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South Atlantic Semi-Circumnavigation

Ushuaia-Cape Town - Example 23 Day Cruise aboard SH Vega
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This 23-day South Atlantic Semi-Circumnavigation expedition cruise aboard SH Vega departs from Ushuaia, Argentina, and sails south to the icy wilderness of the South Shetland Islands. Along the way, see spectacular glaciers and icebergs, as well as wildlife such as penguins, seals, and whales. The cruise then continues to Antarctica, to explore the continent's unique landscape and wildlife. Visit South Georgia, home to the world's largest macaroni penguin population. From South Georgia, sail to Gough Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then to the volcanic islands of Tristan da Cunha. The cruise concludes in Cape Town, South Africa. The cruise is led by experienced expedition leaders who will help travelers make the most of their time in these amazing destinations.
Highlights
  • Explore the icy wilderness of the South Shetland Islands
  • Discover the unique landscape and wildlife of Antarctica
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gough Island, known for its natural beauty
  • Sail to the volcanic islands of Tristan da Cunha, a remote and captivating destination
Activity Level: Relaxed
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Buenos Aires

Arrive in Buenos Aires, and head on to the hotel via the group transfer. Relax, and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.

Accommodation in Alvear Palace or similar; may vary on every departure.

Day 2: Ushuaia | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
In the morning, join the group transfer to the airport. Fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and hop on the group transfer to the port. Afterward, embark on SH Vega for your Polar adventure.

Nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Martial Range, Ushuaia’s colorful streets and mismatched buildings cascade from the imposing mountains before coming to an abrupt halt at the shores of the Beagle Channel. As one of the world’s southernmost cities, Ushuaia carries its ‘end of the world’ reputation well. The moody weather and dramatic surroundings certainly help. Board your boutique ship before departing for your journey through one of the most captivating wilderness regions of the world.

Day 3-4: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
As you cruise to your next port of call, spend the day at sea savouring the ship’s facilities and learning about your destination’s many facets from the knowledgeable onboard experts. Listen to an enriching talk, indulge in a relaxing treatment at the spa, work out in the well-equipped gym, enjoy some down- time in your cabin, share travel reminiscences with newly found friends: the options are numerous.

Day 5: Antarctic Peninsula | Whalers Bay | Deception Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Among captivating glaciers, majestic icebergs, and snowy islands, the Antarctic Peninsula is where most visitors to the White Continent will live out their Antarctica dream. The Antarctic Peninsula, the most accessible area of the continent, hosts several scientific bases and some of the most interesting wildlife scenery, such as the extremely photogenic Lemaire Channel. Shore excursions might include Petermann Island, where among Adelie penguins, blue-eyed shags and skuas, huge, lumbering elephant seals haul out.

Deception Island is an active volcano part of the South Shetland Islands archipelago. It is one of just two active volcanoes in Antarctica. The island is home to a massive colony of chinstrap penguins, glaciers covering around sixty percent of the island, remarkable geology, and unique flora. The ruins of the historic Hektor Whaling Station provide a fantastic visitor experience.

Day 6-7: Antarctic Peninsula

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Among captivating glaciers, majestic icebergs, and snowy islands, the Antarctic Peninsula is where most visitors to the White Continent will live out their Antarctica dream. The Antarctic Peninsula, the most accessible area of the continent, hosts several scientific bases and some of the most interesting wildlife scenery, such as the extremely photogenic Lemaire Channel. Shore excursions might include Petermann Island, where among Adelie penguins, blue-eyed shags and skuas, huge, lumbering elephant seals haul out.

Day 8: Paulet Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Paulet Island is a circular island about 1.5 km in diameter, lying southeast of Dundee Island, off the northeastern end of the Antarctic Peninsula. The island comprises lava flows, a cinder cone, and a small summit crater. The associated geothermal heat keeps Paulet Island free of ice in many places. Because of its large penguin colony, it is a gorgeous destination for sightseeing and photography.

Day 9-10: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

Day 11-13: South Georgia

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Often called the “Galapagos of the Poles”, South Georgia has a number of landing sites where you get up close to half a million king penguins or three million breeding pairs of macaroni penguins, making up the largest population in the world. If you are lucky you will also see harrumphing elephant seals - from a distance! We also visit Grytviken, the historic whaling station where legendary British explorer Ernest Shackleton (1874–1922) is buried.

Day 14-16: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

Day 17: Gough Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Located 1700 Nautical miles from Cape Town, Gough Island is difficult to locate on a map. With just a permanent group of Scientists Gough is definitely one of the most remote inhabited islands on the planet, home also to some of the world’s rarest birds: the Gough Moorhen and the Gough Bunting. We hope to spot some migrating whales and other fascinating wildlife in the vicinity of the atlantic Gem.

Day 18: Tristan da cunha

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
With barely 250 permanent inhabitants, Tristan da Cunha is far from the beaten path. The island teems with wildlife such as Northern rockhopper penguins, the endangered Tristan Albatross, and sea lions while the surrounding upwellings attract vast numbers of Whales and Dolphins.

Day 19-22: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the onboard lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.

Day 23: Cape Town | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Ending the epic transatlantic journey with one of the most spectacular city sceneries in Africa. Domiated by Table Mountain , Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city with plenty of nearby splendid vineyards, wonderful harbor fronts, and surprising restaurants where one can indulge in delicious seafood.

On this day, make your farewell to your fellow travelers and crew. Head on to the airport via the group transfer provided and then catch the flight to Buenos Aires.

Ship/Hotel

SH Vega

SH Vega
SH Vega Club Lounge
SH Vega Club Lounge

Buenos Aires - Hotels

Dates & Prices

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Deals

Exclusive 2024 Departure Sale!
Extraordinary journeys await. Book now until November 30 and save up to 50% plus an extra $500 per person on all 2024 Swan Hellenic departures.
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Holiday Deals
Book by December 4, 2023, and save up to 50% off your cruise fare on select 2023–2024 cruises aboard SH Diana and SH Vega. Limited cabins are available with no single supplement. This promotion is valid for new bookings and applies to balcony and ocean-view stateroom categories only. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
Applies to Mar 3, 2024 departure

Per person starting at
$21,014
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
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Oceanview D4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
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Oceanview M4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Balcony
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Balcony D5
28 m2, Located at the forward and aft of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
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Balcony M5
28 m2, Located at the center of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
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Balcony D6
28 m2, Located on deck six, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
SH Vega SuitePremium suitePremium Suite
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Suite
44 m2, Our Suites features a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
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Premium Suite
49 m2, Our grandest suites feature a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and a 12 sq.m private balcony.

Notes

At Swan Hellenic, we want to ensure your experience with us is an effortless experience, leaving you to make the most from your expedition, which is why we have included the following within your cruise fare:
 
  • One Night pre-cruise accommodations with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or Onboard
  • All transfers between Airport, Hotel and Ship
  • Room service 24 hours a day
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks & select alcoholic beverages 24 hours a day
  • Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Standard WIFI inclusion
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • One shore excursion per port of call

Additional inclusion for: Antarctica & Arctic
  • Use of Rubber boots for shore landings
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka
  • Flights included roundtrip Buenos Aires - Ushuaia
Included
  • 22 Breakfasts, 20 Lunches, 21 Dinners
  • 22 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Room Service 
  • Wifi
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
  • All transfers between Airport, Hotel and Ship
  • One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
  • Transfers and Flights: Buenos Aires - Ushuaia - Buenos Aires 
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Buenos Aires Hotel tax (up to $2 per person/night) - paid at checkout
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
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