14 Day Customized Vacation to Antarctica B
Antarctic Circle > Antarctica
Antarctica is the southernmost continent. It contains the geographic South Pole and its surrounded by the Southern Ocean. About 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice that averages 1.9 km (1.2 mi; 6,200 ft) in thickness.
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Day 1: Buenos Aires
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, airport reception outside luggage claim and private transportation to your hotel. This transfer takes approximately 45 minutes.
Check in for a two-night stay at Alvear Icon (one double-occupancy Deluxe Room). The newest addition to the Alvear family of hotels, Alvear Icon is a high-rise hotel with clean, modern lines. Sharing the same spirit and attention to service as the Alvear Palace, the Icon is a showcase for the Sutton family’s contemporary art collection. The hotel is located Puerto Madero, surrounded by parks, the historic waterfront, pedestrian streets, shops, and cafes. Hotel amenities include restaurant, wine cellar, bar, rooftop swimming pool, and spa. The 159 guestrooms and suites feature warm fabrics, natural woods, Carrara marble bathrooms, and double-glazed windows. In- room amenities: security box, television, turndown service, hair dryer, robes, slippers, mini-bar, and Wi-Fi. Alvear Icon is a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
Depart for a privately guided tour of Buenos Aires focusing on the city’s most significant cultural landmarks. This tour usually lasts four hours and can be adapted to fit your interests. Most visitors request time at the Cathedral and Plaza de Mayo, the port neighborhood of La Boca, the botanical gardens, and the Recoleta Cemetery. Dinner reservation (8 PM recommended) at Osaka. Meal paid locally. Restaurant within walking distance.2
Day 2: Buenos Aires
Breakfast at Alvear Icon
Morning departure for a privately guided tour of Buenos Aires. Today you will visit
two of the city’s art museums: the MALBA (Frida Kahlo, Xul Solar, Antonio Berni,
Diego Rivera and Guillermo Kuitca) and the National Museum of Decorative Art.
Afterwards, wonder around the trendy neighborhood of Palermo Soho, full of street
art, boutiques, cafes and bistros. This tour includes driver, guide, and vehicle. The
tour duration is approximately eight hours, and the tour itinerary can be tailored to
your interests.
In the evening, private transportation to the Faena hotel for dinner at El Mercado
(8PM recommended; meal paid locally). Later, attend the Rojo Tango show. The show
begins at 9:30PM and concludes just before midnight. Selected beverages, private
transfers, and tango show tickets are included in your package price.3
Day 3: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
Breakfast at Alvear Icon
Private transfer to the domestic airport in Buenos Aires. This transfer takes
approximately 20 minutes.
Upon arrival in Ushuaia, airport reception outside the luggage claim area
Check in for a two-night stay at Arakur Ushuaia (one double-occupancy Senior Suite).
Arakur Hotel & Spa rests atop a hill, 10-minutes by car from the Ushuaia city center.
The surrounding forest—the Cerro Alarken private reserve—is ideal for self-guided
hikes, with unmatched views of Mount Olivia, the Beagle Channel, and the port.
Hotel amenities: spa, sauna, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, indoor swimming pool,
board games, fitness center, conference space, bar, and restaurant. A shuttle service
operates from the hotel to the city center, between 8:00AM to 11:00PM. In-room
amenities: security box, blackout curtains, minibar, robes, slippers, bathtub, hairdryer,
and WiFi.
Evening at leisure in Ushuaia.4
Day 4: Ushuaia
Breakfast at Arakur Ushuaia
Privately guided tour in Tierra del Fuego National Park. This tour is flexible; it can be
adapted to your desired level of activity. The park’s woodlands, lakes, and mountains
are home to condors, guanacos, beaver, woodpeckers, petrels, and foxes. Tierra del
Fuego National Park is located just outside the city, enticing hikers with waterfalls,
lenga forests, wildflowers, and glaciers. Boxed lunch included.
Evening at leisure in Ushuaia.5
Day 5: Ushuaia to Antarctica
Breakfast at Arakur Ushuaia
In the morning take your time to explore Ushuaia until your mid-afternoon transfer to
the ship. Once on board, you’ll be greeted by the Expedition Team and the ship’s
officers. After a safety and orientation briefing enjoy a Captain’s welcome dinner.
After dinner, relax and enjoy the scenery on the evening sail through the Beagle
Channel, past porpoising Magellanic penguins, Rock Cormorant, and Black-browed
Albatross.6
Day 6: Antarctica
Breakfast at Ms Hebridean Sky
As you make our way closer to the white continent, numerous Polar Experts will
prepare you with presentations on everything Antarctic, from wildlife to history.
