Land of the Penguins Antarctica Cruise

Categories Cruises Adventure & Eco Travel Antarctica Cruises Small Ship Cruises

Discover the magnificent scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula and its abundant summer wildlife of seals, penguins and whales. Come ashore for a close-up look at penguin colonies, modern research facilities and historic sites. Enjoy lectures, special hikes, kayaking and take the opportunity to spend the night in a tent on land!

Itinerary

Our voyage departs from the Island of Tierra del Fuego and the southernmost city in the world – Ushuaia.

Our flight leaves Buenos Aires in the morning which gives you a few hours to explore Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world. The flight duration is approximately 4 hours.

Our local representatives will greet you at Ushuaia airport. Transfer to the pier, including an orientation tour of Ushuaia or the possibility to join an optional excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Time permitting you will have a chance to explore Ushuaia on your own before embarkation at 16:00.

Cruise-only guests:

Please present yourself at the pier for embarkation at 16:00h

Once onboard there will be a welcome meeting during which the Captain will present his officers and expedition staff, and outline the program for the coming day. There will be conducted a mandatory safety drill for all passengers before departure.

In the evening we set a course through the scenic Beagle Channel for the Drake Passage and Antarctica.

The Drake Passage is where the Atlantic and Pacific meet the Great Southern Ocean to create the Antarctic Convergence. During the crossing you can enjoy our onboard lecture series to learn more about the wonders of Antarctica.

The Antarctic Convergence is where the warmer waters of the north meet the colder, denser, less saline waters of the south. As the colder water sinks, a mixing occurs that brings nutrients to the surface and makes the area particularly rich in marine life.

In addition to spotting for the magnificent wandering albatross and other seabirds, the crossing features our lecture series focusing on the history, environment, and wildlife of Antarctica. Our series includes a thorough introduction to the Antarctic visitor guidelines from the Antarctic Treaty and International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).

The Antarctic Treaty regulates all activities in Antarctica and has created a continent of peace and science. Hurtigruten ASA is committed to meeting and exceeding all Antarctic Treaty and IAATO regulations to ensure that the vulnerable environment will not be disturbed.

We will be on course for the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands where we hope to arrive on the afternoon of day 3.

The continent is an endless white wilderness full of fantastic vistas of nature. We will learn the history of the great explorers as we travel in their footsteps and see the landscape as they saw it - unchanged, remote, and awe inspiring.

While in Antarctica, we will attempt to land on several sites, some of them described below as examples. On land, our expedition team will explain what you see and help you avoid disturbing nature and wildlife. When conditions allow, hikes or other activities on land and sea may be offered. Participation on any hike requires a good level of fitness, and that you are accustomed to hiking in uneven terrain.

Safety is always the first priority and the final sailing schedule will be decided by the ship’s captain during the voyage. Below we list some of our possible landing sites, the final itinerary will be introduced during daily briefings.

With our bow pointed north and unforgettable images and experiences in our souls, we are invited to gain a new understanding of the Antarctic.

The voyage from the Antarctic Peninsula to Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina is roughly 950 km (600 mi) or minimum 40 hours sailing time in good weather. During the voyage north, we will continue our lecture series and recap our experiences of Antarctica.

Argentina’s charming and proud capital welcomes you back from your voyage of discovery and bids you a safe journey home!

We arrive at the Argentinean town of Ushuaia in the morning. Ushuaia is counted as the world’s southernmost town and lies on Tierra del Fuego, south of the Magellan Strait and here our voyage ends.

Disembark after breakfast and there may be the possibility to join an optional excursion in Ushuaia (with end at the airport) or be transferred to the airport. If time allows, we include a stop at the city center on our way to the airport. In the early afternoon there is the flight back to Buenos Aires.