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Day 1 Buenos Aires - City of many passions
Buenos Aires moves to a rhythm that is unmistakably unique to the Argentinian capital. Just ask a local and they’ll tell you straight away: It’s the diverse melting-pot of people who inject vibrancy into the city. These porteños (port people) have roots from all across the globe, bringing their diverse cultures with them. The result is an intoxicating blend of romantic music, tango dancing around every corner, Maradona soccer fans, Old World colonial architecture, and flavorful food.
Day 2 Buenos Aires/Ushuaia
Today you’ll have an early start. We meet in the hotel lobby in the morning to head to the airport for our flight to Ushuaia. The capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province sits on a bay backed by the snow-capped mountains of Martial Glacier, to the north. Although Ushuaia claims to be the world’s southernmost city, two other Chilean cities also lay claim to this dubious title. Your base camp at sea, MS Roald Amundsen, will be waiting here at the port. Once on board, you’ll meet the Expedition Team, who will conduct a mandatory health and safety briefing. Afterward, you will have time to tour the ship and settle into your cabin before we enjoy a welcome dinner together. Your expedition has officially begun!
Day 3-4 Drake Passage
Day 5-9 Antarctica - The Seventh Continent
Antarctic landscapes stretch as far as your eyes can see—a gorgeous world sealed by pristine snow and ice. Tabular icebergs, parts of the great shelves, tower above the waters, while ancient glaciers break off or ‘calve’ into blue-hued icebergs, sculpted magnificently by the wind and the sun. We have entered another world, one devoid of human influence. It is a haven for wildlife like whales, penguins, and seals.
Just as the Antarctic icescapes change throughout its seasons, so does the wildlife. For example, whale populations begin to steadily increase from October through to January, both in number and range of species, and reach their peak in February and March—this is the best whale-watching opportunity. Around this time, the large amount of krill in the waters attract the most whales, in which multiple species swim over for a veritable feeding frenzy. If you arrive here in November, you might spot thousands of penguins courting and building their nests. December arrivals may have their hearts melted by painfully cute penguin chicks, whereas March is usually filled with scenes of adolescent penguins maturing and finally learn how to swim. Other birds, which unlike penguins actually fly, vary throughout the summer months. Eager birdwatchers will be pleased to spot cormorants, shags, egrets, sheathbills, and many more.
You have five days to take in every magical moment. Prepare for the unmatched scenery of Antarctica to leave you breathless. Gaze at distant white mountains during a stroll along the shore, or let a playful pair of Weddell seals delight you as they surface next to your small boat (RIB). They’re checking you out, too, with their large inquisitive eyes. Or hit the jackpot if the weather allows you to join optional activities such as kayaking, snowshoeing, or even camping. These are the kinds of experiences awaiting you in Antarctica. We make the most of each landing and choose the best sites from among numerous possible locations on the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands.
The Expedition Team will provide ongoing lectures, be it on board the ship, ashore during landings, or even when navigating through icebergs and ice floes on cruises in small boats (RIBs). The topics range from glaciology and the impact of climate change on the Antarctic ice shelves to an explanation of the cold continent’s history, stemming from the whaling era to its present status, under an international peace treaty. The Expedition Team’s insights will prove invaluable throughout your journey, enhancing your sense of discovery a hundredfold.
Think about having a chat with the Expedition Team’s professional wildlife and landscape photographer for a few tips and tricks to improve the quality of your images. These skills will definitely come in handy if you choose to participate in one of the numerous Citizen Science programs. One of these is the HappyWhale project. Any photos you take of whales you spot can be uploaded to a global database that helps researchers track the migration patterns and overall health of the population. That way, aside from being precious memories, your photos contribute to the greater good of scientific research.
Day 10-11 Drake Passage
Day 12-14 The Falkland Islands
The remote Falkland Islands archipelago is split between the two main islands: East and West Falkland, and nearly 800 smaller islands. For many years, both the United Kingdom and Argentina have claimed sovereignty over the islands.
Your three days of exploration here, along with each day’s landing sites, will be determined by local weather conditions at the time. After the barren, white scenery of Antarctica, it may be reassuring to see grassy hills, blooming wildflowers, stunning white-sand beaches and turquoise waters! It won’t be too different, though, especially since several thousand penguins will be there for you to catch sight of, too! These few days will entail an attempt to view these penguin colonies, which often have families of fur seals sprinkled in among them. We will keep a safe distance, of course, in order not to disturb them or their tuxedoed neighbors.
For the first time in more than a week, you’ll spot signs of civilization in the family-owned farms scattered along the island, and in the capital of Stanley on East Falkland, where 80% of the islands’ population live. When you visit, you’ll find that the town is a slice of typical English life. Watch for the iconic red buses and phone booths, and of course the typical old pubs serving up British beer and friendly banter.
Day 15 At Sea
Day 16 Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
Estimated time of arrival is 8:00 AM
After two weeks enjoying exploring Antarctica and the Falklands, it’s time to dock back in Ushuaia. The journey has been epic and perhaps even emotional; we have seen and learned so much together. You might even shed a few tears when it comes time to bid each other goodbye.
Our hope is for your experience with us to leave a lasting impression on what is possible when expeditions are done in a sustainable way. We must do everything we can to protect these precious habitats and the wonderful wildlife that they harbor.
After the transfer to Ushuaia airport, you’ll fly back to Buenos Aires. From there, you can fly home or continue exploring. Since you’re already in Argentina, you might as well make the most of it! Why not join a Post-Program to the magnificent Iguazú Falls?
