Lindblad to honour Shackleton centenary

Lindblad Expeditions – the cruise firm owned by National Geographic – has announced its Antarctic programme of events, speakers and even a commemorative whisky to celebrate Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Atlantic Expedition.

The company’s 2015/16 Antarctic programme will have a focus on Shackleton’s attempts to conquer the continent on foot.

Although a task he ultimately failed – it is now famous for its remarkable leadership, with no casualties being recorded on his ship, Endurance.

The Shackleton centenary season will be dedicated to the voyage’s original photographer Frank Hurley, whose remarkable images have ensured the expedition lives on.

Each voyage will be joined by a specialist Lindblad photographer and original whisky which was ordered by Shackleton himself as a provision for his 1907 expedition aboard the Nimrod.

The Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt cases were discovered in 2007 by the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust.

Guest speakers will include Pulitzer Prize winner Edward Larson, explorer-in-residence Jared Diamond, chief scientist Kendrick Taylor and Peter Hillary – one of the most acclaimed explorers in the world.

The Shackleton centenary season will run from November through to February on both 14 and 24-day itineraries.

Prices for the 14-day ‘Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent’ voyage start at US$12,350, while the 24-day ‘Antarctica, South Georgia and The Falkands’ expedition is priced at US$21,360.