North & South Antarctica, 17 day Program
Day 1: Depart from your home city.
Depart from your home city. on your overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Day 2: Buenos Aires
Morning arrival. During the transfer to your hotel, an orientation tour of the city will be given. You have the rest of the day at leisure to explore, or join one of the optional excursions.
Day 3: Buenos Aires-Ushuaia/Embarkation
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. You will enjoy an orientation tour of this popular and attractive resort town, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, before boarding MS Fram. In the evening, an informative welcome meeting will be held. [B/D]
Day 4-5: The Drake Passage
Less than two days will be spent crossing the Drake Passage. During the crossing, numerous lectures will be held on fascinating Antarctica, considered one of the most breathtaking and beautiful continents. You will arrive in Antarctica on Day 5. [B/L/D]
Days 5-13: Antarctica
Antarctica, "The White Continent," is more than half the size of North America. Visits by PolarCirkel boats will be attempted in various locations (weather permitting), including:
- , rarely visited even by Antarctic standards, dotted with ice-covered islands and surrounded by pristine, mountainous scenery. It is home to the only known breeding colony of emperor penguins on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula. This rookery itself is specially protected for environmental reasons and cannot be entered but you will have the opportunity to spot for the emperors nearby. There are several bases in Marguerite Bay, both new and old. Rothera Station on Adelaide Island is the British Antarctic Survey's largest base and logistics centre for the Antarctic. It has modern laboratories and facilities for a wide range of research. Stonnington Island is home to the 1950s-era British "Base E" and the historic "East Base" of the United States expedition of 1939-41. Rear Admiral Richard Byrd picked the site of the base himself, naming the island for the hometown of another famous explorer from the United States, Nathaniel Palmer.
- , on Deception Island, with its warm springs and black, volcanic sand.
- , with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, famous for its large, chinstrap penguin rookery, kelp gulls and Antarctic terns. Whale spotting is also common here.
- , home to a variety of seals and an estimated 4,000 gentoo penguin pairs. It is a common feeding area for whales as well.
- Cuverville Island, boasting the largest known colony of gentoo penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula.
- , off spectacular Errera Channel, home to hundreds of gentoo penguins, Weddell and elephant seals, is believed to be part of mainland Antarctica.
- , in Paradise Harbor, named for its beauty, with ice cliffs and floating icebergs, home to gentoo and chinstrap penguins.
- , home of the southernmost gentoo penguin colony, blue-eyed shags and Adelie penguins nest here too.
- , surrounded by mountains, glaciers and ice shelves, and known for its gentoo penguins and blue-eyed cormorants.
- , feeding ground for whales and seals.
- , where huge, mile-long tabular icebergs can be seen. The sound is also home to an estimated half-million Adelie penguins as well as gentoo penguins, leopard seals and killer whales.
- , on the coast of the Antarctic Sound at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Adelie penguins, gentoo penguins, kelp gulls and Cape petrels can be found here and Weddell seals are regular visitors.
Day 13-14: The Drake Passage
While you cross this stretch of water from Antarctica, a series of lectures will be held onboard, summing up topics related to Antarctica. [B/L/D]
Day 15: Ushuaia/Disembarkation/Buenos Aires
In the morning, you will reach the Argentinean city of Ushuaia. Ushuaia is reckoned to be the most southerly city in the world and is situated on Tierra del Fuego Island south of the Magellan Strait. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your disposal. [B]
Day 16: Buenos Aires/Departure
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. [B]
Day 17: Arrive in your home city
Meal codes: [B] Breakfast [L] Lunch [D] Dinner
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