Iconic Antarctica: The Explorer’s Route

Feel the rhythm of Buenos Aires and get into the spirit of adventure

An overnight stay in Buenos Aires is the ideal way to start your Antarctic voyage. Home to a proud and diverse community of porteños, or ‘people of the port’, the city is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendor and Latin American panache.

There are plenty of places to explore, including many parrillas serving authentic Argentine steak. Or maybe you’d like to practice your dance moves in the famous hometown of the tango.

Why not consider arriving a few days early to see all this vibrant city has to offer.

Set sail from the capital of Tierra del Fuego

The morning begins with an early morning flight to Ushuaia. This port city is the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego Province, and it’s set against the magnificently rugged backdrop of the Andes mountains. Ushuaia vies for the title of the world’s southernmost city, and it’s from here that many adventures to Antarctica set out—including ours.

You’ll be welcomed aboard your hybrid-powered expedition ship – specially designed for exploring polar waters – and after a briefing from your Expedition Team there will be time to settle into your cabin and explore the comforts and amenities on board. Your adventure has truly begun!

Get into adventure mode and learn about the nature and science of Antarctica

On the two-day crossing over the Drake Passage, the Expedition Team will equip you with all you need to make the most of your upcoming adventure.

Visit the onboard Science Center and find out what lies ahead. Listen to experts talk passionately about Antarctica’s history, the scientific study of what’s beneath the ice, and the serious effects of modern-day environmental concerns. You’ll discover how to make your visit as safe and low-impact as possible, and you’ll learn about the onboard Citizen Science projects that help protect the environment and that you can be a part of.

There’s plenty of time to relax, so unwind in the spa and wellness area, enjoy some delicious cuisine in the ship’s restaurants, and meet fellow travelers in the Explorer Lounge & Bar.

Experience all the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula as we enter expedition mode

Nothing quite prepares you for it. Silence and serenity infuse your soul as we sail through the deep blue waters past looming glaciers and cathedral-sized icebergs. Every moment in Antarctica will fill you with wonder.

Large groups of penguins huddle on the ice floes, avoiding the cunning leopard seals that hunt them, and majestic, migrating whales glide past pristine icebergs as they feed on shoals of krill. Look skyward and you may spot some of the 45 species of Antarctic seabirds that live here, including skuas, cormorants, petrels, and terns.

Here, nature reigns, and we are mere observers. Our experienced Captain will continually monitor conditions to create the best possible itinerary for adventure, and we’ll spend nine action-packed days exploring several of the many possible landing sites. Each day promises something different and soul-stirring.

Where most journeys to Antarctica end, yours only intensifies, offering unprecedented access to some lesser-explored areas. Remember, this is an expedition voyage! This means we’ll be able to adapt our itinerary depending on the sea and ice conditions, and we’ll endeavor to spend at least one day – or possibly several – in each of the following regions:

South Shetland Islands:

Typically, the first glimpse of Antarctica for travelers, the South Shetland Islands boast a dramatic landscape across the 20-island archipelago. These rugged isles are not just strikingly beautiful, they are also teeming with wildlife, offering a vibrant, up-close encounter with nature’s resilience and diversity.

Antarctic Sound:

A lesser-visited gem in the region, Antarctic Sound serves as a grand gateway to the Weddell Sea and is home to some of the largest tabular icebergs. This striking corridor of ice and water is also a prime habitat for observing the rare Adélie Penguin and offers a unique snapshot of the grandeur of Antarctica.

The Weddell Sea:

Navigable only by the most advanced ice-strengthened ships, the Weddell Sea offers a profound connection to Antarctic exploration history. It was in this region in 1925 that Ernest Shackleton’s ship, Endurance, was crushed by sea ice, setting off his legendary survival journey. Visitors to this harshly beautiful environment gain a vivid sense of Shackleton’s extraordinary feats. Here, you might also see Emperor Penguins migrating to or from the nearby colony at Snow Hill Island.

Gerlache Strait:

A centerpiece of Antarctic exploration, the Gerlache Strait offers sheltered waterways ideal for up-close encounters with some of the continent’s most iconic sights. This is the area where our ship’s namesake, Roald Amundsen, in 1898 sailed aboard the Belgica before he and the crew became the first humans to overwinter in Antarctica. Frequented by humpback whales and other cetaceans, this area mesmerises visitors with 360-degree views of snow-covered alpine landscapes, providing a truly awe-inspiring backdrop for adventure.

The Penola Strait (South of the Lemaire Channel):

The Penola Strait, accessed via the French Channel, offers a spectacular maze of penguin-covered islands set against the massive glacier-clad peaks of the continental shoreline. This remote area, often beyond the range of standard voyages, teems with wildlife and presents boundless exploration opportunities. The abundant sea ice not only enhances the beauty but also increases the chance of observing seals and other wildlife. If ice and sea conditions allow, the Expedition Team may choose the breathtaking Lemaire Channel instead of the Penola Strait. The former is often hailed as the world’s most picturesque channel, for good reason.

Back on board, the Expedition Team will continue their lectures, enlightening and entertaining with their insights into the wonders of the frozen continent.

Reflect on your adventure

Today, our ship begins to head back north after our exhilarating time in Antarctica. As we make the return trip across the Drake Passage to Ushuaia, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy this time at sea.

Join the Expedition Team in the Science Center to delve into areas of interest in greater depth and contribute your observations to Citizen Science projects. Enlist the help of the Expedition Team to help identify species captured in your photos.

Relax with a treatment in the spa and wellness area or take in the fresh sea air from the on-deck hot tubs. Spend time in the Explorer Lounge & Bar with the new friends you’ve made on your trip, sharing experiences over a relaxing drink.

Enjoy an expedition finale in Buenos Aires

Your expedition cruise ends back where we set out from in Ushuaia, the main city in Tierra del Fuego. From here, you’ll take a flight back to Buenos Aires, but if you’re still in the mood for some more experiences it doesn’t have to be the end of your adventure.

Buenos Aires is a city rich in culture, with some amazing architecture and dining options.