Classic Antarctica (Antarctic Spirit)
aboard the M/V Greg Mortimer or the M/V Sylvia Earle

Classic itinerary to Antarctica and the South Shetland Islands, sailing on the M/V Greg Mortimer or the M/V Sylvia Earle. It sets sail from the port of Ushuaia towards the Antarctic continent to discover the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. We return along the same navigation route to Ushuaia on the Big Island of Tierra del Fuego. Like all M/V Greg Mortimer trips, different adventure options are offered: kayaking, trekking, camping, snorkelling, skiing and photography.

Classic Antarctica (Antarctic Spirit)
aboard the M/V Greg Mortimer or the M/V Sylvia Earle

Classic Antarctica (Antarctic Spirit)<br> aboard the M/V Greg Mortimer or the M/V Sylvia Earle

The Antarctic adventures begin to be enjoyed from the months of October and November. Adventurers, explore Antarctica in its most pristine form. Experience the whales, the penguins and the sea lions as they rush to find the best places to court, feed and raise. Combine continental landings and visits to historical sites with the opportunity to kayak, climbing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. Camp and photograph polar pastel landscapes under a sun close to midnight.

The highlights of this expedition to Antarctica are: Penguin colonies nesting in these habitats, sailing with Zodiac boats among icebergs sculpted by the water, visit historic huts and scientific stations. Enjoy Antarctic marine life, enjoying the presence of seals and whales. Kayaking or camping on land in a unique experience and adventure. To be able to observe Antarctica in its most pristine form. In true expedition style, we encourage exploration and adventure, offering flexibility in challenging environments in a way that puts you between the action to see and do everything possible. This itinerary is only a guide and is subject to changes due to ice and weather conditions.

The Antarctic is one of the few places in the world that can be categorised as being unique. There does not exist a better assessment if we intend futilely try to describe the white continent. It is one of the few natural places that is extremely inhospitable to human habitation whilst a seeming paradise for certain bird and marine life. In the Antarctic, nature dominates the time and space; it imposes on the landscapes a beauty that escapes conventional classification. It is not enough to take hundreds of photos and record hours of videos. It is not possible to trap the silence of this area where the land still shows its primitive form, nearly unaltered. It is difficult to compare and attach descriptions, Antarctic is an experience that has to be seen and felt at first hand and this expedition is close to being the best way that you can live it to the full.

It is the ideal expedition to get to know the most attractive places of the South Shetland Isles and the Antarctic Peninsula, the richest biological region of the white continent. This option allows the observation of the wildlife that has developed in the polar environment, today it is desolate and arid but in prehistoric times it possessed a profuse flora and fauna. During all the itinerary there follows extraordinary landscapes of snow and ice covered mountains and hundreds of glaciers and imposing icebergs that slide slowly through the cold waters of the summer Antarctic, and when the sun does not fall from the horizon, forming the polar night and day. Not one land animal lives in the cold continent; without doubt the diverse wildlife that exists has been developed by the oceans and seas that surround it. Many different species of birds such as seagulls, petrels, cormorants and albatross share their habitats with mammals such as seals, sea lions, whales and orcas.

12 days - 11 nights

Antarctic Spirit

Day 1 - Ushuaia

Reception at the airport in the city of Ushuaia and transfer to the hotel. This day you must remove the labels from your luggage at the hotel assigned by the shipping company and confirm if you wish to navigate the Beagle Channel and Los Lobos Island in tomorrow. A representative of the shipping company will give details of the shipment.

Day 2 - Boarding and departure from the port of Ushuaia, after sailing through the Beagle Channel.

This morning, enjoy a pleasant breakfast at the hotel, then we will pick you up at the hotel at noon to go sailing on the Beagle Channel, visiting the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse (as long as you have confirmed the day before in the lobby of the hotel). First check that your cabin luggage is properly labeled with your name and cabin number. Once checked, leave it at the hotel reception, so that it can be transferred to the corresponding cabin on the boat. Otherwise, enjoy the entire morning free in Ushuaia. In that case around 3:45pm they will pick you up from the hotel lobby to transfer you to the port dock to board. During the navigation through the Beagle Channel we will cross the Bridges Archipelago, we will slow down to observe colonies of sea lions and imperial cormorants sunbathing on the rocky outcrops, while seagulls, rock cormorants, skuas, petrels, albatrosses are often sighted. and cauquenes.

