ɋExplore - National Geographic Expeditions

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Expeditions Aboard the National Geographic-lindblad Fleet | 2015–16
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Expeditions aboard the
National Geographic-Lindblad fleet
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North America
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16
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Baja California and the Sea of Cortez
Costa Rica and the Panama Canal
Alaska's Inside Passage
The Canadian Maritimes and Newfoundland
Wild Islands and Treasures of Baja California
Sailing the Caribbean
Columbia and Snake Rivers Journey
polar regions
South America
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Galápagos
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Upper Amazon
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Coastal Treasures from the Panama Canal to Peru NEW
24Peru and Chile: Ancient Sites and Natural Wonders NEW
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Rounding the Cape: Chilean Patagonia and Argentina's Staten Island NEW
Europe
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Sailing the Greek Isles
Under Sail: Greece to the Dalmatian Coast
Scotland's Highlands and Islands
Exploring the British and Irish Isles
Azores to Sevilla: Island Wonders and Fabled Shores
Spain and Portugal: Legacy of the Moors NEW
Exploring the Low Countries: Holland and Belgium
NEW
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44 45 46 48 62 Land of the Polar Bears
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard
Exploring Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic
Greenland, Baffin Island, and the Ellesmere Islands
Journey to Antarctica
Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falklands
Svalbard, Iceland, and Greenland's East Coast
asia
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Wild Encounters from Borneo to Bali
Vietnam and Cambodia: Along the Mekong River
Bali to Palau: Exotic Indonesia NEW
Indian Ocean and Oceania
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Tahiti to Easter Island: Tales of the Pacific NEW
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Treasures of the Indian Ocean: Zanzibar and the Seychelles NEW
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Indian Ocean Odyssey: Seychelles, Maldives, and Sri Lanka NEW
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Wild Islands of Sri Lanka, Borneo, and the Andaman Sea NEW
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Wildlife and Cultures of South Africa, Mozambique, and Madagascar NEW
Call TOLL-FREE 1-888-966-8687 or reserve online at nationalgeographicexpeditions.com
Dear Traveler,
When National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions joined forces ten
years ago, we kicked off our partnership with the inaugural voyage of
the National Geographic Endeavour, setting sail from Valparaiso, Chile to
the Panama Canal – the first of many extraordinary expeditions to come.
Since then, our fleet has grown in size to take us beyond South America
to the other six continents. We’ve counted former presidents, Nobel
Laureates, and Pulitzer Prize winners among our expedition teams; and
our state-of-the-art tools have allowed us to explore farther and deeper
with each subsequent year.
Ten years later, it seems fitting that we’ll return to South America next
year to trace the length of the continent’s western coast—this time
aboard the National Geographic Explorer. On three remarkable expeditions, we’ll discover seldom-seen treasures from Ecuador to Colombia,
Peru, Argentina, and beyond. The National Geographic Explorer will
also ply the wildlife-rich waters of the Atlantic on a series of voyages
including the wild isles of the Azores and Madeira and the historically
rich coasts of Spain and Portugal.
In 2015, we’ll continue our new chapter of South Pacific exploration
aboard the National Geographic Orion. Experience jubilant island welcomes in the Cook Islands and French Polynesia, dive some of the world’s
finest reefs in the Southern Line Islands and Indonesia, and delve into the
mysterious history of Easter Island—among many other highlights.
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Palau to Solomon Islands: Along the Pacific Equator NEW
Solomon Islands to Fiji: Hidden South Pacific NEW
Fiji to the Cook Islands: Polynesian Discovery NEW
Cook Islands to Tahiti: Pristine Reefs of the South Pacific
NEW
AUsTRALIA
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Australia's Wild Northwest
Australia's Wild Northwest with the Spice Islands
Resources
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National Geographic Moments
Special Offers
The National Geographic-Lindblad Difference
Travel with National Geographic Photographers,
Expedition Staff, and History Makers
Deck Plans
Expedition Calendar
Terms and Conditions
Front Cover: Guests photograph the King penguins of South Georgia.
© Ralph Lee Hopkins.
Above: The National Geographic Explorer cruises by the Azores coast; an orangutan rests in
the jungle foliage; two kayakers pass by a seal resting on an iceberg in Antarctica.
As our alliance grows and prospers, so too does our commitment to
protecting the places we explore. The Lindblad-National Geographic
Fund currently supports conservation and educational projects in the
Galápagos Islands, Baja California, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the
Amazon, and Cambodia.
The high points of the past decade are many (including my own personal
highlight—traveling to Antarctica aboard the National Geographic
Explorer last year), but one constant remains: our commitment to enriching, hands-on exploration that inspires travelers to care about—and
preserve—the planet’s wonders. We look forward to another incredible
decade of exploration with you.
Sincerely,
Gary E. Knell
President and CEO
National Geographic Society
When you travel with us, you make a difference.
Proceeds from our expeditions help fund the National Geographic Society's
core mission programs. By traveling with us, you are helping support our
grantees and explorers in their efforts to preserve species and habitats,
protect cultures, and advance understanding of our incredible planet.
Copyright © 2014 National Geographic Society C Recycled paper National Geographic
Expeditions and the Yellow Border Design are registered trademarks of the National
Geographic Society.
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Celebrating
10
years
of National Geographic Moments Every day
This year marks the tenth anniversary of our partnership with
Lindblad Expeditions. Since 2004, we’ve ventured into the
Northwest Passage, circled the globe by sea, traced the full
lengths of Africa and South America, and introduced countless
travelers to the glorious—and imperiled—icescapes of the
Arctic and Antarctica.
The National Geographic moments we have experienced
together could fill volumes: We’ve spotted a rare “blond”
penguin and been ogled by a minke whale in Antarctica. We
danced with joyful islanders in the South Pacific and watched
with white knuckles as the world’s original bungee jumpers
sailed off teetering wooden towers in Vanuatu. We raced
dolphins in the Sea of Cortez, felt the tickle of an elephant seal
pup's whiskers in South Georgia, watched humpback whales
bubble-net feed in Alaska, and observed the birth of a sea lion
in the Galàpagos. And that was just this past year.
Each incredible encounter is made possible by our accomplished field staff, nimble expedition ships, fleets of kayaks
and landing craft, and cutting edge exploration technology.
Perhaps most importantly, we gave back to the places we
explored, supporting local people through organizations
like Minga Peru, which trains and educates communities in the remote Amazon rain forest in fields
such as natural resource management. Here’s
to another ten great years of National
Geographic moments together!
Celebrate with Special Savings on Select Expeditions
Book one of these expeditions by December 31, 2014, for savings on select departure dates.*
South Georgia and the Falklands
Receive complimentary round-trip international airfare between
Miami and Buenos Aires, plus complimentary charter flights
between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, on the Mar. 6, 2016 departure.
See page 49 for the itinerary.
Wild Islands and Treasures of Baja California
Receive a $550 air credit on the Dec. 20 and 27, 2014, and Jan. 3
and 10, 2015 departures. See page 62 for more information.
Galápagos
Receive complimentary round-trip international airfare from Miami
or New York City to the Galápagos on select 2015 departures. See
page 18 for the itinerary. Visit our website or call for departure dates.
Galápagos and Peru’s Land of the Inca
Receive complimentary round-trip international airfare from Miami
or New York City to the Galápagos and return from Lima on select
2015 departures. See our website for the full Galápagos and
Peru: Land of the Inca itinerary and departure dates.
Lock in 2014/15 season prices for 2015/16 departures, and receive
a complimentary hotel night in Panama City at the start or end of
select 2015 and 2016 departures. See page 14 for the itinerary.
Visit our website or call for departure dates.
Coastal Treasures from the Panama Canal to Peru
Receive complimentary airfare from Miami to Panama City, and
return from Lima to Miami. See page 22 for the itinerary.
Alaska’s Inside Passage
Receive complimentary round-trip airfare between Seattle and
Alaska on select May and June 2015 departures. See page 16
for the itinerary and departure dates.
SPAIN AND PORTUGAL: LEGACY OF THE MOORS
Receive complimentary airfare from New York City to Sevilla, and
return from Bilbao to New York City. See page 38 for the itinerary.
VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA: along the mekong river
Receive complimentary round-trip international economy airfare
on select 2015 departures. See page 52 for the itinerary. Visit our
website or call for departure dates.
AZORES TO SEVILLA: ISLAND WONDERS AND FABLED SHORES
Receive complimentary airfare from Boston to Azores, returning
from Sevilla to New York City. See page 36 for itinerary.
Svalbard, Iceland, and Greenland’s East Coast
Receive complimentary charter airfare between Oslo and
Longyearbyen. See our website for the full itinerary.
THE INDIAN OCEAN, BORNEO, INDONESIA, AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Receive 10% off the expedition price on 11 National Geographic
Orion voyages; Lifelong Explorers double your discount and
receive 20% off the expedition price. Offer applies to the
expeditions on pages 50-51, 54-55, 56-57, and 58-59.
Along The Viking Trail: From Iceland to Greenland
Receive complimentary charter airfare between Kangerlussuaq
and Ottawa. See our website for the full itinerary.
Sea Cloud voyages: Under Sail: Greece to the Dalmatian
Coast; Sailing the Greek Isles; and Sailing the Caribbean.
Travel on 2016 Mediterranean or Caribbean expeditions aboard the
Sea Cloud and we will cover your bar tab on board and all tips for
the crew. See pages 28, 30, and 63 for the itineraries.
*Offers are for new bookings and may not be
combined with other offers. Complimentary airfare
must be booked through Lindblad Expeditions.
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we are all explorers
When curious travelers set out to sea to actively explore the wild world, great things happen. The travelers may
span all ages, backgrounds, and experiences, yet they are drawn together by the excitement of exploration and the
joy of discovery in the planet’s most extraordinary and treasured places.
Aboard the National Geographic-Lindblad fleet, the exploration is multifaceted, conducted on foot, by snorkel, or
by boat; informed by naturalists and authorities on the local culture; enhanced by experts we meet in the field. It
is recorded by an onboard videographer who compiles great memories for us, but it is also documented by you,
working with our certified photo instructor to take stunning shots of the places we go.
Over the years, our travelers have witnessed firsthand the work of National Geographic’s writers, scientists,
photographers, educators, and adventurers who have used our ships as the base for
their projects. Books, magazine stories, film and television productions, and even
groundbreaking scientific discoveries have come out of experiences on our
fleet, and each time, we are treated to a behind-the-scenes look at what
exploration at National Geographic really means. Featured here are
just a few examples of explorers and storytellers who
have traveled with us aboard our ships.
Greg Marshall
The world got an animal’s perspective when National Geographic’s
Greg Marshall and his Remote Imaging team deployed Crittercams
on humpback whales, leopard seals, and more using the National
Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet as platforms. Greg will be
joining the June 26 and July 3, 2015 Galápagos departures.
James balog
Paul nicklen
National Geographic Adventure
contributing editor and
award-winning photographer
James Balog has achieved
global renown for his Extreme
Ice Survey (EIS) initiated in
2007—the most wide-ranging
ground-based photographic
glacier study ever conducted. In
an unprecedented collaboration,
National Geographic and Lindblad
Expeditions are enabling the
EIS team to extend their polar ice-monitoring activities by
helping them place time-lapse cameras in Antarctica. The EIS
team traveled aboard the National Geographic Explorer to
set up their cameras overlooking numerous glaciers on the
Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia Island, and trained the
expedition team to act as adjuncts to Balog’s team—monitoring the cameras and facilitating the ongoing collection of
photographs.
National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen
spent many weeks camped out on the Arctic ice on
assignment for National Geographic magazine and
his book Polar Obsession. He used the National
Geographic Explorer as his
base, restocking supplies,
sharing tales with travelers,
and warming up each time
the ship passed by.
Grosvenor Teacher
Fellow Program
National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions host the
Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program aboard the fleet. This
professional development opportunity recognizes K-12th
grade educators committed to geographic learning. This
year another 25 teachers, bringing the program’s total to
75, will travel to the Arctic, Galápagos, and more pristine
regions, giving them field experience to bring to their
classrooms, colleagues, and communities.
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Year Range
1890-2014
1890
1950
1955
1960
1965
A Rich History of
Exploration
Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is one
of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational
organizations. Throughout its history, the Society has sought
to expand our understanding of our planet, its cultures, and
its creatures, and to raise awareness about the issues that
threaten them. To date, we have funded nearly 11,000 research,
conservation, and exploration projects around the globe,
ranging from crossing the Arctic by dogsled to documenting
ancient traditions in Papua New Guinea. What drives us is the
pioneering mindset of our researchers and explorers, the thrill
of discovery, and an unwavering commitment to inspire people
to care about the planet.
When you travel aboard the National Geographic-Lindblad
Expeditions fleet, you experience this spirit of exploration
firsthand. You encounter the world’s wonders close up, and dig
deeper with the ready insights of our top-notch expedition staff.
On many trips you may have the opportunity to meet National
Geographic’s grantees—on our ships and in the field—and hear
about their projects and the bold dreams that inspire them. By
traveling with us, you not only help support the work of our
grantees, but in the great tradition of National Geographic, you
also become an explorer and a storyteller in your own right.
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Read about our featured projects,
marked by red flags, on the interactive map at
nationalgeographic.com/explorers/projects
The Society has funded nearly 11,000 projects
since its creation in 1888. Go online to browse
projects by location or keyword. You’ll find
details on the explorers, project descriptions,
disciplines, locations, and durations.
Pictured left to right: The National Geographic Society sponsored Hiram Bingham’s excavations of Machu
Picchu in 1912, 1914, and 1915. And the April 1913 issue of National Geographic magazine made his
work accessible to the waiting world—using photos and Bingham’s diaries to take a breathless reading
public into the wonder of his discovery. National Geographic grantee Jacques Cousteau redefined our
understanding of the undersea, sharing footage from his marine explorations with the world. With support
from the Society, Dr. Biruté Galdikas established Camp Leakey, a research center in Borneo’s Tanjung
Puting National Park, and the Orangutan Foundation International, to research and protect orangutans
and their habitat. Dr. Galdikas will join our Camp Leakey expedition, Wild Encounters from Borneo to Bali.
See page 50 for the full itinerary.
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Categories
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2010
2014
Adventure
Ancient
World
Animals
Environment
Society
& Culture
Space
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Travel with National Geographic
Photographers, Expedition Staff,
and History Makers
Exploring alongside former presidents and renowned photographers brings a travel experience to a whole new level.
Aboard the National Geographic-Lindblad fleet, our expedition teams are full of dynamic and passionate people—naturalists, certified photo instructors, undersea specialists and more—who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to each
place we visit. At the helm of every team is an expedition leader, a veteran explorer who has forged relationships with local
communities from the Azores to Easter Island—a personal connection that allows us to get to know the places we visit on a
more intimate level. A top National Geographic photographer accompanies every voyage aboard the National Geographic
Explorer and the National Geographic Orion, and on select trips, we’ve also invited celebrated luminaries and explorers to
share their tales and insights as we discover remote places together. Below, meet a few of the acclaimed photographers,
history makers, and celebrated naturalists who will be traveling with us in 2015.
Casey Anderson
The host of Nat Geo WILD’s Expedition Wild and America the Wild,
naturalist Casey Anderson was nicknamed the “animal magnet” while
growing up in Montana. In 2002, Casey rescued an abandoned grizzly
bear cub and dedicated his life to raising Brutus to be an ambassador for
his wild grizzly cousins. Casey built the cub named Brutus a sanctuary
which became the Montana Grizzly Encounter, a bear rescue and
education facility. Together, they have been featured in the National
Geographic Channel’s Expedition Grizzly and in numerous
educational videos, films, and television shows. When not
on set, they spend their days at the rescue center helping
educate the public about wildlife conservation. Casey will
join the May 16 and 23, 2015 Alaska Inside Passage
departures.
“
Whether I am in search of giant
Kodiak grizzly bears or the
elusive wolverine, Alaska never
disappoints.
”
—Casey Anderson blog
Gil Grosvenor
Gil Grosvenor has served National Geographic since 1954, first as a writer and photographer, then as the editor
of National Geogrpahic magazine, president of the Society, and—until 2010—as chairman of the board. Gil helped
design the Canadian Maritimes and Newfoundland itinerary based on his experience sailing the same waters with
his father, Melville Bell Grosvenor, on assignment for National Geographic for an article in the September 1967
issue of National Geographic magazine. Gil will join the September 11, 2015 Canadian Maritimes and
Newfoundland departure.
“
”
Beyond the masts of fishing trawlers rose the Brittany-like port...
—Melville Bell Grosvenor, “White Mist Cruises to wreck-haunted St. Pierre and Miquelon,”
National Geographic magazine, September 1967
César Gaviria
Former Colombian President César Gaviria was
elected President of Colombia in May 1990.
During his four-year term, he enacted policies
to strengthen democracy, promote peace, and
reintegrate armed rebels into civilian life. After his term ended,
President Gaviria successfully created The Otun Group, an
international business advisory firm located in New York City.
Returning to Colombia in 2005 he once again became active
in politics and was proclaimed the sole chief of the Colombian
Liberal Party in June 2005. President Gaviria currently serves
on the Board of Directors of Oceana, the global organization
that creates policy changes to reduce ocean pollution. President
Gaviria will be joining a portion of the September 27, 2015
Costal Treasures from the Panama Canal to Peru.
Ralph Lee Hopkins
Ralph Lee Hopkins is founder and
director of the Expedition Photography
program for the Lindblad-National
Geographic alliance. For more than 20
years he has led expeditions from the
Arctic to Antarctica. Back on land he is
a lecturer with the National Geographic
Traveler digital seminar series and
teaches workshops for National
Geographic Expeditions. Images from Ralph’s travels have been
published widely in National Geographic. He will be joining the
following 2015 departures: July 28 and August 7 Exploring
Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic; May 23 and June 2
Wild Encounters from Borneo to Bali.
Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson
Photographers Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson have collectively photographed more than 60 stories for National Geographic
and National Geographic Traveler magazines. Both Sisse and Cotton have been awarded numerous prizes by Pictures of the Year
International, the National Press Photographers Association, and the White House Press Photographers Association. Sisse
and Cotton will be joining the following 2015 departures: March 27 Azores to Sevilla: Island Wonders and Fabled
Shores; April 3 Spain and Portugal: Legacy of the Moors; May 19 Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard;
Nov. 7 Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falklands; Dec. 17 and 27 Journey to Antarctica.
“
The [Antarctic Peninsula] area is teeming with wildlife and has many different
forms of ice. It also presents some of the most extreme photo-shooting
conditions on the planet. You have a chance to photograph leopard seals,
humpback whales, and penguins of all sorts.
”
—Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson, "Tips for shooting in cold weather,"
nationalgeographic.com
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Baja California and the Sea of
Cortez: AMONG THE GREAT WHALES
Aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird
Expedition team & EXPERTs
Expedition Highlights
ɋɋGet an up-close view of gray whale mothers and their calves in the
breeding grounds of Bahía Magdalena.
ɋɋGo snorkeling amid sea lions, brilliant blue damselfish, and schools of
king angelfish.
ɋɋKayak clear, blue waters on the lookout for a variety of bird species
including magnificent frigatebirds.
ɋɋExplore diverse landscapes, including sand dunes, a cactus forest, and desert
islands.
National Geographic
photographer and marine
biologist Flip Nicklin is
one of the world's leading
photographers of whales.
His majestic photos and
amazing audio recordings
of humpbacks and orca whales have been
featured in numerous National Geographic
publications and television specials. The North
American Nature Photography Association
named him Outstanding Nature Photographer
of the Year for 2012. Flip will join a diverse
team of naturalists and experts on the January
16 and 23, 2016 departures.
Gray whales often approach our expedition landing craft, as curious
about us as we are about them.
north america
trip details
Dates: 2015: Jan. 17-24, Mar. 14-21
Bristling cacti soak up the sun on Isla Santa Catalina.
Itinerary: 8 days
Day 1: u.s./La Paz, Mexico
Arrive in La Paz and drive along the beautiful
Malecón to meet our ship.
National Geographic Sea Bird (D)
Day 2: Exploring the Sea of Cortez
Search for whales among the islands of the
southern Sea of Cortez, an area that has
proven to be one of the best for finding blue
whales, and often common and bottlenose
dolphins. Explore the many uninhabited
islands such as Isla San José or Isla Santa
Catalina to walk among huge cacti and
observe the diverse bird life. Swim or
snorkel with king angelfish, butterfly fish,
damselfish, and the beautiful parrotfish.
(B, L, D)
Day 3: Los Islotes and ISLA Espíritu
Santo
At Los Islotes, don flippers, a mask, and
snorkel (which we’ll gladly provide) and
swim with curious sea lions. We have a
leisurely afternoon to swim, kayak, or hike
at Isla Espíritu Santo. Brown pelicans, gulls,
and boobies are all part of the landscape.
Finish the day with a relaxing beach
barbecue complete with a campfire and a
star-filled sky. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Gorda Banks and Los Cabos
This morning cruise past Friars Rocks
at Land’s End and visit the historic town
center of San José del Cabo. The afternoon
is spent at the Gorda Banks seamount or
La Fortuna, gathering places for whales,
especially humpbacks, dolphins, and other
sea life. (B, L, D)
Days 5-7: Bahía Magdalena
Navigate through an immense system of
protected coves and channels, surrounded
by a fringe of mangrove channels at one
edge of a vast, windswept plain. Each
winter, during their long migration, gray
whales travel south from their Arctic
feeding grounds to breed and raise
their calves in these sheltered waters.
Observe migrating whales from the ship
and up close from our expedition landing
craft. Watch for magnificent frigate birds,
pelicans, cormorants, terns, great blue
herons, ibis, and willets. (B, L, D Daily)
2016: Jan. 16-23, Jan. 23-30*, Jan. 30-Feb.
6, Feb. 6-13*, Feb. 13-20, Feb. 20-27*, Feb.
27-Mar. 5, Mar. 5-12*, Mar. 12-19
* These departures follow the itinerary shown but in the
reverse order, beginning in San Carlos and ending in La Paz.
Expedition Cost: 2015
Category 1
$5,990
Located on Main Deck
Category 2
$6,890
Located on Upper and Bridge Decks
Category 3
$7,730
Call or visit website for 2016 pricing.
See photo and deck plans for the National
Geographic Sea Bird on page 66. Prices are
per person, double occupancy. For a single
cabin in 2015, add $3,000 in Category 1 and
$3,450 in Category 2. International airfare
between Los Angeles and La Paz is not
included in the expedition cost.
Kayakers paddle in crystal clear waters
Day 8: San Carlos/La Paz/u.s.
After breakfast, disembark in San Carlos
and drive across the peninsula to La Paz
for your return flight home. (B)
Reserve online at nationalgeographicexpeditions.com13
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Aboard the National Geographic Sea lion
ɋɋDiscover hidden pools and waterfalls deep within the jungles of the Osa Peninsula.
ɋɋExplore the tiny islands of the Gulf of Panama, and snorkel off Isla de
Coiba.
ɋɋEnjoy special access to the protected forests of Barro Colorado Island.
ɋɋExamine the fascinating lock system that made the Panama Canal
one of the greatest engineering achievements of its era.
National Geographic
photographer Michael
Melford has produced more
than a dozen feature stories
for National Geographic,
as well as 30 for National
Geographic Traveler,
including eight cover stories. On assignment
for National Geographic for the past ten
years, Michael has often used photography
to bring attention to the planet's wonders
and the need to preserve them. Michael will
join a diverse team of naturalists and experts
on the March 12, 2016 departure. Please
visit our website for National Geographic
photographers on other departures.
An adult and juvenile brown capuchin monkey
north america
“With its biodiversity, the Osa Peninsula [rated one of the 50 Places of
a Lifetime]is considered one of the planet’s most magnificent places.”
–Alvaro Ugalde, “Striking Gold in Costa Rica," National Geographic Traveler, October 2009
Itinerary: 8 days
ideal for kayaking and swimming. (B, L, D)
Day 1: U.S./San José, Costa Rica/
Herradura
Upon arrival in San José, transfer to Herradura
and embark our ship.
National Geographic Sea Lion (D)
Day 5: Coiba National Park, Panama
Isla Coiba, one of Panama’s most remote
national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage
site, offers some of the best reefs for snorkeling
in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Our staff will assist
novice and expert snorkelers alike, and you’ll
also observe a vibrant undersea world while
swimming and kayaking. (B, L, D)
Day 2: Manuel Antonio National Park
Spend the morning in Manuel Antonio
National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage
site, where thick forests fringe white-sand
beaches. Watch for three-toed sloths lazing
among the branches, and spot monkeys and
vividly colored birds. This afternoon, trace the
Pacific coastline south and stop for a refreshing
swim or a hike. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Osa Peninsula
Anchor off the Osa Peninsula to see some of the
most pristine lowland rain forest on the Pacific
coast. In the environs of Corcovado National
Park, swim in waterfall pools, ride horses on
the beach, or trek through the rain forest for a
chance to see four species of monkeys—howler,
spider, capuchin, and squirrel. (B, L, D)
Transiting the
Panama Canal
Day 4: Golfo Dulce
Enter the mangrove-fringed Golfo Dulce along
the southwestern edge of Costa Rica. Visit
the Casa Orquídeas, a tropical paradise of
ornamental palms, bromeliads, heliconias,
and orchids that is only reachable by boat.
Keep your eye out for tanagers, parrots, and
toucans. Later, explore the placid bay, which is
Day 6: Gulf of Panama Islets/Panama
Canal Transit
Today, explore the tiny islets of the Gulf of Panama
by expedition landing craft or kayak. Here, we
might spot frigatebirds, brown pelicans, neotropical cormorants, and brown boobies. Set sail for
the Panama Canal this afternoon. Stretching more
than 50 miles, the canal was a colossal engineering feat completed in 1914 and is still traversed by
some 14,000 ships every year. As cargo ships tend
to pass through the canal during the day, we’ll
most likely begin our crossing at night, when the
canal is dramatically lit. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Gatún Lake/Panama Canal Transit
Board an expedition landing craft to visit Barro
Colorado Nature Monument in Gatún Lake by
special arrangement. Scientists have worked at
the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on
Barro Colorado Island since 1923, researching
its 120 mammals and diverse tree species. It is
also the site of a National Geographic-supported
project that tracks tagged animals using automated radio signals and wireless technology.
Join local guides for a walk through the forests.
This evening, continue through the complex lock
system of the canal. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Colón/Panama City/U.S.
After breakfast, disembark in Colón and
transfer to the airport in Panama City for your
flight home. (B)
Visit our website to find out about photo expeditions to Costa Rica and the Panama Canal.
⊲
trip details
2015/2016 Season: Nov. 28; Dec. 5*, 12
19*, 26; Jan. 2*, 9
, 16*, 23, 30*;
Feb. 6, 13* , 20, 27*; Mar. 5, 12*
,
* These departures follow the itinerary shown but in the reverse
order, beginning in Panama City and ending in San Jose.
Expedition Cost:
2015/16
Category 1
$6,190
Category 2
$6,990
Category 3
$7,920
See National Geographic Sea Lion deck plan
on page 66. Prices are per person, double
occupancy. For a single cabin, add $3,100
in Category 1 and $3,500 in Category 2.
International airfare from Miami to San José
and return from Panama City is not included
in the expedition cost.
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Add a three-day pre-trip extension to
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve or
the new seven-day post-trip extension
to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve,
Sarapiquí River, and Tortuguero. Visit our
website or call for details.
Special offer
Book by December 31, 2014 to lock in
2014/15 season pricing and save up to $230
off the 2015/16 departures. Also receive a
complimentary hotel night in Panama City
at the start or end of select 2015 and 2016
departures, including access to the Frank
Gehry BioMuseo and new Panama Canal
Expansion Observation Center. Please visit
our website or call for details.
Visit our website to find out about our new Costa Rica land-based expedition.
call toll-free 1-888-966-868715
16
Alaska’s Inside Passage
Aboard the National Geographic sea bird
and the NAtional Geographic Sea Lion
ɋɋKayak into protected coves and look for sea otters, seabirds, and harbor
seals.
ɋɋHike through lush forests to cascading waterfalls, and ride an
expedition landing craft into coves looking for brown bears.
ɋɋMeet members of the Alaska Whale Foundation to learn about the
local whale population, and get a firsthand perspective on Alaska’s
indigenous people from a Tlingit cultural interpreter.
ɋɋDiscover Alaska’s seldom-seen, vibrant marine life, revealed by our
undersea specialist.
Humpback whales bubble-net feeding off Alaska's coast
The host of Nat Geo
WILD’s Expedition
Wild and America the Wild,
naturalist Casey Anderson
was nicknamed the “animal
magnet” while growing up.
In 2002, Casey rescued an
abandoned grizzly bear cub and dedicated his
life to raising Brutus to be an ambassador for
his wild grizzly cousins. Together, they have
been featured in the National Geographic
Channel’s Expedition Grizzly and in numerous
educational videos, films, television shows,
and commercials. Casey will share insights
from his many adventures, including those in
Alaska where he studied the grizzly population
of Kodiak Island, on the May 16 and 23,
2015 departures. north america
“The naturalist John Muir was exploring the coves and islands of the Inside
Passage when he wrote, ‘To the lover of pure wildness, Alaska is one of the most
wonderful countries in the world.’ Once you leave the larger towns in your wake
and head up the quiet inlets…it’s easy to find the Alaska that charmed Muir.”
—Heather Lende, “Alaska Cruise,”
National Geographic Traveler, September 2010
Itinerary: 8 days
Day 1: Seattle/Juneau, Alaska
Fly from Seattle to Juneau, the capital of
Alaska. Visit the imposing Mendenhall Glacier
and spend the evening exploring Juneau on
your own. National Geogeaphic Sea Bird/
National Geographic Sea Lion (D)
otters reside. We’ll search for whales in the rich
waters of Icy Strait and, conditions permitting,
lower the ship’s hydrophone to listen in on the
whales’ communication. (B, L, D)
Day 2: Tracy Arm—Fords Terror
Wilderness
Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular glacially carved fjords. See the soaring
Dawes or South Sawyer Glacier up close and
take a cruise in an expedition landing craft
for an unbeatable view of sculpted icebergs.
Keep an eye out for harbor seals, porpoises,
and arctic terns. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Glacier Bay National Park and
Preserve
By special permit, we explore Glacier Bay, a
not-to-be-missed gem of Alaska. See glaciers
that end abruptly at the water’s edge and
observe them calving as tons of ice crash into
the sea. Wildness abounds—mountain goats
and brown bears patrol the shore; harbor
seals, Steller sea lions and puffins live in
these icy waters. A native Tlingit interpreter
joins us to share the local lore. We will also
be joined by a National Park Service ranger.
(B, L, D)
Day 3: Petersburg
Search for humpback whales as we head
towards the small Alaskan town of Petersburg
on Mitkof Island, founded more than 100
years ago by Norwegian fishermen. Explore
southeast Alaska’s muskeg, an area with
stunted trees and carnivorous plants. There
is an opportunity for optional flightseeing
(weather permitting) or bike riding. Enjoy a
crab feast for dinner this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Exploring Alaska’s Islands,
Bays, and Fjords
Today, nature is our guide. We may explore
an isolated beach to take a closer look at tide
pools, beachcomb, and hike stunning forest
trails, or see bear tracks worn into the soil
while walking an isolated meadow. Sightings
of bald eagles are very common. If conditions
permit, we’ll do some kayaking, always watching for marine and terrestrial life. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Exploring Frederick Sound and
Chatham Strait
With luck, we’ll see whales breaching,
tail-slapping and feeding. We’ll explore
spectacular bays and inlets, following bear
trails and salmon streams. Later, hike or
kayak for up close exploration. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Sitka/Seattle
After breakfast we disembark in Sitka,
southeast Alaska’s only oceanfront town.
Visit the onion-domed St. Michael’s Russian
Orthodox Church. At the Raptor Rehabilitation
Center, get an up-close view of species
normally seen at a distance. Drive to the
airport for our afternoon flight to Seattle. (B)
Day 5: ICY STRAIT AND INIAN PASS
Hike and kayak among the Inian Islands, where
an abundance of Steller sea lions and sea
trip details
Dates: 2015: May 16*, 17*, 23, 24, 30*, 31*;
Jun. 6, 7, 13*, 14*, 20, 21, 27*, 28*; Jul. 4, 5, 11*,
12*, 18, 19, 25*, 26*; Aug. 1, 2, 8*, 9*, 15, 16,
22*, 23*, 29, 30 *These departures follow the itinerary shown but in the reverse
order, beginning in Sitka and ending in Juneau.
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$6,290
Located on main deck
Category 2
$7,340
Located on upper and bridge decks
Category 3
$8,390
Located on upper and bridge decks
See photo and deck plans for the National
Geographic Sea Bird/Sea Lion on page 66.
Prices are per person, double occupancy.
For a single cabin, add $3,150 in Category
1 and $3,670 in Category 2. Airfare is not
Optional EXTENSIONS
Add a seven-day extension to Alaska’s
Denali National Park. Or, explore Seattle and
Mt. Rainier National Park over three days.
Visit our website or call for details.
Special offer
Book by December 31, 2014 and receive
complimentary round-trip airfare between
Seattle and Alaska on the following 2015
departures: May 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31;
June 6 and 7. Visit our website or call for
departure dates.
⊲ Visit our website for information on special family and photography expeditions to Alaska’s
Inside Passage and A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia, and Haida Gwaii.
Galápagos
Aboard the National Geographic endeavour
and the National Geographic islander
ɋɋSnorkel amid shimmering fish, sea turtles, penguins, and playful sea
lions.
ɋɋCruise to pristine islands and walk among colonies of wildlife and birds
unfazed by your presence.
ɋɋObserve rare giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
ɋɋExplore the waters of the Galápagos by kayak, glass-bottom boat
(Endeavour only), or Zodiac.
Lynn Fowler first arrived
in the Galápagos in 1978
as a naturalist guide for
the Galápagos National
Park. Lynn completed
her doctorate based on
her research of the giant
tortoises of Alcedo Volcano on Isabela island,
where she spent over a year living on the rim
of the crater, collecting data. A diverse team of
naturalists will join every departure. Lynn will
join the following 2015 departures: Jan 10, 17,
24, 31; Mar 7, 14, 21, 28; Apr 4; May 30; Jun 6,
13, 20, 27; Jul 25; Aug 1, 8, 15; Oct 3, 10, 17, 24;
Nov 21; Dec 12, 19.
Sea lions cuddle up for a nap on the beach in Galápagos.
18
south america
Itinerary: 10 days
Day 1: U.S./Guayaquil, Ecuador
Depart for Guayaquil and upon arrival, transfer
to our hotel. Hotel Hilton Colón
Day 2: Guayaquil/Galápagos
This morning, fly to the Galápagos Islands and
board our comfortable expedition ship. After
lunch, we begin our exploration of the islands
and their diverse wildlife.
National Geographic Endeavour or National
Geographic Islander (B, L, D)
Days 3–8: Exploring the Galápagos
Listed below are some of the islands we visit
during our expedition. Each itinerary will include
Isla Santa Cruz and a selection of the other
stops listed on these pages. (B, L, D Daily)
Isla Bartolomé
Walk to the top of Bartolomé's volcanic cone
for a stunning view of Pinnacle Rock and the
surrounding beaches. After the hike, immerse
yourself among schools of multicolored reef
fish. You may also have the opportunity to
swim with Galápagos penguins.
Isla Santiago
Follow a path along a series of tide pools and
underwater caverns in search of Galápagos
fur seals, marine iguanas, sea lions, shore
birds, and Sally Lightfoot crabs.
A pair of blue-footed boobies
Isla Santa Cruz
At the Charles Darwin Research Station, a
breeding station for endangered endemic
species, learn about the research done here.
Visit the neighboring captive breeding program
for endangered species of Galápagos giant
tortoises and endemic land iguanas, run by
their partners in conservation, the Galápagos
National Park Service and supported by the
⊲
Lindblad-National Geographic
Fund. Later, travel into the highlands to observe and photograph
these tortoises in the wild.
Isla Isabela
Explore the largest island in the
group, home to enormous marine
iguanas, abundant sea turtles,
the only species of flightless
cormorant in the world, and the
only penguin species that inhabits
the Equator. Cruise by Zodiac and hike against
the backdrop of giant shield volcanoes, and
snorkel in the cool, rich waters that often draw
whales and dolphins to the area.
Isla Floreana
Take a prebreakfast hike to a turtle nesting
beach and a lagoon home to flamingos and
other bird species. At Champion Islet, snorkel
among sea lions, or peer into an underwater
world in a glass-bottom boat (Endeavour only).
Visit Post Office Bay, founded by whalers in
the 18th century. If you see a letter addressed
to someone who lives near you, the tradition
is to deliver it by hand.
Isla Fernandina
Discover the marine iguana haven of Punta
Espinoza as we hike over lava flows. Galápagos
hawks, sea lion nurseries, and rare flightless
cormorants can be found while exploring this
island. Snorkel among sea turtles, penguins, and
the occasional marine iguana.
Isla Española
See swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, boobies, and waved albatrosses
on this birder's paradise. Walk among vivid
green-and-red marine iguanas and unique
lava lizards, and observe sea lions up close
on a pristine white-sand beach.
trip details
Dates: 2015: Expeditions depart every Friday
on the National Geographic Endeavour and
every Saturday on the National Geographic
Islander. See the calendar on page 70 for
specific departure dates.
Expedition Cost: Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Category 4
Category 5
Endeavour
$6,290
$6,990
$7,650
$8,290
$10,280
Islander
$6,760
$7,590
$8,270
$8,750
$10,650
Prices are per person, double occupancy. 2015
pricing applies to all departures except for
holiday departures. Holiday departures are
Dec. 18, 19, 25, and 26, 2015. Please visit our
website for specific holiday rates.
International airfare is not included in the
expedition cost. Charter airfare between Guayaquil
and Galápagos is $495 (subject to change). See
the National Geographic Endeavour and Islander
descriptions, photos, and deck plans on page 67.
Special offer
Book by December 31, 2014 and receive complimentary round-trip airfare from Miami or NYC to
the Galápagos on select 2015 departures. Visit
our website or call for departure dates.
Day 9: Galápagos/Guayaquil
After breakfast, disembark the ship and fly to
Guayaquil. The evening is at your leisure.
Hotel Hilton Colón (B)
Day 10: Guayaquil/U.S.
Depart Guayaquil this morning, arriving home
the same day. (B)
Giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz
Visit our website for special Galápagos family and photography expeditions, and details
on extending your trip to Machu Picchu.
call toll-free 1-888-966-868719
20
Upper Amazon
Aboard the delfin II
ɋɋExplore the waterways of the flooded “Mirrored Forest” of PacayaSamiria National Reserve with a team of expert naturalists.
ɋɋGlide down jungle streams by skiff or kayak, spotting pink and gray
dolphins, enormous water lilies, monk saki monkeys, three-toed sloths,
piranhas, and scarlet macaws.
ɋɋLearn about the everyday traditions of the native ribereños on visits
to villages at the river’s edge and hear about the Lindblad–National
Geographic Fund's work with Minga Peru to support families in rural
areas of the Peruvian Amazon.
ɋɋGo on rain forest hikes, birding walks, and nocturnal river safaris, and
get immersed in the wild atmosphere of the Amazon from the comfort
of the intimate Delfin II.
A scarlet macaw peers through the foliage
Kitty Coley is a geologist,
naturalist, and avid birder
who serves as a consultant
to National Geographic
magazine. As a professional
geologist, she has worked
in remote rain forests and
rugged landscapes around the world. Kitty's
love of nature has inspired her to explore
through scuba diving, backpacking, whitewater and sea kayaking, and biking. A diverse
team of naturalists and experts will join every
departure. Kitty will share her knowledge of
the Amazon's geology, flora, and fauna on the
November 14 and 21, 2015 departures.
south america
Sunrise over the River of Mirrors on the Delfin II
Itinerary: 10 days
Day 1: U.S./Lima, Peru
Arrive in Lima in the late evening and transfer
to our hotel. Costa Del Sol Ramada
Day 2: Lima/Iquitos/Nauta
After a morning visit to the celebrated Larco
Herrera Museum, fly to Iquitos and continue
overland to Nauta, where our ship awaits. Get
settled in your elegant, hardwood-paneled cabin
and gather for a welcome dinner of fine Peruvian
cuisine prepared by our onboard chef. Tonight,
step out on deck to gaze at the magnificent night
sky over the Amazon. Delfin II (B, L, D)
Days 3 and 4: Pacaya-Samiria National
Reserve
Glide into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve,
one of the largest swaths of pristine jungle in
South America, stretching more than five million
square acres. The reserve floods annually with
nutrient-rich waters and is known locally as
the Mirrored Forest for the reflections created
by its glass-like waterways. In kayaks or skiffs,
skim along the Pucate River looking for parrots,
macaws, and perhaps shaggy-tailed monk saki
monkeys or saddle-back tamarins. Encounter a
very different ecosystem on hikes on terra firma,
or explore up river in a skiff. Reach the junction of
the Marañón and the Ucayali, two powerful rivers
that border the reserve and converge to create
the Amazon, and later, pay a visit to a village on
the river’s edge to learn about the traditions of
the ribereños. Learn about the inspiring work
of Minga Peru, a nonprofit that has helped
improve health and livelihoods for the people
of the Amazon with the support of the LindbladNational Geographic Fund. (B, L, D Daily)
⊲
Reserve
Venture deeper into the rain forest on narrow
tributaries, seeking out pink dolphins, iguanas,
and giant water lilies. On a birding hike, look for
an astounding variety of species, from tanagers
and hummingbirds to oropendolas. As the sun
sets, slip through the forest in a skiff, using a
spotlight to find caimans, frogs, fishing bats, and
other creatures of the night. From December
through May we explore Atun Poza by skiff,
looking for lagoon birdlife, and take a short
walk to a local community. From June through
November, hike through the rain forest in search
of the soaring ceiba, or kapok tree. In skiffs, we
reach Yanayacu lagoon, the furthest point in our
journey, and with luck, enjoy a chance to swim
with pink dolphins. (B, L, D Daily)
Reserve
During the wet season, look for massive paiche,
the Amazon's largest fish, and infamous piranhas,
an important food source for the local people. As
the water recedes later in the year, explore the
spontaneous ecosystems of temporary islands
that appear. Travel by skiff to Puerto Miguel and
get acquainted with the culture, folklore, and
daily life of the villagers. (B, L, D Daily)
Days 9 and 10: Nauta/Iquitos/Lima/U.S.
Enjoy one last morning excursion by skiff
to view wildlife. After lunch, disembark in
Nauta and return to Iquitos in time for a late
afternoon flight to Lima. After breakfast the
next day, transfer to the airport for your flight
home. Costa Del Sol Ramada (Day 9:B, L;
Day 10: B)
Visit our website or call for details on extending your trip to Machu Picchu.
trip details
Dates: 2015: Jul. 18–27, Aug. 22–31,
Aug. 29–Sep. 7, Sep. 5–14, Sep. 12–21,
Sep 19–28, Nov. 14–23, Nov. 21–30, Nov.
28–Dec. 7, Dec. 5–14
2016: Jan. 9–18, Jan. 16–25, Jan. 23–Feb.
1, Jan. 30–Feb. 8, Feb. 13–22, Feb. 20–29,
Feb. 27–Mar. 7, Mar. 5–14, Mar. 19–28, Mar.
26–Apr. 4, Apr. 2–11, Apr. 9–18, Apr. 16–25,
May 14–23, May 21–30, Jul. 23–Aug. 1,
Jul. 30–Aug. 8, Aug. 6–15, Aug. 13–22,
Aug. 27–Sep. 5, Sep. 3–12, Sep. 10–19,
Sep. 17–26, Oct. 29–Nov. 7, Nov. 5–14,
Nov. 19–28, Nov. 26–Dec. 5, Dec. 3–12
Expedition Cost:
2015
2016
Suites
$6,390
$6,690
Located on Upper and Main Decks
Master Suites
$7,460
$7,830
Located on Upper and Main Decks with
panoramic views
See the Delfin II photo and deck plan on
page 69. Prices are per person, double
occupancy. Due to limited availability,
single cabins are offered on a request basis
only; please call for availability and rates.
International airfare between Miami and
Lima is not included in the expedition cost.
Charter airfare between Lima and Iquitos is
$430 (subject to change).
Giant Lily Pads
22
Coastal Treasures from the
Panama Canal to Peru
Aboard the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER
ɋɋEncounter rare tropical species, magnificent bird colonies, and dazzling
marine life while snorkeling and hiking national parks and marine
preserves from Panama to Peru.
ɋɋVenture into the remote reaches of the Darién Gap to meet the
welcoming Emberá people and experience their age-old traditions.
ɋɋExplore the rain forests and reefs of Utría National Park and Isla Gorgona
on the National Geographic Explorer’s inaugural visit to Colombia in the
company of Colombia's former president, César Gaviria.
ɋɋDiscover South America’s largest ancient adobe city—Chan Chan—and
the temples of the sacred Moche River valley.
Award-winning
photographer, journalist,
and author Kike Calvo has
traveled in more than 85
countries, and transformed
his fascination with Latin
America into a career focus.
He is a guest lecturer for the Leica Akademie
and a freelancer for the New York Times.
His cultural and environmental documentary
photography has been published in National
Geographic, Time, the Wall Street Journal,
the Washington Post, New York Magazine,
Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and many other
publications. Kike will join a diverse team of
naturalists and experts on this departure.
Emberá man in Panama
call
south america
Itinerary: 14 days
SEPT. 27: U.S./PANAMA CITY, PANAMA/
PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT
Upon arrival in Panama, transfer to Colón
and embark our ship. Begin our 50-mile
transit of the Panama Canal, passing through
the Gatún Locks.
