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Expedition to Antarctica

Program Overview

Retrace sea lanes navigated by storied explorers Shackleton, Amundsen, and Scott on a once-in-a-lifetime 14-day, 11-night journey that includes vibrant Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a 5-star cruise to Earth’s last frontier. Be among the fortunate few to set foot on this pristine wilderness. Enjoy guided excursions led by an expedition team of naturalists aboard sturdy Zodiac crafts amid floating ice sculptures, intricate ecosystems, and abundant wildlife—including humpback whales, leopard seals, and Adélie penguins. Extend your expedition with the Iguazú Falls Pre-Program Option, which includes Buenos Aires/Iguazú round-trip airfare.

Program Details

January 17 to 30, 2024 (L'Austral) February 13 to 26, 2024 (Le Boréal)
From $12,095 plus air View Terms & Conditions
  • Fourteen-day, 11-night journey to Earth's last frontier, where whales, seals, and penguins mingle among turquoise glaciers and glimmering icebergs.
  • Stay 2 nights in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and cruise for 9 nights aboard a 5-star, ice-class expedition ship; most staterooms and suites have a private balcony.
  • Enjoy a city tour of Buenos Aires, featuring the popular neighborhoods of Palermo, Monserrat, La Boca, Puerto Madero, San Telmo, and a visit to the historic Recoleta Cemetery.
  • Visit Port Lockroy and gain insight into the daily activities of past researchers at the living museum, “Base A."
  • Mail a postcard stamped with an Antarctica postmark from the official British Post Office.
  • Marvel at the crescent-shaped Half Moon Island—site of Cámara Station, monitored by Argentine biologists studying regional wildlife.
  • Embark on Zodiac excursions led by an expedition team of naturalists, with expertise spanning marine biology; ornithology; glaciology; conservation; history; and photography.
  • Receive complimentary boot rental during the trip and take home a complimentary polar-grade red parka as a souvenir.

Day 1 - Depart Home City

Day 2-3 - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Day 4 - Buenos Aires / Fly to Ushuaia / Embark L’ Austral or Le Boréal

Day 5-6 - Cruising the Drake Passage

Day 7 - Port Lockroy / Jougla Point

Day 8 - Petermann Island / Lemaire Channel

Day 9 - Neko Harbor / Paradise Harbour

Day 10 - Deception Island, South Shetland Islands / Half Moon Island

Day 11 - Cruising the Weddell Sea

Day 12 - Antarctic Convergence / Beagle Channel / Ushuaia, Argentina

Day 13 - Ushuaia / Disembark ship / Buenos Aires / Depart for home city

Day 14 - Arrive in the U.S. or Canada

View detailed program itinerary >

Itinerary is dependent on weather, ice, and sea conditions.

L’Austral and Le Boréal

Five-Star, Ice-Class Ships

Join us aboard the exclusively chartered, 5-star L’Austral and Le Boréal, where distinctive French sophistication meets innovative nautical design. The ship’s efficient electrical propulsion system and custom stabilizers provide an exceptionally smooth, quiet, and comfortable voyage. Each of the 110 ocean-view staterooms and suites range from 200 to 484 square feet, and most have a private balcony.

Learn more about the Le Boréal and L’Austral >

Iguazú Falls Pre-Program Option

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Iguazú Falls, among the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, is situated in one of South America’s last remaining virgin rainforests. Spanning nearly the Argentinian border of Brazil, Iguazú Falls is three times as wide and nearly twice as high as Niagara Falls. Visit Parque das Aves jungle reserve, home to more than 350 species of birds, 66 varieties of mammals, and an array of reptiles, fish, and flora. Enjoy accommodations for 3 nights in 5-star hotels. Includes economy class Buenos Aires/Iguazú Falls round-trip airfare.

The Pre-Program is available at additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.

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Program Itinerary

Day 1 Depart Home City

Your trip will begin by departing y0ur home city.

Day 2 and 3 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Arrive in Buenos Aires and check into the 5-star Intercontinental Buenos Aires Hotel. See the colorful La Boca district; Monserrat’s grand public buildings; historical Plaza de Mayo; Palermo’s lavish parks; Puerto Madero’s lively riverfront; and the old quarter of San Telmo. Visit the city’s historical Recoleta Cemetery.

Day 4 Buenos Aires / Fly to Ushuaia / Embark the ship

Fly to Ushuaia. Embark the ship this afternoon and cruise through Beagle Channel, named for the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his South American voyages. Attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception.

Day 5 and 6 Cruising the Drake Passage

Cross the legendary Drake Passage and, upon reaching the Antarctic Convergence, watch for breaching fin and humpback whales, and seabirds feeding on plankton and krill.

Please note that the ship’s cruising pattern and positionings are dependent on weather, ice, and sea conditions and are subject to change.

Day 7 Port Lockroy / Jougla Point

Visit Port Lockroy—an intelligence post for British espionage during World War that was later converted into a whaling station and scientific base. Gain insight into the daily activities of past researchers at the living museum known as “Base A” and mail a postcard stamped with an Antarctica postmark from the official British Post Office.

Day 8 Petermann Island / Lemaire Channel

Call at Petermann Island and watch its thriving rookeries of penguins and blue-eyed shags. Cruise through the Lemaire Channel, where 7 majestic miles of mountains and interweaving patterns of ice floes brim with wildlife.

Day 9 Neko Harbor / Paradise Harbour

Listen for the rumbling of Rudolf Glacier as it calves slabs of ice into Neko Harbor. This spectacular harbor is one of the most dramatic sights on your expedition. Here, mark your continental landing in Antarctica. Cruise through Paradise Harbour.

Day 10 Deception Island / South Shetlands Islands / Half Moon Island

Deception Island encircles the Port Foster caldera, where the ship enters through Neptune’s Bellows—a harbor ringed by snowcapped peaks and sheer cliffs. Marvel at the crescent-shaped Half Moon Island—site of Cámara Station, a base monitored by Argentine biologists studying regional wildlife. Enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Reception.

Day 11 Cruising the Weddell Sea

Cruise below the 60th parallel south to the outer shores and islands of the Antarctic Peninsula. A vast array of marine wildlife flourishes here in this pristine wilderness—millions of penguins, countless seabirds, and thousands of seals and whales.

Day 12 Antarctic Convergence / Beagle Channel / Ushuaia, Argentina

Complete your crossing of the Drake Passage with the rounding of Cape Horn, the graveyard of sailors and hundreds of ships that once battled the westerly winds. At Cape Horn, the ship will go east before turning north once more towards Beagle Channel back to Ushuaia.

to see map details, click the (+) sign to zoom in
and the (-) sign to zoom out

Day 13 Ushuaia, Argentina / Buenos Aires

Disembark in Ushuaia and fly to Buenos Aires and depart for the U.S. or Canada.

Day 14 Return to U.S. or Canada

Arrive back in your home city.