MARCH 21 - 22: U.S./Buenos Aires, Argentina. Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital. We'll take a guided overview of the city, seeing its Beaux-Arts palaces and grand boulevards.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires

MARCH 23: Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Embark. This morning's charter flight will bring us over Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. If the weather is fine, we'll have a chance to view the spectacular mountains rising out of the Beagle Channel as we enjoy lunch on a catamaran cruise. Then, we'll embark National Geographic Explorer and set sail.

MARCH 24 - 29: At Sea – Along the Coasts of Argentina and Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

MARCH 30: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Today we 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 we venture to the world-famous Rio Scenarium for samba music and dancing.

MARCH 31 - APRIL 3: At Sea – Crossing into the Tropics. 

Fernando de Noronha

Fernando de Noronha

APRIL 4: Exploring Fernando de Noronha. A rare chance to access Brazil’s marine UNESCO site.  We'll 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. We can 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. 

APRIL 5 - 7: At Sea – Crossing the Equator. Our 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. We might be able to cross the equator via kayak or Zodiac. 

Cape Verde Islands

Cape Verde Islands

APRIL 8: Fogo: Cape Verde Islands. 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. 

APRIL 9 - 11: At Sea – Crossing from the Tropics to the Sub-Tropics 

Madeira

Madeira

APRIL 12: Madeira, Portugal At the ideal time of year, we’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. We could choose a walk through the Laurisilva Forest or a visit to the Madeira Whale Museum, and sample Madeira’s famed seafood and wines. Perhaps we’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.

APRIL 13 - 15: At Sea – Along Europe’s Coast. Additional lectures and informal talks will be presented by our staff on everything from the Portuguese and Spanish navigators of the 15th-century Age of Discovery to talks from our photography team.

As if it's ever really this sunny in England

As if it's ever really this sunny in England

APRIL 16: Dartmouth, U.K. National Geographic Explorer enters 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, we visit the guardrooms and winding passages.

APRIL 17: At Sea – Along the English Channel. 

APRIL 18: Arrive in Bremerhaven, Germany and fly from Hamburg to Prague.

Prague

Prague

APRIL 19 - 21: Prague, Czech Republic.  

APRIL 22:  Fly Home!