Extraordinary and unusual, an expedition from Cape to Cape has been the challenge and dream of many explorers and sailors. Colorful milestones line our route from Cape Horn at the tip of South America to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa — where we spend two days in lively Cape Town, South Africa, one of the great seaside cities of the world, celebrated for its landmark, flat-topped Table Mountain.

Accessible only by sea, no place can compete with South Georgia when it comes to its abundance of wildlife: gentoo, macaroni and chinstraps. People stop dead in their tracks when they see their first king penguin colony — 300,000 on a single beach. Plus soaring seabirds and seals: fur seals, crabeater, Weddell and fearsome leopard seals. Add the green tussock grass-covered landscapes of The Falklands, and the wandering albatross with its 11-foot wingspan — and you have one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet.

“Welcome to the Remotest Island” reads the sign on Tristan da Cunha, in many ways as rare a trophy as a photo from the summit of Everest. A far-flung outpost of Britain, it holds the record for the most remote inhabited archipelago on Earth: population 300 (only eight surnames exist here). And it’s spectacular, quite mountainous with a subtropical climate, known primarily for its wildlife, including rare northern rockhopper penguins and Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross. And we’ll also explore nearby Inaccessible Island, a World Heritage Site, and Nightingale Island, both uninhabited wildlife havens with inspiring scenery.

Depart your city for an overnight flight to Buenos Aires.

Arrive in Buenos Aires and check in to the excellent Caesar Park Hotel. This seductive city set along the Rio de la Plata has been the gateway to Argentina for centuries. We have a guided overview of the city, seeing its Beaux Arts palaces, grand boulevards and the famous balcony forever associated with Eva Peron. Return to our hotel for a relaxing dinner. (L,D)

This morning's LAN charter flight offers some rare views of Patagonia en route to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. Take a catamaran cruise through Patagonia’s scenic Beagle Channel. Embark our ship, National Geographic Explorer. (B,L,D)

Awake well into our journey en route to the Falklands, with time to settle in to shipboard life and hear talks from our staff preparing you for the exciting days ahead. (B,L,D)

Lace up your walking shoes and hike the tussock grass-covered landscape. Our staff’s relationships ensure you see another side of the Falklands: meeting the rugged, friendly islanders who live in this isolated outpost of the United Kingdom. Visit the photogenic, Victorian town of Port Stanley. Hoist a couple at the local pub and stop at the Anglican Cathedral with its Gothic archway of whalebones. (B,L,D)

En route to South Georgia we traverse 750 nautical miles. Stop by the Bridge to meet the officers and keep watch for whales and seabirds. (B,L,D)

Renowned for its beauty and vast colonies of king penguins, this is also the final resting place for the legendary Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. We make the most of our three days, keeping a flexible schedule to take advantage of the unexpected—perhaps watching a 40-ton whale surface off the bow. We walk the wild beaches. Paddle a kayak as curious fur seals play alongside. Hike mountain passes along Shackleton’s epic route. And stand in awe surrounded by 300,000 king penguins! (B,L,D)

Enjoy the ship’s amenities: have a massage, work out in the gym, savor time in the Observation Lounge, or listen to presentations by our expedition team. (B,L,D)

Land ho! On this leg of our voyage, we experience firsthand the islands of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, with their volcanic origin and still-active cones to be seen en route. Tristan is primarily known for its wildlife, including rare northern rockhopper penguins and Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross. The fiercely proud islanders were evacuated to England in 1961, due to a volcanic eruption — with most voting to return to Tristan. A visit to this enchantingly remote but enterprising community provides the explanation: tropical weather, self-sufficient farming and a lucrative lobster trade. We meet the islanders, who are proud of their international status as ‘the remotest island,’ to learn firsthand about their culture and history — and discover what ‘rush hour’ is like on an island of 300 hardy souls. (B,L,D)

With no humans, neighboring Nightingale and Inaccessible islands are a pristine wildlife haven, where you are likely to encounter ‘Life List’ species. Several endemic wildlife species, such as the unique Moseleyi rockhopper penguins and the Tristan albatross can only be observed along the Atlantic Ridge. One look at Inaccessible Island explains the name, as sheer cliffs rise from the sea. In 2004, it became a UNESCO Site in recognition of an ecosystem almost untouched by mankind, with many native species of plants and seabirds. (B,L,D)

Last chance to linger in the Library, enjoy a wellness treatment or send e-mails home saying “Don’t want this to end.” Celebrate your adventure at our farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Disembark in Cape Town, the premier city in South Africa, celebrated for its great seaside location and vistas. For a spectacular view of the Cape, take a cable car to the top of the city’s landmark, flat-topped Table Mountain (weather permitting). Then visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, known for its remarkable collection of Cape flora. Check in to the Table Bay Hotel, on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with the rest of the day free to explore. (B,L)

Fly on an overnight flight to the U.S. (B)