Argentina & Antarctica cruise adventure

Buenos Aires

Day 1: Welcome to Buenos Aires

The Argentinian leg of your trip is about to begin! Touch down in Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital, where you'll be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the day to enjoy at your own pace.

This vibrant city seamlessly blends European sophistication with Latin passion. As you stroll through cobblestone streets, admire Neoclassical and Art Deco architecture, and take in the modern skyline with giant murals, you will discover a city unlike any other.

Buenos Aires

Day 2: Discover the capital of Argentina

Today, immerse yourself in the elegance of Buenos Aires, often nicknamed the Little Paris of South America. Your journey begins in the heart of the city: explore historic landmarks such as the iconic Pink House and the Metropolitan Cathedral, unraveling the rich history of Argentina. Then, visit the bohemian neighborhood of San Telmo, known for its antique markets and charming streets. In La Boca, experience the artistic spirit of this open-air museum with its colorful houses, and visit La Bombonera, the legendary football stadium. Next, get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the iconic Teatro Colón - one of the world's most prestigious opera houses.

Buenos Aires - Ushuaia

Day 3: Journey to Ushuaia

Bidding goodbye to Buenos Aires, you'll be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Ushuaia, a journey just shy of four hours. Upon your arrival at Ushuaia – Malvinas Argentinas International Airport, you'll be taken to your hotel for check-in and time to relax.

A small hub that's easily explored on foot, this Argentinian resort town is located on the southernmost tip of South America, on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago - thanks to which it has earned its "End of the World" nickname. It's a famous starting point for many an Antarctica cruise, but the town itself is well worth exploring while you're here. Hop across its clutch of museums, sample the delicious local fare, and if time allows, perhaps embark on a wildlife-watching cruiss along the Beagle Channel.

Ushuaia

Day 4: Your epic Antarctic cruise begins!

Good morning, Ushuaia! After breakfast, you'll check out of your hotel and transfer to the pier, where you'll prepare to embark on the fantastic next leg of your itinerary: an Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp cruise. This experience will offer myriad ways for you to explore and enjoy the Antarctic region at its best.

The emphasis throughout this cruise is on immersive activities, including Zodiac boat excursions, hiking, kayaking, glacier walking and mountaineering, field camping under the Southern Polar skies, and more. It's bound to be an adventure-lover's dream come true! What's more, an international team of Polar experts and field guides will be on hand to share their in-depth knowledge with lectures, briefings, and field excursions.

Ushuaia - Drake Passage

Day 5: Experience the iconic Drake Passage

Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you'll get to enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, 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 subantarctic seas - you will be in the circumantarctic upwelling zone, witness to a flurry of incredible marine life. This journey builds excitement as you get closer to one of the most remote places on Earth.

Drake Passage

Day 6: A second day crossing the Drake Passage

Today will also be spent on board, crossing the Drake Passage. As you sail on, keep your eyes peeled for the changing marine and birdlife. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.

Drake Passage - Antartica

Day 7: Soak up the magic of the Antarctic

The views from aboard your cruise ship are truly something else, and you'll have the next seven days to soak up its magical aura. You'll be surrounded by gray stone peaks sketched with snow, towers of broken blue-white ice, and dramatically different wildlife both below and above the water's surface.

Your adventure begins as you sail past beautiful islands and navigate through scenic channels. You might also have the chance to explore a calm area where the ship can anchor, allowing you to enjoy various activities in a peaceful setting.

Neumayer Channel

Day 8: Embark on an active excursion

After breakfast, take time to relax on board or seize your chance to enjoy the splendors of this alpine environment! We'd recommend joining a Zodiac boat excursion, offering an opportunity to visit unique and remote spaces from aboard a safe vessel that was made for expedition work. As you glide through the crystal-clear waters, you will feel the thrill of discovery as you encounter spectacular ice formations and fascinating wildlife.

