Antarctica · Born to Watch

Antarctica Expedition

Lindblad / National Geographic · Round-trip from Ushuaia · Oct 2026 – Mar 2027

The standard Lindblad/Nat Geo itinerary: 10–11 nights round-trip from Ushuaia, roughly two days each way crossing the Drake Passage, and five to six days actually exploring the Antarctic Peninsula by ship, Zodiac, kayak, and on foot. Multiple departures are already on sale across the season.

Best Window

October 2026 – March 2027 (multiple departures)

Duration

12 days · 10–11 nights aboard

Stay

1 night Buenos Aires pre-cruise, then the Lindblad/National Geographic expedition ship

Price

Confirmed against your enquiry

The 12-Day Expedition

Day 1

Buenos Aires

Arrival

Arrive into Buenos Aires and settle in for the night before the journey properly begins. It's the last taste of a proper city for the next twelve days — worth a walk through Recoleta or a late dinner in Palermo before an early flight south tomorrow.

Day 2

South to Ushuaia

Embarkation

A short flight south to Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, tucked between the Beagle Channel and the last folds of the Andes. Board the National Geographic expedition ship in the afternoon or evening, meet the expedition team at the first onboard briefing, and watch the lights of Ushuaia fall away as the ship pulls out into the channel.

Ushuaia harbor with expedition boats and snow-capped mountains

Days 3–4

Crossing the Drake

At sea, southbound

Two full days at sea crossing the Drake Passage — one of the more storied stretches of ocean anywhere, and very much part of the experience rather than a delay before it. Days fill with expedition-team briefings on what's ahead, seabird watching off the stern (albatross and petrels are common company), and getting properly oriented to the ship before the first landing.

Stormy seas viewed from the expedition ship's deck

Days 5–9 (approx.)

The Antarctic Peninsula

Why this trip exists

This is the reason for the whole trip. Days here run on ice and weather, not a fixed schedule — the expedition team plans each morning and afternoon around where the ship actually is and what conditions allow, which is exactly how it should be. Expect daily Zodiac cruises weaving between icebergs, landings on the Peninsula itself among penguin colonies, seals hauled out on ice floes, and whales working the surrounding waters, plus kayaking on the calmer days where it's offered. No two departures see quite the same five days, which is the point.

Days 10–11

Crossing the Drake

At sea, northbound

Two more days crossing the Drake, this time northbound, with time to properly process what you've just seen — photo reviews with the expedition team, recap talks, and a last look for wildlife off the stern. A farewell dinner onboard on the final night closes out the expedition before Ushuaia comes back into view.

Gentoo penguins above the Antarctic coastline

Day 12

Back to Argentina

Departure

Disembark in Ushuaia in the morning and fly back to Buenos Aires for onward travel home. If there's room in the schedule, it's worth building in an extra day here — the Beagle Channel and Tierra del Fuego National Park are both close by and easy to add on at either end of the expedition.

Les Eclaireurs lighthouse near Ushuaia at journey's end

Getting there

The Ushuaia ↔ Buenos Aires domestic leg and the Buenos Aires pre-cruise hotel night are part of Lindblad's own standard package, regardless of where you're departing from — international routing to Buenos Aires is sorted with you directly once we know your dates.

What We're Arranging

Every item below is with our ground partner for confirmation — nothing is locked until you enquire and we lock your specific dates.

●Buenos Aires accommodation

1 night pre-cruise, per Lindblad's own recommended routing

●Ushuaia ↔ Buenos Aires flight

Round trip — often bundled as a recommended group flight by Lindblad

●Expedition cruise booking

10–11 night Lindblad/National Geographic Antarctica voyage

●Cold-weather gear

What Lindblad provides (typically a parka) vs. what guests bring is being confirmed

●Argentina visa / entry

Process for Indian passport holders being confirmed

●Travel insurance

Polar expeditions typically require specific medical evacuation coverage — requirement being confirmed

Pricing

Confirmed against your enquiry — every experience is priced individually once we know your dates and preferences.

Enquire About This Experience