Incredible Antarctica

Day 1 - Monday 18 November 2019

Melbourne - Santiago - Buenos Aires (Meals Inflight)

Welcome to the best adventure of your life!  Meet your tour hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Airport for our flight to South America.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the inflight entertainment of our airlines.  Arriving into Beunos Aires, Argentina late evening with an overnight stay.

Overnight - Buenos Aires

Day 2 - Tuesday 19 November 2019

Buenos Aires - Ushuaia (B)

This morning we'll transfer to the airport for our flight to Ushuaia where we'll be met and transferred to our accomomdation in preparation for our departure tomorrow on the Greg Mortimer Aurora Expeditions Vessel.

Overnight - Ushuaia Accommodation 

Day 3 - Wednesday 20 November 2019

Embarkation Day in Ushuaia (B,D)

This morning, our luggage will be collected from our hotel and transferred directly to port for clearance and loading onto our ship.  We'll have the day at leisure before making our own way to the port in the late afteroon to meet our expedition team and start boarding at 4.00pm.  

Ushuaia is a bustling community that was previously the world's most southerly town, a claim that now belongs to nearby Puerto Williams.  The town itself sits beneath the spectacular mountains of Tierra del Feugo on the edge of the Beagle Channel. Ushuaia is a duty free port with a reputation for its delicious Argentinian chocolates and leather goods, and is a great place to buy souvenirs and presents.  There are a host of excellent restaurants available, so whether you are looking for a quick coffee, an excellent meal of king crab, or an Argentinian barbeque, you'll be spoiled for choice.

As the Greg Mortimer pulls away the port, we'll gather on the deck to commence our adventure with spectacular views over Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.  We'll have time to settle into our cabin before our important briefings.  This evening we'll get to know our fellow expeditioners and friendly expedition team and crew at a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of our thrilling adventure to Antarctica.

Day 4 - Thursday 21 November 2019

Drake Passage Crossing (B,L,D)

As we commence the Drake Passage crossing, we make the most of our time getting comfortable with the motions of the sea. Our expedition team prepare you for our first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures and start our lecture program to help you learn more about Antarctica’s history, wildlife and environment.  Our wildlife experiences begin as we enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following in our wake. They rise and fall skilfully, using air currents created by the ship to gain momentum.

Day 5 - Friday 22 November 2019

Drake Passage - South Shetland Islands (B,L,D)

Nearing the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula on day four, the excitement is palpable with everyone converging on one of the observation decks, watching for our first iceberg. The ocean takes on a whole 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 remain with you for a lifetime.

Weather permitting, we may attempt our first landing in Antarctica by late afternoon.

Day 6 - Day 10 Saturday 23 November - Wednesday 27 November 2019

Antarctica Peninsula (B,L,D)

Over the next five days a host of choices are open to us, and depending on ice and weather conditions, the western
side of the Antarctic Peninsula is ours to explore. Our experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design our voyage from day to day. This allows us to make best use of the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.  Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-20 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish. We will generally make landings or Zodiac excursions two, and occasionally three, times a day; cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, following whales that are feeding near the surface, and landing on the continent and its off-shore islands to visit penguin rookeries, seal haul outs, historic huts, and a few of our other favourite spots along the peninsula. There will be plenty of time for sleep when you get home!

During this voyage, there will be an opportunity to camp ashore (weather and time permitting). This will give you the chance to sample the style of adventure that Scott, Shackleton and other legendary Antarctic explorers experienced, although with slightly better equipment! Rest assured, our warm and comfortable ship with its hot showers will only be a short distance away!

There are many exciting places we can choose to visit; a sample of some of the places where we may land, hike, photograph or view spectacular wildlife follows:

Paradise Harbour
A protected bay surrounded by magnificent peaks and breathtaking glaciers, the rocky cliffs of this unforgettable piece of heaven provide perfect nesting sites for blue-eyed shags, terns and gulls. The serenity of Paradise Harbour envelops us once the sound of the dropping anchor fades from our ears. This is a haven for whales as we keep our eyes open for humpbacks, orcas and minkes, as well as crabeater seals, whilst we explore the bay in Zodiacs.

