Antarctica: The White Continent

An overnight flight takes you to Buenos Aires, the launching point for your adventure into Antarctica.

Arrive in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, birthplace of the tango and the “Paris of South America.” Stretching along the banks of the Rio de la Plata, the city is a mosaic of European-style architecture and South American spirit. Spend the day however you wish before setting out to begin your voyage tomorrow. There are no included activities today.

This morning we fly over Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. Set out on a panoramic tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park and soak in this dramatic landscape on the southern tip of South America featuring glaciers, lakes, mountains, and waterfalls. From Ushuaia, embark the expedition ship that will be your home for the next nine days during a cruise to Antarctica.

Cruise south through the fabled Drake Passage, named after the explorer Sir Frances Drake. Set between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the legendary Drake Passage is unforgettable – a milestone for any adventurer! Warmer waters of the north meet colder, denser waters of the south here in the Antarctic Convergence, making the area rich in marine life like humpback whales and hourglass dolphins.

During the 48-hour journey through the Drake Passage, the soundtrack includes the crash of waves against the ship and cry of petrels, skuas, and gulls overhead. While the waterway is famous for its challenging navigation, on some occasions, the channel is calm and tranquil – this unpredictable nature is part of the adventure. As you emerge from the Drake Passage, reaching the northern point of The White Continent, the mammoth, icy peaks of the South Shetland Islands greet you.

Part of the greater Antarctica region, the South Shetland Islands hold a bounty of wildlife, scenic landscapes, hiking opportunities, and magnificent views that inspire a sense of discovery. According to sea and weather conditions, there are several possible shore landing opportunities. A possible landing on Elephant Island, named for the shape of its cliffside and the elephant seals that call it home, sets you on the same path as the famous Shackleton Expedition. Another possible landing is Deception Island, a volcanic caldera with heated springs and black sands. Other possible stops include Half Moon Island, Yankee Harbor, Point Wild, and Barrientos Island with its gentoo penguin rookeries.

Your days are filled with discovering Antarctica, the last great wilderness stretching across ice-covered desert and mountains for over five million square miles. The ethereal beauty and immense scale of the continent are like nowhere else on the planet. The voyage keeps a flexible schedule as your captain expertly navigates ice floes, icebergs, and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition.

Nicknamed “The White Continent” for its vast expanse of icebergs, snow and glaciers, Antarctica is often a final frontier for experienced explorers to conquer. As you navigate Antarctic waters, you may set foot on sites like Beak Island, Brown Bluff, Cierva Cove, Hidden Bay, and many more. Each landing throughout the continent offers its own unique landscape, from expansive tundra to rugged mountain peaks, all beckoning you to follow the paths that few explorers have trekked before.

Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration. Your captain works with the expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. You may take a Zodiac foray among towering icebergs or hike along the shoreline near penguin colonies. On one day of the cruise, you can even take the chance to experience a polar plunge by jumping in with a harness from the side of the ship!

Antarctica falls into your wake as you begin sailing back towards Ushuaia today, crossing the southern waters of the Drake Passage. As you make your return through this famed channel, stay on the lookout for the incredible wildlife around you in the sea and sky.

On your final day of sailing the channel, enjoy the time to relax on the ship and reflect on all you have seen and learned along the journey.

After breakfast, disembark in Ushuaia and proceed to the airport for your flight* to Buenos Aires before flying home.