The sons of three iconic exploration pioneers – Sven Lindblad, Peter Hillary and Jamling Tenzing Norgay – will re-create the historic South Georgia traverse to celebrate Lindblad’s 50th year expedition anniversary and the ending of the Shackleton 100th commemorations.
The spectacular adventure will include a historic rendezvous in the Southern Ocean of the two ships National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion for the final six-kilometre stretch of the route.
On 24 October 2016, National Geographic Orion will depart Ushuaia, Argentina first, bound for South Georgia and the Falklands. National Geographic Explorer will leave two days later.
Upon arrival at South Georgia, Sven Lindblad, Peter Hillary and Jamling Tenzing Norgay (sons of the first men to summit Mt. Everest – Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay), as well as mountaineering legends Guy Cotter and Tommy Heinrich will recreate the historic crossing of South Georgia from King Haakon Bay in the south to Stromness Bay – 50 kilometres across mountains and glaciers.
Accomplished mountaineers are invited to submit their climbing resumes to be considered to join the entire 3-day traverse. All guests on both ships will be invited to hike the final 6 kilometre from Fortuna Bay to Stromness Bay.
On the journey guests will also have the opportunity to discover the incredible wildlife themselves by:
- Walking amid tens of thousands of king penguins on a single beach in South Georgia
- Observing magnificent albatross in the Falklands
- Seeing Magellanic penguins peeking from their burrows
- Hiking in the footsteps of Shackleton, and hearing his tale of survival
- Paddling a kayak amongst curious fur seals
- Exploring the bergs in Zodiacs
National Geographic Orion departs 24 October 2016 for 19 days; National Geographic Explorer departs 26 October 2016 for 18 days. Rates begin at $19,910 to $38,540. Book by 31 Jul. 2016 to receive a $1,000 special savings offer. More information here: http://au.expeditions.com/destinations/antarctica/shackleton-traverse
SOURCE: Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic