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Sunrise over the black rock mountain range covered by a thick layer of eternal snow.

Classic Antarctica

Ushuaia roundtrip - Example 11 Day Cruise aboard SH Minerva
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On this 11-day Falkland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula cruise, travel to stunning ice-filled waters where spectacular icebergs groan, tens of thousands of penguins roost, and breaching minke and humpback whales float smoothly by. Start your adventurous journey in Ushuaia, Argentina, and see the fascinating barrios. Before arriving at the frozen Antarctic Peninsula, where you will see captivating glacial vistas, your journey to the White Continent continues through the island settlements of The Falklands. You arrive at Ushuaia at the bottom of the world after a few weeks of arctic adventure, having witnessed the breathtaking beauty of some of the planet's most unusual landscapes.
Leopard seal resting on ice floe, looking at the photographer, blue sky, with icebergs in background, cloudy day, Antarctic peninsulaIceberg off coast of AntarcticaAdelie Penguin, pygoscelis adeliae, Group Leaping into Ocean, Paulet Island in AntarcticaPenguins everywhereBird watching in the Drake Passage (Albatross)Humpback Whale in the AntarcticaHumpback whale emerges from polar watersSunrise over the black rock mountain range covered by a thick layer of eternal snow.
Highlights
  • Explore the notoriously rough two-day Drake Passage sea crossing
  • Admire monumental icebergs in the Gerlache Strait and Antarctic Sound as you head to the Weddell Sea
  • Adore hundreds of penguins as they gather in their thousands in their natural habitat
  • Enjoy breaching whales and huge albatross overhead
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Buenos Aires

Arrive in Buenos Aires, relax and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.
 

Day 2: Ushuaia | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
Fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and embark on SH Minerva for your Polar adventure.

Ushuaia is the gateway to the White Continent. Found at the southernmost tip of South America in Argentinian Patagonia, the city is often described as “the End of the World”. The city’s mountain backdrop rises above the harbor and entrance to the Beagle Channel. The town itself is walkable and has a few small museums as well as pubs, restaurants, and cafes - a good place to try Patagonian lamb cooked over open fire pits.

Day 3-4: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
You can spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable on-board experts.

Day 5: South Shetland Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
While the South Shetlands’ proximity to Antarctica makes the ice-bound sea impassable during winter (April to November), these are the first islands to see snow melt in spring (March) and the slightly warmer temperature means that the fauna is also different from what you see in Antarctica proper. As you go ashore by Zodiac, notice ferns, grasses, lichens and native flora that have more in common with Patagonia than they do with Antarctica.

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: South Shetland Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
While the South Shetlands’ proximity to Antarctica makes the ice-bound sea impassable during winter (April to October), these are the first islands to see snowmelt in spring (November) and the slightly warmer temperature means that the fauna is also different from what you see in Antarctica proper. As you go ashore by Zodiac, notice ferns, grasses, lichens, and native flora that have more in common with Patagonia than they do with Antarctica.

Day 9-10: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 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 11: Ushuaia | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Ushuaia is the gateway to the White Continent. Found at the southernmost tip of South America in Argentinian Patagonia, the city is often described as “the End of the World”. The city’s mountain backdrop rises above the harbor and entrance to the Beagle Channel. The town itself is walkable and has a few small museums as well as pubs, restaurants, and cafes - a good place to try Patagonian lamb cooked over open fire pits.

Ship/Hotel

SH Minerva

SH Minerva in Arntarctica
Minerva sundeck
Minarva Jacuzzi

Buenos Aires - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
Minerva Ocean View
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Oceanview D4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Minerva Ocean View
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Oceanview M4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Minerva BAlconyMinerva 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
Minerva BalconyMinerva 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
Minerva BAlconyMinerva 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
Minerva 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.
Minerva Premium Suite
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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.
Included
  • 10 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
  • 10 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

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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