National Geographic Epic Antarctica

Today, fly to Dunedin, known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and embark the ship. Settle in to life on board and spend three incredible days discovering New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands. Located south of the New Zealand mainland in the remote Southern Ocean, these wild and beautiful islands are home to abundant and unique wildlife, with many species of birds, plants and invertebrates found nowhere else in the world. The entire marine landscape here is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. With special permission, explore these strictly regulated islands, which are protected at the highest level of conservation status by the New Zealand government, and considered “bird central” among top ornithologists around the world.

Keeping a flexible weather-dependent schedule, plan to explore several intriguing islands. Two small rocky islands, North East and Broughton, comprise The Snares, the closest sub-Antarctic islands to New Zealand. The islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds: the 99 recorded species include albatross, Antarctic terns and Snares crested penguins. The Auckland Islands are the largest of New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands, with the richest flora, prolific birdlife, and an interesting human history. Conditions permitting, cruise in Zodiacs to Enderby Island to view a large New Zealand sea lion colony with pups all jostling for position. Hope to see rare yellow-eyed penguins as they move to and from their nests in the forests beyond the beach.

While at sea, head up to the Bridge to watch for icebergs and observe expert navigation at work as the skilled captain and officers sail these historic waters. Take this time to enjoy a massage in the wellness center, workout in the gym and browse in the library. Each day onboard naturalists offer talks that add depth to this experience.

On these days, plan to visit Macquarie Island, the exposed crest of an undersea ridge where the Indo-Australian and Pacific tectonic plates converge. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to a large variety of wildlife, including thousands of seals and millions of penguins. Four species of penguin breed here. The endemic royal penguin has a population estimated at 850,000. Gentoo and southern rockhopper penguins also breed there. And imagine landing on a single beach thronged with 150,000 pairs of king penguins—one of the world’s largest colonies.

Whales beneath, birds above, as the ship sails on. Onboard naturalists prepare you for the exciting days ahead with presentations on the wildlife of Antarctica and history of the Golden Age of Exploration.

Navigate some of the most remote regions of the planet while exploring the Ross Sea, just like Scott, Shackleton, and Ross (the 19th-century explorer for whom this sea is named). Witness the impressive Ross Ice Shelf, the world’s largest, and the Transantarctic Mountain Chain. Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf is enormous, covering 182,000 square miles–the size of France—and the edge of the ice shelf towers as high as 200 feet above the water’s surface, with the majority of the ice below the waterline. The Ross Ice Shelf plays an important role in stabilizing the Antarctic ice sheet, buttressing the ice that is constantly moving over the land surface.

Travel to this unique part of the Antarctic waters likely includes stops at several small islands at the bottom of the world for opportunities to go ashore and explore via Zodiac and kayak. Expert staff craft an expedition aimed at learning, seeing, and experiencing more. Spot colonies of Adelie penguins, lazy seals and majestic whales.

This part of the planet is big, bold and full of adventure and magnificent scenery. The National Geographic Endurance is in full expedition mode, granting thrilling opportunities to crunch through thick ice and explore places few have seen. Rely on the planet’s best ice team to probe the ice’s edge for wildlife, from seabirds to whales. Activities throughout the journey are always weather and ice dependent. The captain seeks for spots to “park” the ship in the pack ice, allowing guests the unique thrill of disembarking onto a frozen sea—for ice walks, cross-country skiing forays and snow-shoe hikes. The undersea specialist captures images from the deep, revealing the hardy marine life beneath the ice. Always interesting, it can also be pioneering in this distant part of the world. There will be time, too, to relax in the library, head up to the Bridge to scan for marine life, unwind in the sauna or Yoga Room, and of course, hear presentations from expert staff.

With 24 hours of daylight, there is ample opportunity to explore the Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands. In keeping with the nature of an expedition, the schedule throughout is flexible to take advantage of the unexpected—watching whales at play off the bow, taking an after-dinner Zodiac cruise, or heading out on an unplanned excursion.

While along the Antarctic Peninsula, anticipate opportunities each day to go ashore or kayak among the ice floes and experience close encounters with wildlife. Enjoy the thrill of watching the powerful ship crunch through the pack ice or step ashore to thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. Learn how climate change affects the penguin populations and how best to capture images of penguins from a National Geographic photographer. Back aboard, the undersea specialist may present video from that day’s dive or show rare images taken up to 1,000 feet below the surface using the ROV.

On the final day aboard, enjoy one last chance to view the marine life of these southern waters. While crossing the legendary Drake Passage, spot albatross and other seabirds that glide alongside the ship. Gather to toast this epic voyage at a festive farewell dinner.

After breakfast, disembark in Ushuaia and have an overview of the southernmost city in the world. Later, head to the airport for the private charter flight to Buenos Aires, and check in to the Alvear Icon Hotel (or similar).

This morning, set 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. Later, transfer to the airport for overnight flights home.

