9 nights · Chile · Departs Puerto Natales (Chile) · Visiting King George Island Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage, Ushuaia · Aboard Lindblad Expeditions on the National Geographic Explorer
Image courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions ©
| Cruise line | Lindblad Expeditions |
|---|---|
| Ship | National Geographic Explorer |
| Duration | 9 nights |
| Port calls | 5 |
| Departures | 10 sailings |
| From fare | $12,912 per person |
| Year built | 1982 |
| Guests | 162 |
| Cabins | 81 |
| Crew | 70 |
| Length | 112 m |
| Beam | 17 m |
| Cruising speed | 18.0 kn |
Puerto Natales sits on the shore of Última Esperanza Sound, where Patagonia’s scale comes into sharp focus. Its waterfront looks across cold, open water to the snow-lined peaks beyond. The town is the principal gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, about 110 kilometres north. It also provides a base for exploring fjords, glaciers and steppe. Come for the scenery; stay long enough to discover a working Patagonian town shaped by wind, wool and the sea.
King George Island, in the South Shetlands, is one of Antarctica’s most accessible gateways. At Fildes Bay, expedition ships can bring you ashore among research stations, stark headlands and wind-shaped beaches. Look for gentoo and chinstrap penguins, along with seals resting near the waterline. Here, the scale of the continent becomes tangible: ice, ocean and weather set the terms of every visit. This is no town to browse; it is a rare landing on a working scientific frontier.
The Antarctic Peninsula brings you within reach of Antarctica’s most dramatic scenery: mountain-backed glaciers, blue icebergs and sheltered bays. Most voyages cross the Drake Passage from Ushuaia, then explore by expedition ship and Zodiac, weather permitting. Watch for gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, seals and whales. Shore visits follow strict environmental rules, and plans can change with conditions. Expect few comforts ashore; the reward is a rare encounter with a continent still governed by ice and weather.
Few sea crossings carry the weight of the Drake Passage. Here, the Atlantic and Pacific meet between Cape Horn and Antarctica, and conditions can change quickly. Some voyages pass in calm water; others encounter the swells that made this route legendary. Watch from deck for albatrosses and petrels, then settle into the ship’s routines. The passage is no mere transfer: it is the first clear measure of Antarctica’s scale and remoteness.
Ushuaia sits between the Beagle Channel and the snow-streaked Martial Mountains, at Argentina’s far southern edge. Its harbor has long served as a gateway to Antarctica, while the town itself rewards a slower look. Ride the End of the World Train into Tierra del Fuego National Park, or tour the former prison museum. Here, wild landscapes begin just beyond the last streets.
Published September 21, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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