Eventually, you'll cross the Antarctic Convergence where you will notice a distinct drop
in temperature as you enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean. You are likely to
witness some spectacular sights, from icebergs to an array of seabirds and whale species.7
Day 7: Antarctica
Breakfast at Ms Hebridean Sky
As you make our way closer to the white continent, numerous Polar Experts will
prepare you with presentations on everything Antarctic, from wildlife to history.
Eventually, you'll cross the Antarctic Convergence where you will notice a distinct drop
in temperature as you enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean. You are likely to
witness some spectacular sights, from icebergs to an array of seabirds and whale
species.8
Day 8: Antarctica
Breakfast at Ms Hebridean Sky
In the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, prepare to explore by inflatable Zodiac
boats. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on
weather, ice, and opportunity. Aiming for the most scenic bays and channels of the
Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale
feeding areas, as well as sites of historic and scientific interest. Yout first sight of land
will likely be the South Shetland Islands. These highly volcanic islands offer amazing
abundance and beauty. You may visit the Half Moon Island nestled inside Livingston’s
eastern shore, and if conditions permit it you will visit historic Deception Island. Being
further north, sub-Antarctic species are more commonly found here, including
Chinstrap penguins and Southern Elephant seals.9
Day 9: Antarctica
Breakfast at Ms Hebridean Sky
As you head south across the Bransfield Strait, you enter the Trinity Coast and
Gerlache Strait. Here you may explore picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise
Harbor, the Humpback whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel,
the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. You may stop
at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well
as a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House.Adelie, Chinstrap and
Gentoo Penguins abound, and Weddell and Crabeater seals are often found hauled
out to rest along with predatory Leopard seals and the assertive Antarctic Fur Seal.
Minke and Humpback whales are frequent visitors in the late season and Orca
sightings are also common.10
Day 10: Antarctica
Breakfast at Ms Hebridean Sky
As you head south across the Bransfield Strait, you enter the Trinity Coast and
Gerlache Strait. Here you may explore picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise
Harbor, the Humpback whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel,
the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. You may stop
at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well
as a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House.Adelie, Chinstrap and
Gentoo Penguins abound, and Weddell and Crabeater seals are often found hauled
out to rest along with predatory Leopard seals and the assertive Antarctic Fur Seal.
Minke and Humpback whales are frequent visitors in the late season and Orca
sightings are also common.11
Day 11: Antarctica
Breakfast at Ms Hebridean Sky
As you head south across the Bransfield Strait, you enter the Trinity Coast and
Gerlache Strait. Here you may explore picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise
Harbor, the Humpback whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel,
the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. You may stop
at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well
as a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House.Adelie, Chinstrap and
Gentoo Penguins abound, and Weddell and Crabeater seals are often found hauled
out to rest along with predatory Leopard seals and the assertive Antarctic Fur Seal.
Minke and Humpback whales are frequent visitors in the late season and Orca
sightings are also common.12
Day 12: Antarctica
Breakfast at Ms Hebridean Sky
As you make your way north, sail back to Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel and
heading again across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage, you will
continue on with a series of wildlife spotting.13
Day 13: Antarctica
Breakfast at Ms Hebridean Sky
As you make your way north, sail back to Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel and
heading again across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage, you will
continue on with a series of wildlife spotting.14
Day 14: International Departure
Breakfast at Ms Hebridean Sky
Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for
more sights and adventure.
Private transfer to the airport for your flight home.
ALVEAR ICON
is a high-rise hotel with clean, modern lines. Sharing the same spirit and attention to service as the Alvear Palace, the Icon is a showcase for the Sutton family’s contemporary art collection.
The hotel is located Puerto Madero, surrounded by parks, the historic waterfront, pedestrian streets, shops, and cafes. Hotel amenities include restaurant, wine cellar, bar, rooftop swimming pool, and spa. The 159 guestrooms and suites feature warm fabrics, natural woods, Carrara marble bathrooms, and double-glazed windows. In-room amenities: security box, television, turndown service, hair dryer, robes, slippers, mini-bar, and Wi-Fi. Alvear Icon is a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
ARAKUR USHUAIA
rests atop a hill, 10-minutes by car from the Ushuaia city center. The surrounding forest—the Cerro Alarken private reserve—is ideal for self-guided hikes, with unmatched views of Mount Olivia, the Beagle Channel, and the port.
Hotel amenities: spa, sauna, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, indoor swimming pool, board games, fitness center, conference space, bar, and restaurant. A shuttle service operates from the hotel to the city center, between 8:00AM to 11:00PM. In-room amenities: security box, blackout curtains, minibar, robes, slippers, bathtub, hairdryer, and WiFi.
