Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent

In association with Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic, Collette proudly offers an active, immersive adventure exploring Antarctica in an authentic expedition style. Encounter iconic penguins, leopard seals, and marine mammals; kayak among icebergs and Zodiac cruise past resting leopard seals; and hike on the continent with the best ice team on Earth. Through the efforts of an undersea specialist, you will also experience the seldom-seen Antarctic undersea. After an overnight flight, your adventure begins in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Day two enjoy a panoramic city tour highlighting palaces, grand boulevards, and the famous balcony forever associated with Eva Peron. Later, gather for an informal reception at the hotel. Day three fly over Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. Enjoy lunch while cruising the Beagle Channel. Later, board the National Geographic Explorer, an authentic expedition ship equipped with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment for polar expeditions. Day four cruise through the fabled Drake Passage. Set between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula, a crossing of the legendary Drake Passage is unforgettable. Days five through ten are filled with discovering Antarctica, the last great wilderness stretching across ice-covered desert and mountains for over five million square miles. The voyage keeps a flexible schedule (daily activities are contingent on weather conditions) to take advantage of the unexpected. With nearly 24 hours of daylight, make the most of your days with daily explorations. You may walk along the shoreline amid a huge penguin colony, hike to a summit for a breathtaking view, or kayak along a cliff-side rookery in search of blue-eyed shags. Learn from the experts how to identify different penguin species and get photo tips from a National Geographic photographer. Onboard, the undersea specialist may present video from that day’s dive with rare images taken up to 1,000 feet below the surface. Day eleven leave Antarctica and sail back to Ushuaia, crossing the southern waters of the Drake Passage. The ship’s spotters will keep an eye out for marine life, albatross and seabirds that cross the ship’s bow. Day twelve is at sea. You may want to enjoy a wellness treatment, spend time in the gym, or participate in discussions reflecting all you have seen and learned. Day thirteen after breakfast disembark the ship in Ushuaia with time for independent exploration before proceeding to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires for an overnight stay. Day fourteen your once-in-a lifetime tour ends and you head home with the most incredible memories of your time in Antarctica.