National Geographic Explorer (D)
SEPT. 28: PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT
Completed in 1914 and still traversed by some
14,000 ships each year, the Panama Canal
was a colossal engineering feat that linked
two oceans and allowed ships to avoid sailing
around the tip of South America. Cruise
through the canal’s complex lock system, and
see new locks under construction. (B,L,D)
SEPT. 29 AND 30: Islas de las Perlas/
DARIÉN NATIONAL PARK
Settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, the
Pearl Islands offer wonderful opportunities
to explore by foot and by Zodiac, and swim
and snorkel in turquoise coves. Then head
for the Isthmus of Panama and the Darién
Gap, which confounded the builders of the
Pan American Highway. Venture upriver into
this little-traveled wilderness, home to spider
monkeys and tapirs. Meet the indigenous
Emberá people, known for their body painting
and colorful basket weaving, and experience
village life. (B,L,D DAILY)
OCT. 1: BAHÍA SOLANO, COLOMBIA
Our first landfall in Colombia is this remote
stretch of gold-sand coast, flanked by the
jungles of the Chocó region. Anchor in the
bay’s sapphire waters and enjoy numerous
opportunities to explore. (B,L,D)
OCT. 2 AND 3: UTRÍA NATIONAL PARK/
ISLA GORGONA
Discover the incredible biodiversity of
Colombia’s Utría National Park, from jungleclad mountains to mangrove forests and
pristine reefs. From the months of June to
October, migrating humpback whales can be
spotted in these waters. Follow the coast to
Gorgona Island, once inhabited by Spanish
⊲
conquistadors and now a national park. Visit
the ruins of the island’s former penal colony;
search for endemic blue anole lizards, sloths,
and brown boobies; and snorkel vibrant coral
gardens. (B,L,D DAILY)
OCT. 4: SAN LORENZO, ECUADOR
San Lorenzo protects a fantastic system
of some of the world's tallest mangroves,
along with sandy islands that harbor
thousands of birds. There are good hiking
possibilities too. Our visit may well be the first
by any expedition ship. (B,L,D)
OCT. 5 AND 6: ISLA DE LA PLATA AND
PUERTO LÓPEZ/ISLA SANTA CLARA
Experience the dazzling marine life of Isla
de la Plata, known as “Ecuador’s other
Galápagos.” Part of Machalilla National Park,
the island is an important breeding site for
frigatebirds, blue-footed and Nazca boobies,
and sea lions. Visit seaside Puerto López,
and spend the following day discovering the
wildlife refuge at Santa Clara Island and its
colonies of blue-footed boobies, pelicans,
and frigatebirds. (B,L,D DAILY)
OCT. 7 AND 8: ISLA LOBOS DE TIERRA/
TRUJILLO/CHAN CHAN, PERU
Along Peru’s northern coast, explore islands
rich with bird and sea lion colonies. Our next
landfall is the colonial city of Trujillo. After
touring the city, venture into the sacred
Moche River valley, center of the ancient
Moche culture that ruled this arid coast two
thousand years ago. Encounter the famous
Temples of the Sun and the Moon. Continue
to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Chan
Chan, the capital of the Chimú kingdom and
the largest ancient adobe city of its kind.
(B,L,D DAILY)
OCT. 9 AND 10: LIMA/U.S.
Disembark in Peru’s capital and explore its
golden past, visiting the Mercado del Indio
(Indian market) in Miraflores and the splendid
Larco Museum. Later, transfer to the airport
for your overnight flight home. (OCT. 9: B)
trip details
Dates: 2015: Sept. 27- Oct. 10
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$12,590
Located on Main Deck with porthole
Category 2
$13,430
Located on Main Deck with window
Category 3
$14,380
Category 4
$14,990
Located on Upper/Veranda Decks with window
Category 5
$17,450
Located on Upper Deck with balcony
Category 6
$20,380
Located on Upper/Veranda Decks—suite
Category 7
$23,280
Located on Upper Deck—suite with balcony
See National Geographic Explorer photos
and deck plan on page 65. Prices are per
person, double occupancy. For a single
cabin, add $3,360 in Category 2 and
$3,050 in Category 3.
Special offer
free roundtrip airfare to Panama City and
returning from Lima. Call for details.
Note: A State Department travel warning
for Colombia is currently in effect (http://
travel.state.gov). We expect to operate this
voyage as planned, but will continue to
closely monitor events in the region, and
will alter the itinerary if necessary.
Visit our website or call for details on adding a stay in Panama or Machu Picchu.
call toll-free 1-888-966-868723
24
Peru and Chile: Ancient Sites
and Natural Wonders
ɋɋTake a flightseeing excursion over the Nasca Lines, seeing the
remarkable animal figures and geometric shapes carved into the desert
more than a thousand years ago.
ɋɋSpend two days exploring the salt-glazed, wind-sculpted, spectacular
landscapes of the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth.
ɋɋSee penguin and seabird colonies; visit historic towns from Peru’s
Arequipa to La Serena, Chile; and hike the vibrant rain forests of Isla
Grande de Chiloé.
ɋɋExplore the seldom-visited Juan Fernández Islands, thought to have
inspired the novel Robinson Crusoe.
National Geographic
Melford has produced
more than a dozen feature
stories for National
Geographic magazine and
more than 30 for National
Geographic Traveler, including eight covers.
On assignment for National Geographic for
the past ten years, Michael has often used
photography to bring attention to the planet's
wonders and the need to preserve them.
He shot the cover story, "Places We Must
Save," for the October 2006 issue of National
Geographic magazine, as well as a cover
story on threats to America's national parks.
Michael will join a diverse team of experts and
naturalists on this departure.
Aerial view of Juan Fernández Islands
south america
Itinerary: 17 days
OCT. 8: U.S./LIMA, PERU
Fly to Lima, check into our hotel, and enjoy
the rest of the day at leisure.
OCT. 9: LIMA/CALLAO
Discover pre-Columbian treasures on a
visit to the Museo Larco and browse handicrafts at the Mercado Indio. Embark the
National Geographic Explorer in Callao this
afternoon. (B,L,D)
OCT. 10: PARACAS/ BALLESTAS ISLANDS
Cruise amid the rock arches and pink granite
caves of the Ballestas Islands, encountering
sea lions and thousands of seabirds. Gaze
at the “candelabra,” a mysterious geoglyph
etched into the rock, and later explore the
Paracas National Reserve or the Inca ruins at
Tambo Colorado. (B,L,D)
OCT. 11: NASCA LINES
Drop anchor in Puerto San Juan and drive to
the barren coastal plains where pre-Hispanic
peoples carved vast geometric shapes
and animal forms now known as the Nasca
Lines. Take a flightseeing excursion over this
enigmatic UNESCO World Heritage site and
learn the different theories about its creation. After lunch at a hacienda, visit nearby
archaeological sites if you wish. (B,L,D)
OCT. 12: MEJÍA LAGOONS OR AREQUIPA
From the port of Matarani, head to the
Mejía Lagoons National Sanctuary, a refuge
for migratory birds, or drive to the World
Heritage site of Arequipa, one of Peru’s most
beautiful colonial towns. (B,L,D)
OCT. 13 and 14: ARICA/ATACAMA DESERT,
CHILE
In historic Arica, dominated by the enormous
rock of El Morro, see a Gustave Eiffeldesigned cathedral and other sites. Then
fly to the Atacama Desert and spend two
nights at a stunning desert lodge, enjoying
a variety of hikes and walks. Visit Dinosaur
Valley and Death Valley, and venture into the
otherworldly Valley of the Moon.
Tierra Atacama Hotel and the Cumbres Hotel
(B,L,D)
OCT. 15 and 16: ATACAMA DESERT/
ANTOFAGASTA/ Isla Pan de Azúcar
After a final morning in the Atacama Desert,
drive to the port city of Antofagasta and
rejoin the National Geographic Explorer. In
kayaks or Zodiacs, take to the shores of Isla
Pan de Azúcar, a national park with a large
colony of Humboldt penguins. (B,L,D)
OCT. 17: Coquimbo
From our base at Coquimbo, choose from
several options: delve into the mist forests
of Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park
(part of a larger UNESCO World Biosphere
Reserve); visit the fertile Elqui Valley, home
of Nobel Prize-winning poet Gabriela Mistral;
or see the colonial towns of Coquimbo and
La Serena and visit a colony of burrowing
parrots. (B,L,D)
OCT. 18-20: AT SEA/Juan Fernández
Islands
A day at sea brings us to the remote and
rarely visited Juan Fernández Islands,
once home to sailor Alejandro Selkirk, who
inspired the novel Robinson Crusoe. Look
for Magellanic penguins, an endangered red
hummingbird, endemic fur seals, and unique
indigenous plants. (B,L,D)
OCT. 21 and 22: AT SEA/Ancud, Isla
Grande de Chiloé
Spend a day sailing to Isla Grande de Chiloé,
the northern gateway of the Patagonian
fjords. Anchor off Ancud and board local
boats to navigate the submerged forests
of the Chepu wetlands. Later hike through
temperate rain forest to the beach, enjoying the sights and sounds of myriad bird
species. Alternatively, visit historic towns
nearby. (B,L,D)
OCT. 23 AND 24: PUERTO MONTT/
DISEMBARK/HOME
Disembark in Puerto Montt. Take a charter
flight to Santiago and connect with your flight
home, arriving the next day. (Oct. 23: B)
⊲
trip details
Dates: 2015: Oct. 8-24
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$17,690
Category 2
$18,990
Category 3
$19,590
Category 4
$20,990
Category 5
$25,290
Category 6
$28,890
Category 7
$33,730
and deck plan on page 65. Prices are
per person, double occupancy. For a
single cabin, add $4,750 in Category 2
and $4,900 in Category 3. International
round-trip airfare to Lima returning from
Santiago is not included in the expedition
cost. Charter airfare one-way from Puerto
Montt to Santiago is $200.
The Paracas Candelabra, Peru
Visit our website or call for details on
adding a stay in Machu Picchu, Torres
del Paine, or Easter Island.
26
Rounding the Cape: Chilean Patagonia
and Argentina’s Staten Island
ɋɋBe one of the few people to explore Isla de los Estados (Staten Island),
located at the extreme end of South America, where we have been
granted special permission to explore.
ɋɋSee Patagonia’s signature Torres del Paine National Park with
naturalists, and explore the glorious Chilean fjords by Zodiac, kayak,
and on foot.
ɋɋVenture through pristine wildlife reserves not readily accessible to the
public, including Yendegaia National Park and privately held Karukinka
reserve in Tierra del Fuego.
ɋɋTransit the legendary Beagle Channel and take in the view of Cape Horn.
National Geographic
photographer Bob Krist
has shot several articles for
National Geographic magazine
and more than 30 articles for
National Geographic Traveler,
where he is a contributing
editor. His many assignments have taken
him to all seven continents and his images
have won awards in the Pictures of the Year,
Communication Arts, and World Press Photo
competitions. Bob will be on hand to help
you photograph the stunning scenery and
vibrant cultures we will encounter throughout
the expedition, along with a diverse team of
naturalists and experts.
Guanacos, Torres Del Paine National Park
call
south america
Itinerary: 21 days
OCT. 21 - 23: U.S./SANTIAGO, CHILE/PUERTO
MONTT/EMBARK
Arrive in Santiago, Chile after an overnight
flight and take a guided tour of the city. The
next day, fly to Puerto Montt, the northern
gateway to Chilean Patagonia. Embark the
National Geographic Explorer.
OCT. 24 and 25: Isla Grande de Chiloé/
Pumalín National Park
On Isla Grande de Chiloé, see fishermen’s
houses perched on stilts at the water’s edge.
Explore the forests and wetlands of Chiloé
National Park on a variety of walks, or learn
about a unique way of life on visits to rural
villages. Head into Pumalín National Park,
home to some of the last forests of the huge
and ancient alerce tree. Go on a forest walk
with naturalists, visit a hidden waterfall, or
take an exhilarating climb to the rim of a
volcanic caldera. (B,L,D)
OCT. 26-30: THE INLAND PASSAGE and THE
CHILEAN FJORDS
Venture into a vast wilderness of snowcapped peaks and mirror-like lakes, thick
glaciers and islets blanketed with vegetation. In this pristine landscape, fjords cut
between soaring granite walls and waterfalls
splash down from high above. Set out to
explore in Zodiacs, kayaks, and on foot, and
peer beneath the water using our undersea
imaging technology. Hike along the extensive Pio XI Glacier, and look for condors and
other wildlife as our ship transits a small
passage called the White Narrows. (B,L,D)
OCT. 31: PUERTO NATALES/TORRES DEL
PAINE NATIONAL PARK
From Puerto Natales, drive to Torres del
Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere
reserve. Discover one of the most spectacular and wildlife-rich areas in the Americas,
covering 450,000 acres of glaciers, forests,
and grasslands, rivers, and gem-colored
lagoons, and crowned with the blackened,
twisted pinnacles of the Torres del Paine
mountains. (B,L,D)
⊲
NOV. 1 and 2: Tierra DEL FUEGO:
KARUKINKA NATURAL PARK
Continue to the newest and largest protected area on Tierra del Fuego: Karukinka,
meaning "our land" in the language of the
ancient inhabitants. We have obtained
permission to visit the private reserve, which
harbors abundant wildlife, including the
guanaco, the endangered culpeo fox, and
the Andean condor. (B,L,D)
NOV. 3-5: CHILEAN FJORDS/BEAGLE
CHANNEL and YENDEGAIA National Park/
CAPE HORN
Venture into narrow fjords by Zodiac and
kayak and discover glaciers, verdant forests,
and myriad bird species. Sail the Beagle
Channel to Yendegaia, a 370,000 acre
national park of stunning wilderness created
in 2013 out of a former cattle ranch and a
grant of adjacent government land. The next
day, we round Cape Horn, the southernmost
tip of South America, and, weather permitting, take Zodiacs ashore for panoramic
views. (B,L,D)
NOV. 6-8: ISLA DE LOS ESTADOS (STATEN
ISLAND), ARGENTINA
We have received special permission to visit
Isla de los Estados, whose wild, untouched
landscapes are home to colonies of southern
rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, countless water birds, fur seals, otters, and sea
lions. See the 1884 San Juan de Salvamento
“lighthouse at the end of the world,” which
inspired Jules Verne’s novel of the same
name, along with the ruins of a penal colony
and perhaps an archaeological site. The
National Geographic Explorer is one of the
only expedition ships to be granted access
here, and the experience is bound to be
unforgettable. (B,L,D)
NOV. 9-10: USHUAIA/DISEMBARK/BUENOS
AIRES/U.S.
Disembark in Ushuaia, the southernmost city
in the world. Take a charter flight to Buenos
Aires and connect to your overnight flight
home, arriving the next day. (Nov. 9: B, L)
trip details
Dates: 2015: Oct. 21-Nov. 10
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$18,880
Category 2
$20,140
Category 3
$20,910
Category 4
$22,180
Category 5
$26,170
Category 6
$30,560
Category 7
$34,920
cabin, add $5,040 in Category 2 and $5,230
in Category 3. International airfare to
Santiago and returning from Buenos Aires is
not included in the expedition cost. Charter
flights from Santiago to Puerto Montt, and
Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, are $600.
Rockhopper penguin
Visit our website or call for details on adding a stay in Iguazú Falls or Easter Island.
call toll-free 1-888-966-868727
28
Sailing the Greek Isles
Aboard the Sea cloud
ɋɋDiscover magnificent ruins at the ancient sanctuary on Delos,
the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
ɋɋRide a donkey or cable car down a cliff side to the harbor on beautiful
Santoríni.
ɋɋSoak up the lively culture, mythology, and Venetian legacy of ancient
villages.
ɋɋExplore the Cyclades under full sail aboard the historic square-rigger
Sea Cloud.
A cobalt dome sets off the bright
whitewash of a hilltop church
in Santoríni.
Along with a diverse team of
experts, National Geographic
Melford has produced more
than a dozen feature stories
for National Geographic
magazine and more than 30
for National Geographic Traveler, including
eight covers. On assignment for National
Geographic for the past ten years, Michael
has often used photography to bring attention
to the planet's wonders and the need to
preserve them. He has photographed the
beauty of Greece during his travels and he
looks forward to joining a diverse team of
historians and experts on the September 10,
2016 departure.
europe
of Panagia Evangelistria, where thousands of
pilgrims come every year to pray at Greece’s
holiest shrine. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Delos
The tiny archaeological gem of Delos is the
mythological birthplace of the twin gods
Artemis, goddess of animals and the hunt; and
Apollo, god of healing, music, and light. Spend
the morning discovering the island’s incredible
ruins, including the Terrace of the Lions and
the Temple of Apollo. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Amorgós
Drop anchor at Amorgós, the easternmost isle
of the Cyclades. Visit the main village, perched
in the mountains, and see its beautiful domed
churches and windmills. Explore the dazzling
white monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa,
clinging to a cliff face above the sea. Later,
return to the Sea Cloud and enjoy a relaxing
afternoon beneath its splendid sails. (B, L, D)
The majestic Sea Cloud under sail
Itinerary: 9 days
Days 1 and 2: U.S./Athens, Greece/Piraeus
Depart on an overnight flight to Athens. After
some time at leisure and lunch in the city,
travel to Piraeus and settle into your cabin on
the majestic Sea Cloud. Cast off this afternoon, and take in your first Grecian sunset at
sea. Sea Cloud (L, D)
Day 3: AT SEA/SíFNOS
Our first morning on board is spent at sea.
We may stop for a late-morning swim before
visiting the island of Sífnos. Distinguished for its
pottery and its Venetian dovecotes, Sífnos is a
rugged island with a harbor village and a beautiful upper chora (village), waterfront tavernas,
and convenient beaches. This afternoon, find a
spot on deck to watch as the Sea Cloud’s sails
are hoisted up their impressive masts by hand
as we set sail for the Cyclades. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Tinos
Drop anchor at beautiful Tinos, dotted with villages steeped in Venetian history. The island’s
terraced hillsides and green marble quarries
have long made it a haven for artists. Explore
the picturesque village of Pyrgos, adorned with
carved marble facades, and visit the church
Day 7: Santoríni
Incomparable Santoríni is an island archipelago formed from a single volcanic cone
that erupted in the second millennium b.c.,
burying the island’s Minoan culture in ash. Sail
into the caldera, and drive through windswept
vineyards to the beautiful town of Ía. Set high
on a cliff, Ía affords unrivaled views of the
caldera below. After lunch, ride a donkey or a
cable car down the cliffside back to the ship.
(B, L, D)
Day 8: At Sea
Enjoy a glorious day of sailing among the
idyllic isles of the Cyclades. Relax on deck with
a book, observe the crew as they man the
rigging and trim the sails, and attend presentations by our team of experts on the area’s
history and ecology. In the late afternoon, we
may have a chance for an impromptu stop and
a swim. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Piraeus/Athens/U.S.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the
airport for your return flight. (B)
trip details
Dates: 2015: Sold out!
2016: Jun. 3-11, Jul. 17-25, Jul. 24-Aug. 1,
Aug. 14-22, Sep. 10-18
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$9,230
Located on the Promenade Deck
Category 2
$10,370
Category 3
$12,380
Located on the Captain’s Deck
Category 4
$13,110
Category 5
$14,570
Located on the Main Deck
Category 6$15,490
Category 7$17,720
See the Sea Cloud deck plan on page 68.
Prices are per person, double occupancy.
For a single cabin, add $4,610 in Category 1.
International airfare to and from Athens is
not included in the expedition cost.
Optional Extension
Add a two-day extension in Athens and/
or a three-day extension in Crete. Visit our
website or call for details.
Special offer
Travel on the Sea Cloud in 2016 and we will
cover your bar tab and all tips for the crew.
30
Under Sail: Greece to
the Dalmatian Coast
Aboard the Sea cloud
ɋɋPly the waters of the Aegean, Ionian, and Adriatic seas aboard the
magnificent Sea Cloud.
ɋɋStep back in history amid the evocative ruins of Olympia, Greece,
and Butrint, Albania, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
ɋɋSkim across Montenegro’s Gulf of Kotor to Our Lady of the Rocks, a
tiny islet created over centuries by local fishermen.
ɋɋSpend a day among the marble-paved lanes and ramparts of
Dubrovnik.
Historian Grace Fielder is
an expert on the history,
culture, and languages of the
Dalmatian Coast. She has
studied the local lore, music,
and cuisine of this region,
and has even moonlighted
as a lavender harvester on the island of
Hvar. When not traveling with us, Grace
is a professor of Balkan and South Slavic
linguistics. Grace will join a diverse team of
historians and experts on the June 20, 2016
departure.
Encircled by medieval battlements, the terra cotta roofs of Dubrovnik shimmer in the Adriatic light.
call
europe
“Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik.”
—George Bernard Shaw,
Quoted in National Geographic Traveler, March 2004
Itinerary: 12 days
Days 1 and 2: U.S./Athens, Greece/Piraeus
Depart on an overnight flight to Athens, arriving the next morning. This afternoon, transfer
to Piraeus and settle into your cabin aboard
the elegant Sea Cloud. (L, D)
Day 3: At Sea
Round the southern coast of the Peloponnisos
peninsula, enjoying a full day of sailing. Watch
the crew hoist the Sea Cloud’s many sails by
hand. Relax with a book on deck, photograph
our yacht, and attend talks by our expedition
team. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Olympia
Dock in Katákolon and travel to the ancient site
of Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Visit the legendary ruins of this UNESCO World
Heritage site, the Olympic stadium, and the
superb Archaeological Museum. (B, L, D)
Day 5: ITHáKi
Discover gemlike Ionian villages nestled
along the coast of Itháki today. Drive around
the island to view the sites that some claim
link the island to Homer's Ithaca, and in the
afternoon, cruise into one of the island's
stunning bays for a swim. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Sarandë and Butrint, Albania
Cut off from the world for 50 years by its Stalinist
dictator, Albania is now feeling its way into the
21st century. Explore the ancient city of Butrint,
a UNESCO World Heritage site, and return to
Sarandë for local refreshments at Lekuris Castle
overlooking the bay of Sarandë and Corfu Strait
below. (B, L, D)
Day 7: KRUJË
Dock in Durrës, drive to the ancient capital
of Krujë, and visit the medieval market
and Ethnographic Museum. Also visit the
Skanderbeg Museum, dedicated to Albania’s
national hero. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Perast and Kotor, Montenegro
Sail into Montenegro via the magnificent Gulf of
Kotor. Stop at the historic town of Perast before
taking a local boat to the islet of Gospa od
Škrpjela, or Our Lady of the Rocks. Steeped in
lore, the tiny islet was created by fishermen dropping rocks from their rowboats. Explore medieval
Kotor this afternoon, or drive up 27 serpentine
switchbacks to the top of the fjord. (B, L, D)
trip details
Dates: 2015: Sold out!
2016: Jun. 10-21, Jun. 20-Jul. 1*,
Aug. 21-Sep. 1, Aug. 31-Sep. 11*
*These departures follow the itinerary shown but in the
reverse order, from Dubrovnik to Athens.