Port Lockroy

Day 9: Cruise to historic Port Lockroy

Today your ship will cruise on to Port Lockroy, a stopping point throughout the years for explorers, scientists and sailors alike. A natural harbor on the northwestern shore of Wiencke Island, it was once used by whaling fleets in the early 20th century, and is now a well-preserved site of historical interest. Keep your eyes peeled for gentoo penguins as you sail along the bay!

Pléneau - Petermann Islands

Day 10: Kayaking amidst surreal landscapes

On another day of cruising, you'll reach Pléneau Island and the Petermann Islands, in the western and northwestern reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula. The majestic scenery unfolds around you, with towering icebergs and stunning glacial formations that create a breathtaking backdrop.

While you're here, we'd suggest heading out on a kayaking trip, which offers a wonderful opportunity to get active amidst icy blue waters, as you immerse yourself in the frigid yet unforgettable landscape.

Neko Harbor

Day 11: Relax on the beach at Neko Harbor

Continuing your Antarctic cruise, today you'll reach the enchanting Neko Harbor, a site discovered by Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache during the early 20th century, and named after a Scottish whaling boat. Take a moment here to relax on the beach, spotting gentoo penguins as they carry out their daily lives, or embark on a hiking excursion - a great way to immerse yourself in the frigid yet unforgettable landscape.

Paradise Bay

Day 12: Welcome to Paradise Bay

Today, the spectacular scenes of Paradise Bay await! Surrounded by glaciated mountains, you'll have whales and penguins to keep you company as you soak up views of surreal ice formations, including Rojas Peak, Bryde Peak, and the Petzval Glacier in the distance. This is one of the most memorable parts of your trip - be sure to have your camera at the ready for photo-worthy moments!

Errera Channel

Day 13: Cruise to the Errera Channel

Another day of cruising will take you to the Errera Channel, one of the most mesmerizing places to visit in Antarctica. Spend your time here admiring towering icebergs and snowy mountain scenes, and look out for more stunning wildlife - gentoo penguins yet again feature here, as does the rarer chinstrap penguin.

Drake Passage

Day 14: Familiar seas, familiar friends

Your return voyage will be far from lonely. While crossing the Drake Passage for your return to Ushuaia, you will again be greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south - but this time around, they'll seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.

Drake Passage

Day 15: A second day crossing the Drake Passage

Spend a second day crossing the Drake Passage, making the most of your final moments aboard your cruise ship, and keeping an eye out for more wildlife wonders as you go.

Ushuaia - Tierra Del Fuego

Day 16: Welcome back to Ushuaia

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It is now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but you'll be taking with you memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies. From the pier, you'll be transferred to your hotel to check in and spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Tierra Del Fuego

Day 17: Trekking & canoeing in the Tierra del Fuego

In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel for a tour of the Tierra del Fuego National Park, home to beautiful natural landscapes. After traveling 10km to reach it, you'll prepare for a four-mile-long hike along an undulating coastal path.

As you walk down this path, you'll be in constant contact with nature and will get to admire beautiful views across lakes, seas, and surrounding mountains. After the hike, near the banks of the Lapataia River, you'll pause to enjoy a gourmet lunch from inside a heated dome, complete with panoramic views.

You'll follow this up with a canoeing excursion, floating along serenely as you soak up even more mesmerizing vistas, before returning to your accommodation in Ushuaia to rest and unwind.

Tierra Del Fuego - Ushuaia - Buenos Aires

Day 18: Return to Buenos Aires

Goodbye, Ushuaia! At the appropriate time, you'll check out of your hotel and be transferred to the airport, for your domestic flight back to Buenos Aires. There, you'll touch down and be picked up for an onward transfer to your hotel.

Spend the rest of the afternoon as you wish, relaxing in your accommodation or exploring the city, if you have energy left to burn. It's your last full day in paradise, so be sure to make the most of it! You'll end it in style with a tango show and dinner - a chance to enjoy another snapshot of unique and authentic Argentinian culture.

Buenos Aires

Day 19: Goodbye, Buenos Aires

After breakfast, prepare for your check-out and final transfer back to the international airport, which you'll reach at an appropriate time ahead of your onward flight back home. Safe travels!