Whale tail popping out of the water Antarctica

Argentina and Antarctica: Explorer of the South

Itinerary

Itinerary:
Buenos Aires - Ushuaia - Antarctica - South Georgia - Falkland Islands - Puerto Piramides - Iguazu - Buenos Aires
Duration:
30 days / 29 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 12,915.- per person (excluding flights)

Live like the locals do in Buenos Aires, before flying down to Ushuaia to board your ship that will take you on your 21-day cruise around the icebergs of Antarctica. You’ll be in the very capable hands of our partners at Intrepid Travel aboard the Ocean Endeavour, exploring ice-filled waters by Zodiac and setting foot on the rock and ice that makes up this mysterious continent. Back on mainland, you’ll pick up your hire car and discover the wonders of Valdes Peninsula and the crashing falls in the rainforest at Iguazu.

**The minimum age for all cruises is 8 years old**

Days 1-4 – Buenos Aires: romance and tango

Explore sexy and sophisticated Buenos Aires, a city of steamy tango, sizzling steaks and a nightlife that never stops. Take an eye-opening tour with a local Porteño (resident of the city) for an edgy glimpse into behind-the-scenes life and soak up the totally seductive atmosphere. You’ll stay in happening Palermo district, one of the most popular barrios in Buenos Aires.

Days 4-24 – Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Odyssey with Intrepid Travel

After breakfast you’ll be transferred to the airport in Buenos Aires for your onward flight down to Ushuaia in Southern Argentina. This direct flight usually takes around 3 and a half hours. Your domestic flights can be booked alongside your international flights by your Travel Specialist.

Welcome to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. On arrival at the airport, meet your Intrepid representative and transfer to your hotel. Attend a welcome meeting and briefing this evening to run through the details of embarkation tomorrow. The next morning is free before you transfer to and board the vessel in the afternoon. Settle into your cabin and meet the ship staff and expedition crew. Enjoy a welcome dinner and get to know your fellow travellers. Who knows, gravy might even be on the menu. Set off on your expedition in the late afternoon or early evening. Cruise down the historic Beagle Channel, maybe getting your first view of some of the region’s spectacular wildlife on the rocky shores.

Spend the next few days traversing the infamous Drake Passage, named after Sir Frances Drake, on your way to the Antarctic Peninsula. While crossing the passage you can get acquainted with the many first-class amenities available on the Ocean Endeavour. The researchers and scientists travelling with you will begin their onboard lecture program over the next few days and (if conditions are favourable) you’ll also be able to join them on deck to spot seabirds and maybe whales. You’ll then get to explore the Great White Continent with your expert crew. While landing sites will be chosen based on wildlife-spotting opportunities and weather conditions, you can expect to explore on land and by Zodiac boat during daily excursions. The Antarctic Peninsula is home to leopard seals, adelie penguins and chinstrap penguins, among many others. Nights will be spent on board, listening to lectures from the expedition crew.

Make for the ice-covered isle where Sir Ernest Shackleton and his team were stranded in 1915. Located on the north-eastern fringes of the South Shetland islands, Elephant Island has tall and craggy rock formations. If conditions allow, we will attempt a landing or Zodiac cruise around Elephant Island, which will give you a real sense of just how impressive Shackleton and co’s survival really was. After that, hit the sea once again, bound for South Georgia, arriving by the evening of Day 11 if conditions are favourable. Maybe take the opportunity to relax and unwind with some onboard health and wellness services. Or perhaps you’d prefer to taste the crisp Antarctic air from on deck as seabirds and perhaps whales rear their heads.

Begin exploring South Georgia, not only one of the most remote and wild places on earth, but also holder of the nickname ‘Galapagos of the South’ due to the incredible wildlife that calls the island home. Marvel at the many seabirds, encounter penguin colonies and spy elephant and fur seal pups. While the wildlife is incredible, it’s not all about the animals. The glaciers, mountains and fascinating history of South Georgia are also captivating. The island has been a British Overseas Territory since 1775 and at 3755 square kilometres (1450 square miles) is the territory’s largest island. Settle in for two days at sea after that, as you cruise towards the Falkland Islands. As with your other times at sea, you can spend your time relaxing, learning, or both.

Explore the two main islands of the Falklands (East and West) by Zodiac and on foot over the next two days. Wildlife sightings should include at least three species of penguin and two endemic bird species – Cobb’s wren and the flightless steamer duck. The expedition team will educate you on the local flora and fauna so you will know what you’re looking for. Probable landing sites include the quaint capital Port Stanley, West Point Island, Sea Lion Island and Bleaker Island. Hit the seas for the return journey to Argentina. Soak up the last of the knowledge shared by the onboard experts and make the most of the facilities while you can. On your last night on board, enjoy a farewell captain’s dinner and toast to the epic journey that was. Your adventure comes to an end in Puerto Madryn.

Days 24-26 – Whale tails & tyre tracks

You’ll be transferred to the car hire company at the airport. Here you’ll pick up your wheels and set out for the Valdes Peninsula, which is about 2 and a half hours drive. Drive across a rugged wilderness packed with wildlife, spot killer whales and visit huge penguin colonies. Argentina’s Peninsula Valdes is overrun by animal life, from ostrich-like nandoos darting across the plains to humpbacks breaching in the waves. This is a really wild road trip along the northern coastline of Patagonia. The richness of the wildlife is simply staggering and seeing it on your own four wheels doubles up the adventure.

Days 26-30 – Iguazu Falls in the rainforest

After breakfast, you’ll begin making your way back to Trelew airport where you’ll drop off your rental car. From the airport, you’ll take a flight to Buenos Aires and then on to Puerto Iguazu. Your flying time today comes to about 4 hours. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the rainforest, which takes about half an hour, for a tropical finale to your trip. Feel the spray of roaring Iguazu Falls and explore the surrounding rainforest, where raccoon-like coatis play. A cluster of cascades set within rich National Park, Iguazu Falls will leave you deafened and utterly speechless. You’ll visit both the Argentinean and Brazilian side of the Falls, the latter with a guide, you’ll spend two nights on the Argentina side and the third night on the Brazilian side.

Today, your adventure comes to an end and you’ll be transferred to the airport, where you’ll hop onto a 2 and a half hour flight back to Buenos Aires and taken back to the same hotel where your adventure began. The following day you can continue to explore Buenos Aires until the time comes to head for the airport and begin the journey home.