Antarctic Explorer

Upon reaching Buenos Aires International Airport, your guide will extend a warm welcome and accompany you to your hotel.

Uncover the charm of Buenos Aires through a guided tour that leads you through iconic locales such as Plaza de Mayo, the historic streets of San Telmo, and vibrant La Boca, home to its famous stadium. Witness the city's transformation from the old port to the contemporary Puerto Madero. Visit the sophisticated Palermo neighbourhood and conclude your journey in the upscale Recoleta area, renowned for its distinguished cemetery and exceptional dining establishments.

As you leave the city behind to explore the Pampas region, watch the landscape unfold into vast plains and expansive pastures. Throughout the journey, your guide will share insights into the intricacies of gaucho life, providing a fascinating narrative until you reach the Estancia.

Immerse yourself in a day of gaucho activities with a typical lunch. Engage in the essence of Argentinian nature, providing a firsthand encounter with the unique and captivating gaucho culture.

Transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Ushuaia.

In the afternoon, visit Tierra del Fuego National Park. Traverse lesser-travelled trails leading to the Mirador de Bahia Lapataia, unveiling the park's hidden valleys and coastal forests dotted along the Beagle Channel. Explore the enchanting Lapataia Bay, a place with rich Yámana heritage, translating to "wooded bay" or "bay of good wood."

At the arranged time, your driver will pick you up at the hotel to take you to the harbour for you to embark on your expedition. As you depart, you'll traverse the scenic Beagle Channel, bordered by awe-inspiring mountain ranges until you reach the expanse of the Drake Passage.

Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, and maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone.

Not only does the marine life change, but the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.

Pass the snow-capped Melchior Islands and Schollaert Channel, sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands. Over the next seven days you will visit a variety of iconic and incredible Antarctic locations, but the order may vary depending on weather conditions and ice levels.

One place we might start is the Neumayer Channel. Anchored in the protected waters around Wiencke Island, the channel serves as a gateway to a myriad of basecamp activities. Admire the mountainous scenery through sea adventures like Zodiac and kayaking trips. Embark on snowshoe hikes or indulge in soft-climb mountaineering options further inland. Activity availability is dependent on weather conditions.

Visit Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Once a British research station, this historical site has transformed into a fascinating museum and a fully operational post office. Delve into the rich scientific legacy as you explore the artifacts and stories encapsulated within its walls.

As you navigate the surrounding areas, such as Jougla Point, prepare for enchanting encounters with the charismatic gentoo penguins and the majestic blue-eyed shags. Venturing further to sites like Damoy Point, you may get the chance to snowshoe to the old ski-way. This may be the location of your Antarctic camping.

Embark on an adventure through the icy wonders of Plén au and Petermann Islands, with the tantalising possibility of sailing through the iconic Lemaire Channel, provided the ice conditions permit. As you navigate this pristine channel, keep an eye out for the charming Adélie penguins and the graceful blue-eyed shags. See humpback whales and leopard seals, and the wide variety of wildlife that thrives in this frozen wilderness.

For those seeking a more immersive experience, engage in activities such as kayaking, glacier walks, and ambitious mountaineering trips.

Behold the majesty of Neko Harbour, where an epic landscape unfolds, dominated by mammoth glaciers and vast expanses of wind-carved snow. This pristine haven beckons explorers with the promise of unparalleled views and intimate encounters with the surrounding alpine peaks.

Engage in a memorable Zodiac cruise, navigating the crystalline waters that mirror the grandeur of the icy surroundings.

Embrace the spirit of a true polar explorer as you find yourself in Paradise Bay, where an extraordinary opportunity awaits, the chance to establish camp in this pristine Antarctic realm. Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of the surroundings, with towering icebergs and glistening glaciers forming a majestic backdrop for your adventure.

Camping in Paradise Bay is an overnight experience that is nothing short of otherworldly. Picture yourself under the vast Antarctic sky, surrounded by the serene beauty of this remote wilderness.

In the stunning Errera Channel, a treasure trove of potential sites awaits exploration. Among the prominent locations are the renowned Danco Island and Cuverville Island, both known for their breathtaking vistas.

However, don't overlook the hidden gems that grace this channel, such as the equally picturesque Orne Island and the captivating Georges Point on Rongé Island. These lesser-known spots promise unique and enchanting experiences, adding an extra layer of discovery to any exploration of this remarkable area.

As your expedition draws to a close, the final day of near-shore activities unfolds with a captivating journey past the Melchior Islands towards the open sea. Keep a keen eye on the horizon, especially in the expansive Dallmann Bay, where the chance to witness the majestic presence of humpback whales adds an exhilarating dimension to your maritime experience.

The adventure doesn't cease with the sea breeze; set your sights on Half Moon Island in the South Shetlands, a destination that holds the promise of further engaging activities. The exact time of departure is dependent on weather conditions.

Embarking on the return voyage is a far cry from solitude. As you cross the formidable Drake Passage once more, the expansive skies come alive with a familiar and welcoming presence, the vast array of seabirds that left an indelible impression on your journey south.

The seabirds, once distant observers, now seem more familiar. Likewise, your understanding of their graceful movements and distinctive calls has deepened, creating a sense of camaraderie between the Antarctic skies and the ship that carries you homeward..

Your Antarctic exploration may have come to an end, but there is still fun to be had in Argentina. Upon reaching Ushuaia's harbour, its time to fly back to Buenos Aires. In the evening, enjoy in a group tango lesson, followed by a farewell dinner and a captivating tango show at La Ventana.

Depart your hotel in Buenos Aires for the interantional flight.