National Geographic Adventure World's Wildest New Trips 2005
In 1969 polar adventurer Lars Eric Lindblad built the 260-foot “little red ship,” the Explorer, specifically to take tourists to Antarctica. Purchased by G Adventures last June, the Explorer is now one of the first vessels to get them there (relatively) affordably: $2,365 buys a berth on a ten-day, 108-passenger cruise that departs and returns to Ushuaia, Argentina. Call it progress or call it the beginning of the end of fragile Antarctica’s isolation-nearly 20,000 tourists visited during the austral summer of 2003-04, up from 13,500 the previous year and 8,000 a decade ago-but the frozen continent has undeniably been democratized. In riding (and helping build) the tourism wave, G Adventures is keeping to strict environmental standards. Its Zodiacs won’t land near moss beds or lichen-covered slopes; its guests must keep their distance (15 feet minimum) from elephant seals, leopard seals, albatross, and gentoo penguins. With another ten days (and another $3,000), you can also visit the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Island on your Explorer cruise. In the Falklands, you’ll meet the hearty residents of Fort Stanley; on South Georgia, you’ll pay a visit to the grave of the ultimate Antarctic explorer, Ernest Shackleton, as well as to an enormous colony of king penguins. $2,365 and up for the ten-day trip, $5,205 and up for the 23-day trip; 800-465-5600; www.gadventures.com.