Extraordinary diversity and a dazzling array of points of interest await on this exploration through five countries, two legendary rivers, and a host of places few people ever see. Experience fascinating ecosystems from riverine to jungle to urban, within dramatic natural settings. Spot tropical wildlife from spinner dolphins to the spectacle of hundreds of scarlet ibis coming home to roost. Have the rare opportunity to explore pristine Fernando de Noronha, a UNESCO Site; grand Kaieteur Falls, twice the height of Victoria Falls; and well-preserved colonial towns with a dramatic history.
Highlights
Spot wildlife on two legendary jungle rivers: the Amazon and the Essequibo
Explore picturesque colonial cities like Paramaribo, Suriname, and Belém
Discover the rhythms of South America with live musical performances
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
The sound of the steel pan and calypso tell us we’re in Trinidad & Tobago. Arrive and join us for a welcome reception before an overnight at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad Hotel.
Drive through the lush Arima Valley to the Asa Wright Nature Center, a mecca for nature lovers. We’ll have a choice of trails to walk as we look for toucans, hummingbirds, tanagers, motmots, and butterflies. Or, stay on the “birding veranda” and let the avifauna come to you. Then drive to the Caroni Swamp, where scarlet ibis return by the hundreds at dusk to roost— one of the world’s great wildlife spectacles.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and perhaps a dip in the pool, with sweeping views of the Gulf of Paria, before embarking our ship in Port of Spain and settling in as we set sail southward.
This is a day to explore the amenities of our ship and prepare for the adventures ahead. Visit the Bridge (a great place to spot marine life), have a relaxing massage, attend a talk about the history of this storied coast, or settle into a comfy chair in the observation lounge to read or look out over the waves and reflect on what you've seen and what is to come.
Little-visited Guyana has some of the planet’s most pristine rainforest. On the Essequibo, spot colorful macaws, cotingas, and jacamars—a few of the more than 600 bird species for the area. Fly over Guyana’s crown jewel: powerful 822-foot Kaieteur Falls. Once on the ground we explore the rainforest and look for rare parrots and toucans.
Enjoy the pleasures of being aboard National Geographic Explorer with an expert staff. Attend a photo presentation given by the National Geographic photographer and get your photography questions answered. Head up to the Bridge, where the officers will reveal the secrets of navigation. Hear talks from our naturalist team preparing us for the exciting days to come. Unwind, have a massage in the wellness center, read in the excellent library, or listen to music curated by our onboard musicologist.
Paramaribo’s well-preserved Dutch colonial architecture has earned it a UNESCO designation. Explore the waterfront with its wooden colonial buildings, and Fort Zeelandia, home to the fine Suriname Museum.
Devil’s Island became notorious as a penal colony whose inmates included Alfred Dreyfus and Henri Charrière—who chronicled his escape in the book Papillon. Explore the remains of the prison and spot birds and monkeys in the surrounding jungle. Then relax on a day at sea.
Enjoy the pleasures of being aboard National Geographic Explorer with an expert staff. Attend a photo presentation given by the National Geographic photographer and get your photography questions answered. Head up to the Bridge, where the officers will reveal the secrets of navigation. Hear talks from our naturalist team preparing us for the exciting days to come on the Amazon River Delta. Unwind, have a massage in the wellness center, read in the excellent library, or listen to music curated by our onboard musicologist.
Enter the great delta region of the Amazon, and have three days exploring the river and its tributaries by ship and by Zodiac. Spot macaws, toucans, and kingfishers, along with monkeys, and the two elusive species of river dolphin found here—the gray tucuxi and the pink boto. See some of the communities of local residents, called caboclos, who make their living in this rich but difficult environment.
The gateway to the Amazon, Belém has a rich colonial history evident on our walk in the Cidade Velha (Old City). Visit the Ver-O-Peso market, with an amazing variety of rainforest medicinal remedies, or the town of Icoaraci, known for its ceramics.
Enjoy the pleasures of being aboard National Geographic Explorer with an expert staff. Attend a photo presentation given by the National Geographic photographer and get your photography questions answered. Head up to the Bridge, where the officers will reveal the secrets of navigation. Hear talks from our naturalist team preparing us for the exciting days to come on Fernando de Noronha. Unwind, have a massage in the wellness center, read in the excellent library, or listen to music curated by our onboard musicologist.
The Fernando de Noronha archipelago is a UNESCO Site recognized for its marine life and breeding tropical seabirds. Enjoy three days exploring its beaches, birdlife, and rich marine life. Hike, swim, and snorkel. Or, go on a boat excursion to watch spinner dolphins, renowned for their acrobatics.
Enjoy the pleasures of being aboard National Geographic Explorer with an expert staff. Attend a photo presentation given by the National Geographic photographer and get your photography questions answered. Head up to the Bridge, where the officers will reveal the secrets of navigation. Hear talks from our naturalist team preparing us for the exciting days to come. Unwind, have a massage in the wellness center, read in the excellent library, or listen to music curated by our onboard musicologist.
Arrive at colorful Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia and cultural center of Brazil. Salvador’s music is legendary—the region is the birthplace of the samba.
After breakfast, we disembark and have a walking tour of Salvador through the historic Pelourinho, a network of sweeping avenues lined with towering pink, yellow, and purple buildings finished with elegant white trims. Later, we transfer to the airport for flights home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Cat 1
Main Deck with one or two portholes. #301-308
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Cat 2
Main Deck with window. #317-320, 335-336.
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Cat 3
Main Deck with Window #313-316, 321-328, 337-340,342, 344, 346, 348, 350.
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Cat 4
Upper and Veranda Decks with Window. # 103-104, 107-108, 201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228.
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
22 Breakfasts, 22 Lunches, 22 Dinners
21 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Assistance by the onboard National Geographic Photography Expert
Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits aboard the ship. We are also pleased to offer a selection of super premium wines and liquors that are available for purchase.
Crew gratuities
Complimentary Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests aboard Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet, enabling email, messaging, and social media.
Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in the itinerary
Selection of exploration tools curated to your destination, such as Zodiacs and glass-bottom boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment (including wetsuits, masks, and fins), and other state-of-the-art gear
Guidance and company of leading expedition staff
All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore. Meals are inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
Hors d’oeuvres inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
Presentations on your destination by expedition staff and expert guest speakers
Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations
The services of a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or paramedic where available
Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment where available
24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library stocked with regionally relevant literature, and other shared spaces
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving, Wi-Fi and phone services (except when indicated as included)
We strongly recommend our guests to take Travel Protection Plan. A Plan with comprehensive coverage to protect you from cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruption, damaged or lost baggage, medical assistance, and evacuation during your travels
Airfare (except flights when indicated as included), pre- and post-expedition extensions, additional hotel nights, and private transfers (except when indicated as included)
Travel protection plans and passport, visa, and immigration fees
Enhanced and premium Wi-Fi plans, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting)
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