Once boarded in the afternoon, the M/V Greg Mortimer begins its journey, we will meet on the deck to begin our adventure with spectacular views of Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego. You will have time to settle into her cabin before our important briefings. Tonight, she will meet her fellow expedition members and crew at a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of an exciting Antarctic adventure. Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch is on your own.

Day 3 to 4 - Drake Passage, arriving at the South Shetland Islands

As we begin the crossing of the Drake Passage, we make the most of our time to get comfortable with the movements of the sea. Our expedition team prepares you for our first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosafety procedures and begins our lecture program to help you learn more about the history, wildlife and environment of Antarctica. Our wildlife experiences begin when we enjoy observing and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels that follow us. They rise and fall skillfully, using the air currents created by the ship to gain momentum.

On the fourth day we approach the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, the excitement is palpable with each of the meeting points at one of the observation platforms, on the horizon we see the first icebergs. The ocean takes on a new perspective once we are below the Antarctic Convergence and are surrounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of your first big iceberg sighting is likely to stay with you for a lifetime. Weather permitting, we can attempt our first landing in Antarctica in the late afternoon.

Day 5 to 9 - Antarctic Peninsula

It is almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Discovering your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of the world's freshest air is an experience that will stay with you forever. Once we arrive, we will be able to explore the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, and we will have a wealth of options available. Because we are so far south we will have approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you like. Their experienced expedition team, who have made countless trips to this area, will use their experience to design your trip day by day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. We generally carry out Zodiac landings or excursions twice a day. You'll want to bundle up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among stranded icebergs, keeping an eye out for whales, seals, and porpoise penguins. The zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin colonies, discover historic cabins and explore some of our favorite places along the peninsula.

While on land, our goal is to stretch our legs, strolling along pebble beaches or perhaps climbing snow-covered ridges to viewpoints with mountains towering above our heads and ice-flecked oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to participate in the activity whenever conditions allow and of course polar diving enthusiasts will have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in polar waters, conditions permitting! The polar dive can take place at any time during the trip, so listen to the expedition team's announcement and get ready for the most exciting dive of your life! In addition to Zodiac departures and shore excursions, we can sail by boat through some of the spectacular straits that separate the coastal islands from the mainland, or stop in picturesque bays to watch whales traveling or feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or head to the bridge (open at the captain's discretion) for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its glory. Listen to the crunch and deep rumble of the glaciers as they head out to sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of the pristine paradise of the splendid white continent.

Day 10 to 11 - Returning through Drake Passage

On the morning of the 10th we will make our last landing in the South Shetland Islands and then begin our return to the American continent entering the Drake Passage. Enjoy lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience. As we approach South America, exceptionally our Captain will be able to sail close to the legendary Cape Horn, weather and weather permitting.

Day 12 - Ushuaia

During the early morning, we sail along the Beagle Channel, before disembarking at the Ushuaia dock, around 8:00 am. Farewell to your expedition team and traveling companions as we all continue on our future journeys, hopefully with a new sense of the immense power of nature. Upon disembarking, passengers on flights departing before 2:00 p.m. will be transferred directly to Ushuaia airport, while those lucky enough to continue their journey in this spectacular region of the world will be transferred to their accommodation in Ushuaia after journey. Passengers flying after 2pm will have time to explore Ushuaia, before an afternoon airport transfer, details of which will be provided on board prior to disembarkation. At the end of the trip, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia before 12:00 p.m. of the day of disembarkation in case of delays.

Note: Please note that all our travel plans are subject to weather conditions and landings cannot always be guaranteed. Traveling to Antarctica is flexible and no trip is ever the same, so the activities detailed in the itinerary are for reference only.

Map of Route

 Classic Antarctica (Antarctic Spirit)<br> aboard the M/V Greg Mortimer or the M/V Sylvia Earle

Services

Services included
  • Transfer from the airport to the hotel.
  • Accommodation night the day before departure.
  • Half-day city tour in Ushuaia before boarding (lunch not included)
  • Transfer from the pier to the city center or to the airport, when you disembark.
  • Onboard accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
  • All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
  • Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
  • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
  • All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
  • Educational lectures and guiding services from expedition team
  • Free access to our onboard doctor for consultations relating to sea-sickness. A standard fee of US $60.00 (reclaimable through your travel insurance provider) applies for medical consultations not related to sea-sickness
  • A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
  • Complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information
  • Port surcharges, permits and landing fees
Services not included
  • International or domestic flights to or within South America, unless specified
  • Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Airport arrival or departure taxes
  • Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination charges
  • Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
  • Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
  • Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
  • Optional activity surcharges
  • All items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, gratuities, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges

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