CHRISTMAS IN ANTARCTICA
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CHRISTMAS IN ANTARCTICA
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
| Day 1 | Ushuaia | Day at leisure. You may wish to explore Tierra Del Fuego National Park, Martial Glacier |
| Day 2 | Beagle Channel | Board the ship in the afternoon and set sail down the Beagle Channel. |
| Day 3-4 | Drake Passage | Giant Petrels and birdlife, Antarctic Presentations, South Shetland Islands |
| Day 5-10 | Antarctic Peninsula | Lemaire Channel, Adelie penguins, scientific station and historic huts, Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins, Leopard Seals and Whales, Neko Harbour, Cuverville Island |
| Day 11-12 | Drake Passage |
Cape Horn
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| Day 13 | Ushuaia | Disembark in Ushuaia |
SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Greg Mortimer
The Greg Mortimer is a new purpose built, polar expedition vessel taking 120 guests. This vessel has been designed in close consultation with Antarctic expedition specialists and is the first expedition cruise ship designed with the ULSTEIN X-BOW hull. This cutting edge nautical technology allows for gentle travel and motion at sea, improved comfort and safety on-board, reduced vibrations, lower fuel consumption and emissions and ‘virtual anchoring’ which means the ship can float anchor-less while launching the Zodiacs without disturbing delicate sea floor areas. There are four sea-level launching platforms for fast and efficient access to and from Zodiacs.
Day 1 Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia, renowned for its breathtaking scenery, where you will be met by a representative and transferred to your downtown hotel. On the shores of the Beagle Channel, Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world and a major tourist centre, particularly for people cruising to Antarctica. The city offers hiking in Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, the only coastal national park in Argentina.
After transferring to your downtown hotel, the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 2 Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel
After breakfast, check out of your hotel. You will have time to do some more exploring of Ushuaia and surrounds and pick up some last minute items from the local stores. In the afternoon, settle into the Greg Mortimer for an early evening departure down the Beagle Channel.
Days 3-4 The Drake Passage and South Shetland Islands
As the captain and expedition leader chart a course south, bound for the Antarctic Peninsula. Prepare for your landings with bio security briefings and informative lectures. Keep an eye on the horizon for albatross and the first iceberg spotting of the voyage. As the ship approaches the South Shetland Islands you may have your first excursion (weather permitting). Continue on down the Gerlache Strait toward Antarctica.
Days 5-9 Antarctic Peninsula
If the pack ice allows, the ship will enter the stunning Lemaire Channel to reach Adelie penguins and perhaps visit a scientific station and historic huts. Take the Zodiacs out on excursions lead by the expert expedition team. Set foot on the Antarctic continent and walk on this incredible continent.
Because you are so far south, these will be approximately 18-20 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish. The expedition team will generally make landings or Zodiac excursions two, and occasionally three, times a day; cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, following whales that are feeding near the surface, and landing on the continent and its off-shore islands to visit penguin rookeries, seal haul outs. There will be plenty of time for sleep when you get home!
Days 10-11 The Drake Passage
As the Captain steers the ship north across Drake Passage there’s time to watch for seabirds, enjoy entertaining talks, discuss what you’ve seen and learned, exchange photos and stories. With luck, the ship may make a ceremonial rounding of Cape Horn before sharing a farewell dinner with your newfound friends.
Day 12 Ushuaia
Cruise up the Beagle Channel early this morning before slipping into to dock in Ushuaia, where your voyage concludes after breakfast. Farewell your expedition team and disembark the ship.
We will tailor the perfect holiday to suit your needs.
Extend your trip to Patagonia
To make the most of your time in South America we can tailor a holiday to Patagonia to suit your voyage dates. If you have a bit more time we can create a tailor-made itinerary to some of the highlights of South America. Take a look at the Patagonia sample itineraries below and contact us to begin creating your perfect holiday.
