Elegant Antarctic Peninsula

Day 0: 

Transfer from the airport to your included pre-cruise night at a luxury hotel in the chic Argentine capital city of Buenos Aires.  

Day 1: Flight to Ushuaia & Embarkation 

Today you will join your fellow guests for the transfer to the airport. Here you will take a charter flight of approximately 3.5 hours down the length of vast Argentina to your destination of Ushuaia. Located “at the end of the world” the approach to this port city is spectacular, nestled among snow-dusted mountains.  

On arrival you will be met and driven the short distance to the port where your ship awaits. Once safely on board and briefed for departure, you will set sail and head down the picturesque Beagle Channel. This is the perfect time to get to grips with the copious amounts of deck space available onboard and look out for your first wildlife sightings. 

Days 2 & 3: At sea - crossing the Drake Passage

You will be crossing the infamous Drake Passage as you head between the tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula. This is the perfect time for the large expedition team of naturalists to begin preparing you for the excitement ahead. There will be a range of both practical briefings and hugely informative educational presentations. You might have a lecture on the formation of glaciers, or the history of some of the continent’s earliest explorers. Of course, there will also be talks about many of the iconic Antarctic species you will be looking out for during your voyage. 

It is also worth getting out on deck as this can be an excellent time to look for huge seabirds such as albatross and giant petrels gliding past the ship.  There may be the opportunity to participate in Citizen Science projects including seabird and cloud surveys. As you reach the end of your crossing, keep an eye out for your first iceberg!

Days 5 to 9: Exploring Antarctica

It’s time to begin exploring the incredible landscapes and wildlife of the White Continent. Your ship is the perfect launchpad for adventure with its fleet of 24 sturdy Zodiac ribs, which will allow you to disembark and head for the wild shore. Here you may be watching penguins waddle past en route from the sea to their rookeries, or crunching through the snow as you hike up to a spectacular viewpoint. The Zodiacs are also the ideal vehicle for looking for marine life out on the water, as you cruise quietly through iceberg graveyards on the hunt for seals and whales.  

If you have signed up for one of the optional cost activities such as kayaking or heading below the waves for a unique submarine dive, the onboard team will be in touch to let you know further details about how and when these will take place. 

In between landings you will have plenty of time to relax and unwind on board, taking advantage of the ship’s extensive amenities. Sit back and enjoy an educational talk by one of the naturalists, or warm up with a soak in the outdoor jacuzzi. If your muscles are weary, indulge in a massage in the spa or take in the view from your private balcony. 

There is no such thing as a fixed itinerary in Antarctica. The Captain and Expedition Leader will be constantly amending the plans according to the weather and ice conditions, along with taking advantage of impromptu wildlife opportunities. Each evening you will be briefed on Plan A for the following morning, but do take this with a huge pinch of salt.

Days 10 & 11: Crossing the Drake Passage

Bid Antarctica farewell as you set sail north for Ushuaia. Your expedition team will continue to provide a stellar program of educational talks on all things Antarctica. There will also be plenty of time to relax and start sorting through your photos, whether it be from the comfort of your suite or from the ship’s many social areas. 

Day 12: Disembarkation

This morning you will disembark the ship in Ushuaia. You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight back up to Buenos Aires. The return to civilization can be quite the shock to the system after your experience in the pristine landscapes of Antarctica. On arrival back into the capital, you are then free to continue with your onward travel arrangements.

If you would like to extend your time in South America either before or after your cruise, Swoop can suggest options such as time relaxing and reflecting by the pool of a traditional estancia (ranch), or heading north to the dramatic cascades of Iguazu Falls. Please let us know if we can help you plan more adventures.