Complete Antarctica: Sail In, Fly Out

Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina, check in, and stay at Hotel Albatros in the city center. Ushuaia is a common departure point for trips to Antarctica, located on the Beagle Channel near the Drake Passage. Meet other travelers and prepare for the journey ahead.

Spend the morning at the hotel, visit a museum, or explore shops in Ushuaia. In the mid-afternoon, transfer to the ship for boarding. The expedition team and crew provide assistance, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and a welcome dinner with the captain. The voyage to Antarctica begins.

Join the Polar Experts as they share their extensive knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in the pioneering Citizen Science program, or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort the ship as you cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures.

It’s time to slow the ship down, allowing you to fully explore the dreamlike world around you and let the power of this extraordinary place sink in. This is your opportunity to become more intimately acquainted with Antarctica by Zodiac, kayak, snowshoe, or while spending unhurried time ashore, taking in the silence and scale of the landscape. For those engaged in the Citizen Science program, the important work of understanding and documenting this fragile environment continues. Be sure to keep your camera handy, as penguins, seals, and whale sightings are all part of this incredible experience. And a passing iceberg, towering high above, its magical blue light seeming to glow from within, is something you’ll want to share with friends back home.

Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. Here, you can expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife, including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins. It’s also not uncommon to share the water’s edge with elephant and fur seals, while whales are often spotted as well. You settle into the Zodiacs and spend your final day exploring Antarctica.

On the final day aboard Ocean Nova, arrive at King George Island, Antarctica’s most populous island (scientists only, please). After a fond farewell to the Expedition Team, crew, and officers of Ocean Nova, you’ll disembark by Zodiac to the small Chilean station on King George Island, where your chartered aircraft awaits. Board your aircraft and watch the White Continent recede as you fly smoothly across the Drake Passage. Upon arrival in Punta Arenas, Chile, a gala dinner and comfortable rest await you at the beautifully appointed Hotel Cabo de Hornos.

Spend the day exploring the best of Chilean Patagonia on an excursion to the famous Estancia Olga Teresa, a local ranch that embodies Patagonian hospitality. Learn about life at the bottom of the world and keep a close eye out for wildlife, including guanacos, rhea, and Andean condors. In the evening, relax in exceptional comfort back at your hotel or explore the vibrant city of Punta Arenas.

After bidding farewell to your fellow explorers, continue exploring the surroundings of Punta Arenas, head off for more adventure in Patagonia, or travel to the airport for your return journey home and a well-earned rest.