Get into the holiday spirit of snow, sleighs, and the wildlife of your wintery dreams with a personalized Antarctica tour at Christmas. Your time spent around the Southern Ocean will be a perfect, unparalleled present as you traverse bays and channels crowded with icebergs and ice floes on a speeding zodiac boat that will bring you close up to the soaring figures. Kayak around the protected waterways as you search for passing whales and listen to the cacophonous calls of penguins. Embrace...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Ushuaia – Arrive in Ushuaia with the Andes Mountains and Beagle Channel
The port at Ushuaia draws adventurers from around the world with the promise of dramatic forests, exciting waters, and secluded islands at the end of the South American continent. The narrow city contains steep streets that ramble between the foothills of the snowcapped Martial Range and the shoreline of the Beagle Channel. The Andes Mountains sprawl across the continent for more than 4,300 miles touching Colombia in the north and plunging into the waters of the Beagle Channel at Ushuaia in the south.
Your private transfer will greet you at Malvinas Argentinas International Airport and escort you to your gorgeous hotel in view of the passing fishing trawlers and cruise ships on the water. The remainder of the day will be yours to enjoy the unique landscape that has lovingly claimed the title of the “city at the end of the world.” The century-old Iglesia de la Merced was erected using labor from convicts, and located on Avenida San Martin, reflects on the city’s distinctive past of missionaries, convicts, and sailors often from countries other than Argentina.
The aroma of hops emanates from the microbrewery and fades beneath the scent of the saltwater from the channel. Nearby, the art project and urban refuge of Parque Yatana embodies the contemporary city with a full city block of lenga forest preserved from encroaching development. Hiking trails weave through the trees and lead to a community arts center at the heart of the park where the Yatana practice their traditional crafts. The air of the Argentinian summer still holds a cold chill that blows in from the South Sea hundreds of miles away, blending with the bleached summits of the Martial Range to create an ambiance of Christmas.
What's Included:
Day 2
Ushuaia – Board your Seafaring Vessel and Set Sail on the Beagle Channel
Day 3
Drake Passage – Travel across the Infamous Drake Passage in Comfort
Day 4
Drake Passage – Search for Seabirds and Marine Life on the Drake Passage
Day 5
South Shetland Islands – Cross Hidden Bays and Channels to the South
Day 6
South Shetland Islands – Discover Penguin Rookeries on the Islands
Day 7
Antarctic Peninsula - Explore the Terrain and Wildlife of Port Lockroy
Day 8
Antarctic Peninsula – Find Whales, Seals, and Penguins on a Zodiac Boat
Day 9
South Shetland Islands – Navigate around Icebergs and Island Beaches
Day 10
Drake Passage – Relax on the Luxurious Journey back to Ushuaia
Day 11
Drake Passage – Attend Lectures or Search for Wildlife
Day 12
Ushuaia – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Celebrate Christmas, a holiday meant for snow, in the whitewashed wonderland of Antarctica
- Witness the daily lives of several different species of penguins as you visit the islands around the South Shetland Archipelago and Antarctic Peninsula
- Listen to captivating lectures about the unique topography, history, flora, and fauna of the Seventh Continent for deeper insight into its majesty
- Enjoy watching for wildlife from the top deck of your cruise ship as you travel along the secluded channels or through the Drake Passage
- Discover the fascinating affect the Antarctic convergence has on the sea and experience the weather firsthand as you pass through the Drake Passage
- Learn about the captivating life-cycle of different plants that are capable of growing in the frigid temperatures of Antarctica, which includes moss and grass
- Kayak under the safe guidance of a specialist that will lead you through the calm waters of a protected bay to get close to majestic icebergs
- Utilize zodiac boats to travel between the ship and pebbled shores of various islands, including Gibbs Island to search for the macaroni penguins
Detailed Description
The holiday season is the perfect time for an expedition to the Southern Ocean on a 12-day Antarctica cruise that will depart from Ushuaia, Argentina. Even in the summer in the Southern Hemisphere, icebergs flow along the secluded channels and penguins nest on the pebbled shores of isolated islands. Elephant seals trumpet against unwelcomed visitors and whales surface without warning, blowing their spout nearly 15 feet into the air. The snowy continent provides incredible gifts on land and sea, represented in the untainted waters and pristine landscapes of the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula.
Your Antarctica vacation will begin with your arrival at Ushuaia’s airport, Malvinas Argentinas International. Your time in the city at the southern tip of the South American continent will give you some time to settle in after your travels, and prepare you for your upcoming cruise with extra time to wander through the streets and enjoy the views over the edge of the Andes Mountains. You will board your ship in the port at Ushuaia and sail along the Beagle Channel to reach the Drake Passage. Your time spent aboard your luxury vessel will come with plenty of entertainment and relaxation when at sea while observation decks offer space to search for passing wildlife. The interior galleries host plenty of lectures with specialists and expedition leaders well-versed in the many splendors of Antarctica.
Travel around the South Shetland archipelago and visit a number of the islands that host everything from research bases to penguin and seal colonies, and even hot springs fed by subterranean geothermal activity. Travel by zodiac boat between the islands to get close to icebergs and the pebbled beaches in view of protruding glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and the barren expanse of the Antarctic Peninsula. Relish a chance to kayak around the fascinating waterways and learn the best methods of taking photos in the whitewashed scenery to capture the moments of your Christmas season on your Antarctica tour. Before returning home, you will have the option of extending your time in South America by spending New Years in Buenos Aires or viewing the enchanting ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru.
Starting Price
$15,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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