Expedition Antarctica

Fly from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires.

On arrival transfer to Hotel Palladio for an overnight stay, enjoy a full afternoon sightseeing tour of this fascinating city.

Fly to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost town, transfer to Los Cauquenes Hotel, overlooking the Beagle Channel for an overnight stay. Explore the quaint city and local countryside.
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Morning at leisure, afternoon transfer to the MS Ocean Victory. Our journey begins as we navigate through the calms of Beagle Channel, a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.
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Sailing onward, we cross the famed passage named after Sir Francis Drake – a body of water that marks the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The most spirited sailors consider Drake Passage a lifetime achievement, the MS Ocean Victory boasts the innovative X-Bow®-Infinity design, which provides high stability even in rough weather and allows for the smoothest movements on the high seas. In the Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view, we would hope to catch our first sight of seals and penguins as well as an abundance of birdlife.
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Sailing in the Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view, hopefully sighting seals and penguins as well as an abundance of birdlife.
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Over the next two days, we begin our exciting Antarctica experience. We will explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain with their busy penguin and sea bird rookeries. Our projected land falls include King George Island; Deception Island; Half Moon Island with nesting Wilson’s storm petrels and chinstrap penguins. Essential for expedition cruises, Zodiacs are robust boats that can go up on a beach, a rocky outcrop, a river bank or even in an ice floe, pushing through bergy bits of ice floating in the water. Zodiacs enable us to explore the scenery from a very different perspective, they allow us to safely land in wild places with no infrastructure and they are a great way to get up close to wildlife or to watch the ice formations; take unimaginable photographs and feel a closer connection to nature. If you can negotiate normal stairs you can also get in and out of a Zodiac. In the gangway, we have strong seamen who will give you a firm and helping hand. It’s important to keep both hands free, so you can accept the provided support. On shore, you will also get help when needed. Sitting on the zodiac you just need to hold on to the rope and enjoy the fresh Polar air and the magnificent scenery.
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We continue to explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain with their busy penguin and seabird rookeries.
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As Antarctica looms on the horizon, the presence of wildlife multiplies by tens of thousands with many species of lively penguins, inquisitive seals, nesting birds and the spray of marine mammals. Wildlife abounds on our projected route along the Antarctic Peninsula; leopard, fur and Weddell seals off Cuverville Island, humpback whales off Gerlache Strait and Paradise Bay and Lemaire Channel’s orcas. The peninsula has some of the most dramatic scenery and the richest variety of native wildlife of the entire 'White Continent.'
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The voyage offers ample time to experience the special magic of the wilderness region which so few people have visited. 
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We spend two days at sea on our way back to the calms of the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, Argentina. En route we will cross Drake’s Passage and cruise past Cape Horn, a legendary maritime landmark and the southern tip of South America. During our time at sea, a variety of activities and workshops will be arranged which will provide the perfect opportunity to socialize with fellow travellers who share your passion for discovering the world and enjoy the lectures by our expedition leaders and onboard experts. Relax and enjoy your time at leisure.
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During our time at sea, a variety of activities and workshops will be arranged which will provide the perfect opportunity to socialize with fellow travellers who share your passion for discovering the world and enjoy the lectures by our expedition leaders and onboard experts. Relax and enjoy your time at leisure.
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This morning we arrive back in Ushuaia. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires and the Sofitel Recoleta for our final night. Enjoy a farewell dinner and elegant Tango show.
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Transfer to the airport for the homeward flight.
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Arrive London Heathrow.