Peter Hillary Joins Lindblad Expeditions’ 2027 Alaska and Antarctica Voyages
On the December Antarctica Direct voyage aboard National Geographic Explorer, passengers will cross the Drake Passage by ship one way and return by air, with Zodiac outings and kayaking offered.
Mountaineer and philanthropist Peter Hillary will join National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions on selected Alaska voyages in May 2027 and Antarctica voyages in December 2027. The returning guest will participate in the expeditions and share his experiences with passengers through dedicated onboard conversations.
Hillary has participated in more than 50 mountaineering expeditions, including five on Mount Everest, and has skied to the South Pole.
“His extraordinary life of exploration, and the legacy of the Hillary family, will add an incredibly meaningful dimension to these journeys,” said Natalya Leahy, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions.
Alaska routes and an Antarctic sail-and-fly voyage
The May engagements include “Alaska’s Inside Passage and Hubbard Glacier,” with visits to Southeast Alaska’s sheltered coves, fjords and rainforests. Along with Hubbard Glacier, the itinerary offers opportunities to observe brown bears and bald eagles.
Hillary will also join “Alaska’s Inside Passage, Endicott Arm and Prince Rupert” that month. That program travels through Alaska and British Columbia, visiting coastal communities and exploring fjords and waters known for wildlife.
In December, “Antarctica Direct: Sail and Fly the Drake Passage” will operate aboard National Geographic Explorer. Passengers will cross the Drake Passage by ship in one direction and return by air. Activities include Zodiac outings, kayaking and exploration on foot, alongside opportunities to see whales and icebergs.
The announcement did not specify exact departure dates or fares, and it did not identify the vessels for Hillary’s Alaska engagements.
Hillary said he looked forward to exchanging experiences with passengers, including “hearing about their own connections to, and passions for, exploration as we travel together.”
A career reaching both polar regions
Hillary is the son of Sir Edmund Hillary, who made the first ascent of Mount Everest with Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Peter Hillary has also completed the Seven Summits.
“The spirit of discovery is something that has shaped my life, from the mountains of the Himalayas to the polar regions,” Hillary said.
His other expeditions include a 5,000-kilometer high-altitude traverse of the Himalayas over 10 months. He also traveled to the North Pole on an aviation expedition with his father and astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Compare Lindblad Expeditions sailings by price on Cruise Lookup.
