ANTARCTIC EXPRESS – SAIL SOUTH, FLY NORTH
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Day | Place | Highlights |
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Days 1 - 2 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Arrive into Buenos Aires, spend the night |
Day 2 | Ushuaia | Fly to Ushuaia and embark the ship |
Days 3 - 4 | At Sea | Crossing the Drake Passage |
Days 5 - 8 | South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula | Many species of penguins, seals and whales, incredible glaciers and scenery |
Day 9 | King George Island to Punta Arenas | Disembark, fly to Punta Arenas and spend the night |
Day 10 | Punta Arenas, Chile | Explore, depart for home or continue your trip |
Launched in 2021, the World Voyager is a modern expedition ship. Taking 168 guests every cabin has a balcony. There are plenty of public areas to relax after a day filled with excursions including the presentation theater and Science Hub, embody the spirit of discovery. The health and wellness facilities include spa, sauna, swimming pool, Jacuzzis and outdoor running track.
Two Rolls-Royce hybrid-electric engines provide comfortable, fuel-efficient sailing experience as World Voyager navigates the Antarctic waters.
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, make your way to the included group hotel, which is part of your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. A presentation room will be open from 12 pm to 8 pm for luggage weighing and tagging. A Quark Expeditions representative will be available to answer your questions and give information about the next day’s flight and ship embarkation.
After an early breakfast, your group will transfer to the airport and board a private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. Your Charter Flight and Hotel package will provide you with some free time to explore this quaint port town at the bottom of South America. Steeped in marine history, this walkable Argentine city has plenty of museums, galleries and historic sites to visit quite easily. Transfer to the ship for embarkation around 4 pm.
Legendary for its high winds and rolling seas, you may get lucky and have surprisingly calm seas. Spend your time in the lounge or chatting with your fellow travellers. As you develop your sea legs during the crossing, our Expedition Team will begin their series of presentations to help prepare you for your upcoming Zodiac and land excursions. You officially enter Antarctica when your ship crosses the Antarctic Convergence, a biological boundary that fluctuates around 60° south.
The most common reaction upon reaching the 7th Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Your expedition will be unlike any other— creating a unique, personal experience. Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore glaciated bays, channels and landing sites. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are hiking the Antarctic landscape, visiting a research station or observing chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins, all of which can be found here. Keep an eye out for Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals as well as curious whales, such as humpbacks, minkes, or perhaps orcas while on a Zodiac cruise. Each excursion will present a new array of creatures to fascinate you and keep your camera busy. Amid the serene silence of Antarctica, noisy interludes become indelible memories, such as penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, or the boom and crack of a calving glacier. Every day will be different, having been carefully crafted by your Expedition Team to inspire and educate you about this wonderful part of the world.
With only the Drake Passage ahead, you’ll disembark on King George Island before flying to Punta Arenas, Chile. Once you’re in Punta Arenas, you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel, where you’re free to explore and enjoy a final dinner on your own, before your homeward journey.
Feel free to explore Punta Arenas before departing for home, or continuing your adventure.
Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting.
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.
18 Days
4 Days
5 Days