ANTARCTICA IN DEPTH
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Day | Place | Highlights |
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Day 1 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Arrive at your hotel for your one-night stay, explore |
Day 2 | Ushuaia, Argentina | Set Sail, meet the expedition team |
Days 3 & 4 | At Sea | Crossing the Drake Passage |
Days 5 - 13 | Antarctic Peninsula | Glaciers, penguins, whales, seals, kayaking, paddle-boarding |
Days 14 & 15 | At Sea | Cross the Drake Passage |
Day 16 | Ushuaia, Argentina | After breakfast disembark for your onward journey |
The Scenic Eclipse I was launched in 2018. She is a purpose built luxury ship designed with very high standards to explore the Polar regions. She is Polar Class 6-rated, featuring a strengthened hull, forward bow thrusters, and a cutting-edge electronic Azipod propulsion system for comfortable and secure navigation. She also has customised stabilisers, ensuring greater stability on the open sea. Scenic Eclipse I also operates an Advanced Wastewater Treatment system and highly effective engines to reduce emissions, noise, and vibrations, safeguarding the pristine environments we visit.
Arrive at your hotel for your one-night stay.
Latin passion and European romance define the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, a dynamic city known for its wide-ranging architectural styles, contemporary and historical arts, and culinary experiences.
Your journey begins as you fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, known as the southernmost city in the world. The crew will warmly greet you as you seamlessly board Scenic Eclipse. Settle into your luxurious suite and acquaint yourself with the world-class facilities of your Discovery Yacht. Toast the start of your voyage as you sail away from South America and cruise through the Beagle Channel. Admire the dramatic views of the Andean mountains of Tierra del Fuego from the comfort of your private verandah.
Sail across the famed Drake Passage and into Antarctic waters. Relax and enjoy the bars, lounges, dining, and wellness facilities, or head out on the Observation Deck to watch for seabirds and whales. The Discovery Team will share with you their excitement about what’s to come, along with practical information about your polar expedition.
Arriving in Antarctica for the first time is unlike anything you have experienced before. Welcome to a challenging, unpredictable, and stunningly beautiful environment that always finds a way to surprise you.
Included in your Expedition Voyage are incredible activities such as Zodiac excursions, landings, and hikes. You can also go kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.
Landing locations are dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Your experienced Captain and specialist Discovery Team will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day. Some places you may visit include:
Portal Point – Previously a British refuge hut, you will get the opportunity to walk up to see panoramic views from the snow-covered mountains surrounding you
Lemaire Channel – Pass through the 11-kilometre-long channel, just 700 metres wide at its narrowest point, and be amazed at the dramatic rocky mountains and icebergs
Deception Island – One of the only places in the world that ships can sail directly into the centre of a submerged caldera of an active volcano. The island is also home to a few small scientific outposts and hundreds of thousands of chinstrap penguins. Walk along the ash-covered beaches.
Fournier Bay – Mount Francis, the tallest mountain in Antarctica. Explore the remnants of a derelict whaling station and a vacant British base or climb to the rim of a volcanic crater.
Enjoy the chance to visit areas alive with wildlife such as penguins, seals, and whales. If conditions are favourable, there may be the opportunity to cross the Antarctic Circle. You may get to partake in the Polar Plunge, a once in a lifetime opportunity, in which those brave enough jump into the freezing Antarctic waters.
Farewell your adventure in the icy lands and set sail heading north to the continent of South America. Share memories of your experiences with new-found friends. Cruising the Drake Passage back to the tip of South America, there is plenty of time to indulge in the ultra-luxury of your Discovery Yacht and reflect on the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home.
Your voyage ends this morning as you farewell the crew. Disembark after breakfast to fly to Buenos Aires, taking away memories of a truly unforgettable experience.