PROGRAM
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
Please note the ship's schedule and the tour program is subject to changes
Day 1 14 Jan 25 - Arrival Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arrival Buenos Aires, Argentina, from your home destination, by own arrangement. Check in at your hotel in Recoleta, Buenos Aires.
Day 2 15 Jan 25 - Buenos Aires (B, D)
After breakfast, we meet in the lobby for a half day city tour. Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city that unveils its immigrant heritage at every step. The tour heads first to Plaza de Mayo, original site of the Plaza de Armas by 1581, date of the second and definite foundation of the city. This is the historical and political core of the city. We continue along Avenida de Mayo, interesting for its different architectural styles, to reach 9 de Julio Avenue, with its eight lanes embellished with lawns, fountains and sculptures, and the Obelisco - emblem and gravitational center of the city. From here the tour travels back in time to San Telmo, the oldest districts in the city, which boasts an attracting night vibe with gourmet restaurants, lively bars and, of course, the “tanguerias” (restaurants with live tango). Moving on southwards, we reach the picturesque port district of La Boca, with its famous alley Caminito whose colored tin houses and customs reflect the influence of the 19th century European immigrants in the typical 'cantinas' - small restaurants. The tour continues to the recovered district of Puerto Madero, with its old port warehouses turned into offices, apartments, world-class restaurants and bars mingling with modern skyscrapers, creating an attractive urban landscape.
Our welcome dinner will be a dinner and tango show, at the exclusive Gala Tango. The Tango music was born in the late 19th century in the southern suburbs of Buenos Aires, populated by "criollos" (Argentine natives), Italian and Spanish immigrants, some African descendants and people from many other countries. Their fights, their needs, their poverty, their passions, their pretense were the spark that created this mythical and passionate piece of Argentine culture. Its emotive lyrics are sometimes difficult to understand and almost impossible to translate but always deeply poetic. Gala Tango is one of the most exclusive tango venues in the city, due to its architecture and decor, in the French style of the 30s, with its Carrara marble bar and refined details. The a-la-carte gourmet 3-course dinner carefully designed by its exclusive chef will be a distinctive trait of the evening.
Day 3 16 Jan 25 - Buenos Aires (B, L)
Today's tour starts in our local area, La Recoleta, one of the most sophisticated and most expensive districts, where the fanciest stores are located. The neighborhood was named after the Augustine’s Recoletos monastic order, which at the turn of the 18th century built a church and a small cloister. The famous cemetery - former orchard of the monastery - attracts visitors for its location, its rich architecture and the important Argentine historic, social and political personalities buried there, the best known being Eva Peron. Leaving behind La Recoleta, the tour moves on northwards to the residential neighborhood of Palermo, an artsy-bohemian area. We visit the area known as “Barrio Parque” where the rich and famous live, and where there are also several embassies, and other landmarks such as the National Library and the Tres de Febrero Park with the Rosedal garden, the Japanese Garden, the Botanic Garden and the Planetarium. Finally, we continue to El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookstore, a former theater and symbol of the golden age of the city, which was turned into a library considered by the British newspaper "The Guardian" to be one of the nicest bookstores in the world. We will enjoy lunch together in a local restaurant, and the rest of the day is at your own leisure to further explore the amazing Buenos Aires.
Day 4 17 Jan 25 - Ushuaia - setting off from the end of the world (B, D)
The Antarctic adventure begins with an early morning flight from Buenios Aires to Ushuaia, and embarkation on MS Fridtjof Nansen, the hybrid electric-powered expedition ship, specially designed for sustainable cruising in polar waters. This bustling port is the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego Province. Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Martial Glacier, Ushuaia is a contender for the title of the world’s southernmost city. After embarkation and a briefing from the Expedition Team, check into your cabin and explore the comforts and amenities on board. The group will enjoy their first dinner onboard together.
Day 5, 6 18 - 19 Jan 25 Crossing The Drake Passage (B, L, D)
On the two-day crossing through the Drake Passage, the Expedition Team will equip you with everything you need to make the most of your polar expedition. Visit the onboard Science Center and find out what lies ahead. Listen as experts talk passionately about Antarctica’s history, the science beneath the ice, and the impact of climate change and plastic pollution. Learn how to make your visit as safe and as low-impact as possible and discover the Citizen Science projects you can join. There is plenty of time to relax, so unwind in the spa and wellness area, enjoy delicious cuisine, and meet fellow travelers in the Explorer Lounge & Bar.
While situated in one of the remotest parts of the world’s oceans, the Drake Passage remains an important part of exploring the continent of Antarctica. And sailing these waters, you will be following in the footsteps of many of history’s greatest explorers — leaving you with a sense of history and adventure in equal measure. It extends from Cape Horn at South America’s southernmost tip to Antarctica’s South Shetland Islands, and serves as the shortest route possible to the icy continent.