Expedition Cost:
The town of Perast, Montenegro
Day 9: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Known as the “pearl of the Adriatic,”
Dubrovnik is regarded as one of the bestpreserved medieval towns in the world. Spend
the day exploring the marvelous old town,
a UNESCO World Heritage site, and enjoy a
private performance of traditional Croatian
klapa music. (B, L, D)
Day 10: KorČula
Anchor at the island port of Korčula, one of
the most beautiful medieval towns in the
Balkans. Visit the town’s sites, and see the
house believed by some to be Marco Polo’s
birthplace. This evening, attend a private
traditional Moreška sword dance. (B, L, D)
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Category 4
Category B—Deluxe
Category A—Deluxe
Owner's Suites
$12,210
$13,800
$16,680
$17,550
$19,100
$20,670
$23,300
See Sea Cloud photo and deck plan on
page 68. Prices are per person, double
occupancy. For a single cabin in Category 1,
add $6,100. International airfare to Athens
and return from Dubrovnik is not included in
the expedition cost.
Day 11: Hvar
At the height of Venetian rule, Hvar was the
region’s most prosperous center. Take a tour
inside the delightful walled city. Visit the
arsenal and Croatia’s oldest active theater, and
if you choose, hike up to the citadel. (B, L, D)
Optional Extension
Day 12: Dubrovnik/U.S.
Travel on the Sea Cloud in 2016 and we will
cover your bar tab on board and all tips for
the crew.
Add a two-day extension in Athens; or a
three-day extension in Croatia and Bosnia,
including stops in Split, Trogir, and Mostar.
Visit our website for details.
Special offer
call toll-free 1-888-966-868731
32
Scotland’s
Highlands and Islands
Aboard the Lord of the Glens
Photographer Catherine
Karnow first traveled across
Scotland to illustrate a book
on the Scottish whisky trail.
She's been drawn back
ever since and recently lead
a photography workshop
in Scotland. Catherine has photographed
everything from Australian Aboriginals to
Bollywood film stars. She shot the cover story
"Inside Provence" for National Geographic
Traveler's April 2006 issue and captured rare
images of Prince Charles for the May 2006
National Geographic magazine feature "Not
Your Typical Radical." Catherine will share her
love for photography on the July 26, 2015
departure.
ɋɋKayak on Loch Ness, and wander through the charming seaside
town of Tobermory.
ɋɋStroll across the battlefields at Culloden where Bonnie Prince
Charlie was dramatically defeated.
ɋɋHike through stunning scenery on the Isle of Skye, and learn
about the tiny community on the remote island of Eigg.
ɋɋAttend the Edinburgh Military Tattoo on an optional extension in
Edinburgh.
View of Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland
europe
Itinerary: 9 days
DAYS 1 AND 2: U.S./INVERNESS, SCOTLAND/
KYLE OF LOCHALSH
Depart for Inverness, arriving the next morning. Drive to Kyle of Lochalsh, and board the
Lord of the Glens to the strains of a highland
piper. Settle into your cabin and gather for a
reception and dinner on board tonight. (D)
DAY 3: ISLE OF SKYE/INVERIE
Visit the Isle of Skye and take a guided walk
in the Cuillin Hills (weather permitting), or
explore Eilean Donan Castle and the quaint
village of Plockton on the mainland. At the
Museum of the Isles, trace the legacy of the
1,300-year-old Clan Donald, who once ruled
the west coast of Scotland, and walk through
the woodlands of Armadale. Then sail to
Inverie, where you can have a drink at the
most remote pub in the British Isles. (B, L, D)
DAY 4: ISLE OF EIGG/TOBERMORY,
ISLE OF MULL
Sail to tiny Eigg and see what life is like for
the roughly 90 people who live in this island
community. Look for marine animals, including
Atlantic seals, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and a variety of seabirds. Alternatively,
we may visit the Isle of Rum, renowned for
spectacular Kinloch Castle. Continue to the
Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides to explore
Tobermory. (B, L, D)
DAY 5: IONA/DUART CASTLE/OBAN
Sail along the coast of Mull and cross to Iona
by ferry to explore this picturesque island.
Visit the medieval abbey ruins and the rebuilt
abbey church. Stroll through St. Oran’s Chapel
and the royal graveyard where generations
of Scottish kings are buried, and enjoy a brief
Lord of the Glens glides by the ruins of
Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness.
walking tour of Iona. Visit photogenic Duart
Castle, an imposing fortress with a dungeon.
Sail across to the town of Oban, set on a
picturesque bay on the Firth of Lorn. (B, L, D)
DAY 6: OBAN/LOCH LINNHE/GLENFINNAN/
BANAVIE
Explore the lively town of Oban on foot,
visiting a whisky distillery and McCaig’s Tower,
a monument on a hill overlooking the town
and bay that was inspired by the Roman
Colosseum. Sail Loch Linnhe and ascend
Neptune’s Staircase, a set of eight interconnected locks. Drive to Glenfinnan, a village
nestled within the mountains, and enjoy an
afternoon walk. Continue to Banavie and this
evening welcome local musicians on board for
a lively performance. (B, L, D)
trip details
Dates: 2015: Jul. 26–Aug. 3,* Aug. 2–10,
Aug. 9–17,* Aug. 16–24, Aug. 23–31,*
Aug. 30–Sep. 7
*These departures follow the itinerary shown but
in the reverse order.
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$6,990
Located on the James Watt Deck
Category 2
$7,990
Located on the A. G. Bell and David Roberts
Decks
The colorful harbor at Tobermory
DAY 7: LAGGAN LOCKS/FORT AUGUSTUS
Sail into Loch Lochy and descend an
impressive flight of locks that runs through
the heart of Fort Augustus. Glide down the
tree-lined canal known as Laggan Avenue, or
hike or bike along the towpath. Moor at Fort
Augustus and set out on a kayak excursion or
a hike. (B, L, D)
DAY 8: LOCH NESS/CLAVA CAIRNS/
INVERNEsS/CULLODEN
Enter Loch Ness, where we’ll learn about the
legendary monster said to inhabit the loch's
depths. Sail to Inverness and visit Culloden,
the infamous battlefield where Bonnie Prince
Charlie’s Jacobite forces were defeated in
1746. See the prehistoric standing stones and
passage tombs of Clava Cairns. (B, L, D)
See the Lord of the Glens photo and deck plan
International airfare to and from Inverness is
Optional Extension
Edinburgh (2 Days) 2015:
Add a two-day exploration of enchanting
Edinburgh to your voyage. Discover
Edinburgh Castle; examine Scotland’s
crown jewels and the legendary Stone of
Destiny; stroll the Royal Mile to St. Giles
Cathedral; and on August departures,
experience the Military Tattoo. Note: The
Military Tattoo is not included on the July
26 pre-trip extension.
Edinburgh’s spectacular Military Tattoo
DAY 9: INVERNESS/U.S.
Disembark in Inverness and transfer to the
airport for your return flight home. (B)
34
Exploring the British
and Irish Isles
Aboard the National Geographic Explorer
National Geographic
photographer Jim
Richardson is proud of
his Celtic roots. A veteran
of more than 40 articles
magazine and National
Geographic Traveler, Jim spent two years
photographing the Celtic realm for the
March 2006 National Geographic article
"Celt Appeal." Jim will join a diverse team of
experts on this voyage.
ɋɋVenture into ancient ruins on the isle of Iona and explore caves lined
with geometric basalt columns on Staffa.
ɋɋPeer into the past in the prehistoric homes of Skara Brae in the Orkney
Islands and visit Jarlshof, a 4,000-year-old settlement in the Shetlands.
ɋɋGaze up at Ireland's soaring Cliffs of Moher and see the Celtic fort at
Dun Aengus on the Aran Islands.
ɋɋDiscover timeless coastal villages including Fowey in England and Dingle
in Ireland.
The Ring of Brodgar, Orkney Islands
call
europe
“At every graceful turn this emerald world will steal your heart away.”
Itinerary: 15 days
May 6 AND 7: U.S./LONDON, ENGLAND
Depart on an overnight flight to London and
embark the National Geographic Explorer on
the Thames River. As we sail out of London,
stand on deck to catch a panoramic view of the
city's iconic landmarks. (May 7: D)
MAY 8: Portsmouth
Set sail to Portsmouth, the naval port from
which the D-Day invasion was launched.
Delve into Britain’s nautical history here, and
see the HMS Victory, which helped defeat the
French at Trafalgar. (B, L, D)
MAY 9: FOWEy/EDEN PROJECT
Wander through the medieval streets of this
charming coastal town where explorers Drake
and Raleigh set sail. Then visit the Eden
Project, an innovative nature center, or stroll
through the Lost Gardens of Heligan. (B, L, D)
MAY 10: Isles of Scilly
According to Arthurian legend, the Isles of
Scilly are all that remain of Lyonesse, a land
that vanished beneath the Atlantic. Meander
through Tresco Abbey Gardens, where
subtropical plants flourish. (B, L, D)
MAY 11: Skellig Rocks and Dingle
Peninsula, Ireland
The isle of Skellig Michael was once an
important center of Celtic Christianity. From
the ship, gaze up at the beehive huts of its
monastery, clinging to the jagged peak 600
feet above the sea. After lunch, explore the
ancient sites of the Dingle Peninsula and
wander through the village. (B, L, D)
MAY 12: Cliffs of Moher/Aran Islands
View the towering Cliffs of Moher as we
sail by them this morning. Continue to the
Aran Islands, known for their limestone
moonscapes and strong Gaelic identity. Visit
Dun Aengus, an enigmatic Celtic ring fort
perched on the edge of a cliff. (B, L, D)
MAY 13: County Donegal
Dock at the fishing harbor of Killybegs and
drive to the town of Glencolumbkille to discover
—Jennifer S. Holland, “Beneath Irish Isles,”
National Geographic magazine, March 2005
ancient cairns and dolmens. Cruise past
Slieve League, soaring 2,000-foot cliffs that
are the highest in Europe. (B, L, D)
MAY 14: Iona and Staffa, Inner
Hebrides, Scotland
On Iona, venture into an ancient nunnery
and a 13th-century abbey. Examine the Celtic
high crosses of kings such as Duncan and
Macbeth. This afternoon, explore Staffa, an
island famed for its geometric basalt
columns and deep caves. It was here that
Felix Mendelssohn was inspired to write his
Hebrides overture. (B, L, D)
MAY 15: Outer Hebrides/St. Kilda/Callanish
Visit the Outer Hebrides, where Scottish Gaelic is
still spoken and artisans weave traditional woolen
fabrics. Weather permitting, explore the cottages
of remote St. Kilda, a UNESCO World Heritage site
inhabited since the Bronze Age. (B, L, D)
MAY 16: Inverewe Gardens/Ullapool
Stroll through Inverewe Gardens, where colorful subtropical flora thrives. Later, explore the
charming fishing village of Ullapool. (B, L, D)
MAY 17: Orkney Islands
Encounter a sophisticated Stone Age culture
on visits to the Ring of Brodgar and the
5,000-year-old stone-slab village of Skara
Brae. Step into the medieval St. Magnus
Cathedral in Kirkwall. (B, L, D)
May 18: Fair Isle/Mousa
Visit the bird research station, located on the
migration flyway, and hike to a nearby beach
to look for puffins. Then, on the uninhabited
island of Mousa, see one of the best examples
of an Iron Age broch. (B, L, D)
MAY 19: Shetland Islands
Dock at the Shetland Islands, an archipelago
of about 100 islands and islets. Drive through a
rolling landscape dotted with Shetland ponies.
Explore the ruins at Jarlshof, which reveal 4,000
years of near-continuous settlement. (B, L, D)
trip details
Dates: 2015: May 6-20
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$12,990
Category 2
$13,640
Category 3
$14,250
Category 4
$14,850
Category 5
$17,730
Category 6
$20,460
Category 7
$23,720
in Category 3. International airfare from
New York to London and returning from
Bergen is not included in the expedition
cost.
Optional Extension
Add a six-day pre- or post-trip extension
in Wales. Explore Welsh culture, castles,
gardens, and abbeys, and take a scenic
railway ride through the Snowdonia
mountains. Please visit our website or call
for details.
MAY 20: Bergen, Norway/U.S.
Disembark in Bergen and transfer to the
airport for your flight home. (B)
call toll-free 1-888-966-868735
36
Azores to SEVILLA: Island Wonders
and Fabled Shores
ɋɋVisit the remote Azores archipelago, hiking near hot springs, sampling
traditional cuisine, and delving into local seafaring traditions.
ɋɋExplore waters rich in marine life, searching for fin and sperm whales
among other species.
ɋɋWalk with naturalists in Madeira’s Laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World
Heritage site, and soak up the evocative music of a fado performance.
ɋɋStep ashore in romantic Sevilla, Spain, visiting the Alcazar palace,
a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the king and queen of Spain
greeted Columbus.
Photographers Sisse
Brimberg and Cotton
Coulson have collectively
photographed more than
60 stories for National
Geographic and National
Geographic Traveler
magazines. Both Sisse and Cotton have
been awarded numerous prizes by Pictures
of the Year International, the National Press
Photographers Association, White House
Press Photographers Association, and
Communication Arts. They will join a diverse
team of experts on this departure.
Scenic coastal views on the island of Madeira
europe
“Madeira blooms like a garden. Iridescent waterfalls crash over the
treacherously narrow road. Dreamlike flowers glimmer through a mist of
rainbows. Exotic fruits dangle from primeval tree limbs.”
–John McCarry, "Madeira Toasts the Future,"
National Geographic magazine, November 1994
Itinerary: 10 days
museum. Sample Madeira’s famed seafood
MAR. 27 AND 28: U.S./São Miguel, Azores,
Portugal
Fly overnight to Ponta Delgada on the island
of São Miguel in the Azores, where we embark
the National Geographic Explorer. Set out into
the Furnas valley to discover the archipelago’s
volcanic origins. Explore steaming hot springs
and beautiful botanical gardens. Later, savor a
traditional cozido lunch, slow-cooked underground in the geothermal heat. (Mar. 28: L,D)
and wines and listen to the evocative strains
MAR. 29: Faial, Azores
In the whale-watching mecca of the Azores
archipelago, go in search of these gentle
giants. Later, explore Faial on foot and see how
the terrain was dramatically reshaped when
an undersea volcano erupted offshore in the
1950s. Stroll along the marina, visit a scrimshaw museum, and raise a glass at Peter’s
Café Sport, a legendary watering hole for sea
adventurers. Scuba diving excursions can also
be arranged. (B,L,D)
Watch for whales and seabirds, enjoy the ship's
MAR. 30: Santa Maria, Azores
Christopher Columbus first made landfall at
Santa Maria upon his return from the New
World. After a hike along this storied island’s
trails, join local whale experts for an afternoon
of whale-watching. Like the Maasai trackers of
East Africa, our local experts have ancestral ties
to these islands and an instinct for scouting their
wild inhabitants. (B,L,D)
MAR. 31-APR. 2: MADEIRA
A day at sea brings us to the beautiful island
of Madeira, often referred to as the “floating
garden of the Atlantic.” Keep an eye out for
dolphins, porpoises, and sperm whales. On
shore, go for a walk in Madeira’s Laurisilva
Forest, the largest surviving area of laurel
forest in the world and a UNESCO World
Heritage site. Wander along former irrigation
channels, or levadas, that network the island,
and delve into maritime history at the whaling
of fado, Portugal’s folk music. Later, choose
to ride one of the island’s traditional wickersided toboggans down the steep streets of
Monte, or hike along the windswept headland
trip details
of Ponta de São Lourenço at the eastern tip of
2015: Mar. 27–April 5
the island. (B,L,D)
Expedition Cost:
APR. 3: At Sea
amenities, and attend talks by our experts as we
sail to Spain. (B,L,D)
APR. 4: CÁDIZ, SPAIN/SEVILLA
A morning at sea brings us to the shores
of Spain where we disembark. From the
port city of Cádiz, we head through Spain’s
southern province of Andalucía, famous for
flamenco dancing. The provincial capital of
Sevilla blends the vibrant culture of today
with centuries of history and old-world charm.
Explore the Old City, visiting Sevilla’s impressive Gothic cathedral, one of the world’s
largest. A highlight is our visit to the Alcázar
palace where the king and queen greeted
Columbus. This evening, return to the ship in
Cadiz. (B,L,D)
Category 1
$8,790
Category 2
$9,320
Category 3
$9,690
Category 4
$10,250
Located on Upper and Veranda Decks with
window
Category 5
$11,990
Category 6
$14,100
Located on Upper and Veranda Decks—suite
Category 7
$16,150
See National Geographic Explorer deck
plan on page 65. Prices are per person,
double occupancy. For a single cabin,
add $2,330 in Category 2 and $2,420 in
Category 3. International airfare to the
Azores and returning from Sevilla is not
APR. 5: cadiz/SEVILLA/U.S.
Special offer
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in
complimentary round-trip international
airfare from Boston to the Azores, and return
Sevilla to New York.
Sevilla for your return flight. (B)
Exploring the Botanical Garden, Madeira.
38
SPAIN AND PORTUGAL:
legacy OF THE MOORS
ɋɋExplore five UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Sevilla's
Alcázar palace, the Tower of Belém in Lisbon, and the old city of
Oporto.
ɋɋJoin the pilgrims at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela on a visit
timed to coincide with the swinging of its fabled incense burner.
ɋɋDelve into the lively musical traditions of Andalusia and
Portugal with our onboard ethnomusicologist, Jacob Edgar.
ɋɋExplore and photograph the monolithic Rock of Gibraltar and the
friendly Barbary macaques.
Photographers Sisse
Brimberg and Cotton
Geographic Traveler
magazines. They have spent most of their
careers working in Europe, shooting stories
from the Arctic and Scandinavia to Italy and
France. Today they spend most of the year on
the road producing magazine stories and videos
for National Geographic and they will join a
diverse team of experts on this departure.
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada, the Alhambra Palace was built by Moorish kings in the 13th century.
38
europe
“Known as the Moors, they ruled in Spain for almost 800 years...the Moors left
behind a cultural legacy still evident in both Spain and Morocco.”
–Thomas J. Abercrombie, "When the Moors Ruled Spain,"
National Geographic magazine, July 1988
Itinerary: 11 days
APR. 3–5: U.S./SEVILLA, SPAIN/CáDIZ
Depart on an overnight flight to Sevilla, the
capital of Andalusia. After lunch, transfer to the
Melia Seville Hotel and spend the afternoon
at leisure. The next day, we explore the Old
City, seeing the Giralda Tower from Moorish
times and the Alcázar palace. Visit the gardens
where the king and queen of Spain greeted
Columbus on his return from the New World. In
the afternoon we drive through the Andalusian
countryside bound for Cádiz, where we embark
our ship. (Apr. 4: L, D; Apr. 5: B, L, D)
sandstone castle and fortress built by the Moors,
and walk along its ramparts for expansive views.
(B,L,D)
APR. 9: AT SEA/LISBON, PORTUGAL
Salute Portugal’s proud maritime traditions
as we approach Lisbon by sea. Peer up at the
likes of Vasco da Gama and Prince Henry the
Navigator at the Monument to the Discoveries.
See the Tower of Belém, built by King Manuel
I as a river fortification and to commemorate
Vasco da Gama’s expeditions to India.
Step into the cloisters of the Hieronymites
Monastery, the jewel of Portugal’s unique
Manueline architectural style. (B,L,D)
APR. 6: MOTRIL, SPAIN/GRANADA
Dock in Motril and drive north to Granada, the last
stronghold of the Moors in Spain. Ascend to the
Alhambra, a magnificent 13th-century fortress,
and wander through its breathtaking courtyards
and gardens. Venture into the Generalife, the
summer palace of the Moorish rulers, and stop for
a lunch of Andalusian specialties at the beautiful
Hotel Alhambra Palace. (B,L,D)
APR. 10: PORTO
Porto’s historic center has been declared a World
Heritage site for its many centuries’ worth of
fine architecture. Gaze at the dazzling baroque
interior of the Church of St. Francis, and see the
19th-century neoclassical Stock Exchange. Port
wines, produced in the Douro Valley, were named
after this city and we’ll stop at a riverside port
house for a tasting. (B,L,D)
APR. 7: GIBRALTAR, U.K.
This morning we arrive in Gibraltar. This British
rock fortress is one of the few places in the
world where you can see two continents at
once. Explore the Rock by minibus and spend
some time with the famous Barbary apes,
Gibraltar macaques. Legend has it that as long
as the apes are in Gibraltar, Britain will hold the
Rock. This evening we exit the Mediterranean
Sea, passing between the Pillars of Hercules
and through the Strait of Gibraltar. (B,L,D)
APR. 11: Muros, SPAIN/SANTIAGO DE
COMPOSTELA/LA CORUÑA
Drive from Muros to Santiago de Compostela,
the endpoint of the legendary pilgrimage route,
the Camino de Santiago. In the heart of the old
city, step into the hallowed cathedral and by
special arrangement, witness the swinging of
the botafumeiro, a roughly 125-pound silver
incense burner. Enjoy a Galician lunch at the
Hostal dos Reies Catolicos and then meet the
ship in La Coruña. (B,L,D)
APR. 8: PORTIMAO, PORTUGAL/ALGARVE
The pastoral hills of the Algarve are a delightful
blend of present-day farmlands and remnants of
Moorish culture that once dominated the region.
From Portimao, we drive north, meandering
through orange groves and almond orchards
to Silves, one of the oldest and typical villages
on the Algarve. Visit the dramatic 12th-century
APR. 12: AT SEA/BILBAO, SPAIN
Enjoy talks from our expedition team as we
sail east this morning. In Bilbao, visit the
undulating sheets of titanium at Frank Gehry’s
extraordinary Guggenheim Museum. (B,L,D)
trip details
2015: Apr. 3 –13
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$8,790
Category 2
$9,320
Category 3
$9,690
Category 4
$10,250
window
Category 5
$11,990
Category 6
$14,100
Category 7
$16,150
See National Geographic Explorer deck plan
International airfare to Cadiz and returning
from Bilbao is not included in the expedition
cost.
Special offer
complimentary round-trip international
airfare from New York to Sevilla, and return
from Bilbao to New York. Visit our website or
call for details.
APR. 13: BILBAO/DISEMBARK/U.S.
call toll-free 1-888-966-868739
40
Land of the Polar Bears
Award-winning
photographer, filmmaker,
and instructor Rich
Reid has specialized
in environmental and
adventure photography
for more than two
decades. Recently, the North America Nature
Photography Association presented Rich
with a Fellows Award for his professional
contribution to nature photography. Rich
has shared his photography passion with
guests on National Geographic expeditions
throughout the globe and he will join a diverse
team of naturalists and experts on the June 8
and 15, 2015 departures of this expedition.
ɋɋSearch for the very symbol of the Arctic—the polar bear—and observe
these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, on the sea ice.
ɋɋTake naturalist-led shore walks through the tundra, and cruise among
beautiful icebergs in a Zodiac or a kayak.