Hydrurga Rocks
This group of low-lying unprotected granitic rocks protrude from the sea, swept by ocean swells. At first these rocks appear uninteresting, but on closer investigation, calm channels lead to a hidden interior where Weddell seals are hauled out on protected snow beds and noisy chinstrap penguins raise their families on rocky platforms. Hydrurga is the Latin family name for leopard seal (Hydrurga Leonina), and on occasions we see some skulking in the shallows.  There are many places to simply sit and watch the rise and fall of clear green water and listen to the magic sounds and calls of the wildlife.

Half Moon Island
This wildlife-rich island is tucked into a neat bay at the eastern end of Livingston Island. On a clear day, the glaciers and mountains of Livingston Island dominate the vista. There is a large chinstrap penguin rookery tucked in between basaltic turrets coloured by yellow and orange lichens. Gulls nest on these turrets and there are often fur seals and elephant seals hauled out on the pebble beaches. At one extremity of the island there is a large colony of nesting blue-eyed shags. At the other end lies a small Argentine station that is sometimes occupied by scientists conducting research on the penguin colony and surrounding waterways.

Lemaire Channel
If ice conditions allow, standing on the observation deck of the Greg Mortimer quietly moving through the narrow Lemaire Channel could be one of the highlights of our voyage. Cliffs tower 700 metres straight out of the ocean on either side of the ship. The water can be so still that perfect reflections are mirrored on the surface and it is clear to see why this Channel is also known as “Kodak Alley”. Gigantic icebergs may clog the channel, creating navigational challenges for our Captain and crew; occasionally they may even obstruct our passage.

Port Lockroy
Located on Goudier Island, British Port Lockroy is an important site for both scientific research and visitors to the Antarctic continent. Designated a historic site in 1994 and opened to the Antarctic tourism industry in 1996, it was discovered in 1904 and used by the whaling industry in the first half of the 1900’s, was part of the British Operation Tabarin during World War II, and was later used as a British Research Station. Today, Pork Lockroy is manned by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust and operates as a museum, gift shop and Post Office for visitors from passing Antarctic
expeditions. You can even send a post card home from the Penguin Post Office, the world’s most southern Post Office!

Deception Island
Visiting Deception Island is like making a journey to the moon. We sail through the narrow opening of Neptune's Bellows to enter the flooded volcanic crater. The inside of the crater is an unworldly scene, virtually devoid of life.  Glaciers flow down from the edge of the crater, littered by black volcanic ash.
We can explore the lifeless remains of a derelict whaling station and a vacant British base, or climb to the rim of the crater. Steam rises from the shore indicating that the water is actually warm enough for swimming, for those who dare. Outside the crater, if conditions allow, we might land at Bailey Head to explore the enormous chinstrap penguin rookery that featured in David Attenborough's Life in the Freezer series.

Neko Bay
Located in Andvord Bay, Neko Harbour is an inlet home to gentoo penguins, and regularly welcomes Weddell seals.  The scenery is dramatic - towering peaks and calving glaciers surround the harbour. The thundering crack of the glaciers as they calve is sure to stop you in your tracks.

Robert Point
A fine example of the South Shetland Islands – tiny toes of land that are literally alive with wildlife. Here we will find two species of penguins breeding - chinstrap and gentoo. It is not uncommon to find wallows of elephant seals that are 60 beasts strong. Giant petrels nest on the ridgeline.

Other places we may visit around the Antarctic Peninsula are:
Pleneau Island
Vernadsky, a Ukranian scientific base
Petermann Island
Penola Strait
Antarctic Sound
Cuverville Island
Danco Island
Enterprise Island
Melchior Islands

Day 11 - Day 12 Thursday 28 November - Friday 29 November 2019

Drake Passage Crossing (B,L,D)

Today, our landings come to an end as we enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America. With lectures and videos to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced, and the impact this voyage has had on our attitude to life.  As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.

Day 13 - Saturday 30 November 2019

Disembark - Ushuaia to Buenos Aires (B)

During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature. A transfer to downtown Ushuaia before continuing to the airport is included in the cost of the voyage.  We'll fly to Buenos Aires to get our land legs back and enjoy our 3 night stay in the Argentinian Capital.

