Antarctica & Falkland - From Buenos Aires To Punta Arenas (Southbound)

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the untouched icescapes of Antarctica in its late spring as the glaciers and icebergs are at their most sparkly and pristine.
• Visit the beautiful, windswept Falkland Islands and South Georgia at the height of mating season.
• Go ice-cruising in small expedition boats and join landings with your expert Expedition Team.

ITINERARY

DAY 1  The beat of Buenos Aires
DAY 2-4  Preparing for adventure
DAY 5-7  Wildlife of the Falklands
DAY 8-9  Adventure lies ahead
DAY 11-13  The southern Serengeti
DAY 13-14  Towards Antarctica
DAY 15-19  Another world
DAY 20-22  The passage back
DAY 23  Arrival in Punta Arenas

DAY 1
The beat of Buenos Aires
Feel the rhythm of bustling Buenos Aires
Home to a proud and diverse community of porteños, or ‘people of the port’, Buenos Aires is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendour and Latin American panache.
There are plenty of places to explore, including many parrillas serving authentic Argentine steak. Or maybe you’d like to practise your dance moves in the famed birthplace of the tango.
Your Expedition Ship will be awaiting you for embarkation.

DAY 2-4
Preparing for adventure
Get into expedition mode
Over the next days at sea, you'll learn more about the wonders we'll encounter during our trip.
Members of the Expedition Team will start their lecture series on topics like oceanography, geology, ornithology, and history. Pop into the Science Center for hands-on presentations as well.
Grab a pair of binoculars and scan for rare wandering albatrosses and petrels. Make the most of your onboard facilities and enjoy the hot tubs, panoramic sauna and gym.

DAY 5-7
Wildlife of the Falklands
Enjoy birding and hiking in these green islands
The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sands teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape amidst the grassy hills and wildflowers. Enjoy a community walk around Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral and the Historic Dockyard Museum.
Our landings, hikes and excursions are, as always, guided by the conditions. We hope to visit albatross and penguin colonies, which are often found sharing space with seals, and getting as close as we can without disturbing them.

DAY 8-9
Adventure lies ahead
Cruising the South Atlantic
Sailing from the Falklands, we spend two days cruising towards beautiful South Georgia. You can look forward to seeing an archipelago filled with diverse wildlife.
Meet up with the Expedition Team as they prepare you for what lies ahead. They’ll tell you everything they know about South Georgia, including the area’s wildlife, polar history, geology, glaciology, and stories of Norwegian whalers.
You’ll also learn how to make your visit as safe and low-impact as possible, and you can join our Citizen Science programmes to help collect data for global research projects.

DAY 11-13
The southern Serengeti
Visit a wildlife watcher’s paradise
South Georgia’s abundant wildlife has earned it the nickname ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’. Its unique position free from sea ice makes the island a breeding site for large colonies of penguins, other seabirds and seals. In fact, it’s an Important Bird Area, home to albatrosses, petrels, shags, skuas and terns.
Throughout our three days in the area, we’ll land as often as we can to explore the wilderness and wildlife. We’ll also try to reach Grytviken, the final resting place of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Our expedition route will as always be guided by nature, responding to daily conditions to seek out the best possible experience.

DAY 13-14
Towards Antarctica
Time to relax and reflect
After visiting the Falklands and South Georgia, take some time while we head towards Antarctica to relax and reflect on your journey so far.
Antarctica is a continent dedicated to peace, science and wildlife. As we get closer, the Expedition Team will talk about the IAATO environmental guidelines and sustainability rules that we follow when visiting. We leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but pictures.

DAY 15-19
Another world
Experience Antarctica in all its majesty
Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Icebergs, sculpted by nature, float in the straits. Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins watch erect from the shores. Countless seabirds wheel overhead. Nature is in charge.
You’ll spend five exciting days exploring several possible landing sites, on and around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Wherever we go and whatever we do, each day will offer something different and thrilling.
We might sail into a flooded volcanic caldera or land in icy bays, where remnants of whaling paraphernalia lie abandoned. You may also get a chance to go kayaking among icebergs and seals, or snowshoe to a stunning viewpoint.
Bird enthusiasts should look skywards for Antarctic seabirds such as skuas, petrels and terns. Through onboard lectures and onshore talks, you'll learn more about this precious habitat and how we can all protect it for the future

DAY 20-22
The passage back
Looking for land ahead
Five unforgettable days in Antarctica are over, and your ship now embarks upon our final adventure together: the Drake Passage. Known for its potentially high winds and strong currents, the passage can also be silent and still, inspiring the nicknames ‘The Drake Shake’ and ‘The Drake Lake’ respectively.
But don’t worry, even if we experience rough seas, your ship is perfectly equipped for this leg of the adventure exploring the Southern Ocean. During our crossing, the Expedition Team will recap our experiences, making it possible to keep your head in the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica a little while longer.

DAY 23
Arrival in Punta Arenas
Onwards from Punta Arenas
Your Antarctica expedition cruise comes to an end in Punta Arenas. From here, you'll catch a flight to Santiago de Chile and then your connecting flight home, taking with you a wealth of fantastic memories.
However, if you're not ready to end your adventures just yet why not extend your trip and join our optional Post-Programme.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Flight in economy class from Punta Arenas to Santiago de Chile
• Transfer from the ship to the Punta Arenas airport after the expedition cruise

Expedition Cruise

• A stay in a cabin of your choice
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner including beverages* in restaurant Aune
• À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
• Complimentary tea and coffee
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on board*
• Complimentary reusable water bottle
• English-speaking Expedition Team who organise and accompany activities on board and ashore
• Range of included activities

*House beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water
*Please note there is very limited Wi-Fi and phone signal in the remote areas we travel to, and streaming is not supported.

Onboard Activities

• In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
• Full use of our Science Centre, library and advanced biological and geological equipment
• Citizen Science Programme where you can assist with ongoing scientific research
• Photography tips and techniques for capturing landscapes and wildlife from our onboard professional photographer
• Use of the ship’s hot tubs, sauna and indoor gym
• Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings

Landing Activities

• Escorted landing with small expedition boats
• Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities
• Complimentary wind- and water-resistant expedition jacket
• Expedition photographers on hand to assist you

What's not included

• International flights
• Additional overnight(s) if required due to international flight timings
• Travel insurance
• Luggage handling
• Optional shore excursions with our local partners
• Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team

Pre-post programmes

Wine Tour & Tasting: A Morning in Maipo Valley (Post)
Learn all about Chilean wine on a fascinating morning wine tasting tour in the Maipo Valley.

Secrets of the Atacama Desert (Post)
Join a five-day journey of discovery as you tour the highlights of the incredible Atacama Desert.

Mysteries of Easter Island (Post)
Easter Island, famous for its mysterious giant statues, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the distinct culture of one of the most remote islands in the Pacific Ocean - around 2,300 miles from Chile and 2,600 miles from Tahiti.