Group Tour Highlights
- Begin the journey at the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia
- Set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers
- Spot an assortment of seabirds while sailing through this magnificently barren environment
- Near the South Shetland Islands, get a glimpse at the first icebergs of the trip
- Possibly take the first landing in Antarctic at Penguin Island
- Observe a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses)
- Enjoy the company of a number of penguin breeds such as Gentoo and chinstrap penguins
- Spot Elephant seals hauling out on the beach
- Possibly land on Deception Island with a colony of over ten thousand Chinstrap Penguins
- Make the exciting hike to Whalers Bay on Deception Island, a huge volcano
- Find hot springs on Deception Island as well as an abandoned whaling station
- An opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords
- Possibly see the areas massive Humpback and Minke Whales
- Visit scientific stations in Antarctica providing insight into the life of modern Antarcticans
Tour Overview
Explore the Antarctic Peninsula on the Hebridean Sky and witness the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. In the southern summer large ice-free areas provide breeding grounds for very large numbers of seabirds and seals. From King George Island and Penguin Island we will sail down to the beautiful Paradise Bay, where you can go ashore on the Antarctic mainland. The narrow and spectacular Lemaire Channel is surrounded by mountains and glaciers and a popular passage for several species of whales journeying up and down the sheltered Antarctic Peninsula waterways. In the Antarctic Peninsula Minke Whales, the smallest of the rorqual whales and ferocious-looking Leopard Seals are common.
The coastal regions are populated by sea birds such as Petrels, Albatrosses, Skuas and Penguins as well as marine mammals like the Crabeater Seal, Leopard Seal, Ross Seal, Weddell Seal, Fin Whale and Right Whale, Sea Lions. In the Antarctic Peninsula tens of thousands of Adelie Penguins nest on Paulet Island. Large numbers of whales seek shelter in the protected waterways of Lemaire Channel. The Antarctic sea regions contain the greatest quantities of animal protein on Earth.
Inclusions
Prices do not include airfare and transfers; pre- and post-land arrangements; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance, and all items of a personal nature.
Please note that itinerary is subject to change. All itineraries are for reference only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
All rates are quoted per person in US Dollar, based on twin occupancy. Not all cabins are available on all dates. Please check with your Yampu travel consultant for the most up-to-date availability.
Notes:
* No visa is required for travel to Argentina as a U.S., Canadian or Australian citizen. A reciprocity fee must be paid prior to entering Argentina. The current amount that must be paid by U.S. citizens is $160 per person and $100 per person (single entry) for Canadian citizens.
Package Price: $9495
Package Price: From N/A
Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.
Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia anytime today. Your day is free to relax, or enjoy the Argentinean leather markets and succulent lamb dishes that make Patagonia famous as you explore the southernmost town in the world. Our optional evening briefing is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and to meet some of your fellow travelers.
Arrive in Ushuaia anytime today. Your day is free to relax, or enjoy the Argentinean leather markets and succulent lamb dishes that make Patagonia famous as you explore the southernmost town in the world. Our optional evening briefing is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and to meet some of your fellow travelers.
Embarkation
Morning read more...
Morning free to explore Ushuaia until our mid-afternoon transfer to the ship, where you will be greeted by our Expedition Team and ship’s officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain’s welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on our early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies.
As we sail across the passage, Antarpply Expeditions' lecturers will be out with you on deck to help in the identification of an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow in our wake. The USHUAIA's open bridge policy allows you to join our officers on the bridge and learn about navigation, watch for whales, and enjoy the view. A full program of lectures will be offered as well.
The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands, a group of twenty islands and islets first sighted in February 1819 by Capt. William Smith of the brig Williams. With favorable conditions in the Drake Passage our lecturers and naturalists will accompany you ashore as you experience your first encounter with the penguins and seals on Day 3. ...read less
Drake Passage
Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are the Albatrosses, Prions, and Petrels that frequently follow the ship. Our Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the Whales and Dolphins that may also be seen in the area.
Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are the Albatrosses, Prions, and Petrels that frequently follow the ship. Our Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the Whales and Dolphins that may also be seen in the area.
Drake Passage
Continuance of Day 3
Continuance of Day 3
Antarctica!
The read more...
The land of superlatives, Antarctica! Our Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. The route will stress the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas as well as sites of historic and scientific interest.
The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the Humpback Whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel.
We may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well as an historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House. Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins abound, and Weddell, Crabeater and Elephant Seals are often found hauled out to rest along with predatory Leopard Seals and the aggressive Antarctic Fur Seal. Minke and Humpback Whales are frequent visitors in the late season and Orca sightings are also common. ...read less
Antarctica
Continuance of Day 5
Continuance of Day 5
Antarctica
Continuance of Day 5
Continuance of Day 5
Antarctica
Continuance of Day 5
Continuance of Day 5
Antarctica
Continuance of Day 5
Continuance of Day 5
Drake Passage
We will continue our presentation series and wildlife spotting as we sail back to Ushuaia and reflect on beautiful Antarctica and its fragile future. We arrive at Ushuaia in the early hours of Day 12.
We will continue our presentation series and wildlife spotting as we sail back to Ushuaia and reflect on beautiful Antarctica and its fragile future. We arrive at Ushuaia in the early hours of Day 12.
Drake Passage
Continuance of Day 10
Continuance of Day 10
Morning Disembarkation
Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.
Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.
Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina
Drake Passage
Cuverville Island
Neko Harbour
Melchior Islands
Places You'll See
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Ushuaia
Regarded as the southernmost city of the world, Ushuaia has a lot of things to see. Take the End of the World Train to the Tierra del Fuego National Park for hiking on their well-marked trails. Sail around the Beagle Channel view gorgeous views of the mountains, as well as sea lions and penguins. Or visit the Presidio, the museum of the historical military prison of Ushuaia.
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