Group members gather for their overnight journey to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Upon arrival, we shall clear customs and be welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure with dinner included.
Hotel Kenton Palace (2 nights)

Today we head out into the countryside to visit the Estancia Santa Susana, home to the Gauchos (cowboys), a renowned breeding establishment of pure-blood race horses. There will be a show displaying all the talents of the gauchos and members will have the option of taking an enjoyable guided horse ride to experience the beauty of the countryside. A highlight of the day will be the typical ‘criollas’ lunch featuring a variety of Argentina’s finest meats and local produce with, of course, local wines. This evening we have a special treat: a dinner and tango show at one of the city’s most elegant tango restaurants, El Viejo Almacén.

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to the most southern city in the Americas and the capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire), Ushuaia. Balance of the day is at your leisure to explore this wonderful town. Along the Avenida San Martin, Ushuaia’s most important street, we will find a variety of shops and artisan markets as well as some interesting museums. Alternatively enjoy an evening stroll along the waterfront or exploring the tranquil streets of this very remote centre while taking in the town’s dramatic setting, with views of the mountains to the north and the Beagle Channel to the south.  Hotel TBA (1 night)

This morning we take an excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. The park offers a range of hiking trails that lead you through the stunningly beautiful and dramatic scenery of snow-capped peaks, lush meadows, rugged coastline, glaciers, waterfalls and stunning lakes. Look out for guanaco, Andean foxes, muskrats and the North American beaver. Birds found here include the Andean condor, Magellanic oystercatcher, kelp goose, austral parakeet and torrent duck. Late this afternoon we transfer to the port of Ushuaia to embark on The Ocean Endeavour. The expedition team and the ship’s officers will be waiting to welcome us aboard. As we set sail, familiarize yourself with the layout of The Ocean Endeavour and its great amenities and enjoy a welcome dinner. This evening we sail along the wildlife-rich Beagle Channel, towards the White Continent of Antarctica. As we leave the lights of Ushuaia behind, look out for Magellanic penguins, rock cormorants, petrels and black-browed albatross from the deck as well as noisy sea lion colonies.
The Ocean Endeavour (12 nights)

The infamous Drake Passage, named after the famous English explorer, Sir Frances Drake, separates the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula from the southernmost tip of South America. Enjoy the fabulous on board facilities, maybe join a yoga class or attend a presentation or two given by the Expedition Team to prepare you for what lies ahead - from the geology of Antarctica to the history, wildlife and even the ice! As we sail towards Antarctica, there is a fall in temperature as we cross the Antarctic Convergence and enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean. The Antarctic Convergence is marked by an increased number of seabirds, whales and other species that are attracted by the nutrient-rich waters pushed to the surface by the colder waters of the polar region flowing north and meeting the warmer equatorial waters flowing south. Head out on deck to look out for the mighty albatrosses that fly overhead, scan the waters for breaching whales and icebergs, or gaze out from the panoramic windows of the observation deck. We continue our course south and hope to make landfall by Saturday evening, depending on the weather conditions.

Continue crossing the Drake Passage.  

The next four days will be spent exploring the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. We explore by Zodiac, cruising amongst the magnificently sculpted icebergs and making shore landings where we mingle with penguins, climb to vantage points to absorb the spectacular panoramic views, maybe visiting a scientific or historic base. There may even be opportunities to kayak and snowshoe and of course learn more about photography with one of the experts. Antarctica will enchant you with its incredible scenery, from imposing glaciers to towering snow-capped peaks, vast icebergs and ice-strewn channels. Not to mention the wildlife - from extensive colonies of chinstrap, Gentoo and Adelie penguins, to crabeater, Weddell, fur and elephant seals and a plethora of fascinating birds.

Continue through South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, keeping your eyes and ears peeled for the mighty crack of a glacier calving. Maybe you will be one of the brave few to take a polar plunge in the icy waters! 

Every day brings new experiences. As we cruise from one landing site to the next, enjoy the continued lecture program and take in the scenery from the outer decks.

Continue wonderful cruising through South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula.

Depending on the weather conditions, we will continue southwards in an attempt to reach latitude 66°33'S and cross the fabled Antarctic Circle. Our voyage south takes us past colossal, often beautifully sculpted icebergs, to a point on Earth only a few intrepid travellers have sailed. If we reach this momentous goal, we will toast the explorers who first ventured this far south and celebrate our own impressive achievement. This is home to the midnight sun, shifting ice and incredible ice formations. Weddell seals are found in this region, as are humpback whales and minke whales that feed on the krill-rich waters. Weddell seals are specially adapted to this icy environment, using their canines and incisors to rasp open new ice and maintain holes in the ice through which to breathe. They also have extremely accurate powers of navigation, enabling them to seek out breathing holes when their teeth are worn down and they are no longer able to maintain or create breathing holes in the ice.

Enjoy scenic views while cruising the incredible Antarctic Circle.

Having crossed the Antarctic Circle, we set a course north, exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands further by Zodiac and shore landings, scanning the waters for whales and seals and looking out for the seabirds that soar above the ship.

As we leave the Antarctic Peninsula behind, we take with us our memories and photographs. We set a course for the Drake Passage as we enjoy some final lectures and presentations and look out for wildlife from the observation lounge and the outer decks. Maybe you will make final use of the spa and sauna and saltwater pool.

Another day enjoying the world's most unforgettable sea crossing!

After saying our farewells to our Expedition Team and the crew of the Ocean Endeavour, we fly back north to Buenos Aires. Hotel Kenton Palace (1 night)

This morning we soak in the atmosphere of the birthplace of the Tango! We will drive along the grand Avenida de Mayo to the Plaza de Mayo, where we find the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Cabildo, the first city hall built during Spanish rule. Continue through to San Telmo, the oldest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires and along Nueve de Julio (9th of July) Avenue, the world’s widest boulevard, making our way to the colourful La Boca district, the haunt of artists. Finally we come to the Recoleta district, with the city’s most prestigious boutiques and restaurants, as well as the cemetery, final resting place for many of Argentina’s elite, including Eva Perón. Early this afternoon we transfer to the airport for our journey home.