Highlights 

 

• Cross the Antartic Circle at 66°33´ S
• Join the Inner Circle of Humanity by exploring the Antartic Peninsula - you're now one of only a small group of humans to have set foot on the White Continent
• Enhance your knowledge of the most interesting birdlife, wildlife and geography on earth
• See a plethora of whales, penguins, seals and southern Antarctic birdlife - the ocean and continent teems with a myriad of interesting creatures not found anywhere else on earth
• Learn from a team of highly experienced Expedition Team - presentations are provided covering topics such as the Antarctic wildlife you'll encounter, the geology, the history of the great expeditions in the Southern Oceans, the climate, marine climate and much more.
• Educate and inform yourself by engaging with the Expedition Team - this is a cohort of highly interesting, engaged team members who will take care of you on expeditions as you make footfall in coves and bays on the Antarctic Continent.

 

 

Included

 

• Accommodation in Ushuaia for one night on a BB basis.
• Private cabin on board the ship
• All meals on board the ship - breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Lectures and Presentations informing you about the myriad of Antarctic themese we will touch upon
• Experienced Professional Crew and Expedition Team to share the experience with
• Photography assistance and advice from our on board specialists
• The experience of a lifetime in Antarctica, make footfall on the 7th Continent - sea seals, whales and penguins.

 

Not Included

 

• Drinks and other items you may purchase at the bar
• Some off-ship expeditions are optional extras
• Your flights to Buenos Aires and back - book your own travel arrangements to the start point in southern Argentina
• Any activities you wish to engage in before, during or after your stay in Ushuaia. We may be able to help advise what activities are best for you - there are many in the area depending on your interests and activitiy level.
• Gratuities for the crew. We recommend $20 per person per day given the high level of service they provide and the speciality of their knowledge, skill and experience.

 

 

Full Itinerary

 

 

Day 1 -Buenos Aires Arrival

 

You may arrive in Buenos Aires at any time during Day 1 of your itinerary. Upon arriving in this splendid city, known for its
architecture and rich European heritage, you will independently transfer to your group hotel (pre-expedition hotel night included in mandatory transfer package).

 

Day 2 - Fly to Ushuaia and Embark

 

After an early breakfast at the hotel, the group will transfer to the airport and board the private charter flight
to Ushuaia, Argentina. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to a central downtown location to have some time on your own to explore this quaint port town before making your way to the pier. After a late afternoon embarkation, you will sail along the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America.

 

Day 3 - Cape Horn and Diego Ramirez

 

Depending on conditions, we aim to start our journey to the “edge of the earth” with a visit to historic Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos). At the southernmost point  of the Tierra del Fuego (“Land of Fire”) archipelago, the most isolated place in  the Americas, this steep, rocky headland  on Hornos Island marks the northern  boundary of the famous Drake Passage,  where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. From the 1700s to the early 1900s,  prior to the opening of the Panama  Canal, this cape was part of a major global trade route. If sea and weather conditions allow, you may go ashore for a hike out to the lighthouse, the tiny Stella Maris (“Star of the Sea”) Chapel, and the albatross-shaped monument honoring the many mariners who lost their lives attempting to “round the Horn.” Atop the 1,394-foot (425 meter)- high windswept promontory, pause for a moment to take in the panoramic view and to enjoy the peaceful solitude that can only be found at one of the most southern stretches of land in the world. Your ship will then continue cruising farther south, to the Diego Ramírez Islands, the most southern point of South America and one of the least explored places on the planet. This small archipelago was actually thought to be the southernmost land mass in the world when it was discovered in 1619 by the Spanish Garcia de Nodal expedition. Named after the expedition’s cosmographer, the archipelago held this distinction for 156 years, until Captain James Cook’s discovery of the South Sandwich Islands in 1775. Weather permitting, we’ll Zodiac cruise around these tussock grass-covered islands to admire the abundant birdlife. A designated Important Bird Area, and part of the recently-designated Diego Ramirez Islands and Drake Passage Marine Park, the archipelago is home to millions of breeding seabirds, and an exceptional place for birdwatching. Binoculars in hand, birders will marvel at the sight of multiple species of albatross (these islands are the southernmost albatross breeding ground in the world), including black-browed albatross, shy albatross and grey-headed albatross. Sightings of dolphins, South American fur seals, and rockhopper, macaroni and Magellanic penguins are also possible here. If conditions look more promising toward the end of your expedition, this itinerary day may take place after your Antarctic Peninsula exploration.

 

Days 4-5 - Crossing the Drake Passage

 

The unpredictable and exciting Drake  Passage is an adventure unto itself.  While being well taken care of by our  expert onboard staff and leaders, you’ll  have plenty of time to gaze out at the  ocean, take pictures of seabirds swooping  around the ship, and get to know your  Expedition Team and fellow travelers.  

 

Days 6-10 - South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula

 

Once the Drake Passage is left in our wake and the South Shetland Islands come into view, your Antarctic adventure truly begins. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. On every visit to Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means your expedition will be unlike any other —a unique, personal experience. Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds, you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the cunning leopard seal. The majesty of the Antarctic Peninsula’s mountains will enchant as you hike snowy pathways to vantage points offering panoramic views of your surroundings. You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence, and the next you’ll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a penguin waddles by to inspect your footwear. 

 

Days 11-12 - Crossing the Drake Passage

 

The journey back across the Drake Passage provides a final opportunity to enjoy the invigorating Antarctic air. Spend time on the deck, watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team and celebrate the experiences you’ve shared exploring the remarkable world of Antarctica.

 

 

Day 13 - Disembark in Ushuaia & Fly to Buenos Aires

 

 

You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. The mandatory transfer package includes a little taste of Patagonia with a Tierra del Fuego National Park tour before
transferring to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires.