The 10-day Antarctica voyage features several landings. You will sail in comfort and safety on the 2007 custom-built luxurious exploration ship MS Fram.
Day 1: Buenos Aires
Morning arrival at the Buenos Aires Airport in Argentina. Check into the Panamericano hotel for an orientation meeting. You have the rest of the day to explore Buenos Aires at leisure, or join one of the optional excursions.
Day 2: Buenos Aires-Ushuaia-Embarkation
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. You will enjoy an orientation tour of this popular and attractive resort town, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, before boarding MS Fram. In the evening an informative welcome meeting will be held. [B/D]
Days 3-4: The Drake Passage
Less than two days will be spent crossing the Drake Passage. During the crossing numerous lectures will be held on fascinating Antarctica, considered one of the most breathtaking and beautiful continents. You will arrive in Antarctica on Day 5. [B/L/D]
Days 4-8: Antarctica [B/L/D]
Antarctica, "The White Continent," is more than half the size of North America. On the Antarctic Peninsula you'll experience the narrow, glacier-lined Lemaire Channel, considered one of most beautiful passages in Antarctica—where humpback and killer whales, various penguins, and elephant seals are a common sight—and the breathtaking Neumayer Channel, with its majestic cliffs. Visits by PolarCirkel boats will be attempted in various locations (weather permitting), including:
- Whaler's Bay, on Deception Island, with its warm springs and black volcanic sand.
- Half Moon Island, with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, famous for its large chinstrap penguin rookery, kelp gulls and Antarctic terns. Whale spotting is also common here.
- Yankee Harbor, home to a variety of seals and an estimated 4,000 gentoo penguin pairs. It is a common feeding area for whales as well.
- Cuverville Island, boasting the largest known colony of gentoo penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Neko Harbor, off spectacular Errera Channel, home to hundreds of gentoo penguins, Weddell and elephant seals, is believed to be part of mainland Antarctica.
- Almirante Brown, in Paradise Harbor, named for its beauty, with ice cliffs and floating icebergs, home to gentoo and chinstrap penguins.
- Petermann Island, home of the southernmost gentoo penguin colony, blue-eyed shags and Adélie penguins nest here too.
- Port Lockroy, surrounded by mountains, glaciers and ice shelves, and known for its gentoo penguins and blue-eyed cormorants.
- Wilhelmina Bay, feeding ground for whales and seals.
- Antarctic Sound, where huge mile-long tabular icebergs can be seen. The sound is also home to an estimated half-million Adélie penguins as well as gentoo penguins, leopard seals and killer whales.
- Brown Bluff, on the coast of the Antarctic Sound at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Adélie penguins, gentoo penguins, kelp gulls and Cape petrels can be found here and Weddell seals are regular visitors.
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The 2007-built, 280-passenger, 12700-ton exploration ship MS Fram has 8 decks. On board you will find an observation lounge with a passenger bridge, a restaurant and a bistro, a sauna and a jacuzzies, a fitness room and two conference rooms, a shop and an internet cafe, and a library. MS Fram has 97 modern cabins and 39 luxurious suites. (Photo credits: Antarctica traveler Christina Lim ). Click here for more information and photos of the ship and cabins/suites
Days 8-9: The Drake Passage
While you cross this stretch of water from Antarctica, a series of lectures will be held onboard summing up topics related to Antarctica. [B/L/D]
Days 10: Disembarkation-Ushuaia-Buenos Aires
In the morning, you will reach the Argentinean city of Ushuaia. Ushuaia is reckoned to be the most southerly city in the world and is situated on Tierra del Fuego Island south of the Magellan Strait. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your disposal. [B]
SAILING DATES:
FEBRUARY 15, 2012; NOVEMBER 29, 2012; DECEMBER 8, 2012; JANUARY 2, 2013; JANUARY 11, 2013; FEBRUARY 13, 2013
Early booking rates for the 2012/13 season from USD 4999 per person
Rates include:
- Accommodations in select cabin category
- Meals as indicated in itinerary
- Services of expedition guides
- Landings in Antarctica
- Free parka (boots are lent to you)
- Buenos Aires – Ushuaia – Buenos Aires charter flights
- One hotel night pre cruise and one hotel night post cruise in Buenos Aires (only for Jan. 4, Jan. 13 and Feb. 15, 2011 sailings)
Call us now to secure a cabin. We offer the right Antarctica cruise at the right price. Call 1-800-334-6544 (U.S.) or +1-212-480-4521 (International) or go to How to Book
Why sail on MS Fram?
- She's the only brand new vessel sailing in Antarctica
- Board landing craft via a unique sea level docking bay built right into the hull of the ship - no need to climb a ladder to access landing craft
- She's a true expedition ship with ice classified double hull, yet she also boasts luxurious "ocean liner" amenities and facilities.
- Norwegian Officers with years of experience navigating Antarctic/Arctic waters
- All cabins have flat panel televisions and refrigerators
- Modern bathrooms have built in hair dryers and heated floors
- Amenities on board include internet café, wi-fi, fitness room, sauna and Jacuzzi
- Observation lounges, restaurant and bars have floor to ceiling windows for viewing the spectacular scenery
- On board lectures by renowned scientists in state of the art multi media conference rooms
- Newly designed sturdy Polar Circle Boats are used for landings - not old fashioned zodiac craft
MS Fram deck plan
For other Antarctica programs, click here
We offer the right Antarctica cruise at the right price. Call 1-800-334-6544 (U.S.) or +1-212-480-4521 (International) or go to How to Book
Left: Sturdy Polar Circle boats used for landings in Antarctica.
Photo credits: Antarctica traveler Christina Lim
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