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Antarctica aboard the classic mv Ushuaia - 11 Day Adventure

Our Distinctive A+R Style

  • Our expedition ship carries only 90 passengers so its open bridge and expansive decks provide all guests with a better vantage for wildlife sightings as we take you deeper into remote regions of the Antarctic.
  • Thoughtful lectures and insight from our expert naturalists enhance every day of your voyage, at sea and ashore.
  • Discover Tierra del Fuego at the End of the World, a land of mountains, sea coasts, forests and waterways.
  • Explore even more of the remote Southern Seas on the mv Ushuaia.
  • With 1 night luxury hotel + 9 night cruise; 27 meals; tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park; all shore excursions with our expert naturalists; all transfers.

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On arrival, you’ll be escorted to Los Cauquenes Hotel & Spa where sea-view rooms have been reserved for our guests.

Day
2

Into Tierra del Fuego and on to Our Ship

MV Ushuaia

This morning’s guided tour explores the pristine forests, waterways and mountains of spectacular Tierra del Fuego National Park. Traveling all the way to Lapataia Bay, you’ll have a chance to observe indigenous species as you learn about the region’s unique geology, flora and fauna. Return to port and board the mv Ushuaia. Settle in to your cabin, meet your expedition staff of leaders, guides and lecturers, and get acquainted with our intimate Polar vessel as you set sail along the Beagle Channel.   Meals B+D

Day
3

Crossing the Drake Passage

MV Ushuaia

Named for Sir Francis Drake, who explored these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage marks the Antarctic Convergence - where Polar waters sink beneath warmer currents. This creates an upwelling of nutrients that sustains a remarkable diversity of marine life. As we sail across this passage, our naturalists will be on deck to identify the many seabirds following in our wake. Shipboard lectures and briefings will also enrich your days at sea.  Meals B+L+D

Day
4

Another Day at Sea

MV Ushuaia

Another fascinating day unfolds at sea as we continue our voyage southward! Enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow guests and the extensive knowledge of our friendly Expedition Team. With our ship’s unique open bridge policy, you can even join the Ushuaia’s officers to learn about navigation – and to watch for Minke, orca and humpback whales. Sightings of icebergs and snow- capped peaks indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands. With good sea conditions, you’ll go ashore later today for your first landing!  Meals B+L+D

Day
5

The South Shetland Islands + Antarctic Peninsula

MV Ushuaia

The South Shetlands are a haven for wildlife, home to vast penguin rookeries, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and large colonies of Southern Elephant seals. Along the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ll have time to explore a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways. Apart from penguins and seabirds, you are also likely to see Weddell, crab-eater and leopard seals as well as Minke, orca and humpback whales at close range.

Over the next 4 days, we plan to make at least two landings per day. However, our exact itinerary will be determined by local conditions on both sea and land. Among the destinations we hope to explore are:

Deception Island, South Shetland Islands
Long ago, a tremendous volcanic eruption caused the islands peak to explode and seawater flooded into the resulting caldera, creating the unique landmass we may visit today. With the right conditions, our Captain will be able to pilot the MV Ushuaia through a narrow gateway in the icy cliffs of the island and take our ship into the caldera itself!

Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands
This crescent-shaped island offers excellent hiking opportunities and some truly glorious scenery. A short uphill climb over the cobbled beach brings you to a colony of breeding Chinstrap penguins.

Brown Bluff
This spectacular rust-colored promontory on the Antarctic Peninsula is home to 20,000 Adélie penguins and a smaller group of Gentoo penguins. There is also a large number of Kelp gulls, Snow petrels and Pintado petrels in the skies above.

Argentina’s Antarctic Station
Another opportunity to actually step onto the Antarctic continent would be a visit to the Argentine Antarctic Station of Esperanza. This is a year-round station along the Antarctic Sound complete with a small school, as some of the personnel come here with their families.

Hydrurga Rocks
This small group of islets in the Palmer Archipelago is home to Chinstrap penguins, Blue-eyed shags and Kelp gulls. An ascent to the island’s summit is rewarded with spectacular views of the Gerlache Strait and steep ice-covered mountains.

Portal Point
This gateway for a route to the Peninsula Plateau is distinguished by a steep snow slope that rises from the rocky shore toward the Plateau. There are large glacial tongues, high ice cliffs and a bay that is often iceberg-filled.

Meals B,L,D

Day
6

Our Exploration Continues

MV Ushuaia

Today, as conditions permit, we’ll continue to explore landing sites in the South Shetlands and along the Antarctic Peninsula. In addition to the sites noted above for Day 5, our exploration over these memorable days will include some of the most beautiful waterways of the Southern Hemisphere: The Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel, and the Lemaire Channel – a narrow passage between towering rock faces and spectacular conditions. Again, we hope to make at least two landings per day – always joined of course by our expert naturalists.  Meals B+L+D

Day
7

More of the South Shetlands + Antarctica

MV Ushuaia

Our navigation through remote Polar regions continues for another unforgettable day. Another site that we might explore on our cruise is Paradise Bay, one of the most aptly named places on Earth! If sea conditions cooperate during our time in these waters, we might negotiate the iceberg-strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound to visit Paulet Island – home to a bustling Adélie penguin colony of 100,000 pairs! The Nordenskjöld Expedition built a stone hut here in 1903; today its ruins have been taken over by nesting penguins!  Meals B+L+D

Day
8

Our Final Day in the Region

MV Ushuaia

As conditions permit, we’ll continue our exploration of the sites noted above in Days 5 through 7. Another one of the stops we hope to make over these 4 days is Petermann Island – where we’ll discover the southern-most colony of Gentoo penguins. As always, whether you’re onboard or ashore, our Expedition Team is on hand to answer questions and enrich your understanding of these pristine seas and lands. And don’t forget… Our unique open bridge policy offers a great way to learn more about Polar navigation from our experienced officers and crew.  Meals B+L+D

