Expedition to Antarctica

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Buenos Aires

  Welcome to Argentina! Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by your guide-driver, who will take you to your hotel for check-in. After that, you can leisurely explore the "Paris of South America," the nickname given to Buenos Aires, at your own pace. Discover its historic neighborhoods and enjoy the café culture of this vibrant city. Admire its traditional European architecture, cobblestone streets lined with rustic cafés, local artisan and antique markets that offer plenty of hunting opportunities, and smell the appetizing aromas of Argentine beef on open parrillas (barbecue). Buenos Aires is home to excellent local designers, and you will surely find the perfect leather jacket, tall leather boots, and handbags for every occasion. But above all, Buenos Aires is known for being the birthplace of tango. So make sure to enjoy a traditional tango dinner show and explore the colorful neighborhoods of San Telmo and Recoleta. Note: On your first day in the city, you will be contacted by one of our "destination hosts," who will review your itinerary details with you, provide you with printed documentation, and add any information you may need. He/she will be your local contact while you travel with the agency and will be ready to answer your questions, give you advice on the main attractions, places to stroll, the best restaurants, and anything else that might interest you in Buenos Aires. He/she will also be able to answer questions about the different places you will visit throughout your trip.

• day 2

  Guided tour of Buenos Aires

  

  This morning, your guide will take you on a pleasant tour of the capital. During a half-day, you will have the opportunity to visit the historical and political center of the city: San Telmo, with its cobbled streets. You will also see La Boca, where Buenos Aires becomes colorful and where tango is always present, as well as the chic and aristocratic neighborhood of Recoleta, where its immense mansions remind us that Buenos Aires was once the "Paris of the South". In the evening, you will be taken to one of the most iconic cultural highlights of Buenos Aires: a dinner and tango show offering a spectacular demonstration of the best local dance, accompanied by delicious Argentine cuisine and all the malbec you like.

• day 3

  Immersion in the Argentine pampa

  After a good local breakfast, you will be picked up to spend a day at a typical ranch in the Argentine pampas. This will include a barbecue lunch, a horseback ride, and a folk show.

• day 4

  Direction Ushuaia

  Today, you will take a flight to Ushuaia, in Patagonia, known as the "City at the End of the World". Note: remember that airport taxes are not included in the package (refer to the end of the itinerary for information on the airport tax, to be paid on site at the airport). You will discover a beautiful city surrounded by mountains, facing the Beagle Channel.

• day 5

  Trekking and canoeing in the Tierra del Fuego National Park

  

  This morning, get ready for a day of adventure at Tierra del Fuego National Park. Once at Ensenada Bay, you will have time to enjoy the view of the Beagle Channel before starting your trek along the coast. Six kilometers of hiking along a wild trail will allow you to observe the native flora and fauna of the channel, as well as discover the remains of the region's ancient inhabitants: the Yamana. Three hours later, we will reach Lake Roca, where lunch will be ready. After a homemade picnic, you will board a boat to go canoeing along the Lapataia River, which will take you to Lapataia Bay on the Beagle Channel, precisely where the Pan-American Highway and National Route No. 3 end. You will return to Ushuaia to spend the night there. Note: If you prefer a less adventurous option for this day, do not hesitate to let us know and we will change this activity for another that suits you better (perhaps the "End of the World Train" or a lighter trekking experience).

• day 6

  Heading to Antarctica.

  

  Antarctica has inspired explorers for centuries, and this expedition offers you the chance to experience an unforgettable journey through the spectacular wilderness of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. You will discover a world where nature sets its own rules, where its unpredictable temperament makes each journey unique, exciting, and personal. Imagine a zodiac cruise through cracked sea ice that breaks like glass, watching penguins build their nests or navigating a labyrinth of icebergs and glaciers, each shaped by its journey across the sea. You will enjoy such highlights of Antarctica and experience exhilarating adventures, rewarded with unforgettable memories. You will be taken to the Ushuaia pier to embark on this "once-in-a-lifetime experience."

• day 7

  Antarctic Cruise

  For 10 days, you will experience an incredible and unique adventure aboard a cruise on the "southern continent," Antarctica. You will have the immense privilege of admiring magnificent landscapes and discovering the extraordinary wildlife of this extreme destination.

• day 8

  The South Shetland Islands

  During this Antarctic cruise, you will make a stop for several days on the South Shetland Islands, which include many islands worth visiting. On Elephant Island, which is mostly covered in ice, you will be able to observe elephant seals, fur seals, and different species of penguins.

• day 9

  Discovery of Antarctic wildlife

  Today, you will continue discovering Antarctic wildlife on two islands protected from tourism, namely Half Moon Island, which is home to a colony of chinstrap penguins, and Greenwich Island, where you can admire another variety of penguins, the gentoo penguins. If we have time, you will stop by Penguin Island, where you can enjoy a short climb up its volcanic cone offering a breathtaking viewpoint. You will also see Adélie penguins there.

• day 10

  Visit to King George Island

  On this new day, you will visit King George Island, which looks like any other place in the world. Indeed, you will find a school, a bank, a hospital, and even a hotel there.

• day 11

  Route to the Antarctic Peninsula

  Located at the northernmost part of the continent, you will have the chance to follow in the footsteps of the greatest explorers by visiting scientific stations. You can also enjoy various activities such as trekking, kayaking, and camping.

• day 12

  Visit to the Argentine station Esperanza

  Accompanied by your guide, you will discover the Argentine scientific station Esperanza, established in 1952. This station saw the birth of the first child on this continent. You will see a large colony of penguins and plant fossils preserved by the ice.

• day 13

  Excursion to Togersen Island

  

  After a good breakfast, you will set out to discover Togersen Island in order to observe the many leopard seals and crabeater seals. It is important to take into account that these species have long been persecuted and neglected, and consequently, it is customary to respect them and not disturb them in their natural environment.

• day 14

  Walk at Port Lockroy

  Enjoy this last day on this magnificent continent by treating yourself to a pleasant walk at Port Lockroy. A former British base, you will find a large colony of penguins there.

• day 15

  Back to Buenos Aires

  Early this morning, you will go to Ushuaia's national airport to take the return flight to Buenos Aires. (Remember that airport taxes are not included. Please refer to the end of the itinerary for more information about the airport tax, which must be paid on site at the airport.) Upon your arrival in Buenos Aires, you will go directly to your hotel to rest.

• day 16

  Return flight

  This exceptional stay is already coming to an end. You will return with magical and unforgettable memories of this expedition in Antarctica. When the time comes, you will be taken (private service) to the international airport for your return flight. Safe travels to all!