Christmas in Antarctica

Ushuaia is the southernmost town in the world and our starting point for an Antarctic adventure. Our staff will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel that we have arranged and included in your itinerary. You are then free to spend the remainder of the day exploring this exciting port and adventure center.

Museo del Fin del Mundo offers a fascinating introduction to the local wildlife and history. You can arrange a range of activities to fit your interests and level of fitness, including hiking through the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park or wildlife watching in Beagle Channel. Ushuaia has a variety of restaurants that serve Patagonian Lamb and delicious Fuegian Seafood.

You can spend the day in Ushuaia after breakfasting at your hotel. Enjoy the beautiful waterfront while admiring the views of the Martial Range - the southernmost peak of the Andes. You can shop for last-minute items such as winter gear or souvenirs. Remember that you'll soon be receiving your own parka and boots for borrowing on the ship. Avenida San Martin is home to many cafés, gelato stores, and parrillas that will satisfy your appetite for lunch.

You will then be transported to a deluxe expedition ship. Explore the spacious ship and settle into your suite. This will be the home for your extraordinary journey. Your expedition team will provide you with an informative introduction and briefing after we get underway. Step out on the decks after the first delicious dinner to enjoy the beautiful evening light and scenery as we sail through the Beagle Channel.

In the coming days we will explore highlights from the South Shetland Islands as well as the Antarctic Peninsula. The scenery in this region is some of the most beautiful and best for wildlife viewing. The sheltered bays, channels and mountains are ablaze with ice. They reflect the peaks of towering mountains covered in snow or encrusted by glaciers. The beauty of the icebergs is unmatched. Marine mammals and seabirds are attracted to the waters rich in krill. This area is full of penguins, which are active at sea foraging and also rookeries on special land areas. We also see research stations of different nationalities here, with some gift shops and postal offices.

South Shetland Islands is the first place we will explore in Antarctica. The South Shetland Islands are a beautiful, untouched island chain with many historic landings and abundant wildlife. The Gerlache Strait region of the Antarctic Peninsula is a stunning wilderness with spectacular white landscapes and colossal glaciers, as well as obliging sea mammals, bustling colonies of penguins, and hospitable marine mammal. The famous Lemaire Channel is also called "Kodak Gap", because it reflects the picture of snow-capped mountains.

On the island and the mainland we can find colonies nesting gentoo penguins and chinstraps and Adelie, often side-by-side. In the nests, chicks of penguins are beginning to emerge. A high concentration of ice on the sea surface also allows seals and penguins congregate, which attracts killer whales. Leopard seals are patrolling near colonies of penguins and minke whales. In this first month of summer, photographers will enjoy the unaltered appearance of snow on the landscape.

Active adventure is the best way to enjoy this wild yet accessible area. For a deeper understanding of the polar wilderness, our guides offer hiking or hill climbing. The wildlife-rich waters in Antarctica provide kayakers with many opportunities to paddle alongside seals and penguins on some of the most picturesque waterways. Spend a night camping ashore to make the most out of your trip on the White Continent.

It is authentic expedition cruising. The weather and the ice will determine our exact route and explore opportunities. The experienced expedition leader and captain will constantly adjust the plans in order to maximize their potential within this difficult polar environment. We take advantage of the nearly 20 hours per day that are available to enjoy wildlife and stunning scenery during our Zodiac and shore excursion cruises.