Antarctic Express: Sail South, Fly North

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Expedition Details

  • Duration: 10 days
  • Start Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • End Location: Ushuaia, Argentina
  • Embarkation: Ushuaia, Argentina (AR USH)
  • Disembarkation: Ushuaia, Argentina (AR USH)
Itinerary Map

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 - Arriving in Buenos Aires and hotel night
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, make your way to the included group hotel, which is part of your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. A presentation room will be open from 12 pm to 8 pm for luggage weighing and tagging. A Quark Expeditions representative will be available to answer your questions and give information about the next day's flight and ship embarkation. After an early breakfast the following morning, your group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world.

Day 2 - Arrive in Ushuaia and Embarkation
Cruising

Your Charter Flight and Hotel package will provide you with some free time to explore this quaint port town at the bottom of South America. Steeped in marine history, this walkable Argentine city has plenty of museums, galleries and historic sites to visit quite easily. We will transfer the group to the ship for embarkation around 4 pm.

Days 3 and 4 - Crossing the Drake Passage
Cruising

Legendary for its high winds and rolling seas, you may get lucky and have surprisingly calm seas through the Drake Passage. Spend your time in the lounge or chatting with your fellow travelers. As you develop your sea legs during the crossing, our Expedition Team will begin their series of presentations to help prepare you for your upcoming Zodiac and land excursions. You officially enter Antarctica when your ship crosses the Antarctic Convergence, a biological boundary that fluctuates around 60° south.

Days 5 to 8 - South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Cruising

The most common reaction upon reaching the 7th Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every time we visit Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other— creating a unique, personal experience. Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore glaciated bays, channels and landing sites. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are hiking the Antarctic landscape, visiting a research station or observing chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins, all of which can be found here. Keep an eye out for Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals as well as curious whales, such as humpbacks, minkes, or perhaps orcas while on a Zodiac cruise. Each excursion will present a new array of creatures to fascinate you and keep your camera busy. Amid the serene silence of Antarctica, noisy interludes become indelible memories, such as penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, or the boom and crack of a calving glacier. Every day will be different, having been carefully crafted by your Expedition Team to inspire and educate you about this wonderful part of the world.

Day 9 - Disembarkation and Fly to Punta Arenas
Cruising

With only the Drake Passage ahead, you’ll disembark on King George Island before flying to Punta Arenas, Chile. Once you’re in Punta Arenas, we’ll transfer you from the airport to your hotel, where you’re free to explore and enjoy a final dinner on your own, before your homeward journey.

Day 10 - Depart Punta Arenas
Ushuaia, Argentina

After breakfast, you are free to continue on your own travels or make your way to the Punta Arenas airport for your homeward flights.

What's Included

Rates Include
  • An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep
  • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Team, including shore landings and other activities
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
  • All shore landings as per the daily program
  • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
  • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage.
  • Complimentary select beer, wines and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
  • Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
  • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
  • A photographic journal documenting your expedition
  • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
  • Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • All luggage handling aboard the ship
  • World Voyager guests will receive a free 1GB data card for limited Wi-Fi access for use on one device, permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Additional data can be purchased on ship.) Note: Internet access in the polar regions is subject to geography, climate, and other factors beyond our control.
  • Flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas
  • A post-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the hotel
  • One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast.

Not Included

Rates Specifically Do Not Include:
  • Charter Flight and Hotel Package
  • International airfare
  • Passport and applicable visa expenses
  • Passport and applicable visa expenses
  • Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
  • Our complimentary alcohol and bar service does not include spirits
  • Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
  • Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
  • Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
  • Phone charges may vary by location
  • Our complimentary data card does not include Premium packages which enable more dataintensive applications
  • Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
  • Additional overnight accommodation
  • Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
  • Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities.