Itinerary
- Day 1
Ushuaia
You'll land in Ushuaia, Argentina's southernmost city and your jumping off point for Antarctica. Spend the day however you like, whether that's walking along the waterfront with views of the Beagle Channel, checking out Tierra del Fuego National Park if time allows, or grabbing some local handcrafted chocolate. There's a welcome meeting at 5 pm where you'll meet your expedition crew, so try to get some rest after since tomorrow starts early.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting at hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Tierra del Fuego National Park
- Stroll around Ushuaia town
- Visit waterfront overlooking Beagle Channel
- Sample handcrafted chocolate at local cafe
Landmarks/POIs Beagle Channel Tierra del Fuego National Park - Day 2
Ushuaia to Drake Passage
After a final morning in Ushuaia, you'll board the Ocean Nova. The ship heads through the Beagle Channel, the same waters Charles Darwin sailed, and then moves toward the Drake Passage. Watch the landscape change as South America fades behind you. Your next land will be the Antarctic Peninsula, so keep your eyes open during the journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Board Ocean Nova expedition cruise ship
- Passage through Beagle Channel
- Zodiac cruising through Drake Passage
Optional Activities
- Explore Ushuaia before departure
Landmarks/POIs Beagle Channel Drake Passage - Day 3
Drake Passage
Crossing the Drake Passage, you're on some of the world's most powerful waters. Whales, dolphins, and wandering albatrosses might show up if you're lucky. The Expedition Team starts their lecture program today, covering Antarctic wildlife, history, and geology to get you ready for what's ahead. Stop by the bridge to watch for wildlife from the command center.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Expedition Team lecture program
- Wildlife spotting on outer decks
- Open bridge policy access to command center
- Seabird and marine wildlife observation
Landmarks/POIs Drake Passage - Day 4
Antarctic Peninsula
Zodiac cruises and landings continue each day, with routes changing based on weather and ice conditions. Your expedition team adjusts plans daily to find the best wildlife viewing and safest landing sites on the peninsula.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Zodiac cruises and landings
- Expedition Team presentations and lectures
- Wildlife spotting and observation
Optional Activities
- Day paddle excursion (USD 349)
- Polar plunge off Ocean Nova
Landmarks/POIs Antarctic Peninsula - Day 5
Antarctic Peninsula
Multiple Zodiac trips and landings let you get close to chinstrap, gentoo, and Adelie penguin colonies. You'll see crabeater, Weddell, fur, and elephant seals in their natural habitat. Between excursions, catch presentations and wildlife documentaries onboard. If you're interested, optional activities include paddling trips or taking the polar plunge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Multiple daily Zodiac cruises
- Landings at wildlife viewing sites
- Penguin colony visits
- Marine mammal observation
- Expedition Team wildlife and history presentations
- Documentary screenings
- Polar plunge
Optional Activities
- Optional paddling excursion
Landmarks/POIs Antarctic Peninsula - Day 6
Antarctic Peninsula
Daily Zodiac excursions and landings continue across the Antarctic Peninsula. You'll observe penguin colonies and seal species while the Expedition Team shares presentations about what you're seeing and the region's natural history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Zodiac cruises and landings
- Wildlife observation and photography
- Expedition Team lectures and presentations
Optional Activities
- Day paddle excursion
- Polar plunge
Landmarks/POIs Antarctic Peninsula - Day 7
Antarctic Peninsula
More daily Zodiac trips and landings let you explore different parts of the peninsula. Watch penguin colonies and spot various seal species while learning from your Expedition Team's presentations onboard and during excursions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Zodiac cruises and landings
- Wildlife observation and photography
- Expedition Team lectures and presentations
Optional Activities
- Day paddle excursion
- Polar plunge
Landmarks/POIs Antarctic Peninsula - Day 8
Antarctic Peninsula
Daily Zodiac excursions and landings continue around the Antarctic Peninsula. Keep watching for penguin colonies and seal species, and the Expedition Team keeps offering presentations to help you understand what you're observing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Zodiac cruises and landings
- Wildlife observation and photography
- Expedition Team lectures and presentations
Optional Activities
- Day paddle excursion
- Polar plunge
Landmarks/POIs Antarctic Peninsula - Day 9
Antarctic Circle
You'll cross the Antarctic Circle at 66 degrees 33 minutes south, reaching one of Earth's most isolated latitudes that few people ever visit. Colossal icebergs surround you, and Weddell seals adapted for extreme cold conditions are visible here. This crossing marks a real milestone, showing you Antarctica's raw power in one of its most remote zones.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Antarctic Circle crossing celebration
- Zodiac cruises past icebergs
- Weddell seal observation
Landmarks/POIs Antarctic Circle - Day 10
Antarctic Peninsula
Daily Zodiac excursions and landings continue as the expedition explores the Antarctic Peninsula. You'll observe penguin colonies and seal species while receiving presentations from the Expedition Team about the region and its wildlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Zodiac cruises and landings
- Wildlife observation and photography
- Expedition Team lectures and presentations
Optional Activities
- Day paddle excursion
- Polar plunge
Landmarks/POIs Antarctic Peninsula - Day 11
Antarctic Peninsula
As Ocean Nova turns north, you'll use what you've learned about penguin species and wildlife spotting. Continued Zodiac cruises and landings across the peninsula let you practice telling fur, leopard, and Weddell seals apart and capture good photographs of what you've seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Zodiac cruises and landings
- Wildlife spotting and photography
- Seal and penguin species observation
Landmarks/POIs Antarctic Peninsula - Day 12
At Sea
Spend your final days at sea thinking back on the Antarctic journey. The Expedition Team offers more lectures, and the photographer shows a slideshow of the best images captured during the trip, which you'll receive as keepsakes. Later, you'll enter the Beagle Channel and celebrate with fellow travelers and your crew.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Additional onboard lectures
- Expedition Photographer slideshow presentation
- Final celebration with Expedition Team and fellow travelers
Landmarks/POIs Beagle Channel - Day 13
Ushuaia
After breakfast, you'll leave the Ocean Nova as your Antarctic expedition wraps up. A morning transfer gets you either to Ushuaia Airport or downtown. If you want to stay longer in the region, contact your booking agent before the trip to arrange that.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Disembarkation from Ocean Nova
- Morning transfer to Ushuaia Airport or downtown
Optional Activities
- Extend your stay in Ushuaia
- Day 14
Ushuaia
After breakfast, you'll leave the Ocean Nova and head to either Ushuaia Airport or downtown. If you want to stick around Ushuaia a bit longer, your booking agent can help arrange that for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Disembark the Ocean Nova
- Morning transfer to Ushuaia Airport or downtown
Landmarks/POIs Ushuaia Airport
