Atlantic Isles, New and Noteworthy

37° 6′ S 12° 16′ W

Table Mountain, Lions head & Twelve Apostles are popular hiking destinations for both locals and tourists all year round, Cape Town, South Africa, Africa
ExpeditionsUi Arrow rightCape to Cape: A Voyage from Cape Horn to Cape Town

Cape to Cape: A Voyage from Cape Horn to Cape Town

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Highlights

Two adult King penguins stand amoung Oakum boys in St. Andrews Bay, South Georgia
  • Visit the vast king penguin colonies on South Georgia—hundreds of thousands on a single beach

  • See rockhopper penguins and albatrosses on remote Tristan da Cunha Island, and meet some of its 260 human residents

  • Spend a day in one of the world’s most beautifully situated cities, Cape Town, traveling to the top of Table Mountain for sweeping views and admiring the unusual flora at the renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

  • Spot rare birds and other wildlife on the uninhabited and seldom-visited Nightingale and Inaccessible islands

  • Enjoy a rich program of lectures by an expert team of Naturalists, Historians, and Certified Photography Instructors; and take advantage of the ship’s many amenities, from wellness programs and spa treatments to gourmet dining and wine tastings

Day by Day

Starts at

Ushuaia, Argentina

Ends at

Cape Town, South Africa

Download Itinerary

Day 1

Buenos Aires, Argentina / Overnight Hotel

Arrive today in Buenos Aires and check in to the excellent Alvear Art Hotel. Set out on a guided tour of this seductive city on the Rio de la Plata, seeing its Beaux Arts palaces and parks. Visit Recoleta—the final resting place of Argentina's iconic first lady, Eva Perón—and enjoy a private visit to El Zanjon de Granados, one of the city’s premier museums. This evening, gather for a welcome reception at our hotel.

Meals Included: Lunch

Day 1

Buenos Aires, Argentina / Overnight Hotel

Arrive today in Buenos Aires and check in to the excellent Alvear Art Hotel. Set out on a guided tour of this seductive city on the Rio de la Plata, seeing its Beaux Arts palaces and parks. Visit Recoleta—the final resting place of Argentina's iconic first lady, Eva Perón—and enjoy a private visit to El Zanjon de Granados, one of the city’s premier museums. This evening, gather for a welcome reception at our hotel.

Meals Included: Lunch

Day 2

Buenos Aires / Ushuaia / Embark Ship

Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Lunch today will be memorable on a catamaran cruise of the Beagle Channel where we might see sea lions, penguins, whales, and albatrosses against the backdrop of snowcapped mountains and glaciers. Later today, embark National Geographic Explorer.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2

Buenos Aires / Ushuaia / Embark Ship

Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Lunch today will be memorable on a catamaran cruise of the Beagle Channel where we might see sea lions, penguins, whales, and albatrosses against the backdrop of snowcapped mountains and glaciers. Later today, embark National Geographic Explorer.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

At Sea

Awaken well into the journey to the Falklands, with time to settle into shipboard life. Discover the many amenities of our beautiful ship and hear talks from our staff that will prepare us for the exciting days ahead.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

At Sea

Awaken well into the journey to the Falklands, with time to settle into shipboard life. Discover the many amenities of our beautiful ship and hear talks from our staff that will prepare us for the exciting days ahead.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Falkland Islands

The Falklands are reminiscent of Great Britain — grazing sheep, tea and crumpets — because they remain resolutely British. Get an insider’s view of this isolated outpost of the United Kingdom and meet the rugged, friendly islanders who call it home. Visit the picturesque Victorian town of Port Stanley, hoist a couple at the local pub, and see the Anglican Cathedral with its unusual Gothic archway of whalebones. Time permitting, we’ll head out of town to Gypsy Cove to see a small colony of Magellanic penguins.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Falkland Islands

The Falklands are reminiscent of Great Britain — grazing sheep, tea and crumpets — because they remain resolutely British. Get an insider’s view of this isolated outpost of the United Kingdom and meet the rugged, friendly islanders who call it home. Visit the picturesque Victorian town of Port Stanley, hoist a couple at the local pub, and see the Anglican Cathedral with its unusual Gothic archway of whalebones. Time permitting, we’ll head out of town to Gypsy Cove to see a small colony of Magellanic penguins.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 5-6

At Sea

During our days at sea, we will learn about the fascinating history of Antarctic exploration as well as the flora, fauna, and geology of South Georgia. Our naturalists will help identify the seabirds that follow us: wandering albatross, prions, and blackbrowed albatross.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 5-6

At Sea

During our days at sea, we will learn about the fascinating history of Antarctic exploration as well as the flora, fauna, and geology of South Georgia. Our naturalists will help identify the seabirds that follow us: wandering albatross, prions, and blackbrowed albatross.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 7-9

South Georgia Island

Renowned for its beauty and vast colonies of king penguins, this is also the final resting place for the legendary polar explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. We make the most of our three days, keeping a flexible schedule to take advantage of the unexpected. Walk the beach, mere yards from a huge elephant seal. Paddle a kayak as curious fur seals play alongside. Hike mountain passes along Shackleton’s epic route and stand amid a sea of 300,000 king penguins!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 7-9

South Georgia Island

Renowned for its beauty and vast colonies of king penguins, this is also the final resting place for the legendary polar explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. We make the most of our three days, keeping a flexible schedule to take advantage of the unexpected. Walk the beach, mere yards from a huge elephant seal. Paddle a kayak as curious fur seals play alongside. Hike mountain passes along Shackleton’s epic route and stand amid a sea of 300,000 king penguins!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 10-13

At Sea

Choose from an array of shipboard activities. Attend a photo workshop with our National Geographic Photography Expert, treat yourself to a massage or a wellness class, or visit the Bridge to learn about navigation. As we approach the remote islands of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, spot active volcanic cones from the ship’s deck.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 10-13

At Sea

Choose from an array of shipboard activities. Attend a photo workshop with our National Geographic Photography Expert, treat yourself to a massage or a wellness class, or visit the Bridge to learn about navigation. As we approach the remote islands of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, spot active volcanic cones from the ship’s deck.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14

Tristan da Cunha

Today we step foot on the planet’s more remote inhabited island, Tristan da Cunha, a far-flung outpost of the United Kingdom. The fiercely proud islanders were evacuated to England in 1961 due to a volcanic eruption, and most voted to return to Tristan. Get to know some residents—learn firsthand about their culture and history, and discover what rush hour is like on an island of fewer than 300 hardy souls.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14

Tristan da Cunha

Today we step foot on the planet’s more remote inhabited island, Tristan da Cunha, a far-flung outpost of the United Kingdom. The fiercely proud islanders were evacuated to England in 1961 due to a volcanic eruption, and most voted to return to Tristan. Get to know some residents—learn firsthand about their culture and history, and discover what rush hour is like on an island of fewer than 300 hardy souls.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15

Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands

With no human inhabitants, neighboring Nightingale and Inaccessible islands are pristine wildlife havens where we are likely to encounter Life List bird species such as the rare northern rockhopper penguin and the Tristan albatross. Aptly named “Inaccessible Island,” this outcrop is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The island is edged by sheer cliffs rising from the sea that have allowed its native species to flourish almost untouched by humans. Discover these pristine wildernesses as you explore by Zodiac, kayak, and on foot.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15

Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands

With no human inhabitants, neighboring Nightingale and Inaccessible islands are pristine wildlife havens where we are likely to encounter Life List bird species such as the rare northern rockhopper penguin and the Tristan albatross. Aptly named “Inaccessible Island,” this outcrop is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The island is edged by sheer cliffs rising from the sea that have allowed its native species to flourish almost untouched by humans. Discover these pristine wildernesses as you explore by Zodiac, kayak, and on foot.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 16-19

At Sea

Spend these last few days relaxing at sea. Presentations on a wide array of topics are punctuated with deck time to enjoy the warmer, sunnier days of the subtropics. Look for marine life, read in the Library, work out in the Fitness Center, or relax with a massage in the Wellness Center. The unhurried pace of life at sea is a tonic for the soul, a time to live in the moment and bask in the change from normal daily life at home. Tonight, we celebrate our epic adventure at a festive farewell dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 16-19

At Sea

Spend these last few days relaxing at sea. Presentations on a wide array of topics are punctuated with deck time to enjoy the warmer, sunnier days of the subtropics. Look for marine life, read in the Library, work out in the Fitness Center, or relax with a massage in the Wellness Center. The unhurried pace of life at sea is a tonic for the soul, a time to live in the moment and bask in the change from normal daily life at home. Tonight, we celebrate our epic adventure at a festive farewell dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20

Cape Town, South Africa / Disembark Ship

An ocean away from our starting point, we arrive in beautiful Cape Town, cradled picturesquely in a natural amphitheater at the edge of the Atlantic. Ride a cable car to the top of the city’s landmark, flat-topped Table Mountain (weather permitting), and take in extraordinary panoramic views of the city, the coast and the ridge of mountains that lead to the Cape Peninsula and the Cape of Good Hope. Pay a visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and stroll among the unusual fynbos and the huge showy blossoms of protea, the national flower of South Africa. Depart on overnight flights home.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 20

Cape Town, South Africa / Disembark Ship

An ocean away from our starting point, we arrive in beautiful Cape Town, cradled picturesquely in a natural amphitheater at the edge of the Atlantic. Ride a cable car to the top of the city’s landmark, flat-topped Table Mountain (weather permitting), and take in extraordinary panoramic views of the city, the coast and the ridge of mountains that lead to the Cape Peninsula and the Cape of Good Hope. Pay a visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and stroll among the unusual fynbos and the huge showy blossoms of protea, the national flower of South Africa. Depart on overnight flights home.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Download Itinerary

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Extraordinary and unusual, an expedition from Cape to Cape has been the challenge and dream of many explorers and sailors. Colorful milestones line our route from Cape Horn at the tip of South America to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Bookended by the beautiful cities of Buenos Aires and Cape Town, we will cross oceans and discover remote and rarely visited islands. See colossal colonies of king penguins on South Georgia and rare northern rockhopper penguins on Inaccessible Island. Learning about life on spectacular Tristan da Cunha will be one of many special experiences reserved for the adventurous few who voyage to the intriguing islands in the vast blue of the world’s oceans.

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dates
Mar
duration
20 Days
starts at
Ushuaia, Argentina
ends at
Cape Town, South Africa
Book before Jun 30

DISCOVERY PACKAGE INCLUDING $2,000 AIR CREDIT

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From

$22,850

/ per person

Book Now
dates
Mar
duration
20 Days
starts at
Ushuaia, Argentina
ends at
Cape Town, South Africa

View our brochure for more details

Explorations 2023-25

From

$22,850

/ per person

Book Now
dates
Mar
duration
20 Days
starts at
Ushuaia, Argentina
ends at
Cape Town, South Africa
Book before Jun 30

DISCOVERY PACKAGE INCLUDING $2,000 AIR CREDIT

See all offers

View our brochure for more details

Explorations 2023-25