Quest for the Antarctic Circle

Arrive in Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina. Transfer from the airport to the Alvear Icon, or similar. Arrival Time: Arrive before 11:30 a.m. local time. Arrival City: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Enjoy lunch on a catamaran cruise of the Beagle Channel. Embark the National Geographic Endurance.

This 500-mile-wide strait between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula is one of the most famous bodies of water in the world. Sometimes ferocious, sometimes flat calm, the Drake is always a fascinating place in its own right. This part of your journey is the best opportunity to see gorgeous seabirds like the wandering albatross, and you might be lucky enough to encounter killer whales or rare species of dolphins. This is also a day to get to know the ship and prepare for your adventures ahead. Visit the Bridge (a great place to spot wildlife), have a relaxing massage, attend a talk about the biology of the penguins you’ll soon be seeing or settle into a comfy chair in the observation lounge looking out over the waves and reflect on the incredible history of this fabled passage. If it does get a little rough, just take a couple of nice naps; you'll be in Antarctica before you know it.

With long hours of daylight at this time of year and nine days on the Continent, you'll experience more as you sail in the wake of history’s boldest explorers on a quest to cross the legendary Antarctic Circle. Your schedule is flexible, and the state-of-the-art ship you'll be sailing on allows you to get deeper and go further to explore the unexpected—whether it's watching whales at play off the bow of the ship, walking amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins, enjoying an evening Zodiac cruise under the spectacular midnight sun or even discovering a new uncharted cove. 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, you might set out by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level or embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags. The next, you might experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice. No matter where you go in Antarctica, you're surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. Along the way, your expert expedition team will enrich your experiences and the vessel's Icemaster Captain will navigate you safely through these icy waters.

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. Send a message home to friends and family saying: “Don’t want this to end!” And celebrate your voyage at a farewell dinner on board.

Disembark in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Fly to Buenos Aires and connect with your overnight flight home. Departure Time: Depart after 9:00 p.m. local time. Departure City: Buenos Aires, Argentina