*In Demand Itineraries Return & New Discoveries Await*
New York, NY – Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has unveiled four remarkable itineraries for 2015 that offer exciting new possibilities. The voyages have been designed for those seeking active, immersive travel, and on some, to take advantage of the newly christened National Geographic Orion which has been equipped with a full roster of exploration tools including a dive master, scuba gear that can accommodate up to 24 divers at a time, snorkeling gear for all, kayaks, and a state-of the-art ROV (remote operated vehicle reaching depths up to 1,000 feet). “New” for 2015 also includes four popular itineraries that have been brought back due to popular demand.
All rates quoted below are per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.
Wildlife and Cultures of South Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar: Embark on a voyage that is extraordinary in its diversity and scope, visiting five countries and a remarkable number of different habitats, beginning in South Africa and ending in Tanzania. You’ll see Cape Town; the wildlife of South Africa’s bush country; Mozambique’s capital and extraordinary coast and marine life; the lemurs and other wildlife of Madagascar, along with its renowned baobab trees; and the cultures and wildlife of Mayotte in the French Comoroes. Cage dive with great white sharks, meet welcoming Zulus, and discover colonial history. Set aboard the 102-guest National Geographic Orion, the 22 day voyage departs March 20, 2015. Rates begin at $25,940.
Treasures of the Indian Ocean: Zanzibar to the Seychelles: Venture to remote, paradisiacal islands few humans will ever see and dive or snorkel at some of the world’s most extraordinarily vibrant reefs and undersea sites. From the Swahili culture of Zanzibar, to the rare birds and giant tortoises of the Seychelles, you’ll see tropical nature at its most exuberant. Explore Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site that teems with tropical fish, rare birds, and the world’s largest population of giant tortoises. In the Seychelles, swim or relax at Anse Source d’Argent, one of the world’s best beaches, and explore reefs around pristine Assumption Island. Set aboard National Geographic Orion, the 15 day voyage departs April 8, 2015. Rates begin at $13,290.
Indian Ocean Odyssey: Seychelles, Maldives and Sri Lanka: Travel strings of tiny tropical islands in the Indian Ocean, home to pristine ecosystems. Enjoy a balance of wildness and culture in the Seychelles, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka and discover idyllic islands rich in endemic plant and birdlife surrounded by crystalline seas vibrant with life, including blue whales. Visit the islands’ colorful towns, explore their intriguing histories, and see an ancient seaport and 400-year-old fort in Galle, Sri Lanka. Snorkel or dive with huge manta rays and whale sharks, hike among mammoth palm trees for a land-of-the-lost experience, and see the markings of Persian, Greek, and Chinese influences all the way up to Portuguese and Dutch colonial times. Set aboard National Geographic Orion, the 21 day voyage departs April 18, 2015. Rates begin at $19,930.
Wild Islands of Sri Lanka, Borneo, and the Andaman Sea: Embark on an expedition that offers a wide variety of wildlife, cultural, and undersea experiences on one sweeping voyage. Explore an ancient seaport and a traditional tea plantation in Sri Lanka, and venture into the UNESCO World Heritage site of Galle Fort, and meet the indigenous peoples of Sumatra’s remote interior. Visit the endangered wild and rescued orangutans at the orangutan infant care center at Camp Leakey in Borneo; go on game drives in search of endangered elephants or leopards in southern Sri Lanka’s national parks; snorkel and dive the productive, wild waters where the Andaman Sea meets the Indian Ocean, and enjoy a day of curated exploration in Singapore. The 22-day voyage aboard National Geographic Orion departs May 4, 2015. Rates begin at $21,040.
Sailing the Greek Isles Aboard the Sea Cloud: Sprinkled across the Aegean Sea and steeped in ancient mythology, the iconic Cyclades are some of the most spectacular of Greece’s many isles. Here, fishing boats cast colorful reflections in azure waters, whitewashed villages cascade down lavender-dusted slopes, and craggy headlands are punctuated by ancient ruins. Under the billowing sails of the exquisite four-masted tall ship Sea Cloud, voyage to sun-drenched Santoríni, lovely Sífnos, some of the other small, lesser known islands, and more. Discover the magnificent ruins of the ancient sanctuary of Delos, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis; visit the active pilgrimage site of Panagia Evangelistria on Tenos; and immerse yourself in the lively culture. The 9-day voyage aboard the 58-guest Sea Cloud departs May 24, July 4, September 12 & 19, 2015. Rates begin at $8,790.
Voyage to West Africa: The Gold Coast to Morocco: Experience an immersive, in-depth voyage exploring nine countries from Ghana to Morocco across wildly diverse habitats from deserts to jungle to idyllic islands. Explore several national parks and wildlife centers; meet with a chief in his native village; boat across Benin’s Lake Nokoué to visit a remarkable village built on stilts; trace the history of the transatlantic slave trade at Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle and Senegal’s Gorée Island, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, and see some of West Africa’s flora and fauna, from the rain forests of Ghana to a chimpanzee rehabilitation center in Sierra Leone. Enjoy the region’s vibrant music, with some of Africa’s most renowned musicians performing just for the expedition. The 20-day voyage aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer departs March 23, 2015. Rates begin at $19,150.
Along the Viking Trail: From Iceland to Greenland: Follow in the wake of legendary explorers to discover the dramatic landscapes and rich traditions of Greenland and Iceland – in particular, Iceland’s untrammeled western coast. Explore Iceland’s western fjords by Zodiac; kayak among the magnificent icebergs of East Greenland; and hike amid charming northern hamlets. Along the way, get immersed in Nordic history on visits to fascinating Viking sites and settlements with experts. Explore Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital city, and discover the wild western coast of Iceland. National Geographic Explorer departs July 19, 2015. Rates begin at $10,580. Book by July 31, 2014 to receive free charter airfare (Kangerlussuaq to Ottawa). Must be ticketed by Lindblad Expeditions; valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, and may not be combined with other offers, or extensions.
Exploring Greenland and The Canadian High Arctic: Venture deep into the far northern reaches of the Arctic, on a quest for arctic wildlife and the magisterial scenery of the ice––occurring at an epic scale in Greenland. With a multifaceted focus on the vital Arctic region, this itinerary provides unique opportunities to: navigate the eastern entrance of Canada’s fabled Northwest Passage; explore Greenland’s fjords, and the Ilulissat Glacier, a UNESCO site and a tongue of the Greenland ice cap; spend a week in the Canadian High Arctic observing polar bears and other denizens of the ice; and visit an historic Inuit fishing village and former whaling ports. The 13-day voyage on National Geographic Explorer departs July 28; August 7, 17 & 27, 2015. Rates begin at $12,990.
Additionally, to meet the demand for Lindblad Expeditions’ Amazon, Vietnam & Cambodia, and Mediterranean voyages, they have added departures aboard their Delfin ll, Jahan and Sea Cloud seasonal charters.
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