Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent

Most flights to Buenos Aires are overnight flights. Cost of international airfare is not included in the trip price.

We arrive this morning in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, set on the Rio de la Plata, and check in to the hotel. In the afternoon, we have a guided overview of the city, seeing its Beaux Arts palaces, grand boulevards, and the famous balcony forever associated with Eva Peron.

The morning's charter flight offers some rare views as we fly over the vividly rugged terrain of Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. We'll have lunch aboard a catamaran cruise on the scenic Beagle Channel before embarking our ship.

We awake this morning well into our journey across the Drake Passage. Lying between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula, the Drake holds a unique place in maritime lore. Sometimes misty and gray, other times calm and clear, crossing the legendary Drake Passage is unforgettable - a milestone in any adventurer's personal travel history.

With nearly 24 hours of daylight, we make the most of our six days, keeping a flexible schedule to take advantage of the unexpected — perhaps watching a 40-ton whale surface off the bow. We are out daily. One day, you may take a Zodiac foray amid towering bergs under a bright sun, walk along the shoreline amid a huge penguin colony, hike to a summit for a breathtaking view, or kayak along a cliff-side rookery in search of blue-eyed shags. And the next, you’ll have the thrill of watching the ship crunch through the pack ice, or step ashore to the cries of thousands of gentoo penguins. You’ll learn from our experts how to identify penguins and get photo tips from a our resident photographer while watching those same penguins. Back aboard, our Undersea Specialist may present video from that day’s dive — rare images taken up to 1,000 feet below the surface using our ROV (remotely operated vehicle). Our expert staff will craft an expedition where you will learn more, see more and experience more.

As we sail back to Ushuaia, an albatross or two may join the avian escort of seabirds that cross our bow, and our spotters will keep an eye out for marine life. There’ll be plenty of time to enjoy a wellness treatment, log some time in the gym, or catch up on the book you haven’t had a minute to read. Talks from our staff will reflect on all you have seen and learned.

After breakfast, we disembark in Ushuaia with some time to explore before proceeding to the airport for our charter flight to Buenos Aires.

Most flights to the US are overnight flights. Cost of international airfare is not included in the trip price.

Flexibility is a hallmark of our expeditions, and often the day-by-day itinerary will change as we take advantage of rare wildlife sightings or photographers linger ashore through the golden hour of light. Extraordinary adventure is a guarantee.