Day 7-11 20-24 Jan 25 Antactica (B, L, D)
Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Antarctica will fill you with wonder, surrounded by looming glaciers and icebergs the size of floating cathedrals. Perhaps the most surprising part of Antarctica is the silence. The stillness that reigns is broken every so often by the locals – the wildlife. Whales begin to arrive in greater numbers by December and January. This is also when the first penguin chicks hatch. Seeing those clumsy clumps of feathers running around is always a charming sight. A vast polar desert, consisting of 98 percent ice and snow, Antarctica is a haven for millions of penguins and thousands of seals. The krill-rich seas attract large numbers of whales and 47 species of birds. On ice cruising and landings, you will encounter some of the wildest and most inspiring animals on the planet.
The icy expanse of Antarctica stretches out to cover more than 14 million square kilometres, making it the fifth largest continent in the world. It is situated almost entirely within the Antarctic Circle, which means that temperatures are consistently below zero throughout a majority of the year. Such conditions make life relatively sparse compared to other regions in the world, but the Antarctic animals that do occupy this frosty landscape are well adapted to handle the incredibly harsh conditions seen regularly by explorers and scientists stationed there. While the landscape may seem somewhat desolate to the untrained observer, it is actually one of the most interesting places on earth.
Though there are no truly permanent residents in Antarctica, there are people there all year round. The continent's isolation and harsh climate, though difficult to live in, make it perfect for all manner of study. There are around 45 permanent stations and in summer there are 30 camps in addition. Researches stay in Antarctic bases and study the continent's' life, geography and temperatures. It's also a prime location for astronomers - the clear conditions and near-permanent darkness in winter make for ideal stargazing.
Activities in Antarctica
Your expedition cruise comes with a full programme of included and optional activities designed to immerse you in the many wonders the frozen continent has to offer. No matter your activity level or interests, there will be something that suits you. Here are some of the activities you can enjoy on your expedition cruise to Antarctica: Landings, small boat cruising, kayaking, camping, snowshoeing, extended hikes, citizen science, lectures and talks, photografy lessons and polar plunge.
Day 12-13 25-26 Jan 25 The Drake Passage - northbound (B, L, D)
Time to head back north across the Drake Passage. After five incredible days, you will have experienced so much in Antarctica. Your head will likely still be a swirling kaleidoscope of special memories and impressions. Take the next few days to reflect on your adventure to the seventh continent. As you think back on the magical Antarctic scenery, take time to sift through your photos and videos to recapture a sense of its magnitude. We recommend taking the chance to unwind in the sauna or enjoy some relaxing spa treatments in the wellness area.
While the Drake Passage is the shortest route from Antarctica to the rest of the world, Sir Francis Drake actually opted for the less dangerous, albeit much longer, Strait of Magellan. Nevertheless, this part of the ocean became named after the renowned circumnavigator when one of his ships drifted far south after passing through the Strait of Magellan in 1578. Having realized there might be a connection between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, Drake and his crew inadvertently discovered what would become named Drake Passage. The first person on record for sailing through the Drake Passage’s choppy waters was a Dutchman named Willem Schouten. Schouten traversed the passage in 1616, almost forty years after Drake’s initial Antarctic exploration.
Day 14 27 Jan 25 Disembarkation Ushuaia - flight to Buenos Aires (B)
The expedition cruise ends in Ushuaia, the main city in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina’s southernmost province. From here, we take an early morning flight back to Buenos Aires, where our tour ends.
Antarctic travel is an experience unlike any other. This continent has no indigenous population, and very few people have even visited. Although this sends a shiver of excitement through the most adventurous out there, it can be a daunting prospect for some. After all, it's hard to get a handle on what your trip will be like when it's so rare to have experienced the continent at all. Here's a reading list to give you an idea of what you can expect from your trip to the world's most remote location:
'Antarctica: An Intimate Portrait of a Mysterious Continent' by Gabrielle Walker
Dr. Gabrielle Walker's portrait of Antarctica is your go-to source for a scientific perspective on what it's like to be in Antarctica. Walker is a climate-change expert and, according to her website, a self-proclaimed "ice addict." It's no wonder, then, she has been drawn to studying the poles and how they signify the world's changing temperatures. This book gives you a first-hand account of the kind of science experiments that are being done at the poles, as well as the experience of spending time in this remote part of the world. Read more.
'Terra Incognita: Travels in Antarctica' by Sara Wheeler
"Terra Incognita" is the traveler's perspective. Sara Wheeler is a travel writer and journalist who used this book to document her seven-month stay on the contentment. The book captures the spirit of wanting to explore the unknown - a feeling certainly shared by anyone drawn to going on a similar journey. As you prepare for your voyage, this book will give you a glimpse at the experience to come. Read more.
'The Birthday Boys' by Beryl Bainbridge
If you're not one for non-fiction, "The Birthday Boys" will give you a fictionalized glimpse into Antarctic history. In this novel, Bainbridge paints a picture of what Robert Scott and his companions' attempt to reach the pole might have looked like. Although this isn't your source for hard facts, it is a gripping tale of ambition, bravery and curiosity felt by the men who departed on this doomed voyage. Read more.
