Epic Antarctica Epic Antarctica: From the Peninsula to the Ross Sea & Beyond | Antarctica Adventure Travel | | Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic

This extraordinary new voyage is like a blockbuster film—the star is the seventh continent. And the co-stars are the big ice of remote West Antarctica, where we are sure to set foot on ice where no other humans ever have; the prolific wildlife and impressive ice shelf of the Ross Sea region; and the sub-Antarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia, World Heritage sites for the thousands of seals and millions of penguins here, including huge colonies of king penguins and the endemic royal penguin.This is wildness and wildlife at its finest. Following in the footsteps of Scott, Ross, Amundsen and Shackleton, perhaps only a few thousand people in the history of the planet have ever made this voyage. And the opportunity we’re offering is too good to pass up. Join us, and you might be able to legitimately paraphrase the iconic line: “To boldly go where no man has gone before.”

Expedition Highlights

• Discover four stunningly beautiful wilderness regions aboard the ultimate polar ship, National Geographic Endurance, providing unprecedented access, opening up unexplored opportunities in polar environments, and making polar travel safe, smooth, thrilling, and luxurious.
• In the company of a top expedition team, encounter the big tabular icebergs of the Antarctic Peninsula and remote West Antarctica, and sail along the spectacular Ross Ice Shelf, a wall of ice towering over the water by as much as 200 feet.
• Explore the seldom-visited sub-Antarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia, UNESCO sites that are havens for wildlife.
• Follow the routes of Scott, Ross, Amundsen and Shackleton.
• Paddle a kayak in the pristine bays, hike the landscape, and Zodiac cruise amid the bergs. Capture your best images with a National Geographic photographer by your side. 
• Observe unique and abundant wildlife: endemic royal penguins, gentoo and southern rockhopper penguins—and the largest of the species, the emperor penguin. Visit the world’s largest colony of Adélie penguins, and see 100,000 pairs of king penguins on a single beach!

Next-generation exploration
Explore Antarctica in expedition style aboard our new next-generation expedition ship National Geographic Endurance—an incomparable experience and your guarantee of an in-depth encounter with all its wonders. Endurance has the highest ice class of any purpose-built passenger ship, with a patented X-bow design for the smoothest and most comfortable ride. Lindblad Expedition’s pioneering polar heritage and 50+ years of experience navigating polar geographies is your assurance of safe passage in one of the wildest sectors of the planet.

Have up-close, personal penguin encounters
Travel with virtually any company to Antarctica, and you will see penguins. They are the citizens of the white continent, present in astounding numbers, and endlessly fascinating. Travel with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, however, and you’ll travel equipped for up-close, personal encounters—with a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks to enable you to get closer. And a team of engaging experts that enable you to spend more time enjoying penguin society and understand more of the adaptations that enable these remarkable animals to survive their environment.  

Take advantage of all the superb photo ops
You’ll have a National Geographic photographer as your traveling companion, to inspire you and provide tips in the field. And the services of a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, as well—to help you turn your point-and-shoot camera into an “aim and create.” You’ll find no end of subjects and the help you need to return home with your best photos ever.

Every day is engaging
You'll experience something extraordinary every day we're in Antarctica. Because National Geographic Endurance has a fleet of both Zodiacs and kayaks, the entire expedition community can embark at once on a variety of forays—no waiting around for returning parties. You’ll have a choice of activities each day, and the option to join the naturalist whose interests mirror yours.

Travel in excellent company
Journey to these remote destinations under the sure guidance of an expedition leader, a team of veteran naturalists, a National Geographic photographer, plus a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, an undersea specialist, a video chronicler, and a wellness specialist. Their knowledge and passion for Antarctica is the key to your once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The luxury of comfort outside the zone

Sleek and powerful on the outside, National Geographic Endurance is quietly luxe in the best Scandinavian design on the inside. With a total of six decks, Endurance has over 10,000 square feet of glass to frame the spectacular polar scenery to keep you connected to the view, while her décor and amenities keep you, and just 125 fellow passengers, spaciously and contentedly contained.