Itinerary

Sunday, November 15: The first day of the trip is a long one, with a flight to Chicago, connecting with one for Miami, then several hours of wait time there, and going through customs to board a flight to Santiago, Chile. That is an 8 hour flight covering a distance of over 4000 miles, and arriving early Monday morning, November 16. Fortunately when we get there we will have hotel rooms waiting so those of us who have not slept on the plane can do so, or at least have a shower and relax more comfortably. During the day we will have a tour of a Pre-Columbian Museum and enjoy a panoramic overview of the city, followed by a relaxing welcome dinner. We spend the night there at the Santiago Grand Hyatt Hotel, which you can see here.

Tuesday, November 17: We board a chartered flight from Santiago to Ushuaia, Argentina where we will meet our expedition ship, the National Geographic Explorer. Before we board the ship will be treated to a lunch aboard a catamaran cruise of the Beagle Channel. Then we board our ship, find our cabins, and get our warm blue parkas we will need later.

Wednesday, November 18: We are at sea today crossing the infamous Drake Passage between the tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula. This stretch of 500 miles has a reputation for being the roughest sea in the world due to the convergence of strong ocean currents. It is on this portion of the trip that my ani-sea sick patch behind my ear may be put to good use!!

Thursday, November 19: We will have our first landfall today at one of the many islands of the Antarctic Peninsula region, taking hikes and Zodiac forays with our Naturalists.

Friday-Tuesday, November 20-24: We will have five days just off the Antarctic Peninsula to explore small islands there and the Peninsula itself. There will be nearly 24 hours of daylight at that point with plenty of time to explore and to take advantage of the unexpected. We will be on foot, cruising in zodiacs, or paddling in sea kayaks as we hear the cries of penguins in the pristine silence of Antarctica. If possible we will sail through the Lemaire Channel where we will be amazed by the size and beauty of this natural wonder.

Wednesday, November 25: At sea today as we pass by Elephant Island. This small speck of land is a legendary and unforgettable part of the Shackleton story, where the crew of the "Endurance" finally landed on April 24, 1916. From here Shackleton and five men set sail for one of the most incredible stories of survival at sea, covering 700 miles across the Southern Ocean in a 22 foot long wooden sailboat.

Thursday, November 26: At sea today...rest, laundry, and process photos!

Friday, November 27: We arrive at the South Orkney Islands, where the mountains are rugged, and the sea is never quite free of pack ice and icebergs. Every rock in sight is teeming with penguins, and leopard seals can be seen sunning themselves on the shore. Innumerable sea birds come here to nest and breed.

Saturday, November 28: At sea for about 500 miles as we head to South Georgia Island. We will see remarkable icebergs in a variety of shapes and colors as an everchanging backdrop for our time at sea. We will hear interesting talks from the staff in preparation for our exciting days ahead in South Georgia.

Sunday, November 29 through Wednesday December 2: These days will be devoted to exploring the spectacular coastine of South Georgia Island. There will be lots of opportunities for walking, hiking, kayaking and Zodiac excursions as we circumnavigate the island. We will make stops every day including the small village of Grytviken, which in addition to being an abandoned whaling station is the final resting place for Earnest Shackleton, the memorable British explorer of the Antarctic. At St. Andrews Bay we may very likely encounter more than 100,000 King Penguins.

Thursday, December 3 and Friday, December 4: At sea on a 950 mile voyage to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. Time to rest up, reflect, organize more photos, and wash out more socks!

Saturday, December 5: In Port Stanley where will view the photogenic tin-roofed Victorian style houses and the Anglican Cathedral with it organic archway of whalebones. We will also visit the Falkland Islands Museum.

Sunday, December 6: We are still exploring the Falkland Islands which is home to a stunning array of wildlife including the largest albatross colony in the world, thousands of irresistible gentoo, rockhoper, and Magellanic penguins, as well as herds of fur and elephant seals.

Monday, December 7: We are at sea today traveling the 484 miles from the Falklands back to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Tuesday, December 8: After breakfast we will disembark and say goodbye to our spectacular expedition ship, The National Geographic Explorer. We will have some time to explore the city of Ushuaia before we board our charter flight back to Santiago, Chile. Once we arrive there we will be transferred back to the Grand Hyatt Hotel where we will have dinner this evening.

Wednesday, December 9: This morning we board our LAN Airlines jet to fly the 2300 mile stretch across the Pacific, westward to Easter Island, Chile. Upon arrival we will enjoy lunch and an introduction to the island with our local hosts, and later check into our hotel, Altipianico, our base for the next three nights.

Thursday, December 10 and Friday, December 11: Today we will visit the Tahai Archaeological Complex and Museum to learn about the pre-history of the island and the Rano Kau ceremonial site magnificiently situated at the very edge of a volcanic crater. We will visit the stone quarries where the large moai statues were carved and visit Ahu Tongariki, the largest ceremonial altar in Polynesia.

Saturday, December 12: Another very long day! We depart Easter Island for the flight to Santiago, arriving there at 8:45 PM their time, then two hours later depart for Miami, arriving there at 5:10 AM on Sunday, December 13, and after a long wait, catch my flight from Miami to Dallas and onto Des Moines, arriving there at 4:25 PM, very tired, and glad to be back home in Iowa!!