Expedition cruise line Lindblad’s latest acquisition deepens a decade-long push into land adventure.
Lindblad is buying a 60% stake in White Desert, an Antarctic travel company, and Echo Charlie, a new adventure operator flying a fully refurbished DC-3. Both were founded by polar explorer Patrick Woodhead.
Prior to this deal, Lindblad spent more than $110 million building stakes in land-based expedition brands like Natural Habitat Adventures and DuVine Cycling. Land experiences generated about one-third of its revenue and 37% of its adjusted EBITDA in 2025.
CEO Natalya Leahy told Skift it targets companies with “passionate founders.” In this case, Woodhead will stay on as chairman of White Desert and CEO of Echo Charlie.
“We always allow that special identity and what the companies have created, so they operate quite independently but benefit from the global platforms that we have,” Leahy said.
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