ɋɋExperience the legendary midnight sun: the ethereal light of the
northern summer, when the sun never sets.
ɋɋWatch for huge walruses, bearded and ringed seals, arctic foxes,
and reindeer.
A mother polar bear and her two cubs
polar regions
“I looked up to see a light dusting of snow on a tombstone-gray sea cliff.
Glassing the scene with my binoculars, I realized I wasn’t seeing snow at all.
It was the blending of tens of thousands of kittiwakes nesting on cliff ledges,
their white heads creating a pointillist effect from miles away.”
–Bruce Barcott, “Svalbard’s Ice Paradise,”
National Geographic magazine, April 2009
Itinerary: 11 days
Kittiwakes in flight over a Zodiac
Days 1 and 2: U.S./Oslo, Norway
Depart on an overnight flight to Oslo. Upon
arrival, check into our hotel. On an afternoon
tour of this charming city, stroll among the
famed Vigeland sculptures—hundreds of lifesize human figures set in terraced parkland.
Visit the Fram Museum, showcasing the polar
ship Fram and dedicated to the explorers
and wooden vessels that navigated the Arctic
Sea in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This
evening, explore Oslo on your own.
Thon Hotel Bristol
Day 3: Oslo/Longyearbyen
Depart Oslo on a private charter flight,
and enjoy breathtaking vistas en route
to Longyearbyen. Embark the National
Geographic Explorer, your base for the next
six days. (B, L, D)
Days 4–9: Exploring Svalbard
This voyage is undertaken in the spirit of
discovery, and our travel in the archipelago
is exploratory by design. In a region ruled
not by humans but by polar bears, we let
nature guide our course. Svalbard lies north
of the Arctic Circle, where the summer sun
never sets. With our fully stabilized ice-class
expedition ship, we are able to probe the
A walrus displays his impressive tusks
trip details
Dates: 2015: June 1–11, June 8-18, June 15-25
Expedition Cost:
ice in search of wildlife; our exact day-to-day
itinerary remains flexible, depending on
local ice and weather conditions. Zodiacs
and kayaks take us closer to experience the
region’s geologic features and the wildlife
that flourishes during the summer months.
With our National Geographic photographer
and a seasoned naturalist staff, venture to the
foot of vast tidewater glaciers, kayak among
sparkling icebergs, and explore fjords that
split the coastline. Hike through miniature
gardens blooming on the tundra; and search
the edge of the pack ice for polar bears,
walruses, seals, reindeer, and arctic foxes.
Nowhere can the polar bear be seen more
reliably in its natural environment than here.
(B, L, D Daily)
Day 10: Longyearbyen/Oslo
In Longyearbyen, the largest settlement in
Svalbard, disembark and enjoy time to explore.
Founded by an American coal executive in
1906, this is one of the northernmost human
settlements on Earth. Fly back to Oslo this
afternoon. Radisson Blu Airport Hotel (B, L)
Day 11: Oslo/U.S.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the
return flight home. (B)
Category 1
$9,440
Category 2
$10,070
Category 3
$10,460
Category 4
$11,090
window
Category 5
$13,090
Category 6
$15,280
Category 7
$17,460
to and from Oslo is not included in the
expedition cost. Charter flight between
Oslo and Longyearbyen is $725 (subject to
change).
Optional Extension
Add a five-day pre-trip extension to the
breathtaking fjords of Norway or a four-day
post-trip extension to Iceland that includes
Reykjavík and the Golden Circle. Visit our
website for details.
NORWAY’S FJORDS AND
ARCTIC SVALBARD
ɋɋStroll past medieval wooden houses in Bryggen, a UNESCO World
Heritage site in Bergen.
ɋɋDiscover hidden inlets and cascading waterfalls while kayaking in
the spectacular fjord lands.
ɋɋBy special permission, learn about the cultures that flourish on the
island of Smøla.
ɋɋSpot polar bears and seals on the ice floes of the Svalbard archipelago.
Photographers Sisse
Brimberg and Cotton
Geographic Traveler
magazines. They have spent most of their
careers working in Europe, shooting stories
from the Arctic to Scandinavia. Both Sisse and
Cotton have been awarded prizes by Picture
of the Year International, the National Press
Photographers Association, and the White
House Press Photographers Association. They
will join a diverse team of naturalists on this
expedition.
Brightly painted cottages encircle a emerald
green shoreline in the Lofoten archipelago.
42
polar regions
Itinerary: 17 days
MAY 19 AND 20: U.S./BERGEN, NORWAy/
EMBARK
Depart on an overnight flight to Bergen, the
gateway to the fjord lands. Ringed by seven
hills, this beautiful city was once an important
Hanseatic trading center. Discover Bergen’s
maritime history on a guided walk of Bryggen,
a UNESCO World Heritage site before embarking the National Geographic Explorer. (L, D)
MAY 21: NORDFJORD
Glide through the little-known Nordfjord and
travel overland to see the jagged peaks and
turquoise lake of Olden Valley. Hike through
deep, glacially carved valleys to Briksdal
Glacier. (B, L, D)
MAY 22: SMØLA
A small, flat island in the North Sea, Smøla is
home to a fishing community of about 2,100.
Spend time today exploring the wetlands,
fishing villages, and rugged coasts by special
permission. Go for a coastal walk or bike ride,
or a take a kayaking excursion in the island's
protected bays. Many a ship has sunk around
Smøla, and our ROV should be able to view
wrecks dating back hundreds of years. (B, L, D)
MAY 23 AND 24: EXPLORING THE FJORDS
OF NORWAY
Along the dramatic coast of central Norway,
cruise in a Zodiac along vertical rock faces,
paddle a kayak past countless waterfalls,
and go for a hike with our naturalists. Explore
hidden gems such as Melfjorden, a spectacular narrow channel that cuts between high
granite cliffs. (B, L, D Daily)
MAY 25: LOFOTEN ISLANDS
Travel among the islets by Zodiac to view
Atlantic puffins, razorbills, and guillemots. Go
ashore for a stroll at the island of Værøy. Later,
cruise into dramatic Trollfjorden, one of the
most famous fjords in Norway. (B, L, D)
MAY 26: TYSFJORDEN
This morning, enter the long fjord of
Tysfjorden, where only a few small villages
cling to the rocky shores. Explore Hellemobotn
and the area’s numerous side channels by
Zodiac, kayak, or on foot. (B, L, D)
May 27: TROMSØ
Tromsø is known as the “gateway to the Arctic”
because so many Arctic expeditions originated
here. Visit the Polar Museum and the Arctic
Cathedral, where the unique architecture
evokes snow and icebergs. (B, L, D)
May 28 and 29: AT SEA/BJØRnØYA
(BEAR ISLAND)
We now set our sights on the high Arctic, taking
advantage of opportunities to explore on our
way to Bear Island. Glide via Zodiac into the
coves and inlets of this mist-shrouded island,
populated by hundreds of thousands of fulmars,
kittiwakes, and guillemots. (B, L, D Daily )
A curious polar bear cub and its mother
MAY 30-JUNE 2: EXPLORING SVALBARD
Spend four days searching for walruses, seals,
reindeer, arctic foxes, and polar bears among
the deep fjords, mountains, and ice sheets of
Svalbard. Our itinerary is flexible to allow us to
make the most of ice and weather conditions,
and wildlife sightings. Shore walks and Zodiac
and kayaking adventures bring us up close to
untouched landscapes and passing icebergs.
(B, L, D Daily)
JUNE 3: LONGYEARBYEN/DISEMBARK/OSLO
Disembark in Longyearbyen and visit the
Svalbard Art Gallery and Svalbard Museum.
Then board our charter flight to Oslo. Radisson
Blu Airport Hotel (B, L, D)
JUNE 4: OSLO/U.S.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your
return flight. (B)
trip details
DATE: 2015: May 19–June 4
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$15,170
Category 2
$15,990
Category 3
$16,820
Category 4
$18,120
window
Category 5
$20,690
Category 6
$24,150
Category 7
$27,750
See National Geographic Explorer photo and
deck plan on page 65. Prices are per person,
double occupancy. For a single cabin, add
$4,000 in Category 2 and $4,200 in Category
3. International airfare from New York to
Bergen, and return from Oslo is not included in
the expedition cost. Charter airfare one-way
from Longyearbyen to Oslo is $360 (subject to
change).
Optional Extension
Add a four-day post-trip extension to
Iceland that includes Reykjavík and the
Golden Circle. Visit our website or call for
details.
call toll-free 1-888-966-868743
Exploring Greenland and the
Canadian High Arctic
Ralph Lee Hopkins's
wildlife images have
appeared in National
Geographic's books,
magazines, and online
galleries. Ralph is
founder and director
of the Expedition Photography program for
the LIndblad-National Geographic alliance.
Ralph also served as a photographer on the
historic Arctic Expedition for Climate Action in
July 2008 and has traveled beyond the Arctic
Circle many times during the past 20 years.
Ralph will join a diverse team of naturalists
and experts on the July 28 and August 7, 2015
departures.
ɋɋGlide between icebergs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord, a
UNESCO World Heritage site.
ɋɋObserve polar bears, walruses, and beluga whales in their natural
habitats.
ɋɋFollow in the wake of legendary explorers as we explore the Lancaster
Sound, the gateway to the Northwest Passage.
ɋɋDiscover the incredible wildlife and landscapes of Baffin Island on
hikes and excursions by Zodiac.
Zodiac cruising in Ilulissat, Greenland
44
polar regions
Itinerary: 13 days
and attend talks by our experts as we travel
through Baffin Bay. (B, L, D)
Day 1: U.S./Ottawa, Canada
Arrive in Ottawa and check into the hotel in
time for a welcome reception and dinner.
Fairmont Chateau Laurier (D)
Day 2: Ottawa/Kangerlussuaq,
Greenland/EMBARK
Fly by chartered aircraft to Greenland,
the land of the midnight sun. Embark the
National Geographic Explorer at the head of
Kangerlussuaq Fjord, a scenic waterway that
stretches 100 miles, and is aptly known as the
“big fjord.” (B, L, D)
Day 3: Greenland’s West Coast and
Sisimiut
Dozens of deep fjords carve into Greenland’s
west coast, many with glaciers fed by the
ice cap that covers about 80 percent of the
island. Discover this beautiful and ragged
coastline in Zodiacs, searching for humpback
and minke whales. At Sisimiut, a former whaling port, visit the museum and wander amid
a picturesque jumble of 18th and 19th-century
wooden buildings. (B, L, D)
Days 6-8: Exploring the Canadian High
Arctic
Carved by Ice Age glaciers, Lancaster Sound is
the eastern gateway to the Arctic Archipelago.
European explorers like William Baffin first
ventured here in the 15th century to search for
the Northwest Passage. The sound has been
a favorite Inuit hunting and fishing location
for hundreds of years. Our days here will be
spent searching for ringed seals, arctic foxes,
walruses, and polar bears, as well as beluga
and bowhead whales. We may even see the
elusive narwhal, an arctic whale known for the
long, spiraling tooth that projects up to ten feet
from its upper jaw. (B, L, D Daily)
Days 9-11: EASTERN BAFFIN ISLAND
Using our years of experience in judging ice
conditions, we make the most of the eastern
Baffin shores. Hike the tundra in search
of caribou and arctic foxes, or follow our
botanist to learn more about the hardy arctic
plants. We’ll cruise the coastline in search
of walrus and other icons of the Canadian
North. (B, L, D Daily)
A polar bear pads across an ice floe
Days 12 and 13: IQALUIT, NUNAVUT/
OTTAWA, CANADA/U.S.
Disembark in Iqaluit and fly to Ottawa by
chartered aircraft. Spend the night at the
Fairmont Chateau Laurier, or similar. Fly home
the following day. (Day 12: B, L; Day 13: B)
Day 4: Disko Bay and Ilulissat Icefjord
Sail into Disko Bay and set out to explore the
Ilulissat Glacier, a tongue of the Greenland
ice cap. Take an extraordinary cruise among
towering icebergs. Explore the historic Inuit
fishing village of Sermermiut, and view the
Jacobshavn Icefjord and its immense, calving
glacier. (B,L,D)
Day 5: At Sea/Baffin Bay
Watch for wildlife, enjoy the ship’s amenities,
New Itinerary:
Greenland, Baffin Island, and
the Ellesmere Islands
23 DAYS
Aug. 17–Sep. 8, 2015
This brand-new epic voyage traverses the
west coast of Greenland and traces the
shores of north Baffin Island. Encounter
glaciers, ice sculptures, soaring cliffs,
canyons, and fjords, and spot polar bears,
whales, and the elusive narwhal. Visit our
trip details
Dates: 2015: Jul. 28–Aug. 9, Aug. 7–19*
*This voyage travels in reverse from Iqaluit to
Kangerlussuaq.
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$12,990
Category 2
$13,990
Category 3
$14,430
Category 4
$15,550
window
Category 5
$18,680
Category 6
$21,290
Category 7
$24,790
See National Geographic Explorer photos and
3. International airfare to and from Ottawa is
not included in the expedition cost. Charter
flights from Ottawa to Kangerlussuaq, and
Iqaluit to Ottawa, or vice versa, are $1,750
(subject to change).
Bowhead whale
Aboard the National Geographic Explorer AND THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION
ɋɋView the magnificent mountains, towering icebergs, and ice formations
that make up the dramatic Antarctic landscape.
ɋɋCruise aboard sturdy Zodiac landing craft in search of leopard seals.
ɋɋKayak in protected waters, paddling around icebergs as penguins swim nearby.
ɋɋWalk on shore amid thousands of penguins, including gentoo, Adélie,
and chinstrap.
Gentoo penguins waddle through the snow
46
Award-winning travel and
editorial photographer
Susan Seubert has
photographed more than 20
feature stories for National
Geographic Traveler since
joining the magazine as
a contributor in 2004. Her work has been
recognized by the department of journalism
at Columbia University with an Alfred
Eisenstadt Award and most recently by the
North American Travel Journalists Association
for excellence in photography. Susan
will join a diverse team of naturalists and
experts on the November 27 and December
7, 2015 departures. Visit our website for
National Geographic photographers on other
departures.
polar regions
“[A traveler] stands among the penguins, incredulous. 'I know I'm here, but
I don't believe I'm here,' she exclaims to no one in particular. 'It's beyond all
dreams.'"
–Kenneth Brower, "The Great White Hope,"
National Geogarphic Traveler, October 2013
Itinerary: 14 days
Days 1 and 2: U.S./Buenos Aires, Argentina*
Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires,
Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital. Settle into
our hotel before heading out on an afternoon
tour of the city. Gather tonight for a welcome
reception. Caesar Park Hotel/MGallery
Day 3: Buenos Aires/Ushuaia
Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the
world, and enjoy lunch aboard a catamaran
cruise on the Beagle Channel. Then embark
the National Geographic Explorer or National
Geographic Orion and set sail. (B, L, D)
Day 4: At Sea/Drake Passage
While crossing the spectacular Drake Passage,
spot whales and other marine life that glide
alongside the ship. (B, L, D)
Days 5–10: Exploring Antarctica
With long hours of daylight at this time of year,
we have ample opportunity to explore the
Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands.
In keeping with the nature of an expedition,
the schedule is flexible so that we can take
advantage of the unexpected—watching whales
perform off the bow, taking an after-dinner
Zodiac cruise, or heading out on an extra landing during the day. We anticipate making several
Zodiac landings each day to hike, kayak among
the icebergs, and experience close encounters
with wildlife. (B, L, D Daily)
Depending on weather and sea conditions, we
plan to make the following stops:
Paradise Bay
This pristine bay is edged by soaring,
ice-covered peaks. Hike to a summit for a
breathtaking view, or kayak along a cliffside
rookery in search of blue-eyed shags.
Lemaire Channel and Petermann Island
Cruise through the Lemaire Channel between
towering snowcaps and blue icebergs. Step
ashore at Petermann Island to the cries of
thousands of gentoo penguins standing along
the shoreline as if awaiting your arrival.
Neko Harbor
Dock in Neko Harbor. Walk among penguins
on the beach or climb high onto an ice field
for a panoramic vista of untouched peaks
surrounding this idyllic bay.
Port Lockroy
In 1944, the British government began an
expedition code-named Operation Tabarin,
creating a series of base stations in Antarctica.
Base A, at Port Lockroy, is now a museum and
Antarctica’s only public post office.
Days 11 and 12: At Sea
Enjoy the ship’s amenities as the Antarctic
coast disappears from view. Round the
southernmost tip of South America, and see
the meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Celebrate your voyage at a farewell dinner on
board. (B, L, D Daily)
A curious minke whale circles our Zodiacs
for a closer look.
⊲
trip details
Dates: 2015/2016 Season: Nov. 27–Dec. 10*,
Dec. 6–19, Dec. 7–20*, Dec. 16–29†,
Dec. 17–30*†, Dec. 26, 2015–Jan. 8, 2016†,
Dec. 27, 2015–Jan. 9, 2016*†, Jan. 5–18,
Jan. 6–19*, Jan. 16–29*
*These departures are aboard the National Geographic
Explorer and begin and end in Buenos Aires, Argentina. All
other departures are aboard the National Geographic Orion
and begin and end in Santiago, Chile.
Expedition Cost:
2015/2016 Season
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Category 4
Category 5
Category 6
Category 7
Explorer
Orion
$12,970
$13,940
$14,370
$15,460
$18,550
$21,250
$24,740
$12,970
$13,940
$15,460
$18,550
$21,250
$24,740
N/A
See descriptions, photos, and deck plans for
the National Geographic Orion and National
Geographic Explorer on pages 64 and 65.
Prices are per person, double occupancy. For
single cabin pricing, please visit our website.
†For pricing on Dec. 16, 17, 26, and 27
holiday departures, please visit our website.
International airfare to and from Buenos Aires
(or Santiago) is not included in the expedition
cost. Charter airfare between Buenos Aires (or
Santiago) and Ushuaia begins at $850 (subject
to change).
Days 13 and 14: Ushuaia, Argentina/
Buenos Aires*/U.S.
Disembark in Ushuaia. Fly to Buenos Aires
and connect with your overnight flight home.
(Day 13: B, L)
Visit our website or call for details on adding additional nights in Buenos Aires and posttrip extensions to Easter Island or Iguazú Falls.
Zodiac navigates near an iceberg
call toll-free 1-888-966-868747
Antarctica, South Georgia,
and the Falklands
Aboard the National Geographic Explorer ANd the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION
ɋɋGlide past massive icebergs in a Zodiac or a kayak.
ɋɋTrace the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s fateful expedition to
Antarctica and South Georgia and celebrate the centennial of his
voyage with a complimentary vintage-style expedition jacket and a
toast at the historic gravesite of Shackleton.
ɋɋExperience a sea of black and white amid thousands of
king penguins in South Georgia.
ɋɋVisit the outposts of Port Stanley in the Falklands and Port Lockroy
in Antarctica.
Visiting one of South Georgia’s
king penguin colonies is an
incredible experience.
48
Photographers Sisse
Brimberg and Cotton
photographed more
than 50 stories for
National Geographic and
National Geographic
Traveler magazines. Both Sisse and Cotton
have been awarded prizes by Picture of
the Year International, the National Press
Photographers Association, and the White
House Press Photographers Association. They
will join a diverse team of naturalists and
experts on the November 7, 2015 departure.
Visit our website for National Geographic
polar regions
“If doctors told me I had only two weeks to live, I’d spend one week on South
Georgia and the other week getting there.” –Brent Houston, “Island of the Kings,”
National Geographic Traveler, October 2009
ITINERARY: 24 DAYS
Days 1 and 2: U.S./Buenos Aires,
Argentina*
Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires,
Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital. Settle into
our hotel before embarking on an afternoon
tour of the city. Caesar Park Buenos Aires
Day 3: Buenos Aires/Ushuaia
Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the
world, and enjoy lunch aboard a catamaran
cruise on the Beagle Channel. Then set sail on
the National Geographic Explorer. (B, L, D)
Day 4: At Sea
Settle into shipboard life as we sail to the
Falkland Islands. Keep a lookout for seabirds,
as well as whales and other marine life that
swim alongside the ship. (B, L, D)
Days 5 AND 6: Falkland Islands
Dock in Port Stanley, and stroll along streets
lined with Victorian-style houses. Visit the
Anglican Cathedral and the Falkland Islands
Museum. Hike and kayak along rocky coasts,
spotting Magellanic penguins, herds of
elephant seals, and the largest albatross
colony in the world. (B, L, D Daily)
Days 7-13: At Sea/South Georgia Island
After two days at sea, arrive in South Georgia,
renowned for its beauty and wildlife—and
Shackleton’s final resting place. Glide past
dramatic cliffs, and look for young Antarctic
fur seals. Hike through this breathtaking
landscape, and cruise into a remote bay
where thousands of king penguins await.
(B, L, D Daily)
Days 14 AND 15: At Sea
As we head west toward the Antarctic
Peninsula, watch for whales from the ship’s
bridge, attend talks by our experts, and enjoy
the amenities on board. (B, L, D Daily)
⊲
Days 16-20: Exploring Antarctica
With long hours of daylight this time of year,
we have ample opportunity to explore the
Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding
islands. In keeping with the nature of an
expedition, the schedule is flexible. We
anticipate making several landings each
day to hike, kayak among the icebergs, and
experience close encounters with wildlife.
Depending on conditions, we plan to kayak
in pristine Paradise Bay and sail between the
jagged snowcaps that flank Lemaire Channel.
(B, L, D Daily )
DAYS 21 AND 22: At Sea
On our final days at sea, enjoy one last chance
to view the marine life of these southern
waters. Toast our epic voyage at a festive
farewell dinner. (B, L, D Daily)
Days 23 and 24: Ushuaia, Argentina/
Buenos Aires*/U.S.
Disembark in Ushuaia with some time to
explore. Fly to Buenos Aires by private charter.
Connect to your flight home, and arrive the
next day. (Day 23: B, L)
New Itinerary:
SOUTH GEORGIA & THE FALKLANDS
19 DAYS
MARCH 6–24, 2016
Steeped in Shackleton lore and covered in
glaciers, South Georgia explodes with life:
dense colonies of king penguins, fur seals,
elephant seals, and macaroni penguins.
Add the Falklands, ablaze with tussock
grass, colonies of rockhopper penguins,
and ledges filled with albatrosses—and
you have one of the most brilliant travel
experiences on the planet. Visit our
⊲
SPECIAL OFFER: Free international
and charter airfare. Visit our website
or call for details.
trip details
Dates: 2015/ 2016 Season: Nov. 7–30*, Jan.
25–Feb. 17, Feb. 14–Mar. 8, Feb. 15–Mar. 9*
*These departures are aboard the National Geographic
Explorer and begin and end in Buenos Aires, Argentina. All
other departures are aboard the National Geographic Orion
and begin and end in Santiago, Chile.
Please note: The 2016 departures follow the itinerary
shown but in the reverse order.
