Antarctica: Journey to the Antarctic Circle

Day 1

Arrive in Buenos Aires. Transfer to your hotel in downtown Buenos Aires.

You will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel in downtown Buenos Aires by one of our local representatives.

Buenos Aires is an elegant, cultured and cosmopolitan city famed for its interesting museums and the fascinating port district of La Boca, with its cobbled streets and brightly painted houses. It was here that the tango was born, and Diego Maradona honed his footballing skills.

The centre of town is home to the colonial heartland, government buildings and churches, as well as chic shopping districts, which have a nostalgic Parisian feel. The bohemian quarter of San Telmo is full of quaint old houses interspersed with antiques shops, tango bars and classy restaurants. Slightly further out of the centre is the Recoleta district, even more evocative of French belle époque and Italian influence.

Stay at - Hotel Emperador

Day 2

City tour of Buenos Aires

Your city tour begins on Avenida 9 de Julio, known as one of the widest boulevards in the world. Here, you’ll see the iconic Obelisk, a cherished symbol of Buenos Aires.

Traveling along this grand avenue, you’ll encounter the 19th-century Teatro Colón, renowned globally for its remarkable architecture and exceptional acoustics. The tour then leads you to Plaza de Mayo, encircled by the historic Metropolitan Cathedral, the town hall, and the presidential palace, Casa Rosada. If time allows, the tour extends to the artistic enclave of La Boca, a neighbourhood initially established by Italian immigrants, celebrated for its vividly painted, corrugated iron houses.

Stay at - Hotel Emperador

Day 3

Fly to Ushuaia

Transfer to the airport and fly to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia, at the southernmost tip of the continent. Depending on the number of intermediate stops, your flight takes 3-5 hours.

The city has grown rapidly in recent years, partly as a result of government incentives to settlers, and its establishment as a Free Port, and partly as a tourist centre – most Antarctic cruises, like yours, leave from the port here. The setting is spectacular; jagged mountains hem in the town down to the shore of the Beagle Channel.

Many operators include a pre-cruise overnight in Ushuaia, some will transfer you straight to the ship, and others will leave an overnight to your discretion. Where the option is given, we always recommend an overnight stay – just in case of flight delays.

Stay at - Hotel Albatros

Day 4

Board your vessel

Transfer to the port and embark your ship. We offer a wide choice of expedition ships, most of which are purpose-built for Polar expedition cruising.

Polar expedition ships are small by the standards of conventional cruise liners; most carry fewer than 200 guests, while our largest carries up to 530. All of our ships have ice-strengthened hulls and carry Zodiacs for exploration and remote landings. Each voyage is accompanied by a skilled team of expedition guides. Some are accompanied by a practicing scientist, historian, or researcher who conducts fieldwork during the trip.

Depart and head towards the Drake Passage through the Beagle Channel, so named after the HMS Beagle which later took Charles Darwin on his explorations around the South American continent.

Stay at - Hondius

Days 5-6

Cross the Drake Passage

Cross the Drake Passage, hundreds of kilometres of open water and the shortest crossing between Antarctica and the rest of the world. This is a notoriously choppy convergence zone so those concerned about seasickness should speak to our team of expert travel advisors to find the best ship and itinerary to suit you. Whales and dolphins can often be seen as well as an abundance of marine birds such as petrels, albatrosses and penguins. During this part of the voyage, there are briefings and presentations on the Antarctic ecosystem.

Stay at - Hondius

Days 7-9

Visit the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

As you approach Antarctica, you’ll first catch sight of an iceberg, followed by the towering mountains of the South Shetland Islands. One of the main highlights here is Deception Island, home to a volcanic caldera that last erupted in 1969. This rugged chain of glaciated islands and numerous islets hugs the Antarctic Peninsula, providing a sheltered sea passage marked by black rock towers. The names of these places, such as Deception and Desolation Islands, the Watchtower, and Elephant Island – where Shackleton’s expedition was marooned for 135 days – evoke the spirit of early explorers.

Continuing to the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ll discover the most accessible part of the continent, renowned for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and numerous scientific research stations.

Your exact landing sites will vary with each expedition and depend on the ever-changing polar conditions as your ship navigates through slushy waters and the fractured patterns of sea ice. The sheer silence of this remote region is occasionally interrupted by memorable moments: the raucous squabbling of penguins over prized pebbles on Cuverville Island, the thunderous crack of a glacier calving in Paradise Harbour, or the majestic peaks and stark rocks of the Lemaire Channel providing perfect photo opportunities from the ship’s deck, if the channel is ice-free. Expect to encounter wildlife such as gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins, petrels, shags, crab eater and fur seals, and perhaps even whales.

Stay at - Hondius

Days 10-11

Antarctic Circle

If conditions permit, the ship will attempt to head further south and reach the Antarctic Circle. Whilst the line itself is nothing more than a geographical box to tick, venturing this far down the map adds extra time, landing sites and wildlife interactions to your voyage, and gives those on board a glimpse of lands visited only by a privileged few people.

Stay at - Hondius

Days 12-15

Head north, back across the Drake Passage to Ushuaia, and fly back to Buenos Aires

The ship will turn and head northwards, passing the peninsula and navigating back across the Drake Passage to Ushuaia. These days will give you a chance to share and reflect on your experiences, sort through your photos and, perhaps, enjoy a few more whale sightings. Once back in Ushuaia, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. From here, either fly home or continue your adventures elsewhere. Contact our team of Travel Experts for advice or inspiration of where to go next.

Stay at - Hondius