Day
9

Northward Across Drake Passage

MV Ushuaia

Having left the Antarctic Peninsula behind us the night before, today finds the mv Ushuaia heading northward across the Drake Passage. Join our naturalists on deck or head to the bridge with the officers. Either way, keep your senses tuned for seabirds and whales.  Meals B+L+D

Day
10

Cruising toward South America

MV Ushuaia

Take advantage of this full day onboard to enjoy our final lectures and maybe another visit to the bridge. This evening’s congenial dinner offers a chance to share your experiences with your fellow passengers.  Meals B+L+D

Day
11

Disembark + Explore Ushuaia

Step off in Ushuaia for your transfer to the airport for your onward journey.  Meals B

Extend Your Trip

Antarctica - Buenos Aires Pre-tour

3 Day Extension from $1599

Two nights at the Alvear Palace in the heart of the capital with sightseeing, transfers and your flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.

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Day
1

Welcome to Buenos Aires

Check in to the stylish 5-star Alvear Palace in the heart of this vibrant city and settle in to your Luxury Room.

Day
2

Discover Buenos Aires

The Argentine capital presents a rich mosaic of Spanish, Italian, German and French influences, which you can experience in the cuisine, architecture, and cosmopolitan spirit of its residents. Setting out this morning with your personal car, driver and guide, your exploration of the city’s multi-faceted charms begins as you drive through the elegant Plaza de Mayo; it’s the oldest public square in town and has been the scene of many significant and historic events. You’ll also see the Casa Rosada, where Evita addressed an adoring crowd, and continue through La Recoleta, an upscale district filled with elegant boutiques and cafes.

Then discover the diversity of BA’s many charming neighborhoods from the street art and leafy parks of Palermo to historic San Telmo and La Boca – the colorful waterfront district where the Tango was born. Before returning to your hotel, you’ll also tour Zanjon de Granados. Discovered in 1986 and dating to the 1700’s this unusual subterranean architectural site encompasses a network of tunnels and cisterns that have been reconstructed and lit; it offers a fascinating look into the earliest days of the city.  Meals B

Note: On Saturdays, when Zanjon de Granados is closed, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Teatro Colon. Opened in 1908, this lavish theater is hailed as one of the finest opera houses in the world and it offers insight into the cultural life of Buenos Aires and its sophisticated residents.

Day
3

To the End of the Continent

Fly to Ushuaia where you’ll be escorted to the your hotel.

Private Tour Add-Ons

Machu Picchu

Our 2-day FreeStyle Tour includes a choice of fine hotels, daily breakfast, private car transfers, roundtrip Vistadome Train to Machu Picchu, and in-depth sightseeing with your own personal guide.

Santiago

Our 3-day FreeStyle Touring features a choice of fine hotels, daily breakfast, private car airport transfers and in-depth sightseeing with your own personal car, driver & guide.

Salta ~ The Beautiful Northwest

Our 4-day FreeStyle Touring features a choice of fine hotels, daily breakfast, private airport transfers and sightseeing with your own personal car, driver and guide.

Antarctica MapSearch

Reciprocity Fees  

Argentina reciprocity tax of $160 for International arrivals into Buenos Aires must be prepaid online before arrival at www.migraciones.gov.ar

The Most Choice
to Antarctica…
 

Our 5 distinctive voyages aboard
the comfortable m/v Ushuaia will
take you to remote Polar regions
not visited by larger ships!

See all 5 Journeys >>

Occupancy


DepartureReturnFromAvailability
19 December 202429 December 2024$9,799Guaranteed
AccommodationPriceAvailability
Standard$9,799Guaranteed
Standard Plus$11,199Guaranteed
Premier$12,199Guaranteed
Superior$12,899Guaranteed
Suite$13,499Guaranteed
Call for Details PhoneRequest a Quote Booking
17 January 202527 January 2025$9,799Guaranteed
AccommodationPriceAvailability
Standard$9,799Guaranteed
Standard Plus$11,199Guaranteed
Premier$12,199Guaranteed
Superior$12,899Guaranteed
Suite$13,499Guaranteed
Call for Details PhoneRequest a Quote Booking
07 March 202517 March 2025$8,399Guaranteed
AccommodationPriceAvailability
Standard$8,399Guaranteed
Standard Plus$9,799Guaranteed
Premier$10,599Guaranteed
Superior$11,199Guaranteed
Suite$11,799Guaranteed
Call for Details PhoneRequest a Quote Booking
16 March 202526 March 2025$8,399Guaranteed
AccommodationPriceAvailability
Standard$8,399Guaranteed
Standard Plus$9,799Guaranteed
Premier$10,599Guaranteed
Superior$11,199Guaranteed
Suite$11,799Guaranteed
Call for Details PhoneRequest a Quote Booking
25 March 202504 April 2025$8,399Guaranteed
AccommodationPriceAvailability
Standard$8,399Guaranteed
Standard Plus$9,799Guaranteed
Premier$10,599Guaranteed
Superior$11,199Guaranteed
Suite$11,799Guaranteed
Call for Details PhoneRequest a Quote Booking

Family + Friends

Travel is one of  life's most rewarding experiences, perhaps even more so when it's shared with those you love! Take advantage of our Family & Friends offer and Save $100 per person anytime you book 4 or more people on the same A+R program.

Pay-In-Full

Save $1,000 per couple + $500 solo on all of our Small Group, Small Ship and Private Journeys when you book and pay-in-full within 7 days of booking and prior to the final payment date listed in our published terms and conditions. Book by December 31, 2024 for travel any time in 2025 or 2026.


 

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