Expedition Cost:
2015/2016 Season
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Category 4
Category 5
Category 6
Category 7
Explorer
Orion
$22,430
$24,030
$25,160
$26,350
$32,320
$37,300
$43,250
$22,430
$24,030
$26,340
$32,320
$37,300
$43,250
N/A
See descriptions, photos, and deck plans for
the National Geographic Orion and National
Geographic Explorer on pages 64 and 65.
Prices are per person, double occupancy. For
single cabin pricing, please visit our website.
International airfare to and from Buenos Aires
(or Santiago) is not included in the expedition
cost. Charter airfare between Buenos Aires (or
Santiago) and Ushuaia begins at $850 (subject
to change).
Guests kayaking in Antarctica
Visit our website or call for details on adding additional nights in Buenos Aires and posttrip extensions to Easter Island or Iguazú Falls.
50
WILD ENCOUNTERS FROM BORNEO TO BALI
Aboard the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION
National Geographic
photographer and naturalist
Jeff Mauritzen's travels
have immersed him in
the wildlife of nearly 50
countries around the world.
Jeff recently completed an
extensive shoot for National Geographic Kids
photographing wildlife for an upcoming Animal
Encyclopedia. Jeff has lived at sea aboard
seven different ships and he looks forward to
sharing his passion for wildlife photography and
life at sea on the August 28 and September 7,
2015 departures. A diverse team of naturalists
and experts will join every departure. Please
visit our website for National Geographic
ɋɋMeet with National Geographic grantee Dr. Biruté Galdikas on a visit
to Camp Leakey, an orangutan research and conservation center she
established in the forests of Indonesian Borneo.
ɋɋSkim through the jungles of Tanjung Puting National Park on an all-day
excursion by boat, and interact with orangutans and other rare wildlife
at Orangutan Foundation International's rehabilitation center.
ɋɋExplore the incredible array of Borneo's flora and fauna at Bako
National Park, home to seven different ecosystems.
ɋɋ Swim and snorkel the coral reefs off the pristine, uninhabited isles
of the Natuna and Anambas archipelagos. A pair of young Bornean orangutans embrace
asia
Itinerary: 13 days
Days 1–3: U.S./Singapore/At Sea
Depart for Singapore, crossing the international date line and arriving the following
afternoon. We will have time to explore
Singapore’s diverse neighborhoods before
boarding the National Geographic Orion. As
we set sail on the South China Sea, hear talks
by our experts, and get acquainted with our
ship and its amenities. (Day 3: D)
Snorkeling over a pristine reef
DAY 4: ANAMBAS ARCHIPELAGO
Our first stop is the remote Anambas
Archipelago, where we’ll snorkel the
unspoiled reefs surrounding Pulau Lintang,
perhaps ending the day with a beach
barbecue. (B, L, D)
DAY 5: NATUNA ARCHIPELAGO
Scattered in the South China Sea between
Borneo and the Malaysian peninsula, the 272
islands of the Natuna Archipelago are graced
with white-sand beaches and volcanic peaks
and fringed with coral reefs. Depending on
the weather, we will likely stop to snorkel at
either Pulau Senua or Pulau Tiga, both pristine
and uninhabited, and later enjoy a festive
welcome ceremony in one of the fishing
villages that dot the islands. (B, L, D)
DAY 6: BAKO NATIONAL PARK, SARAWAK,
BORNEO
In Bako National Park, thick rain forests give
way to secluded beaches, and the coast is
ornamented with sea arches and colorful
sea stacks. The park harbors seven distinct
ecosystems and most of the plant species
found in Borneo. Enjoy a full day to explore on
a variety of walks and hikes, go birding, and
track rare primates like the proboscis monkey.
(B, L, D)
DAYS 7–9: KUCHING/AT SEA
Continue to Kuching, the capital of the
Malaysian state of Sarawak. Visit the
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, discuss ongoing
research on orangutan behavior, and hear
about a successful program that has reintroduced more than a thousand endangered
animals into the wild. During free time this
afternoon, discover the cultural treasures
of Kuching. Spend two days relaxing at sea,
tracing the western coast of Kalimantan, or
Indonesian Borneo. (B, L, D Daily)
DAYS 10 AND 11: TANJUNG PUTING
NATIONAL PARK, KALIMANTAN
Set on a peninsula jutting out from the southern
edge of Kalimantan, Tanjung Puting National
Park is a trove of rare species and diverse
habitats. While the park is home to some 220
bird species and numerous monkey species,
its most famous residents are the endangered
orangutans. Board boats for a full-day excursion
into the forest, gliding on narrow channels
on the lookout for hornbills, crocodiles, and
perhaps the unusual proboscis monkey.
Our destination is Camp Leakey, a research
station established in 1971 by primatologist
Dr. Biruté Galdikas, a protégé of legendary
paleontologist Louis Leakey and the founder
of Orangutan Foundation International (OFI).
A many-time National Geographic grantee,
Dr. Galdikas joins us to discuss her efforts to
save the orangutan from extinction through
rehabilitation and habitat preservation. Our
boats bring us to feeding stations throughout
the forest, where we can observe these gentle
creatures at close range. The following day,
visit the OFI’s wildlife rehabilitation center to
learn how captive and orphaned orangutans
are rescued and rehabilitated. (B, L, D Daily)
DAY 12 AND 13: AT SEA/DENPASAR, BALI/U.S.
Cross the Java Sea to the lovely Indonesian
island of Bali. Disembark the following
morning and transfer to the airport for your
overnight flight home. (Day 12: B)
trip details
Dates: 2015: May 23–Jun. 4*, Jun. 2–
Jun. 14, Aug. 28–Sep. 9*, Sep. 7–Sep. 19
*These departures follow the itinerary shown but in the
reverse order.
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$9,550
Located on Main Deck with large oval windows
Category 2
$11,090
Category 3
$13,170
Located on the Upper Deck–suite with window
Category 4 $14,420
Located on the Bridge Deck–deluxe suite
with window
Category 5
$17,210
Located on the Bridge Deck–suite with
balcony
Category 6
$19,990
Located on the Bridge Deck–owner's suite
with balcony
See National Geographic Orion photos
to Singapore and return from Bali is not
Special offer
Book by December 31, 2014 and receive 10%
off the expedition price; Lifelong Explorers
double your discount and receive 20% off
the expedition price.
call toll-free 1-888-966-868751
52
Vietnam and Cambodia:
Along the Mekong River
Aboard the Jahan
Barry Till is a curator
of Asian art with a wide
knowledge on culture,
history and archaeology.
He has traveled extensively
throughout Asia and lectured
on numerous expeditions—
including trips to Vietnam, Cambodia, and
Myanmar—for more than 30 years. He
has published more than 100 catalogues
(including The Buddhist Arts of Asia), books,
and articles on various Asian art topics. Barry
will join a diverse team of historians and
experts on the March 1, 2016 departure. ɋɋSail the Mekong River on a seven-night cruise aboard the elegant
riverboat Jahan.
ɋɋWatch the sun rise at Angkor Wat, and spend two full days immersed
in the splendor of Angkor’s temples and palaces.
ɋɋExplore the vibrant cities of Phnom Penh and Saigon, and experience
rural life on visits to floating homes, farms, and traditional villages.
ɋɋWitness the revitalization of Cambodian arts with an apsara dance
and a visit to a local craft workshop.
Draped in bright saffron robes, two monks gaze at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.
asia
Itinerary: 14 days
DAYS 1 AND 2: U.S./Siem Reap, Cambodia
Depart for Siem Reap and arrive the following
evening. Settle into our Khmer-style hotel on
the banks of the Siem Reap River.
La Résidence D'Angkor
Day 8: Phnom Penh
Explore the Cambodian capital by cyclo (bicycle taxi), and visit the Royal Palace and the
National Museum of Cambodia. Learn about
the reign of the Khmer Rouge on a visit to the
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. This evening,
enjoy a dance performance. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Cruising the Mekong
Take in views of everyday life along the river,
attend talks by our experts, and join our chefs
to learn how to cook regional dishes. Cross
the border into Vietnam. (B, L, D)
A Vietnamese woman paddles along the river
Days 3 and 4: Angkor
Rise early to watch the sunrise over Angkor
Wat. This 12th-century Khmer temple, one of
the world’s largest religious monuments, is
adorned with elaborate bas-reliefs and
sculptures. Ride a tuk-tuk, or motorized
rickshaw, to the walled city of Angkor Thom,
and discover the shrines of Ta Prohm and the
Bayon Temple. Visit a workshop where local
youth are trained in age-old Khmer arts.
(Day 3: B, L, D; Day 4: B, D)
Day 5: Kampong Cham
Drive to the bustling town of Kampong Cham,
and embark the Jahan, our home for the next
seven nights. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Wat Hanchey/Angkor Ban
At Wat Hanchey, see a variety of temples,
including an eighth-century temple from the preAngkor Chenla period. Continue to the village
of Angkor Ban, and encounter its traditional
houses and friendly residents. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Kampong Chhnang/Kampong
Tralach
Visit a village where artisans make traditional
pottery, and board local boats to see the clustered houses and shops that float in midstream.
At Kampong Tralach, take an oxcart ride through
rice paddies to a Buddhist temple. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Chau Doc, Vietnam
Explore the colorful markets of Chau Doc, and
stop at a floating village to watch traditional
fish farming methods. Cruise through the narrow Tan Chau Canal that connects the lower
and upper Mekong River branches. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Sa Dec/Cai Be
Take a local boat to experience rural life in
the Mekong Delta. See the floating market of
Cai Be, step into a rice “factory” to watch ricebased candies being made, and cruise among
floating markets and fish farms. (B, L, D)
Day 12: My Tho/Saigon
Disembark in My Tho and visit the Vinh Trang
Pagoda. Then journey to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh
City) and check into the Park Hyatt Saigon.
This afternoon, meet with a local expert on
Vietnam’s modern history. (B, L, D)
Day 13 and 14: Saigon/U.S.
Embark on a tour of Saigon’s landmarks,
including the Reunification Palace,
headquarters of the South Vietnamese
government during the Vietnam War. This
evening, connect with your return flight
home, arriving on Day 14. (B)
Extend your expedition and
visit Halong Bay.
trip details
Dates: 2015: Jan. 28–Feb. 10*, Feb. 3–16, Feb. 25–Mar. 10*, Mar. 3–16
2016: Jan. 5–18, Jan. 13–26*, Jan. 27–Feb. 9,
Feb. 2–15*, Mar. 1–14
*These departures follow the itinerary shown but in
the reverse order, from Saigon to Siem Reap.
Expedition Cost:
2015
Category 1
$9,870
Category 2
$10,590
Located on Upper Deck
Category 3
$12,350
Located on Main and Upper Decks
Category 4
$14,800
Located on Upper Deck–suite
2016
$10,460
$11,230
$13,190
$15,790
See Jahan photo and deck plan on page 68.
Prices are per person, double occupancy. For a
single cabin in Category 1, add $4,920 for 2015
departures, and $5,230 for 2016. International
airfare to Saigon and return from Siem Reap is
Optional Pre- and Post-trip
Extensions
Vietnam: From Hoi An to Halong Bay
(8 Days)
2015: Jan. 21-28, Feb. 16–24, Feb. 17–26,
Mar. 16–24
2016: Jan. 5-14, Jan. 19-28, Jan. 18-26,
Feb. 15-23, Mar. 14-22
Discover Hoi An’s Old Town, explore the
Forbidden Purple City in Hue, and sail amid the
limestone pinnacles of Halong Bay. Visit our
website or call for a detailed itinerary and pricing.
Special offer
Receive complimentary round-trip international
airfare on select 2015 departures. Visit our
website or call for departure dates.
54
BALI TO PALAU: EXOTIC INDONESIA
National Geographic
Melford has produced
more than a dozen feature
stories for National
Geographic magazine and
more than 30 for National
Geographic Traveler, including eight covers. On
assignment for National Geographic for the past
ten years, Michael has often used photography
to bring attention to the planet's wonders and
the need to preserve them. He shot the cover
story, "Places We Must Save," for the October
2006 issue of National Geographic magazine,
and he will join a diverse team of experts and
naturalists on this departure.
ɋɋExperience Indonesia’s vibrant island traditions during welcome
ceremonies, festivities, and visits with local artisans.
ɋɋDiscover a dazzling world of corals and tropical fish while snorkeling or
diving Raja Ampat.
ɋɋSpot legendary Komodo dragons, the world’s largest living lizards, in
their natural habitat in Komodo National Park.
ɋɋ Encounter ethereal red birds of paradise and other rare wildlife on
naturalist-led walks.
Aerial view of Palau's Rock Islands
OCEANIA
asia
Itinerary: 16 days
SEPT. 17-19: U.S./DENPASAR, BALI,
INDONESIA
Depart the U.S., cross the international date
line, and arrive in Denpasar, Bali. Enjoy
a scenic tour before embarking the
National Geographic Orion. (Sept. 19: D)
SEPT. 20: SUMBAWA ISLAND
Our first landfall is the volcanic isle of
Sumbawa, where villagers welcome us with
a lively cultural display. Witness a mock
traditional wedding ceremony and an exhilarating wild buffalo race through a rice paddy
field. (B,L,D)
Snorkel and dive some of the world's
richest marine environments.
SEPT. 21: KOMODO NATIONAL PARK
Explore Komodo National Park, home to the
world’s largest living lizard—the Komodo
dragon, which can grow up to ten feet long
and weigh 200 pounds. Learn about the
conservation of these prehistoric giants from
park rangers who join us on a hike to spot the
lizards in their natural habitat. Then enjoy an
afternoon of swimming, snorkeling, diving, or
beachcombing. (B,L,D)
SEPT. 22-24: LESSER SUNDA ISLANDS
Forming the southern edges of the Flores and
Banda Seas, these arid islands offer exceptional
opportunities for exploration. Meet the people
of Flores and Alor, known for producing some
of the world’s finest ikat textiles; and head out
on Zodiac, kayaking, and snorkeling excursions to discover the surrounding reefs and
waters. Join our naturalists on deck to search
for whales and dolphins. (B,L,D Daily)
SEPT. 25: BANDA ISLANDS, MOLUCCAS
Sail into the heart of the Moluccas archipelago, also known as Maluku or the Spice
Islands. A kora kora,or traditional war canoe,
escorts us to the beautiful isle of Bandanaira,
once a hub of the Dutch East India
Company and a major source of nutmeg and
mace. Stroll past stately Dutch architecture
and visit Fort Belgica, built to protect the spice
trade. Later, swim or snorkel within view of the
conical volcano of Gunung Api. (B,L,D)
SEPT. 26: AT SEA
As we journey north, enjoy the ship’s amenities
and hear talks by our team of experts. (B,L,D)
SEPT. 27-29: EXPLORING RAJA AMPAT
Situated off New Guinea’s Bird’s Head
Peninsula, the archipelago of Raja Ampat has
the richest coral reef biodiversity for its size
in the world. Snorkel or dive in a kaleidoscopic underwater world of more than a
thousand fish species, and glide in Zodiacs
and kayaks around the limestone pinnacles
and white-sand coves of these lush islands.
Take a birding walk to spot red birds of
paradise, sulfur-crested cockatoos, and
more. (B,L,D Daily)
SEPT. 30-OCT. 2: AT SEA/PALAU/U.S.
After a final day at sea, arrive in Palau and
disembark our ship. Transfer to the airport
for your flight home, arriving the next day, or
check into our hotel and extend your stay in
Palau. (Sep. 30: B,L,D; Oct. 1: B,L)
trip details
Dates: 2015: Sept. 17–Oct. 2
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$14,130
Category 2
$16,340
Category 3
$19,330
Category 4 $21,160
with window
Category 5
$25,190
balcony
Category 6
$29,180
with balcony
in Category 3. Internatinal airfare to Bali and
returning from Palau is not included in the
expedition cost.
Special offer
Ikat textiles of Flores Island
call toll-free 1-888-966-868755
56
Tahiti to Easter Island:
Tales of the Pacific
National Geographic
photographer Bob Krist
has shot several articles for
National Geographic magazine
and more than 30 articles for
National Geographic Traveler,
where he is a contributing
editor. His many assignments have taken
him to all seven continents and his images
have won awards in the Pictures of the Year,
Communication Arts, and World Press Photo
competitions. Bob will be on hand to help
you photograph the stunning scenery and
vibrant cultures we will encounter throughout
the expedition, along with a diverse team of
naturalists and experts.
ɋɋDive or snorkel the stunning reefs of Atoll Fakarava, part of a UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve, and the Pitcairn Islands, identified as one of the
most unspoiled reef systems in the world by National Geographic
Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala.
ɋɋTrace the legend of the ill-fated H.M.S. Bounty from Tahiti to Pitcairn
Island, where descendants of its mutineers still live today.
ɋɋExplore the unusual geology and wildlife of Henderson Island, a
UNESCO World Heritage site, and look for endemic bird species.
ɋɋDelve into the intriguing lost culture of Easter Island, and examine
ancient burial sites and towering moai with an archaeologist.
Easter Island is shrouded in mystery and guarded by the famous moai statues.
OCEANIA
asia
Itinerary: 19 days
NOV. 13 AND 14: U.S./PAPEETE, Tahiti
Depart the U.S. and arrive in Papeete, French
Polynesia. Take a short tour of Tahiti before
embarking the National Geographic Orion.
(Nov. 14: D)
NOV. 15-20: TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO/
AT SEA
We begin our exploration of what was once
called the “Dangerous Archipelago” at
Fakarava, one of the largest atolls in French
Polynesia and part of a UNESCO Biosphere
Reserve. After a festive welcome with music
and dancing, learn about the island’s pearl industry and walk its pristine beaches. Snorkel
the protected reefs or ride the current into
the lagoon on a world-famous drift dive. In
true expedition mode, set out to explore one
of the uninhabited atolls, such as Tahanea.
Navigate reefs and islets during a day at sea
on our way to remote Atoll Pukarua, where
we’ll be greeted by traditional dancers and
get acquainted with the island culture. (B,L,D
Daily) NOV. 21 AND 22: MANGAREVA, GAMBIER
ARCHIPELAGO/AT SEA
Famous for its black pearls, Mangareva is
the largest of the Gambier Islands. Venture
underwater to snorkel or dive, meet
islanders to learn about their culture and the
Look for endemic bird species on
Henderson Island in the Pitcairns,
including the Henderson fruit dove.
missionaries who made their home here,
and go on a hike with our naturalists. Then
spend a day at sea scanning the horizon
with our naturalists, or relaxing on deck with
a good book. (B,L,D Daily)
NOV. 23-27: PITCAIRN ISLANDS/AT SEA
Many of the mutineers of the legendary
Bounty made their home on Pitcairn Island
in the late 18th century, and about 50 of
their descendants still live here today. Visit
this fragment of the British Empire and learn
about its place in 18th-century exploration.
Meet the residents and hear a few words of
the unusual Pitkern dialect—a combination
of English “sailor speak” and Polynesian
phrases. Visit the gravesite of the last
surviving Bounty mutineer, John Adams, and
see the Bounty’s anchor, which was salvaged
in 1957.
Our next stop is the UNESCO World Heritage
site of Henderson Island, an uplifted atoll that
is uninhabited and virtually untouched by
humans. On hikes and Zodiac excursions, discover the island’s four endemic bird species,
rich flora and fauna, and fascinating geology.
Then spend a day on Ducie Atoll, watching for
frigatebirds and boobies and snorkeling or
diving among spectacular reefs. The Pitcairn
Islands have been identified as one of the last
unspoiled ocean environments on the planet
as part of the National Geographic Pristine
Seas project. Set out on our final leg east,
listening to talks by our experts as we sail two
days towards Easter Island. (B,L,D Daily)
NOV. 28-DEC. 1: EASTER ISLAND/SANTIAGO,
CHILE/U.S.
Disembark on Easter Island and check into
Hotel Hangaroa for two nights. Venture to
volcanic calderas, jagged lava fields, and
sweeping grasslands to discover the colossal
moai statues, the astonishing legacy of a
long-lost culture. Join archaeologists to
examine these statues and discuss their
meaning and creation; visit burial sites,
quarries, and intricately carved ceremonial
altars. Enjoy time to explore on our final
morning, fly to Santiago, Chile, to connect
to your overnight flight home. (Nov. 28-29:
B,L,D; Nov. 30: B,L)
trip details
Dates: 2015: Nov. 13–Dec. 1
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$17,390
Category 2
$19,990
Category 3
$23,790
Category 4
$25,990
with window
Category 5
$30,990
balcony
Category 6
$35,920
with balcony
cabin, add $8,600 in Category International
airfare to Tahiti and returning from Easter
Island is not included in the expedition cost.
Special offer
58
EXPLORE
THE INDIAN OCEAN AND SOUTH PACIFIC
aBOARD the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION
Special Offer: Book by December 31, 2014 and receive 10% off the expedition price on any of the voyages featured on these pages;
Lifelong Explorers double your discount and receive 20% off the expedition price.
Wildlife and Cultures of South
Treasures of the Indian Ocean:
Africa, Mozambique, and Madagascar Zanzibar and the Seychelles
ITINERARY: 23 days
From the exotic flora of South Africa’s Western Cape to the volcanic isles
of the Comoros, discover an array of treasures. Encounter South Africa’s
legendary wildlife and proud Zulu people; Mozambique’s marine wonders
and colonial architecture; and the tree-leaping lemurs of Madagascar.
Explore turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches as we delve into the
legacies of bold warriors, imperial conquests, and exuberant cultures.
Dates: 2015: March 20-April 11
Expedition Costs: FROM $25,940
Indian Ocean
Odyssey:
Seychelles,
Maldives, and
Sri Lanka
ITINERARY: 15 days
The tropical waters of the Indian Ocean shimmer with pristine coral atolls,
exotic species, and azure lagoons fringed by powder-white beaches.
Delve into the spice-infused history of Zanzibar. Explore Aldabra Island,
an atoll where giant tortoises roam amid fantastic limestone formations.
Encounter the pink sands of La Digue, the kaleidoscopic reef fish of
Assumption, and vestiges of the slave trade at Astove.
Dates: 2015: April 8-22
Wild Islands of
Sri Lanka, Borneo,
and the
Andaman Sea
itinerary: 22 days
Elephants, leopards and orangutans;
ITINERARY: 21 days
fortified towns and futuristic cities;
Explore the pristine and seldomremote cultures and far-flung islands
seen wonders of the Indian Ocean.
fringed with jaw-dropping coral
reefs: a voyage across the eastern
In the Seychelles, discover islands
Indian
Ocean
promises
a
wealth
of
unforgettable
encounters. Explore
teeming with vibrant corals, rare wildlife, and botanical treasures. Snorkel
a
kaleidoscope
of
natural
and
cultural
wonders
from
Sri Lanka to the
and dive at the farthest reaches of the Maldives, an area of extraordinary
Andaman Islands, Sumatra, and Indonesian Borneo.
biodiversity, and experience the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka.
