Sail & Fly Antarctica in Style

Day 1: Arrival in Ushuaia, Argentina

Ushuaia, the city nestled at the southernmost tip of Argentina, is the launch point for your Antarctic adventure. After being transferred to your hotel for a complimentary night’s stay, spend the rest of the day exploring Ushuaia. Visit the quirky Maritime Museum in the old prison, or schedule a tour around Tierra del Fuego National Park with its snow-capped scenery. Cap off the day by attending the pre-departure briefing at the hotel at 6pm. 

Day 2: Embarking on your ship

After fuelling up with the complimentary breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take the group transfer to the port and embark on your ship in the late afternoon. Your adventure truly begins with a scenic cruise through the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel. 

Head out on deck to start enjoying the first of many wildlife encounters – this body of water teems with seabirds ranging from black browed albatrosses to petrels, which often shadow the ship as it sails towards the cooler Antarctic waters. This can also be a good location to spot your first cetaceans, so look out for fins and blows along with the tiny splashes of passing Magellanic penguins. 

Days 3 & 4: Crossing the Drake Passage

While notorious for its lively seas and high winds, the Drake Passage is a rite of passage for those looking to explore Antarctica. Whether you get the Drake Lake or the Drake Shake, this is a fantastic place for birdwatching, with huge albatross giant petrels gliding past the ship 

Whatever the conditions, you can relax in the lounge with its large windows offering views out to the sparkling sea or attend fascinating presentations by the onboard Expedition Team. These immersive and enlightening lectures are designed to build anticipation and prepare you for your upcoming zodiac cruises and land excursions and cover topics ranging from biology to history. 

Crossing the Antarctic Convergence marks your official entry into Antarctic waters, and the air and water temperature both drop significantly.

Days 5 to 8: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands

As you near land, the incredible panorama of endless glacier-laden mountains unfolds.  Spend as much time out on deck as possible and keep your eyes peeled for the blow of whales feeding in the krill-rich waters and look out for penguins and sealed dotted on vast sculptural icebergs. 

The Expedition Team will waste no time arranging your first excursions to explore the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Take a few moments to enjoy the profound silence of this incredible wilderness; the chaotic braying of a busy penguin rookery will quickly break your reverie! 

As your safety is top priority, your Expedition Leader and Captain will meticulously assess the ice and weather conditions to decide on the best landing sites. With so many options to choose from, each expedition promises chances to discover the White Continent both by zodiac cruising and on foot.  While out on your travels, you might hear the thunderous roar of a calving glacier, watch penguins waddle across the coastline, or take a hilltop hike with soul-stirring views across the vast landscape. True thrillseekers may even get the bragging rights of experiencing a polar plunge into the freezing waters. 

Day 9: Disembarking and flying to Punta Arenas

At the end of your adventure the ship will sail north to King George Island in the South Shetlands.  Here you’ll bid farewell to the penguins, as well as your comfortable ship. Instead of sailing back across the Drake Passage, instead you’ll take a quick and comfortable two hour flight to Punta Arenas, located in southern Chile. Once your feet are firmly back on South American land, a complimentary group transfer will usher you from the airport to your hotel. Tonight’s stay is included as part of your package.

Day 10: Enjoying the final day of your trip 

After a complimentary breakfast at the hotel, you’re free to continue your adventure in Chile or make your own way to the airport for the first leg of your journey home. 

PLEASE NOTE: While choosing to fly to/from Antarctica is the most expedient option, it's also more weather dependent than travelling by ship across the Drake Passage. Charter flights to/from Antarctica operate on a very flexible schedule to accommodate the changeable weather conditions. As a result, flight timings may be brought forward or delayed to ensure safe operating conditions. To discuss in more detail, please get in touch. 

This itinerary is for guidance only, as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions as well as taking advantage of impromptu wildlife opportunities.