Fly by private charter to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Enjoy lunch on a catamaran cruise of the Beagle Channel before embarking.

Settle into shipboard life, listening to informal discussions from the naturalist staff to prepare for the wildness ahead. While crossing the legendary Drake Passage, spot albatross and other seabirds that glide alongside the ship.

With 24 hours of daylight, there is ample opportunity to explore the Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands. In keeping with the nature of an expedition, the schedule throughout is flexible in order take advantage of the unexpected—watching whales at play off the bow, taking an after-dinner Zodiac cruise or heading out on an unplanned excursion.

Anticipate a variety of opportunities each day: hike, kayak among the ice floes and experience close encounters with wildlife. It’s a thrill to watch the powerful ship crunch through the pack ice, or to step ashore with thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins. Learn how climate change affects the penguin populations and how best to capture images of penguins from a National Geographic photographer. Back aboard, the undersea specialist may present video from the day’s dive or show rare images taken up to 1,000 feet below the surface using the ROV. National Geographic expert staff will craft an expedition where you will learn, see and experience more.

This part of the planet is big and bold and full of adventure and magnificent scenery. The National Geographic Endurance will be in full expedition mode, granting thrilling opportunities to crunch through thick ice and explore places few have seen. Rely on the planet’s best ice team as the ship probes the ice’s edge for wildlife, including numerous seabirds and whales. Activities throughout the journey are always weather and ice dependent. The captain and expedition leader are on the lookout for spots to park the ship in the pack ice, allowing guests the unique thrill of disembarking onto a frozen sea—for ice walks, cross-country skiing forays and snowshoe hikes. There will be time to relax in the library, head up to the bridge to scan for marine life, unwind in the sauna or yoga room, and of course, hear presentations from expert staff. Along the way, the undersea specialist captures images from the deep, revealing the hardy marine life beneath the ice. Always interesting, it can also be pioneering in this distant part of the world.

Navigate some of the most remote regions of the planet. Explore the Ross Sea just like Scott, Shackleton and Ross (the 19th-century explorer for whom this sea is named). See the impressive Ross Ice Shelf, the world’s largest, and the Transantarctic Mountain Chain. Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf is enormous, covering 182,000 square miles—the size of France—and the edge of the ice shelf is a wall of ice towering over the water by as much as 200 feet, with the majority of the ice below the waterline. The Ross Ice Shelf plays an important role in stabilizing the Antarctic ice sheet, buttressing the ice that is constantly moving over the land surface.

Journeying to this unique part of the Antarctic waters will likely include stops at several small islands at the bottom of the world for opportunities to hike and explore via Zodiac and kayak. Spot colonies of Adelie penguins, lazy seals and majestic whales.

During these days at sea, learn about the fascinating history of Antarctic exploration, as well as the flora, fauna and geology of the region. Onboard naturalists help identify the seabirds that follow the ship.

Located south of the New Zealand mainland in the remote Southern Ocean, the wild and beautiful sub-Antarctic islands are home to abundant and unique wildlife, with many species of birds, plants and invertebrates found nowhere else in the world. Visit Macquarie Island or Macca, as it is affectionately known, home to a large variety of wildlife, including thousands of seals and millions of penguins. Four species of penguin breed on Macca and it has been designated a World Heritage site. The endemic royal penguin has a population estimated at 850,000. Gentoo and southern rockhopper penguins also breed there. Imagine landing on a single beach with 100,000 pairs of king penguins, the third largest such colony in the world!

With whales beneath and birds above, head to the bridge to spot marine life and watch the calm business of navigation. Or spend this days enjoying the ship’s spa, yoga room and fitness center. Take some time to browse the library or play a board game in the glass-enclosed observation lounge. And listen to a variety of engaging talks from the expert staff, including photo talks.

Spend three incredible days discovering New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands and their surrounding waters—the entire marine landscape designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Nat Geo Endurance has special permission to explore these strictly regulated islands, which are protected at the highest level of conservation status by the New Zealand government, and considered a “bird central” among top ornithologists around the world.

Keeping a flexible weather-dependent schedule, hope to explore several intriguing islands. Two small rocky islands, North East and Broughton, comprise The Snares, the closest sub-Antarctic islands to New Zealand. The islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds: the 99 recorded species include albatross, Antarctic terns and Snares crested penguins. The Auckland Islands are the largest of New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands, with the richest flora, prolific birdlife and an interesting human history. Conditions permitting, cruise in Zodiacs to Enderby Island to view a large New Zealand sea lion colony with pups all jostling for position. Perhaps even see rare yellow-eyed penguins as they move to and from their nests in the forests beyond the beach.

On these final days aboard, enjoy one last chance to view the marine life of these southern waters. And gather to toast this epic voyage at a festive farewell dinner.

After breakfast, disembark on New Zealand’s South Island in Dunedin, known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Fly to Auckland and overnight at the Grand by SkyCity Hotel (or similar). Transfer to the airport the next day for flights home.