Dates: 2015: May 4-25
Dates: 2015: April 18-May 8
Expedition Costs: From $21,040
Call 1-888-966-8687 or visit nationalgeographicexpeditions.com to see detailed itineraries, reserve online, and find many more trips.
call
Palau to Solomon
Islands: Along the
Pacific Equator
Solomon Islands
to Fiji: Hidden South
Pacific
Fiji to the Cook
Islands: Polynesian
Discovery
itinerary: 19 days
itinerary: 13 days
itinerary: 13 days
Sailing east through the heart of Micronesia,
explore seldom-visited islands and learn
first-hand of the region’s fascinating World War II
history. Search for Yap’s famous manta rays and
snorkel and dive the reefs and wrecks of Chuuk
(Truk) Lagoon. Turn south into Melanesia, where
you’ll be welcomed ashore with sing-sings in
Papua New Guinea and warrior displays in the
Solomon Islands.
This voyage takes us through the heart of
Melanesia to the western edge of Polynesia.
In the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, you’ll be
greeted with traditional “warrior welcomes”
as you land by Zodiac on remote and verdant
shores, while a warm smile and "bula" greet
you on arrival in Fiji. Search for endemic bird
species, snorkel and dive stunning reefs and
wrecks, and soak up the tranquil beauty of
palm-fringed beaches.
The ideal South Pacific getaway, this short
escape will take you from Fiji’s “Garden Isle”
to verdant Rarotonga. Explore the western
reaches of Polynesia, visiting tropical islands
and reefs that few ever see. Immerse yourself
in Tonga’s warm turquoise waters, and
experience genuine Polynesian welcomes
throughout the Cook Islands.
Dates: 2015: September 29-October 17
Dates: 2015: October 24-November 5
Dates: 2015: October 14-26
Cook Islands to Tahiti: Pristine
Reefs of the South Pacific
itinerary: 13 days
Walk pristine beaches, snorkel amid clouds of colorful reef fish, and
experience true Polynesian hospitality. Discover the popular notion
of paradise—and some of the world’s best dive sites—while sailing
from the sparkling white shores of the Cook Islands to Tahiti’s lush
volcanic crags. Snorkel and dive amid the corals of the Southern
Line Islands, identified as one of most unspoiled reef systems in the
world by National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala.
Dates: 2015: November 3-15
call
toll-free 59
1-888-966-868759
60
Australia’s Wild Northwest
ɋɋCruise the turquoise waters of the Kimberley coastline and soar over
the beehive formations of the Bungle Bungle Range during a scenic
flight.
ɋɋTravel by Zodiac up the spectacular King George River, where you’ll feel
dwarfed by the towering red rock canyon walls, then cooled by the mist
of King George Falls.
ɋɋExamine some of the oldest rock art in the world at an outdoor Gwion
Gwion gallery, and learn about ancient Aboriginal mythology.
ɋɋExplore mangroves, narrow inlets, and reefs by Zodiac, spotting a variety of
wildlife such as crocodiles and water birds. Search for humpback whales,
which begin to arrive in June and are most abundant in August.
Guests glide along the King George River via Zodiac.
Ira Block began shooting
magazine in the mid-1970s,
and later worked with
both National Geographic
Traveler and Adventure
magazines. His assignments
have taken him to locations as diverse as
Africa, the Australian outback, the Gobi
Desert, Siberia, the North Pole, Greenland,
and Baffin Island. Ira will join a diverse team
of naturalists and experts on the June 15 and
June 25, 2015 departures. Visit our website
for National Geographic photographers on
other departures.
AUSTRALIA
Itinerary: 14 days
Days 1–3: U.S./Darwin, Australia
Depart for Darwin, cross the international date
line, and arrive on Day 3. Embark the National
Geographic Orion this afternoon. (Day 3: D)
Days 4 and 5: COM, EAST TIMOR/At Sea
Settle into your cabin and prepare for the
Kimberley's amazing photographic opportunities with talks and hands-on instruction by
our National Geographic photographer and
Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo
instructor. The ship makes a brief technical
stop at Com, before continuing into the heart
of the Kimberley. (B, L, D Daily)
Day 6: The Bungle Bungles or Lake
Argyle, western Australia
Spend the day in the UNESCO World Heritage
site of Purnululu National Park, home of the
breathtaking Bungle Bungle Range, striped
sandstone hills shaped like giant beehives. Get
a view of this otherworldly cone karst landscape
during a flightseeing excursion. Or cruise the
Ord River to Lake Argyle, keeping an eye out for
crocodiles, wallabies, jabirus, and learn about
the area’s pioneers on a visit to the Durack
homestead. (B, L, D)
Day 7: King George River
Ride Zodiacs up King George River, weaving
between towering canyon walls to King
George Falls, where water drains off the plateau in twin cascades, careening down some
260 feet. In the early season, we will linger in
the thundering mist. Later in the season, we
will get much closer, even under the falls. If
you wish, hike to the top of the falls and cool
off in a freshwater rock pool. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Vansittart Bay
On Jar Island, discover the mystical culture of
Kimberley’s Aboriginal people at an outdoor
gallery of prehistoric Gwion Gwion rock
art. The images, known as the “Bradshaw
figures” date back nearly 40,000 years. Later,
see the remains of a World War II DC-3 that
crashed nearby. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Hunter River
Against a backdrop of crimson cliffs, navigate
the thick mangroves of Hunter River in
Zodiacs, on the lookout for crocodiles and
numerous bird species. Take an optional
helicopter flight to Mitchell Falls to get a
unique perspective on the Kimberley’s vast,
rugged, and hard-to-reach interior. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Montgomery island & Raft Point
The Kimberley coast is known for its dramatic
tides. Conditions permitting, the quick tide
change at Montgomery Reef creates raging
torrents of water as the sea level drops and the
reef seems to rise from the ocean. Watch from
your Zodiac, and look for cormorants, egrets,
sea turtles, and reef sharks as they forage for
marine life trapped on the reef. At Raft Point,
climb up to a saddle of rock filled with ancient
rock art depicting the Wandjina spirits. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Talbot Bay
Today, hop in Zodiacs to witness Horizontal
falls of Talbot Bay, an extraordinary phenomenon created by the sudden tidal fall, when
double waterfalls surge ten or more feet
high as landward waters cascade through a
narrow gap to the ocean. Later, discover the
fascinating geology of an ancient seabed at
Cyclone Creek. (B, L, D)
Day 12: Nares Point & Crocodile Creek
At Nares Point, a long finger of sandstone
jutting into the sea, explore by Zodiac and go
on beach walks with our naturalists. Take a
swim in the natural pools of Crocodile Creek—
free of crocodiles despite its name. (B, L, D)
Days 13 and 14: Broome/U.S.
Disembark in Broome and transfer to the
airport for an overnight flight home. (Day 13: B)
ADDITIONAL Itinerary:
and the Spice Islands
18 DAYS
AUGUST 14-31, 2015
Experience Australia’s dramatic Kimberley
coast and the tropical isles that edge
the Banda and the Flores Seas. Explore
natural wonders from the reefs of Rowley
Shoals and towering King George Falls
to the pink coral beaches of Komodo.
Spot crocodiles in the Kimberley, look for
humpbacks as we pass through breeding
areas, and observe the Komodo dragon in
the wild. See our website for details.
trip details
Dates: 2015: Jun. 15-28*, Jun. 25-Jul.
8, Jul. 5-18*, Jul. 15-28, Jul. 25-Aug. 7*, Aug. 4-17
*These departures travel in the reverse direction from
Broome to Darwin.
Expedition Cost:
Category 1
$8,990
Category 2
$10,380
Category 3
$12,450
Category 4
$13,630
with window
Category 5
$16,270
balcony
Category 6
$18,910
with balcony
See National Geographic Orion photos and
3. International airfare to Darwin and return
from Broome is not included in the expedition
cost.
A wallaby and her joey
62
More Trips with
National Geographic Expeditions
THE CANADIAN MARITIMES AND
NEWFOUNDLAND
ITINERARY: 8 DAYS
Trace the footsteps of Vikings, European explorers, and inventors on a special voyage
with Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Governors of the National Geographic Society
Gil Grosvenor. Aboard our flagship, the National Geographic Explorer, discover the
Acadian culture of the Îles-de-la Madeleine, and visit the French island of SaintPierre. Dock at coastal fishing villages and small islands along the rugged coast of
Newfoundland. Venture into the ancient Viking settlement of l'Anse aux Meadows
and join a geology expert in Gros Morne National Park, both UNESCO World Heritage
sites. Explore the Fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island, and visit the home of
Alexander Graham Bell, the second president of the Society and Gil's great-grandfather.
Dates: 2015: Sept. 11–18
Svalbard, Iceland, and
Greenland's East Coast
Wild Islands and Treasures
of Baja California
ITINERARY: 17 DAYS
ITINERARY: 8 DAYS
Aboard the National Geographic sea bird
Ice, wildlife, and adventure—
that is what draws us to the
icy waters sweeping down
from the Arctic Ocean. This
is an expedition for the
seasoned traveler—suited
more than ever to the special
capabilities of the ultimate
expedition ship, the National
Geographic Explorer, and our
expert naturalist staff. Like the
brave sailors of the golden
age of exploration who set
out with no set itinerary—seeking adventure, knowledge and the
unknown—we are completely dependent on ice, wildlife and weather
conditions, allowing nature to guide us to her wonderful surprises.
From Arctic Svalbard, just 600 miles from the North Pole, National
Geographic Explorer probes the ice—with the quest of exploring the
ice’s edge all the way from Svalbard, Norway to eastern Greenland,
ending in Iceland.
Dates: 2015: June 22- Jul. 8
Discover the pure wildness of Baja’s desert islands and the living sea, and
then go further and delve into the Peninsula’s unique culture and art from
ancient times to modern. You’ll find the dolphins, seabirds, and extraordinary marine life enchanting and the region’s history and culture rich and
intriguing. And when you see Baja’s islands with rugged cliffs and white
sand beaches reflected in an azure sea, you’ll understand immediately why
UNESCO designated them a World Heritage site.
Dates: 2014: Dec. 20-27, Dec. 27-Jan. 3 2015: Jan. 3-10, Jan. 10-17
Call 1-888-966-8687 or visit nationalgeographicexpeditions.com to see detailed itineraries, reserve online, and find many more trips.
Exploring the Low
Countries: Holland
and Belgium
SAILING THE
CARIBBEAN islands
on the Sea Cloud
Columbia and Snake Rivers
Journey
itinerary: 9 days | Aboard the
National Geographic Explorer
itinerary: 8 Days |
aboard the SEA CLOUD
itinerary: 7 days | Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Bird/SEA LION
Voyage from Germany to the Netherlands
and Belgium, exploring the seaside village of
Harlingen and the dune-capped West Frisian
Islands, and take in a dazzling view of the fields
of North Holland. In Amsterdam and Antwerp,
experience the incredible artistic heritage of the
Dutch Golden Age and the Flemish Primitives.
Stroll the canal-carved medieval towns of
Brugge and Gent, and revel in the rich culinary
and musical traditions of the region.
Set sail aboard the magnificent four-masted
Sea Cloud, and explore the lush islands and
vibrant cultures of the Lesser Antilles. Hike the
rain forests of Dominica, explore a volcanic
crater in Saint Lucia, and glide on a catamaran
in the Grenadines. Enjoy opportunities to swim
and snorkel at coral reefs and white-sand
beaches, and discover the hidden corners of the
Caribbean Sea.
Retrace the Pacific Northwest portion of Lewis
and Clark’s epic 19th-century expedition. Cruise
through the lush landscapes of the Columbia
River Gorge, the mountains of the Cascade
Range, and the historical lands of the Native
American tribes the intrepid duo encountered.
Dine on locally-sourced cuisine, and sample the
region’s famed wines and microbrews.
Dates: 2015: Apr. 29–May 7
Dates: 2015: Feb. 26–Mar. 5, Mar. 5–12,
Mar. 12–19 2016: Jan. 21–28,
Jan. 28–Feb.4, Feb. 4–Feb. 11
Dates: 2015: Sept. 21–27, Sept. 22–28,
Sept. 28–Oct. 4, Oct. 3–9,
Oct. 4–10, Oct. 10–16,
Oct. 27–Nov. 2
Peru: Land of the Inca
itinerary: 8 days
Experience incomparable Machu Picchu and encounter a wealth of ancient
Inca temples, Spanish colonial cathedrals, and the charming villages of the
Sacred Valley of the Inca. Visit Lima’s renowned Larco Herrera Museum,
and immerse yourself in the ancient capital of Cusco. Then spend the
night among the ruins of Machu Picchu, rediscovered and excavated
by Hiram Bingham with funding from National Geographic
more than 100 years ago.
Dates: 2015: Expeditions depart
every Saturday and Sunday.
See our website for more details.
Travelers take in a sweeping vista of
Machu Picchu, Peru’s lost Inca citadel.
63
Photos (from top): Category 4 deluxe suite; Category 6 owner's suite; Category 1 & 2 cabin.
PUBLIC AREAS: Outdoor café, lounge and cocktail bar perfect for briefings
and entertainment, restaurant, sun deck, reception desk, state-of-the-art
lecture theater, library, global gallery, marina platform and mud room. Guests
are welcome on the “open bridge” to meet the captain and officers and learn
about navigation.
MEALS: Served in a single seating with unassigned tables. Exceptional cuisine
Geographic photographer, and a Lindblad-National Geographic certified
photo instructor, plus undersea specialists and divemasters on voyages
where snorkeling and scuba diving are offered.
Wellness: Spa features a unisex dry sauna, fitness center with
LifeFitness equipment, and LEXspa massage treatment room. A
whirlpool hot tub is available on the Observation Deck, which doubles
as a plunge pool in warmer temperatures.
LOUNGE
Scuba DivingOBSERVATION
Requirements:
DiversLECTURE
must
be certifiedWHIRLPOOL
& LIBRARY
ELEVATOR
HOTby
TUB an internationally
THEATER
recognized dive association prior to the voyage, and certification cards and
logbooks must be brought on board. Divers should have logged 25 dives in total,
and have made a dive within the 12 months preceding the voyage.
SAUNA
SUNDECK
506
504
505
503
501
BRIDGE
508
507
502
510
511
515
ELEVATOR
LOUNGE
404
402
407
405
403
401
411
406
415
408
412
417
409
414
419
UPPER DECK
RECEPTION
410
416
GLOBAL GALLERY
OUTDOOR CAFE
ELEVATOR
302
304
306
308
310
311
315
301
303
305
307
309
319
321
317
312
314
323
316
318
322
320
video cameras, a video microscope, and a crow's nest camera in the
Kimberley. Plus kayaks, snorkeling gear for all guests, scuba gear for 24
guests, a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and a glass-bottom boat on
voyages where snorkeling and scuba diving are offered.
509
BRIDGE DECK
Some cabins have balconies. Cabins offer Internet access, a flat screen TV
and DVD/CD player. Single cabins in Category 1 and Category 3 include cabins
#301, 322, 323, and 512, and are highlighted in bright pink or bright blue.
EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT: Zodiac landing craft, a hydrophone, underwater
ELEVATOR
512
features tastes of the regions we visit and special signature menus designed
by Sydney’s Serge Dansereau of the The Bathers' Pavilion restaurant.
CABINS: All cabins offer ocean views, private facilities, and climate controls.
FITNESS CENTER/
LEXSPA TREATMENT
ROOM
OBSERVATION DECK
RESTAURANT
MAIN DECK
Reserve online at nationalgeographicexpeditions.com
ZODIAC
BOARDING
MUD
ROOM
National Geographic Orion is a state-of-the-art expedition ship, and the
newest addition to the National Geographic-Lindblad fleet. It is a fully
stabilized, ice-class vessel with an ice reinforced hull, enabling it to
navigate polar ice as well as small harbors in the South Pacific.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Laundry, a full-time doctor, video chronicler, National
DOCTOR’S
OFFICE
CAPACITY: 102 guests in 53 outside cabins.
REGISTRY: Bahamas. OVERALL LENGTH: 338 feet.
418
64
National Geographic Orion
MARINA PLATFORM
National Geographic Explorer
Photos (from top): The National Geographic Explorer; Chart room; an Upper Deck cabin with balcony; the fitness center offers panoramic views.
Public areas: bistro bar, chart room, restaurant, gift shop, library, and
Special Features:ELEVATOR
A full-time
doctor, undersea specialist, photo
LIBRARY OBSERVATION LOUNGE
specialist and
video chronicler, National Geographic photographer,
BRIDGE
Internet café, and laundry.
BRIDGE DECK
Wellness: The vessel is staffed by a wellness specialist and features
a glass-enclosed fitness center, outdoor stretching area, two spa
treatment rooms, and a sauna.
SAUNA
WELLNESS DECK
CHART
ROOM
LOUNGE
107
103
101
DECK
FITNESS
CENTER
SUN DECK
108
106-S
104
DECK
102
Meals: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal
atmosphere and easy mingling. Menu is international.
VERANDA DECK
RESTAURANT
BISTRO
RECEPTION
BAL.
230
228
226
222
224
220
218
212
206
204
202
BAL. BAL. BAL. BAL. BAL. BAL.
219 221
GLOBAL
GALLERY
GALLEY
BALCONY BAL. BALCONY
216
215
214
217
BAL.
213
211
210
BAL. BAL.
209
205
208-S
207
203-S
201
Cabins: All cabins face outside with windows or portholes, private
UPPER DECK
319
321
323
325
327
329-S
331-S
333-S
335
337
314
316
318
320
322
324
326
328
330-S
332-S
334-S
336
338
346
344
342
340
350
317
312-S
348
315
343-T
313
310-S
341-T
311-S
339
309-S
308
MAIN DECK
INTERNET
CAFE
UNDERSEA
SPECIALIST
ZB
LOCKERS
IW
DOCTOR’S
OFFICE
+
304
306
302
307
303
305
301
facilities, and climate controls. Some cabins have balconies. Single
cabins in Category 2 include cabin numbers 309–312 and 329–334 and
are highlighted in bright blue. Single cabins in Category 3 include cabin
numbers 105, 106, 203 and 208 and are highlighted in bright pink.
105-S
lounge with full service bar and state-of-the-art facilities for films, slide
shows and presentations, mud room with lockers for expedition gear,
and observation lounge. Our “open bridge” provides guests an opportunity to meet our officers and captain and learn about navigation.
LEXspa
National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship, and the
flagship of the National Geographic-Lindblad fleet. It is a fully stabilized,
ice-class vessel with an ice 1A rating on the forward hull, enabling it to
navigate polar environments while providing exceptional comfort. It carries 36 double kayaks and a fleet of 13 Zodiac landing craft. An undersea
specialist operates a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and sophisticated
undersea video equipment, extending access to the underwater world.
Expedition Equipment: Zodiac landing crafts, kayaks, Remotely
Operated Vehicle (ROV), hydrophone, SplashCam, underwater video
camera, crow’s nest remote-controlled camera, video microscope.
WC
Capacity: 148 guests in 81 outside cabins.
Registry: Bahamas. Overall Length: 367 feet.
MUD ROOM
ZODIAC BOARDING
STAFF OFFICE
call toll-free 1-888-966-868765
ZB
B DECK
66
National Geographic Sea Bird
and National Geographic Sea Lion
Public Areas: Our twin sister ships feature a library; lounge with
full service bar and facilities for films, slide shows and presentations;
observation deck; partially covered sun deck with chairs and tables,
and spa. Our “open bridge” provides guests an opportunity to meet our
officers and captain and learn about navigation.
Photos (from top): The National Geographic Sea Lion; cocktail hour recaps
are informative and always social; the sundeck is a great place for a morning
stretch with our wellness specialist; a comfortable category 2 cabin.
SUNDECK
LEXspa
Meals: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal
atmosphere and easy mingling. Breakfast is a wide selection buffet and
lunch is often served family style. Menu emphasizes regional fare.
CPTN.
106
104
102
100
219
217
215 211
209 207 205 203 201
216
214
212 210
208 206 204 202 200
OBSERVATION
DECK
UPPER DECK
305 303 301
Special Features: Guest Internet access. A certified photo instructor
and video chronicler on board all voyages. A ship’s doctor is on board
in Baja and Costa Rica/Panama. An undersea specialist is on board in
Baja and Alaska.
101
BRIDGE DECK
controls.
gear, SplashCam, underwater video camera, video microscope, wet
suits in Baja, and expedition landing craft.
103
GYM EQUIPMENT
cabins: All face outside with windows, private facilities, and climate
Expedition Equipment: Bow camera, hydrophone, kayaks, snorkeling
105
BRIDGE
Registry: United States. Overall length: 152 feet.
DINING ROOM
LOUNGE
304 302 300
MAIN DECK
exercise equipment, spa, and outdoor stretching area.
BAR
National Geographic
Endeavour
National Geographic
islander
REGISTRY: Ecuador. Overall length: 295 feet.
Registry: Ecuador. Overall length: 164 feet.
Public Areas: Ship is fully air-conditioned. Covered deck with chairs
and tables; doctor’s office; fitness center; spa; gift shop; library; lounge
with full-service bar and facilities for films, slide shows and presentations; sauna and small swimming pool; and sun deck. Our Ecuadorian
captain and officers welcome guests to the bridge in accordance with
our “open bridge” policy.
Public Areas: Ship is fully air-conditioned. Covered deck with hammocks,
Meals: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an
chairs and tables; doctor’s office; fitness center; gift shop; spa; library;
lounge with full-service bar and facilities for films, slide shows and presentations; and sky deck. Our Ecuadorian captain and officers welcome
guests to the bridge in accordance with our “open bridge” policy.
Meals: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables, meals are
informal for easy mingling. Menu is international with an Ecuadorian flair.
informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Menu is international with
Ecuadorian flair.
Cabins: All cabins have a window with an outside view, private facilities
Cabins: All cabins face outside with windows or portholes. Each has
Expedition Equipment: Kayaks, snorkeling gear, underwater video
camera, video microscope, wet suits, Zodiac landing craft.
private facilities and climate controls. Single cabins in Category 1
include cabin numbers 219, 222, 309–312, 314–316, and 318 and are
highlighted in bright blue. Single cabins in Category 2 include cabin
numbers 124, 126, 127, and 205 and are highlighted in bright pink.
Expedition Equipment: Kayaks, glass-bottom boat, snorkeling gear,
SAUNA DOCTOR
BRIDGE
underwater
video microscope,
wet suits, and Zodiac
SUN DECK video camera,
LIBRARY
LEX
spa
landing craft.
and climate controls.
Special Features: Guest Internet access and laundry service.
A ship’s doctor and video chronicler are also on board.
exercise equipment and outdoor stretching area.
FITNESS
CENTER
BRIDGE DECK
OBSERVATION
Special
Features: Guest Internet access, laundry
service,DECK
floating
408
406
massage platform, and wellness program. A certified photo instructor,
POOL and LOUNGE
ship’s doctor,
video chronicler are also on board.
