World.” Before departing, visit Tierra del Fuego National Park, clad in dense beech forest just as much of Antarctica was millions of years ago. Savor lunch onboard 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 your ship and ready to meet the White Continent.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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
Days 5-9: 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 our experiences.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 10-11: At Sea
Enjoy the ship’s amenities as the coast of Antarctica disappears from view. Round the southernmost tip of South America and see the meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Take some time to go through your photos, or send a message home to friends and family. Celebrate your voyage at a farewell dinner on board.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Ushuaia / Disembark Ship / Buenos Aires
Today we disembark in Ushuaia. Fly by private charter flight to Buenos Aires and connect with your overnight flight home.
Departure Time: Depart after 9:00 p.m. local time.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Please Note: Some departures may have a slightly modified itinerary. Please confirm departure and arrival cities with your Travel Curator before booking your flights.
Children: Take $500 off for each child under the age of 18.
Group Rates: Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more people. Take advantage of these great savings, while enjoying traveling with your friends and family. This savings is applicable to voyage fares only, and is not valid on extensions or airfare. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from regular policies.
National Geographic Endurance
The first new polar build in this operator's 50-year history, National Geographic Endurance is named to honor explorer Ernest Shackleton and his legendary Transantarctic Expedition. A fully stabilized vessel of the highest ice class (PC5 Category A), she will enable adventurous guests to go where few have or can. Endurance’s most striking exterior feature is her distinctive profile, the patented X-Bow®, a game-changing design that guarantees the smoothest, most comfortable ride in all kinds of conditions.
• Capacity: 126 guests
• Cabins: 69 outside cabins, 53 cabins with balconies
• Specialists: Nat Geo Experts, Full-Time Doctor, and Wellness Coach
ACHIEVEMENTS
2023 ”Best Cruise Ships in the World" Conde Nast Traveler Gold List
2023 "Best Expedition Ships" Conde Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards
2022 "World's Best Cruise Line" World Cruise Awards
2022 "GOLD: Best Expedition Line" Reader's Choice Awards, Recommend Magazine
"One of the most stunning expedition vessels out there, the National Geographic Endurance is staffed with world class experts for one of the very best education programs in Antarctica. If you like a lot of expert information along with highly organized shore visits and excursions, we can't recommend the NG Endurance highly enough."
Wild Nectar
Life On Board
Deck Plan
Click to enlarge
Questions?
Rates
I've sent hundreds of people to Antarctica with this operator. Their expertise is world-renown. Some aspects are not for everyone however. Contact us to see if this ship is right for you.
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED
All accommodations; meals indicated; alcoholic beverages (except premium brands); excursions; services of Expedition Leader, Naturalist staff and expert guides; use of kayaks; entrance fees; all port charges and service taxes; gratuities to ship’s crew.
NOT INCLUDED
Travel Insurance (recommended) Air transportation; charter flights Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires; immigration/passport fees; personal items such as emails, laundry, voyage DVD.
