JOURNEY TO ANTARCTICA: THE WHITE CONTINENT
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JOURNEY TO ANTARCTICA: THE WHITE CONTINENT
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Santiago, Chile | Arrive and spend the night in a hotel |
| Day 2 | Santiago to Ushuaia, Argentina | Flight from Santiago to Ushuaia, embark the ship |
| Day 3 | At Sea | Crossing the Drake Passage |
| Days 4 - 9 | Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands | Antarctic Peninsula outer Islands |
| Days 10 - 11 | At Sea | Crossing the Drake Passage |
| Day 12 | Ushuaia, Argentina to Santiago, Chile | Disembark and fly back to Santiago |
SHIPS OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC RESOLUTION
National Geographic Resolution is a next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation for 128 guests. Its patented X-BOW® is key to its design; its powerful wave-slicing action provides an extremely smooth ride in even adverse conditions, and even reduces spray on deck, for superior observation. Restaurants on board feature local, sustainable choice and unassigned seating for flexible inclusive dining; plus a chefs table for intimate, small group dining. All cabins face outside with large windows, private facilities and climate controls with 53 of them having balconies. Cabins are eqquiped with expedition command centres with tablets and USB/mobile device docking, TVs, Wi-Fi connection and hair dryers. There is a focus on wellness on board with specialists in the area along with a glass-enclosed yoga studio, a gym, treatment rooms and a spa relax area and high and low-heat saunas with ocean views.
Day 1 Santiago, Chile
Arrive in Chile’s mountainous capital and check in to your centrally-located hotel for overnight.
Day 2 Santiago to Buenos Aires, Argentina
The morning’s charter flight offers some rare views as you fly over the starkly rugged terrain of Patagonia to land in Ushuaia, known as the southernmost city in the world (although, with a population of around 60,000, really more of a large town). Set on the shores of the Beagle Channel, ‘Ushuaia’ actually means “the bay facing westward” in the language of the original Yamana inhabitants. Once a penal colony for political prisoners as well as hardened criminals – the Presidio (prison) was closed in the late 1940s – Ushuaia is now a major tourist centre, particularly for people cruising to Antarctica.
You will have lunch aboard a catamaran cruise of the scenic Beagle Channel before embarking your ship in the mid-afternoon. As you board the vessel, you cannot help but wonder about the exciting journey ahead. In the early evening set sail, leaving behind Ushuaia and charting a course through the Beagle Channel, the historic channel that transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America.
Day 3 Drake Passage
Awake well into your journey across the Drake Passage. Lying south between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula, the Drake holds a unique place in maritime lore, sometimes rough, misty and grey, other times calm and clear – the crossing is unpredictable and constantly changing but the legendary Drake Passage is unforgettable. You’ll spend this time getting to know your shipmates, while your polar experts will provide insights into what excitement lies ahead. When you cross the Antarctic Convergence you will notice a distinct drop in temperature as you enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean.
Days 4 – 9 Antarctic Peninsula
With long hours of daylight, the most will be made of the time spent around the Antarctic Peninsula, while maintaining a flexible schedule to take advantage of the unexpected – perhaps watching a huge whale surface off the bow. You will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore bays, channels and landing sites each day. One day you may make a foray among towering bergs under a bright sun, walk along the shoreline amid a huge penguin colony, hike to a summit for a breathtaking view, or kayak along a cliff-side rookery in search of blue-eyed shags. And the next you’ll have the thrill of watching the ship crunch through the pack ice, or step ashore to the cries of thousands of gentoo penguins. You’ll learn from the on-board naturalists how to identify penguins and get photo tips from a National Geographic photographer while watching those same penguins. Back aboard, the team’s undersea specialist may present a video from that day’s dive – rare images taken up to 300 metres below the surface using the ship’s ROV (remotely operated vehicle). Your expert staff will craft an expedition where you will learn more, see more and experience more.
Days 10 – 11 Drake Passage
As you leave the continent and sail back to Ushuaia, an albatross or two may join the escort of seabirds that cross the ship’s bow, and your spotters will keep an eye out for marine life. There’ll be plenty of time to enjoy a wellness treatment, log some time in the gym, or catch up on the book you haven’t had a minute to read. Final presentations from the expedition staff will reflect on all you have seen and learned.
Day 12 Ushuaia, Argentina to Santiago, Chile
In the early morning, arrive back in Ushuaia. After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your crew and fellow travellers. Join the charter flight from Ushuaia to Santiago where your voyage will conclude.
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.
