Quest for the Antarctic Circle
Suggested Itinerary
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14 Days From £8,335
Overview
A ‘once in a lifetime’ adventure in every sense of the word, this ultimate Antarctic voyage introduces you to a land of beauty and grandeur on a truly unimaginable scale. Spending 13 full days exploring one of the world’s last great wildernesses, you’ll journey into the pristine landscapes of the Southern Ocean with the aim of crossing the Antarctic Circle.
Beginning in the port city of Ushuaia, you’ll venture through the Beagle Channel and across the open ...
A ‘once in a lifetime’ adventure in every sense of the word, this ultimate Antarctic voyage introduces you to a land of beauty and grandeur on a truly unimaginable scale. Spending 13 full days exploring one of the world’s last great wildernesses, you’ll journey into the pristine landscapes of the Southern Ocean with the aim of crossing the Antarctic Circle.
Beginning in the port city of Ushuaia, you’ll venture through the Beagle Channel and across the open waters of the Drake Passage, travelling in the company of seasoned experts as you head towards the remote islands of South Shetland. Daily zodiac excursions around the Antarctica Peninsula provide an opportunity to look for thriving colonies of roosting penguins, seals and whales, whilst a series of onboard lectures provide a fascinating and informative addition to the journey.
Travelling into the Antarctic Peninsula, where Weddell seals, orcas and leopard seals share the oceans with incredible tabular icebergs, the ship will continue south to cross the Antarctic Circle, where few have ventured. Journeying back across the Drake Passage, the voyage then ends back in Ushuaia.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit the most remote continent on earth
- See the vast and magnificent marine life
- Watch the soaring birdlife over the seas
- Learn from local experts and lectures aboard your ship
Suggested Itinerary
This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.
DAY 1: USHUAIA
DAY 1: USHUAIA
Arrive in Ushuaia today and be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the world's most southerly city.
DAY 2: USHUAIA
DAY 2: USHUAIA
Enjoy a free morning in Ushuaia where you can explore the town or the surrounding countryside. Embarkation on the Expedition begins in the afternoon at the port in Ushuaia, after which you'll depart the southernmost tip of the South American continent and sail through the Beagle Channel. Running through the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago, the channel forms part of the border between Chile and neighbouring Argentina and this evening's sailing takes you south towards the open waters of Drake Passage and the vast Southern Ocean.
DAY 3: AT SEA
DAY 3: AT SEA
Over the next two days you'll negotiate the infamous body of water that lies between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands. Named in honour of the 16th century English sailor, Sir Francis Drake, the crossing is often a good place to spot whales, dolphins and seabirds including the giant petrels and albatross which follow in the ship's wake.
DAY 4: AT SEA
DAY 4: AT SEA
There will be daily lectures on board from resident polar experts and keep an eye out for the first sightings of icebergs.
DAY 5: ANTARCTICA
DAY 5: ANTARCTICA
Over the coming days you'll discover some of the most unique wildlife and experience some of the most inspiring scenery on the planet, as you head for the vast white wilderness of Antarctica. Attempting two shore landings a day, there will be opportunities to encounter Gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguin rookeries, see Weddell and leopard seals and hopefully come across orcas and humpbacks in the cold Antarctic waters. During the voyage you'll also have a chance to learn about the peninsula's remarkable history.
DAY 6: ANTARCTICA
DAY 6: ANTARCTICA
A further day to encounter the unique wildlife and spectacular landscapes of the Great White Continent.
DAY 7: ANTARCTICA
DAY 7: ANTARCTICA
Depending on weather conditions, the ship will continue southward along the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Passing colossal icebergs and countless colonies of penguins, the goal is to cross the Antarctic Polar Circle. Few travellers have ventured this far south, but the fully equipped ice-strengthened vessel will push on if sea conditions are favourable.
DAY 8: ANTARCTIC CIRCLE
DAY 8: ANTARCTIC CIRCLE
A further day to attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle.
DAY 9: ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
DAY 9: ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
The journey north will bring you back across the open waters of the Antarctic Peninsula, presenting the perfect time to reflect on the highlights of this incredible voyage with your crew and fellow passengers.
DAY 10: ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
DAY 10: ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
A further day to encounter the unique wildlife and spectacular landscapes of the Great White Continent as you continue north.
DAY 11: ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
DAY 11: ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
A further day to encounter the unique wildlife and spectacular landscapes of the Great White Continent as you continue north.
DAY 12: DRAKE PASSAGE
DAY 12: DRAKE PASSAGE
Keep an eye out from the observation deck for some last-minute whale sightings as you head back towards the port of Ushuaia and back over the Drake Passage.
DAY 13: DRAKE PASSAGE
DAY 13: DRAKE PASSAGE
Continue north on your journey back to Ushuaia.
DAY 14: USHUAIA
DAY 14: USHUAIA
Disembark in Ushuaia early this morning, where your journey ends.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Albatros Hotel, Ushuaia
Overlooking the Beagle Channel, Albatros Hotel has a prime location close to Ushuaia’s harbour and the city centre. The rooms are decorated in a homely style and feature private bathrooms. After exploring the incredible nature of the area, the sauna, massage room and gym are a welcome retreat. Fuel your travels at the restaurant and bar which serves a blend of local and international dishes using local ingredients.
Expedition, Ushuaia
Refurbished in 2009, the Expedition holds a capacity of 134 passengers, with the option of quadruple, triple, twin and double category cabins. All rooms have private bathrooms and portholes or windows for viewing the passing landscapes and wildlife. The ship has a cosy and relaxed atmosphere, especially felt when reading a book in the library or a sipping on a drink at the Polar Bear Pub. There is also a resident band and regular pub quizzes at the pub for added entertainment. Enjoy delicious meals alongside friendly service at the Albatross Dining Room, perfect for fuelling another day of activities. During cruising days, why not make use of the ship’s gym and sauna. There is also a computer room for sending emails to home (service is extremely limited and unpredictable). For fresh air and the best views, head to the top deck with its 360° views. When it is time to head out, get ready in the heated mud room with your fellow passengers before embarking on the zodiacs.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
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ACCOMMODATION
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We understand that flexibility is now a key factor when booking a holiday, and we believe our Covid Promise and Covid Viable Test provide that.
We believe these terms and conditions for making a booking are amongst the most generous in the travel industry right now, and we hope they will give you the confidence, when you feel ready, to go ahead and book your next adventure.
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
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Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
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