407
405
SHOP
204
202
305
303
302
301
INTERNET
BRIDGE DECK
LEXspa
205 203 201
DOCTOR
312
310
209 207
206 204 202
315
311
309
318
316
314
DINING ROOM
RECEPTION
210 208
300
350
351
304
Internet
Purser
208
206
205
203
201
209
222
220
218
216
214
212
210
219
217
215
211
Reception
Zodiac
Boarding
LIBRARY
306
LOUNGE
MAIN DECK
352
401
403
BRIDGE
106
104
102
DINING
ROOM
107
105
115
111
109
117
124
122
120
118
116
114
112
110
108
125
123
121
126
129
127
FITNESS
CENTER
UPPER DECK
353
402
UPPER DECK
VERANDA DECK
A DECK
404
MAIN DECK
call toll-free 1-888-966-868767
68
sea cloud
Jahan
CAPACITY: 58 guests in 30 cabins including two Owner’s Suites.
REGISTRY: Malta. OVERALL LENGTH: 360 feet.
REGISTRY: Vietnam. OVERALL LENGTH: 230 feet.
PUBLIC AREAS: The Sea Cloud was commissioned in 1931 by Wall Street
businessman E.F. Hutton for his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
Public areas are incomparably furnished and immensely comfortable.
The covered lido bar is a superb place to congregate and enjoy the
outdoors. The open-air “Blue Lagoon” is a wonderful place to relax. The
sumptuous lounge is a superb gathering point. Guests are welcome on
the “open bridge” to learn how the Sea Cloud is navigated and sailed.
PUBLIC AREAS: The ship is fully air-conditioned. Outdoor areas include
MEALS: Served in a single seating, exceptional cuisine features tastes of
the regions we visit along with Continental fare. Fine house wines are
included with lunch and dinner.
CABINS: Décor is in keeping with the ship’s storied traditions, and
cabins have antique and period-style furniture. The main deck has
the ship’s original cabins, including the Owner’s Suites originally
occupied by E.F. Hutton and Marjorie Merriweather Post. Cabins on the
promenade and captain’s decks have antique furnishings. There is a
tasteful elegance throughout the ship. All cabins have private facilities,
individual climate controls, and a hair dryer.
SPECIAL FEATURES: There is no ship afloat that can compare to Sea
Cloud for grace, fine service, and the sheer joy of sailing. Sails are
raised by hand by a spirited crew. The ship carries 30 sails measuring a
total of 32,000 square feet, and guests have the chance to learn about
their design, deployment and function during the course of the voyage.
Although the ship is elegant, she is also friendly and informal. Dress
aboard ship is relaxed and casual. A certified photo instructor will be on
board all departures.
the pool deck, with both covered and open-air spaces, a Jacuzzi, and
a bar. The lounge has a library, and facilities for films, slide shows and
presentations. Guests are welcome on the “open bridge” to meet the
captain and officers and learn about navigation.
MEALS: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables. The menu
is international, with a focus on the outstanding Vietnamese and
Cambodian cuisines.
CABINS: All face outside with glass doors and private balconies. There
is a mix of twin-bed and queen-size bed cabins. Each has private facilities and hair dryer, individual climate control, music entertainment
system, and a mini bar.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Spa, with choice of massage treatments, gymna-
sium with exercise equipment, boutique with selection of local artwork;
morning Tai Chi classes. DVD and iPod® players are available on request.
A certified photo instructor will be on board all departures.
RESTAURANT
TERRACE DECK
201
203 205
207 209
211
202
204 206
208 210
212
103 105
107 109
111
113
104 106
108 110
112
114
BAR LOUNGE
BRIDGE
30 32 34 36
31 33 35 37
UPPER DECK
CAPTAIN’S AND LIDO DECK
LOUNGE
16
18 20 22 24
28
RESTAURANT LOUNGE
17
29
19 21 23 25
PROMENADE DECK
MAIN DECK
2
1
4
3
6
8
5
7
10
9
MAIN DECK
Cat 1 color
Cat 2 color
Cat 3 color
Suite color
Lord of the Glens
Delfin II
Registry: Great Britain. Overall length: 150 feet.
Capacity: 28 guests in 14 outside suites.
Registry: Peru. Overall length: 120 feet.
Public Areas: With exterior teak decks, hardwood finished interiors
Public Areas: The comfortable, enclosed and air conditioned top deck
and fine fabrics, the Lord of the Glens offers a stylish and relaxing
ambience. The two lounges and two open-air viewing areas are social
hubs aboard ship. There is a bar and space to read books from the
well-stocked library.
invites you to linger, unwind or enjoy drinks at the bar. The natural history
staff will give their presentations here. There is a small reference library
and the bridge, where you are welcome to meet the captain and officers.
Meals: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables, meals focus
on healthy cuisine, including fresh Scottish poultry, salmon, trout, and
other options.
Cabins: All cabins have outside views. Facilities include a private
bathroom with shower, individually controlled air-conditioning and
heating, satellite television, music system, hair dryer, telephone, safety
deposit box, bathrobes, and toiletries.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Bicycles are on board and a kayaking excursion
is offered at Loch Ness. There is complimentary Internet access at a
computer in the reception area. Lord of the Glens is the only ship of its
kind able both to navigate the locks of the Caledonian Canal and sail
SIR WALTER SCOTT
TERRACE
DAVID LIVINGSTONE
TERRACE of the Inner Hebrides.
among the islands
A certified photo
instructor
LOUNGE/LIBRARY
LOUNGE
will be on board all departures.
Meals: Meals are served in a single seating with unassigned tables;
large windows provide panoramic views. Often special dishes will
include sustainable products of the rain forest and sauces made with
exotic regional fruits.
SUITES: Elegant, air-conditioned guest suites on the main and upper
decks all offer exceptional vistas. Each spacious suite has a minimalist
décor with a luxurious overtone.
Expedition Equipment: 10-person skiffs with individual seat cushions
and plenty of leg room. Fleet of comfortable, safe kayaks. Onboard rain
ponchos and rubber boots are distributed if needed.
Special Features: Guests may swim directly from the skiffs using
the convenient swim ladder, weather permitting. A certified photo
instructor will be on board all departures.
THOMAS TELFORD DECK
305
306
303 301
RECEPTION
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
304 302
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL DECK
219*
218*
217
216 214
211 209
212 210
ENCLOSED
LOUNGE
BAR
OPEN LOUNGE
RESTAURANT
207
208
205 203
206 204
TOP DECK
201
202
12
14
16
11
13
15
DINING
ROOM
DAVID ROBERTS DECK
UPPER DECK
105
106* 104*
2
4
6
8
1
3
5
7
JAMES WATT DECK
MAIN DECK
call toll-free 1-888-966-868769
70
no. of days
ship
DEPA RTURE DATE S
2015
page
Expedition Calendar:
feb
12
8
Sea Bird
7, 14,
21, 28
mar
14
apr
may
jun
july
aug
SEP
oct
2016
nov
dec
jan
feb
5, 12,
19, 26
16, 23,
30
2, 9, 16,
23, 30
6, 13,
20, 27
6, 13,
20, 27
21, 28
4
mar
North America
Baja California & the Sea of Cortez: Among the Great Whales**
14
8
Sea Lion
Alaska's Inside Passage
16
8
Sea Bird/
Sea Lion*
Canadian Maritimes and Newfoundland
62
8
Explorer
Wild Islands and Treasures of Baja California**
62
8
Sea Bird
28
16, 17*,
23, 24*,
30, 31*
5, 12
5, 12
6, 7*, 13,
4, 5*, 11, 1, 2*, 8, 9*,
14*, 20, 21*, 12*, 18, 19*, 15, 16*, 22,
27, 28*
25, 26* 23*, 29, 30*
11
Columbia and Snake Rivers Journey
63
7
Sea Bird/
Sea Lion*
Sailing the Caribbean
63
8
Sea Cloud
Galápagos
18
10
Endeavour/
Islander*
Upper Amazon
20
10
Delfin II
Coastal Treasures from the Panama Canal to Peru
22
14
Explorer
Peru and Chile: Ancient Sites and Natural Wonders
24
17
Explorer
8
Rounding the Cape: Chilean Patagonia & Argentina's Staten Island
26
21
Explorer
21
Sailing the Greek Isles*
28
9
Sea Cloud
Under Sail: Greece to the Dalmatian Coast*
30
12
Sea Cloud
21, 22*,
28*
26
3, 4*,
10*, 27
5, 12
south America
6, 7*,13,
6, 7*,13,
14*,20,21*, 14*,20,21*,
27,28*
27,28*
3,4*,10,
11*,17,18*,
24,25*
5,6*,12,
1,8,15,
20*,
22,29,30* 13*,19,
26,27*
3,4*,10,
11*,17,18*,
24,25*,31
1*,7,8*,
14,15*,21,
22*,28,29*
4,5*,11,
18,19*,25,
26*
18
22,29
5,12,19
3*,10*,30,
31*
6,13,14*,
20,28*,27
5*,11,12*,
18,19*,25,
26*
14,21,28
5
1,2*,8,
5,6*,12,
9*,15,16*,
22,23*,29, 13*,19,20*,
26,27*
30*
4,5*,11,
12*,18,19*,
25,26*
9,16,23, 13,20,27 5,19,26
30
27
europe
Scotland's Highlands and Islands
32
9
Lord of the
Glens
Exploring the British and Irish Isles
34
15
Explorer
Azores to Sevilla: Island Wonders and Fabled Shores
36
10
Explorer
Spain and Portugal: Legacy of the Moors
38
11
Explorer
3
Exploring the Low Countries: Holland and Belgium
63
9
Explorer
29
Land of the Polar Bears
40
11
Explorer
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard
42
17
Explorer
Exploring Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic
44
13
Explorer
Greenland, Baffin Island, and the Ellesmere Islands
45
23
Explorer
46
14
Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands
48
24
Explorer/
Orion
Explorer/
Orion
South Georgia & the Falklands
49
19
Explorer
Svalbard, Iceland, and Greenland's East Coast
62
17
Explorer
26
2,9,16,
23,30
28
7
6
27
polar
1,8,15
19
27
7
6, 7, 16,
17, 26, 27 5, 6, 16
25
14, 15
17
6
22
asia
Wild Encounters from Borneo to Bali
50
13
Orion
Vietnam and Cambodia: Along the Mekong River
52
20
Jahan
Bali to Palau: Exotic Indonesia
54
16
Orion
Tahiti to Easter Island: Tales of the Pacific
56
19
Orion
Treasures of the Indian Ocean: Zanzibar and the Seychelles
58
15
Orion
8
Indian Ocean Odyssey: Seychelles, Maldives, and Sri Lanka
58
21
Orion
18
Wildlife & Cultures of South Africa, Mozambique, & Madagascar
58
23
Orion
Wild Islands of Sri Lanka, Borneo, and the Andaman Sea
58
22
Orion
Palau to Solomon Islands: Along the Pacific Equator
59
19
Orion
Solomon Islands to Fiji: Hidden South Pacific
59
13
Orion
14
Fiji to the Cook Islands: Polynesian Discovery
59
13
Orion
24
Cook Islands to Tahiti: Pristine Reefs of the South Pacific
59
13
Orion
60
14
Orion
Australia's Wild Northwest with the Spice Islands
61
18
Orion
23
3, 25
2
28
7
3
5, 13, 27
17
Indian Ocean and Oceania
13
20
4
29
3
AUSTRALIA
15, 25
5, 15, 25
4
14
2
1
RESPONSIBILITY
National Geographic Society will provide educational enrichment for
National Geographic Expeditions as outlined in its catalog and on its
website (www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com) as a sponsoring
organization and has licensed qualified professional tour operators to
organize and administer National Geographic Expeditions. The designated tour operator, in turn, acts only as an agent for any transportation
carrier, hotel, ground operator, or other suppliers of services connected
with specific National Geographic Expeditions (“other providers”), and
the other providers are solely responsible and liable for providing their
respective services. The passenger tickets in use by the carriers shall
constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the passenger; the
carriers are not responsible for any act, omission, or event during the
time participants are not aboard their conveyances.
National Geographic Society its employees, subsidiaries, affiliates,
officers, directors, successors, representatives, assigns (collectively
“National Geographic”) and its designated tour operator shall not be
held liable for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death
of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any
other provider, including but not limited to any defect in any aircraft,
watercraft, or vehicle operated or provided by such other provider; and
(B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any
manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands,
orders, or interpositions of any government or any subdivision or agent
thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war, rebellion, terrorism,
insurrection, sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s)
beyond their control. The participant waives any claim against National
Geographic and/or its designated tour operator for any such loss,
damage, injury, or death.
By registering for a National Geographic Expedition, the participant
certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other
condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or
other participants. National Geographic and its designated tour operator
reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or
remove any participant on a National Geographic Expedition. National
Geographic and the tour operator reserve the right, without penalty, to
make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their judgment,
conditions warrant or if they deem it necessary for the comfort,
convenience, or safety of participants.
Neither National Geographic, nor its designated tour operator, shall be
liable for any air carrier's cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of
Our Loyalty Program
Once you’ve traveled on three
National Geographic Expeditions,
you’ll qualify for enrollment
in our Lifelong Explorer loyalty
program. Lifelong Explorers are
entitled to discounts on any
National Geographic Expedition
as well as a host of other
benefits.
To learn about the Lifelong Explorer program, visit
nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/lifelongexplorer.
a nonrefundable ticket to or from the participant's National Geographic
Expedition departure city. Baggage and personal effects are at all times
the sole responsibility of the participant.
Terms and Conditions
Basis of Rates: All prices are based on two persons sharing a room
or cabin. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars. The rates are
based on tariffs, currency values, airfares and third-party charges as of
catalog publication date and are subject to change due to unforeseen
circumstances. While National Geographic will do everything possible to
maintain the listed prices, if it is necessary to levy a surcharge, National
Geographic reserves the right to do so, and notification will be given at
the time of final invoicing.
Eligibility: Participation in a National Geographic Expedition is a benefit
of membership in the National Geographic Society. Membership dues
for 2014 are $39. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or
guardian for the entire journey.
Included in Expedition Cost: Accommodations and meals as indicated in
the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner); educational materials;
pre-departure information; entrance fees, excursions, and sightseeing
noted as included in the itinerary; all gratuities except those for train
or ship's crew, unless otherwise noted on the itinerary page; ground
transportation during the expedition; transfers to and from group flights
where applicable; services of National Geographic experts and/or local
guides, lecturers, expedition leaders, and any other staff; and taxes,
port charges, baggage handling, and service charges. Please note: the
“B, L, D” notations apply to the period during the expedition only and do
not include any meals on flights to/from the expedition. Internal airfare is
included on some international expeditions as indicated in the itinerary.
Not Included: Air transportation and related fees (except as indicated
in the itinerary); activities noted as optional in the itinerary; gratuities
for train or ship’s crew, unless otherwise noted on the itinerary page;
passport, visa, and permit expenses; medical expenses and immunizations; baggage/accident/cancellation insurance; personal expenses, such
as laundry, telephone calls, and alcoholic beverages; and any other items
not specifically noted as included.
Single/Shared Accommodations: A limited number of single rooms/
cabins are available at an extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis.
We will assist persons requesting a roommate. Participants will be
notified if a suitable roommate is not available, in which case the single
rate will be charged.
Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds: To reserve space on a National
Geographic Expedition, a $500 per-person deposit is required for
expeditions that are nine days or less, and a $750 per-person deposit
is required for expeditions that are ten days or more except if noted
on the itinerary page. Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior
to departure. Payments must be made by credit card. A participant’s
reservation may be canceled if full payment has not been received by 90
days prior to departure. For reservations made within 90 days of the departure date, full payment is required when the reservation is accepted.
All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become
effective as of the date of the postmark. If a participant cancels 120 days
or more prior to departure, a refund less an administrative fee of 50% of
the deposit will be made. Per-person charges for cancellations that occur
less than 120 days prior to departure (“Cancellation Penalty Period”) are
as follows: 91-119 days prior to departure: 100% of the deposit amount;
45-90 days prior to departure: 50% of the expedition cost; 44 or fewer
days prior to departure: 100% of the expedition cost. This policy also
applies to pre- and post-expedition extensions. Any revisions made
within the Cancellation Penalty Period, such as a change in departure
date or choice of expedition, are subject to this cancellation policy. Any
airline tickets issued are subject to the carrier’s refund policy. Arriving late
or leaving an expedition in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not
result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions
of an expedition. National Geographic reserves the right to cancel any
expedition because of inadequate enrollment that makes the expedition
economically infeasible to operate or because of good-faith concerns
with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the participants. If an
expedition is canceled prior to departure, the tour operator will provide
participants with a full refund of monies paid to the tour operator; except
in the event that the cancellation is due to a significant event that makes
it infeasible to operate the expedition as planned, in which case the tour
operator will provide participants with a refund and/or credit toward a
future National Geographic Expedition equivalent to monies paid to the
tour operator. If National Geographic cancels the expedition in progress,
participants will receive a prorated refund based on the number of
days not completed on the expedition. Except as outlined above when
National Geographic cancels and expedition, National Geographic and its
designated tour operator has no responsibility for any expenses, including any non-refundable expenses, incurred by participants in preparing
for a cancelled expedition or for any additional arrangements should
participants embark prior to the scheduled group departure date.
Trip-cancellation insurance is available at an additional cost and is
strongly recommended. For more information about and to enroll in
an option available through Travel Insurance Services, visit the “Travel
Insurance” section of our website at www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com.
Itinerary Changes: The itineraries and staff presented in the catalog
or on the website are subject to modification and change by National
Geographic or its designated tour operator. Every reasonable effort will
be made to operate programs as planned, but alterations may still occur
after final itineraries are sent.
Documentation: Participants are responsible for obtaining any documents required for their participation in the expedition such as a valid
passport, all visas, vaccination certificates, and any other documents.
Failure to obtain documents does not negate the terms and conditions,
and any extra costs incurred for rerouting due to travel without the
necessary documents will be the participant’s responsibility.
Health Requirements: Participants must be in good physical and
mental health. Any physical condition, diet, or treatment requiring
special attention must be reported in writing when the reservation is
made. National Geographic encourages participants to consult a doctor
for specific medical advice about any activities or destinations. Certain
expeditions may require that the participant obtain medical consent prior
to departure as a condition of participation.
Medical Authorization and Coverage: In the event participant becomes
sufficiently incapacitated as to be unable to direct his or her own care,
there is no one on the expedition who can direct participant’s care,
and National Geographic is unable or does not have time to contact
participant’s emergency contact, the participant, by registering and
paying a deposit for a National Geographic Expedition, authorizes any
medical treatment deemed necessary in the event of any injury or illness
while participating in the activity including, but not limited to, X-ray,
examination, anesthetic, medical or surgical diagnosis, or treatment and
hospital care which is deemed advisable by, and is to be rendered under
the general or specific supervision of, any physician and/or surgeon
licensed in the United States, or, if in a foreign country and no physician
licensed to practice in the United States is reasonably available, by a duly
licensed physician deemed competent to render the necessary care. In
addition, the participant certifies that they have medical insurance which
will cover personal accidents, medical expenses, medical evacuation,
air ambulance, loss of effects, repatriation costs and all other expenses
which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the participant, or that in the absence of this medical
insurance coverage, the participant agrees to pay all costs of rescue and/
or medical services as may be incurred on the participant’s behalf.
Photography: National Geographic and its designated tour operator and
expedition leader reserve the right to take photographs or videos during
the operation of any expedition or part thereof and to use the resulting
photography, videos, or recordings for promotional or commercial
use. By making a reservation on a National Geographic Expedition,
the participant agrees to allow his/her likeness to be used by National
Geographic, National Geographic-authorized third parties, and the tour
operator without compensation to the participant. If the participant
prefers that his/her likeness not be used, he/she must notify us in writing
prior to departure of the expedition.
Copyright in all photographs, video, and related materials created by the
participant (“Expedition Materials”) shall belong to the participant upon
creation. The participant grants to National Geographic a non-exclusive,
worldwide, irrevocable license to use any Expedition Materials provided
to National Geographic and/or the tour operator in any media for the
following limited purposes: editorial use, promotion of this editorial use,
promotion of National Geographic’s travel programs, or promotion of the
mission of National Geographic.
Dispute Resolution: Dispute Resolution policy and process is available at
www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/information/terms
Other: Additional Terms and Conditions may apply to some expeditions
and will be provided with pre-expedition mailings.
Mailing List: If you are receiving duplicate catalogs, have address
updates, or would like to be removed from future National Geographic
Expeditions mailings, please call toll-free 1-888-966-8687.
See more at: http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/
information/terms
By registering for a National Geographic Expedition, the participant
agrees to the Responsibility statement and the Terms and Conditions
published in the catalog and on the website.
Key: t=top, c=center, b=bottom, l=left, r=right:
Photo Credits: Alamy (32, 38, 55, 61), Sisse Brimberg & Cotton
Coulson (6, 42, 46), Michael Brooke/Alamy (57bl), Jan Butchofsky/
Alamy (59tc), David Cothran (5tc, 64), Mark Conlin/Alamy (58bl), Derek
Croucher (34), Alexandra C. Daley-Clark (67tl), Jay Dickman (13br),
Holger Ehlers/Alamy (14), Tony Eveling (31c), Michele Falzone/Alamy
(58tr), David W. Haynes (25br), Justin Hofman (5tl), Ralph Lee Hopkins
(front cover, 2t, 11br, 13tl, 21t, 21br, 26, 27br, 40, 41c, 43c, 45cl, 60, 61,
62br, 63b, 65), Edis Jurcys (22), Frans Lanting (50), Sven-Olof Lindblad
(3, 4tr, 44, 47bl), Stefan Lundgren (62bl), Richard Maack (69tr), Paul
Nicklen (41bl, 45br), Flip Nicklin (48), Michael S. Nolan (4tl, 4-5, 18,
27b, 47br, 49br, back cover), Nick Rains (59tl), Kevin Schafer (16), Stacy
Sindlinger (19br), Susan Seubert (12), Hugh Sitton (52), Rick Smith (10),
Keren Su/China Span/Alamy (20), Rikki Swenson (66), David Vargas
(15bl, 29t, 53tl, 63tc, 68tr), Sawan Waidyanatha/Alamy (58br), Jan
Wlodarczyk/Alamy (36, 37bl)
Back cover: Guests from the National Geographic Explorer explore the coast of South Georgia.
*Departure dates beyond March 2016 are listed on our website for these trips.
**Departure dates before February 2015 are listed on our website for these trips.
call toll-free 1-888-966-868771
1145 17th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036
4948-14
Embark on a small ship expedition to one of these spectacular destinations with National Geographic:
Alaska
British and Irish Isles
Easter Island
Maldives
Spain
Amazon
Canadian Maritimes
Fiji
Patagonia
Sri Lanka
Antarctica
Caribbean
Galápagos
Peru
Vietnam
Australia
Chile
Greenland
Portugal
Tahiti
Azores
Costa Rica
Iceland
Scotland
and more!
Baja California
Greece
Madagascar
Seychelles
Borneo to Bali
Dalmatian Coast
South Georgia
To reserve your space today, call toll-free 1-888-966-8687. Or reserve online at nationalgeographicexpeditions.com

ɋExplore - National Geographic Expeditions

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