This epic National Geographic Explorer journey sets out to cover nearly 8,000 nautical miles and reach three continental areas; it is a voyage rarely undertaken these days. Passing from the tip of Tierra del Fuego, up the coast of South America across to Cape Verde, and ending in the European Union, you will cover a vast area of the globe. Culturally, biologically, and oceanographically, you are in for some major diversity. With all the romance of an ocean crossing and the thrill of discovery—this expedition is one-of-a-kind.
Highlights
Traverse over 100 degrees of latitude
Enjoy carefully curated experiences in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires
Experience a rare visit to the remote Cape Verde Islands
Discover the lush laurel forests of Madeira
Explore remote Atlantic isles with captivating cultures
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital. Settle into the excellent Sofitel Buenos Aires (or similar) before taking a guided overview of the city, seeing its Beaux-Arts palaces, grand boulevards, and the famous balcony forever associated with Eva Perón.
Fly by private charter to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Join a catamaran cruise through the Beagle Channel before embarking National Geographic Explorer.
Day 3-8: At Sea – Along the Coasts of Argentina and Brazil
Make the most of shipboard life during your first days at sea, traversing over 2,000 nautical miles. Meet your expedition staff and fellow travelers; head up to the bridge to meet the Captain and his officers and watch the business of navigation; and enjoy engaging presentations about Brazil as you head along the coast to your first stop: Rio de Janeiro.
Today soak up the spirit of Brazil’s best known city: Rio. Unlike other cities, where there may be some urban parks, Rio’s soaring, forest-clad mountains are within the very heart of the city. Options will be many: explore Floresta da Tijuca (Rio’s hand-planted urban rainforest), or visit the Poco das Antas Biological Reserve, home of the famous golden lion tamarins. Take a walking tour of Rio’s historic downtown, create wonderful photo ops at the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, catch a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain, and of course, take advantage of Rio’s legendary beaches. Rio is justly renowned for its nightlife, and in the evening you can venture to the world-famous Rio Scenarium for samba music and dancing.
Make new friends, acquire new skills, and come home with a fresh outlook on life. Wish you could improve your photography? Join the expert National Geographic photographer and certified photo instructor to get more from your camera. Reinvigorate your body and spirit—join a yoga or Pilates-inspired movement session on deck, or go the extra distance on the fitness equipment. Treat yourself: Enjoy your choice of one of the rejuvenating wellness treatments—simply choose which, and when you’d like to have it during the voyage.
Relish the rare chance to access Brazil’s marine UNESCO site by special permission. Explore the exclusive beaches, where strict visitor limits and a ban on ship traffic have successfully preserved the archipelago’s pristine nature. Recognized for its marine environment, with rich waters that are an important breeding ground for tuna, turtles, sharks and marine mammals—and the largest concentration of tropical seabirds in the western Atlantic. Opt to hike, swim and snorkel in the crystalline waters, or take a boat excursion to Dolphins Bay to marvel at its spinner dolphins—their acrobatics are renowned, and there is no better place to see them than Fernando de Noronha.
Your voyage from sub-Antarctic waters into the tropics and across the equator will provide great wildlife encounters: a huge diversity of seabirds—from albatrosses to tropicbirds, boobies and frigatebirds—and of course, abundant marine life. Cross the equator via kayak or Zodiac—with photos to prove you did it!
Fogo is the youngest and most continually active volcano in the Cape Verde Islands. The last eruptions were in 1995, 1951, and one just last year, producing classically cone-shaped, gentle volcanic slopes. You are sure to be moved by the juxtaposition of these gracious mountains and the jagged lava rocks and lunar-like landscape of the volcanic crater. You’ll meet the beautiful and industrious people of the island, and take advantage of breathtaking photo ops.
Day 19-21: At Sea – Crossing from the Tropics to the Sub-Tropics
At the ideal time of year, you’ll explore the beautiful island of Madeira, often referred to as the “floating garden of the Atlantic” for its exotic flora and glorious terraced gardens. Choose a walk through the Laurisilva Forest or a visit to the Madeira Whale Museum, and sample Madeira’s famed seafood and wines. Perhaps you’ll indulge in a ride down the steep streets of Monte in a traditional wicker-sided toboggan, or hike the windswept headlands at the eastern tip of the island.
Additional lectures and informal talks will be presented by the staff on everything from the Portuguese and Spanish navigators of the 15th-century Age of Discovery to talks from the photography team on how to organize and share your images.
Enter the River Dart bound for Dartmouth, England. This colorful town, perched atop a steep hill above the River Dart, is full of charming narrow lanes bustling with seafarers. At Dartmouth Castle, visit the guardrooms and winding passages; be sure to take your cameras for some interesting shots from the castle’s battlements. This afternoon you’ll have free time to meander Dartmouth’s quaint shops, pubs and picturesque lanes.
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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.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 177 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 177 reviews on
10 hours ago
First class all the way. Enjoyed our Guide, Karla, Driver Mark so much. Personalized tour of Antigua during Easter was like a National Geographic in person. Trip of the Lifetime. Such a spiritual and magical tour. Many Thanks.
Ben Shaver
Ben Shaver, Jr.
2 days ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
4 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
6 days 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
1 week ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.