Overnight - Intersur Recoleta (or similar)

Day 14 - Sunday 1 December 2019

Buenos Aires (B)

Buenos Aires combines faded European grandeur with Latin passion. Sexy and alive, this beautiful city gets under your skin.  Today a real treat - We are in Beunos Aires on the best day to discover both the San Pedro Antiques Fair and the Mataderos Fair.  Early in the morning, every Sunday since 1970, the San Pedro Telmo Antiques Fair begins to take shape on the pavement of Plaza Dorrego.  More than 270 stalls are distributed around the square and on the Defensa street which becomes a pedestrian street only for this day. The fair receives about 10,000 visitors each Sunday and there is a high percentage of tourists from all around the world. At the fair, you can find almost anything you are looking for. From furniture and artifacts, to traditional Argentine crafts, clothing and leather goods. We'll also visit the Mercado de San Telmo where we can shop for souvenirs and see unique vendors and stores. After two hours there, we'll depart to the southwest part of the city of Buenos Aires, where we'll visit one of the most important fairs in the city, and, incredibly, one of the least known. Born nearly three decades ago, the Mataderos Fair has become a traditional weekend tour for those who want to connect with Argentine countryside traditions. Located in the neighborhood of Mataderos, opposite the old National Treasury market (where the cattle were brought to be controlled and sold for domestic consumption), it has over 300 stalls that sells traditional "gaucho" crafts (as mates, ponchos, blankets, leather goods and silver) and regional foods (such as empanadas and locro). The tour includes a taste of one of these wonderful meals. This fair is also worth visiting for its arts festivals and their gaucho skill shows. Horse races (on special occasions), concerts and numerous typical folk musicians dances are performed. Also, lectures, exhibitions, traditional games for kids and adults; and folk dance classes and tango are organized. Returning to our hotel later this afternoon with dinner at leisure. 

Overnight - Intersur Recoleta (or similar)

Day 15 - Monday 2 December 2019

Buenos Aires (B)

Today after breakfast, we'll enjoy a half day guided city tour of the main highlights of the city, including Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo, Recoleta and La Boca.  An afternoon at leisure or maybe some shopping.  Tonight a fabulous farewell treat - Tango is one of the greatest passions of the Argentine society, the local music of Buenos Aires. Tonight we'll travel through time to those glorious days of Buenos Aires when tango was enjoyed and breathed in every corner of the city.  At the corner of the alley named after Carlos Gardel and Anchorena Street, next to a statue that immortalizes the most famous tango singer, there used to be a restaurant that was the gathering place for the colorful characters of the popular market of Buenos Aires. Chanta Cuatro Restaurant was a silent companion to Carlitos Gardel’s nights of dining and tango singing until sunrise with friends. Chanta Cuatro opened its doors for the first time in 1893, at that time as a two storied restaurant and family hotel. Visitors were invited to play “bochas” (bocce) at the court attached to the restaurant. The opening of Chanta Cuatro was almost simultaneous with that of the old Mercado de Abasto (produce market) of the city of Buenos Aires, sharing its glory and decadence. It housed workers, immigrants and “malandras” (scoundrels). It witnessed the splendor of tango, maybe due to the proximity to Carlos Gardel’s home at Jean Jaures Street, less than two blocks away. Today, more than 100 years later, as if by magic, this story comes back into life. Esquina Carlos Gardel, located exactly on the same lot where Chanta Cuatro used to be, offers an unmatched, unbeatable alternative in Tango theme restaurants.  What a way to finish our Incredible Antarctica experience!

Overnight - Intersur Recoleta (or similar)

Day 16 - Tuesday 3 December 2019

Buenos Aires - Santiago - Melbourne (B)

Early Morning we'll transfer to the airport to begin our journey home via Santiago.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the inflight entertainment of our airlines as we head towards home.

Day 17 - Wednesday 4 December 2019

Welcome Home (Meals Inflight)

Welcome Home!  What an amazing adventure we have shared.  Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure!