Antarctic Grandeur: An Expedition from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires - 2022

Your Antarctica expedition begins! Today you’ll fly overnight from the U.S. to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Welcome to Argentina! If you purchased your airfare from Vantage, upon arrival a Vantage representative will meet you and arrange transfer to your centrally located hotel. Settle in and, if you like, enjoy a brief orientation walk in the historic center near your hotel. This evening please join your fellow travelers for a Welcome reception and dinner.

On today’s city tour of Buenos Aires, you’ll see important sights such as the Plaza de Mayo, the city’s central square that is flanked by the neoclassical Catedral Metropolitana, the church home of Pope Francis; the Cabildo, which housed the town council during the colonial era; and the Casa Rosada or “Pink” House, the presidential mansion. If it seems familiar, that’s because in the 1950s, Juan and Eva Perón (“Evita”) addressed the adoring crowds from its oft-photographed balcony.

You’ll also see the colorful La Boca, the old Genoese neighborhood with its vividly painted houses. Passing La Caminito, the famous tango street, you’ll see some of the famous milongas or tango salons, and perhaps some dancers on the street practicing their footwork. 

Enjoy lunch on your own and then discover why Buenos Aires is considered one of the most sophisticated cities in the world, with its wide boulevards reminiscent of Paris; opulent neo-baroque, neo-classical and Art Nouveau architecture; and elegant shops and sidewalk cafes filled with fashionable patrons. 

Included Feature:

• City tour of Buenos Aires

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airport for your included flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, the “City at the End of the World.” Ushuaia is a charming gateway between the wildernesses of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and Antarctica and you’ll have time to explore a bit on your own. Perhaps you’ll stroll through the Parque Yatana, a woodland reserve where local Fuegians sell handicrafts. Poke around the town’s shops and cafes, then you’ll transfer to the pier to embark the Ocean Explorer, your 5-star expedition ship.

Settle in and enjoy the scenic views of the snowy Andes and Beagle Channel, where Darwin made some of his evolutionary discoveries. Before dinner you’ll meet your Expedition Team as your ship sets sail for Antarctica. They’ll talk to you about their role during the cruise and explain how the expedition works, going over important IAATO regulations that must be observed while in Antarctica, including rules on how close we can get to the wildlife.

Afterward, gather with your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Welcome Dinner.

During these two days at sea, you’ll cross the fabled Drake Passage, which is, quite literally, a “rite of passage” for all Antarctic cruises. And because the Ocean Explorer is outfitted with the game changing ULSTEIN X-BOW^® stabilization technology, your crossing is sure to be more enjoyable.

The key characteristic of Vantage’s Antarctica expeditions is a strong educational element, and the Expedition Team will prepare you for the adventure to come by hosting presentations on history, geology, ornithology, marine biology, and more topics relevant to your expedition. Our team members have been traveling to polar regions for years, and their expertise and advice will undoubtedly enhance your journey. Not to mention, they’re sure to have some epic travel stories to tell you all about!

Looking for photo tips? Check the schedule (posted on your onboard interactive system) for the next photography workshop. If the seas are calm enough for you to be on deck, keep your eyes peeled for pelagic birds or whales.

During your voyage, you can also rejuvenate with luxurious spa services, by taking a dip in the hot tub or infinity pool, and hitting the gym.

Welcome to Antarctica — the 7th Continent! In the history of humankind, only a tiny handful of people have ever set foot on Antarctica and now you’re one of them. Prepare to witness the most unspoiled, sublime terrain on earth, with its vast glacial expanses and massive electric blue icebergs the size of cities.

You’ll explore during the austral summer, the most temperate time of year. Each day, you’ll have one landing in which you venture ashore on versatile Zodiac boats, and one scenic cruising in which you’ll likely head to the deck for the most optimal views.

During landings, you’ll break into small groups and enter Zodiac boats alongside your Expedition Team. Once on shore, they’ll scope out conditions and offer guided hikes, walks, talks, and offer anecdotes and helpful information, depending on the wildlife and nature you encounter.

There’s no doubt that we’ll happen upon some penguin rookeries — most likely Adélie, gentoo, and chinstrap penguin varieties. These curious and flightless birds will charm you immediately! From the shore, you may also spot killer and humpback whales, as well as crabeater, leopard, and Weddell seals, which are prosperous in these cold waters. We’ll explore a diversity of landscapes, including active volcanoes, mossy cliffs, and rocky beaches, too.

You’ll also have free time to explore on your own and take lots of photographs, using the knowledge you’ve gained from the Expedition Team’s lectures and your conversations with them to enhance your explorations.

While not an exhaustive list, possible landing sites we may explore include:

• Cuverville Island, almost fully covered in a permanent ice cap and home to delightful gentoo penguins
• Half Moon Island, a refuge for chinstrap penguins and a variety of seals
• Neko Harbor, a haven for minke and humpback whales with great glacier views
• Deception Island, a former whaling outpost with an active caldera

While going ashore may seem more exciting and rewarding than cruising, you’ll be surprised. There’s so much to see in Antarctica, and cruising is oftentimes the best way to accomplish that, as the Ocean Explorer’s small size grants us more flexibility in where we navigate compared to other cruise lines. Look forward to getting up-close to icebergs, spotting whales, and other spontaneous and bucket-list experiences. If we’re lucky, we may witness humpback whales during a “bubble-net” feeding, in which a group of whales circles a school of fish and engages in a team effort to disorient and corral the fish into a “net” of bubbles.

You can also further enhance your expedition by joining the Expedition Team for optional polar kayaking. This is a popular option, so we encourage you to reserve your spot as early as possible.

Please note: Remember, daily life in Antarctica is determined by the elements, and we’ll adjust our landings as our adventure progresses in accordance with IAATO regulations.

Included Features:

• 7 landings led by the Expedition Team
• 7 sightseeing cruisings to various sites

Heading back to Argentina, you’ll again cross the Drake Passage, cruising the legendary waters around Cape Horn. Enjoy more opportunities to take advantage of your ship’s amenities, perhaps visiting the spa for a facial or soothing massage.

You might also take in a movie, join a fitness class, or simply curling up with a book from the library. As we get closer to South America, you might join your Expedition Team on deck for birdwatching, perhaps spotting fulmar, petrel, or even a wandering albatross, with its eleven-foot wingspan. Keep your eyes peeled for marine life—these waters frequently host southern right whales.

After breakfast on board, you'll disembark the Ocean Explorer and transfer to the airport for your included flight back to Buenos Aires. After settling into your hotel your afternoon is free to explore. Perhaps you’ll learn a little more about Eva Duarte Perón, Argentina’s most fascinating First Lady, at the Evita Museum. There are two fine museums if you like modern art, the Museo de Arte Moderno and the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo. For last-minute shopping you might browse the fashion boutiques around Plazoleta Julio Cortázar. 

For your Farewell Dinner tonight you’ll experience a Buenos Aires icon: El Viejo Almacen, a three-story “tango temple” located in the historic San Telmo district. This atmospheric neighborhood is where the tango was born. Enjoy a delicious Argentinian dinner with wine, followed by a thrilling show featuring more than 20 performers — the perfect sendoff for your milestone adventure!

Included Feature:

• Farewell Dinner in El Viejo Almacen with a tango show

Cultural Discovery:

• Visit the "tango temple" El Viejo Almacen and learn the history of tango

After breakfast, you may choose to spend your morning at leisure before flying home.