Lindblad Expeditions will mark the fifth anniversary in 2013 of its National Geographic Explorer with seven new itineraries, including a pair of special expeditions that combine destinations and several special guests to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the National Geographic Society in 2013.
New Itineraries:
· Celebrating 125 Years of National Geographic - Epic South America: A 38-day journey beginning in Trinidad and ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina visiting eight countries. Guests will have the opportunity to explore three rivers—the Orinoco, Amazon and Essequibo visiting colonial towns such as Ilhéus and Parati, cities including Montevideo, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Guests will travel in the company of a roster of experts including Cesar Gaviria, the former president of Colombia, who will discuss the political and economic climate of South America and his efforts to protect the world’s oceans; National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence ethobotanist Wade Davis, and Johan Reinhard, who uncovered Incan human sacrificial sites; National Geographic Fellow Thomas Lovejoy; ethnomusicologist Jacob Edgar, a global explorer who will put together performances by some of the continent’s artists; Priscilla Ann Goslin, New York Times bestselling author; and National Geographic photographers Tyrone Turner, Cotton Coulson, and David Wright. Departs Sept. 18, 2013. Rates begin at $34,730 per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.
· Celebrating 125 Years of National Geographic - The Canadian Maritimes: An eight-day journey through eastern Canada and around the island of Newfoundland. The expedition will retrace the routes of the Vikings and European explorers. Guests will get an up-close view of the region’s maritime history as they sail through The Narrows of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Wildlife seekers can walk the beach or head out on Zodiac and kayak adventures as expedition experts keep an eye out for whales beginning their southerly migration. The expedition will include its own roster of experts, led by National Geographic Chairman Emeritus of the Board Gil Grosvenor (who will host a private lunch on the grounds of his family’s home, which once belonged to great-grandfather Alexander Graham Bell, the second president of the National Geographic Society), National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Wade Davis and Sven Lindblad, founder of Lindblad Expeditions. Departs Sept. 7, 2013. Rates begin at $6,970 per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.
· The Fabled Lands of the North: Greenland, Baffin Island, Newfoundland & Labrador: A 15-day voyage that will navigate from western Greenland’s fjords and the ice floes of Baffin Island to the fishing villages of the Canadian Maritimes. Set for departure on Aug. 24, 2013, the voyage will begin in the High Arctic with icebergs, glaciers and a watch for polar bears, whales and walruses in their natural habitats. The journey will trace the coast of Labrador, where missionaries, fishermen and whalers settled amid the Inuit, and a community of artisans still remains. Guests will explore whaling towns, visit past and present Inuit villages and follow in the footsteps of the Vikings in an ancient Norse settlement. Travel with former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell, Canada’s first and only female Prime Minister, who will introduce guests to her country. Rates begin at $13,470 per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.
· A Circumnavigation of Iceland: Cruise among icebergs in Jokulsarlon and spend a day on the Arctic Circle spotting birdlife. Kayak into fjords and bays, and go hiking on stretches of the coast. Explore Europe’s largest ice cap, and discover the lava-sculpted landscapes of the Westman Islands. Soak in hot springs, and see boiling mud pots and the Godafoss Waterfall. Go whale-watching on the shores of Iceland and its surrounding isles. Cap off the adventure with a soak in Reykjavik’s famous Blue Lagoon. Joining the voyage is Andrew Evans, National Geographic travel writer and author of the Bradt Travel Guide: Iceland. Departs July 10, 2013 for 10 days/eight nights on National Geographic Explorer, rates begin at $7,990 per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.
· Along the Viking Trail – From Iceland to Greenland: Explore Iceland’s western fjords by Zodiac; kayak among the icebergs of East Greenland; and hike amid northern hamlets. Along the way, enjoy Nordic history on visits to Viking sites and settlements with National Geographic experts. Explore Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital city, and discover the western coast of Iceland. Venture to two sites on the Viking Trail, settled by Erik the Red 500 years before Columbus. Joining the voyage is author and adventurer Tim Severin. Departs July 18, 2013 for 12 days/10 nights. Rates begin at $9,620 per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.
· Arctic Quest: Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic: Voyage between icebergs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord, spot polar bears on the pack ice, and watch for a variety of whales—from minke and killer whales to the narwhal. Explore Uummannaq, site of Greenland’s mummy find, and visit the Inuit village of Sermermiut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get up close to glaciers, and hike the islands that dot Canada’s northern shores. Joining the voyage is Henning Thing, Ph.D. in arctic wildlife ecology. The 17-day expedition departs July 27 and Aug. 10, 2013. Rates begin at $16,160 per person based on double occupancy.
· A Circumnavigation of the Baltic Sea: Discover the nine countries united by the Baltic Sea. Meet former President Lech Walesa in his hometown of Gdansk, Poland. Visit the medieval old towns of Lübeck, Riga and Tallinn, designated UNESCO World Heritage sites; visit the great maritime capital of Stockholm; and explore the islands along the Finnish and Swedish coasts by kayak or on nature walks. View art collections at the Hermitage Museum, explore St. Petersburg’s imperial treasures, including the palace of Catherine the First. Departs on May 10, 2013 for 16 days/14 nights. Rates begin at $13,990 per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.
SeaCloud to Sail the Caribbean
· Journey aboard the 58-guest, four-masted,3 0-sail tall ship, Sea Cloud. The 10-day Caribbean itinerary offers shore visits and island life. Rates begin at $7,990 per person based on double occupancy.
Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic collaborated further to deliver an guest experience across the entire fleet. Starting Jan. 2013, the Lindblad-National Geographic photography initiative will be expanded to insure that every ship (fleet & charter) and every departure will feature a Lindblad-National Geographic Certified Photo Instructor to provide tips for photographers of all levels onboard and on excursions. The unique access to these National Geographic-Certified Photo Instructors as travel companions and photo advisors will help guests with their photography skills.
In addition to the expedition photography initiative, there is also a roster of select Photo Expeditions led by Lindblad–National Geographic Certified Photo Instructors, and in most cases, a top National Geographic photographer. Photo Expeditions offer an immersion into photography including coaching in the field; photo cruises in Zodiacs & walks ashore devoted to photography; presentations on the creative and technical aspects of photography; and slideshows for everyone to enjoy. Photo Expeditions in 2013 include Alaska, Baja, Costa Rica & Panama and Galapagos. For a complete list of photography expeditions, visit here.
Global Perspectives is a program aboard National Geographic Explorer that offers guest speakers with relevant global perspectives that voyage with us to be part of the expedition community, to go exploring along with our staff and guests. Some Global Perspective Guests for 2013 departures:
· Ed Larson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of An Empire of Ice: Scott, Shackleton, and the Heroic Age of Antarctic Science. Antarctica, Feb. 5
· Gregory Anderson, National Geographic Society Fellow, linguist and leading authority on endangered languages. Founder and co-research leader of the Society’s Enduring Voices Project, he works to document, preserve, and revitalize threatened languages. Cape Town to Morocco, March 18
· Lech Walesa, former President of Poland. Baltics, May 10
· Don Walsh, oceanographer, ocean engineer, retired Navy Captain. Holds a record for the deepest manned dive in human history with his co-pilot. Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands, Nov. 7 departure; Antarctica, Nov. 27 departure; Norway's Fjords & Arctic Svalbard, May 24 departure; Arctic Ice Bears, June 7.
· Jared Diamond, Pulitzer prizewinning author & National Geographic Explorer in Residence. Arctic Ice Bears, June 21
· Casey Anderson, bear expert and host of Nat Geo Wild's program, America the Wild. Arctic Ice Bears, June 28
· Andrew Evans, contributing editor at National Geographic Traveler as well as National Geographic's “Digital Nomad.” Circumnavigation of Iceland, July 10
· Tim Severin, explorer, historian, author and filmmaker; has established maritime and exploration historic facts. From Iceland to Greenland, July 18
· Capt. Alfred McLaren, retired Navy submariner, has explored beneath the Arctic ice on numerous expeditions, the last as commander of his own sub. After retiring from the Navy he earned a Ph.D. in polar studies with a focus on the Arctic's role in climate change. President of the American Polar Society & Honorary Director and President Emeritus of the Explorers Club. Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic, July 27
· Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada. Fabled Lands of the North, Aug. 25
· Stuart Pimm Conservation biologist, Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology at Duke University. Patagonia, Oct. 22
· Peter Hillary, son of the first man to summit Mount Everest, he has summited the highest mountain on each of the seven continents, established a new overland route to the South Pole on an 84-day trek, and is the sole survivor of a storm that claimed seven of his K2 climbing team. Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands, Nov. 7 & Antarctica Nov. 27
· John Evans, Member of a 10-member expedition in 1966, sponsored in part by the National Geographic Society, which became the first to summit the highest point in Antarctica. Antarctica, Dec 17 & Dec 27
Other Special Guests
· Taylor Edwards: Conservation biologist and part of the team that conducted the public testing for National Geographic's Genographic Project, his background includes a combination of wildlife ecology and molecular biology. A reptile and amphibian aficionado, he considers the Amazon Basin his biggest inspiration in his efforts to preserve the world’s biodiversity. Upper Amazon, Nov. 9 and 16, 2013
Special Offers for 2013
· Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness: Book by March 31, 2013 and receive complimentary round-trip airfare between Seattle and Alaska on select May 2013 departures.
· Alaska And British Columbia Photography Expedition: Book by March 31, 2013 for free one-way air from Alaska to Seattle plus a $500 B&H Photo/Video Gear Certificate per person on the April 30 and May 1, 2013 departures.
· Journey To Antarctica: The White Continent: Book by March 31, 2013 to save on select 2013 departures (Nov. 27 & Dec. 7, 2013) for complimentary airfare (based on round-trip economy group flights Miami/Buenos Aires.) New bookings only; not combinable with other offers.
· Antarctica, South Georgia and The Falklands: Book by March 31, 2013 for complimentary airfare on the Nov. 7, 2013 departure (based on round-trip economy group flights Miami/Buenos Aires.) New bookings only; not combinable with other offers.
· Fabled Lands Of The North: Greenland, Baffin Island, Newfoundland & Labrador: Book by March 31, 2013 to receive Complimentary Charter Airfare from Ottawa to Kangerlussuaq (A value of $1,200 per person). New bookings only.
· Costa Rica And The Panama Canal: Book now to receive a complimentary 3-day Monteverde extension on select 2013 departures. Call for details. New bookings only.
· Upper Amazon Aboard The Delfin II: Book by March 31, 2013 and receive a $500 air credit on select 2013 Upper Amazon departures; or combine a select 2013 Upper Amazon expedition with Galapagos or Machu Picchu and receive a $1,000 air credit. Subject to availability, new bookings only.
· Mediterranean 2013: Travel aboard Sea Cloud on any 2013 Mediterranean departure and we will cover your bar tab and all tips for the crew. Also, enjoy a complimentary night stay at the Electra Palace Hotel in Athens.
For more information, visit www.expeditions.com.