Antarctica Cruise: Expedition Ships

"Classic Antarctica" Itinerary:

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• Days 1-2: One world ends. Another begins.

• Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, sits at the foot of the Andes, in a beautiful setting. Relax at a sidewalk café and soak up the "end of the world" feeling of this frontier town. After spending a night at our host hotel, tour the nearby National Park. Board the ship after a traditional Argentine asado barbecue lunch.

• Days 3-4: The Drake Passage

• Among the many unforgettable experiences you'll have on your journey, food will certainly be one of them. It may seem as if you are dining in one of the finer restaurants in the world, with one exception: other restaurants would never interrupt you with shouts of "whales ahead at 12 o'clock."
  
  You'll be properly prepared for wildlife sightings, because our Expedition Team delivers an incomparable education program as you cross the Drake Passage en route to Antarctica.

• Days 5-8: Land, birds, seals, whales, volcanoes, ahoy

• You have arrived in Antarctica! The Expedition Team will attempt an average of two landings per day. Many factors influence the daily program, such as prevailing wind, ice, weather conditions, and wildlife behavior. During the voyage, our onboard fleet of Zodiacs will transfer you to penguin rookeries, where you are welcomed by a committee of chattering birds. There will be leisurely Zodiac sightseeing cruises past icebergs or wildlife on the rocky shoreline.
  
  Discovering The White Continent
  During your four days exploring the Peninsula, you'll make new friends over a game of cards in the lounge, or a beverage in the bar. Don your parka and join fellow travelers on the deck as you sail through the Gerlache Strait or along the Danco Coast, past towering glacier-covered mountains that shoot to the sky. Don't forget to pack your binoculars. There may be seals sunning on an ice floe or a raft of penguins feeding as you sail past.
  
  History, wildlife, scenery - Antarctica has it all.
  During the in-depth education program, the historian will recount the development of the region, pointing out the remains of buildings where spies dwelled or a doctor went mad. The ornithologist will take you ashore and help you identify different species of birds. You could cruise with a glaciologist through a bay filled with fantastically colored icebergs.

• Days 9-11: A reluctant farewell

• Returning to Ushuaia across the Drake Passage, you know you are one of the people in the world that have set foot on Antarctica. The adventure will be with you forever. You may already be thinking of a return trip - as many have found before, the lure of Antarctica is a strong one.
  
  Please note that on 12-day itineraries, an extra day is spent in the Peninsula.

"Classic Antarctica" Itinerary:

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• Days 1-2: One world ends. Another begins.
• Days 3-4: The Drake Passage
• Days 5-8: Land, birds, seals, whales, volcanoes, ahoy
• Days 9-11: A reluctant farewell

"Explorers' Route" Itinerary:

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• Days 1-2: Your journey begins at the foot of the Andes

• This extended adventure begins at the tip of South America, in Ushuaia, Argentina, with a night at a local hotel. The city has the feel of a frontier town, yet offers excellent dining and shopping. Before embarkation on Day 2, tour the nearby National Park and sample local cuisine during an asado barbecue lunch.

• Days 3-5: The Drake Passage

• History, wildlife and Darwin, too. En route to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), you learn about Charles Darwin, who visited the islands in 1833. Join your fellow adventurers for an in-depth education program introducing the flora and fauna that you can expect to encounter while visiting the archipelago. Properly prepared, you cruise safely from the ship to shore in a Zodiac to stroll the streets of Stanley or wander through the nesting grounds of the Black-browed Albatross. Sip a leisurely cup of tea with local residents, before you depart for South Georgia.

• Days 6-11: Land, birds, seals, whales, volcanoes, ahoy

• A toast to "iron men in wooden ships". On landing in Grytviken, South Georgia, history is on our minds. South Georgia is synonymous with Sir Ernest Shackleton's rescue of the crew of Endurance. In 1904, Grytviken was established as a whaling station. Your exploration includes a visit to the chapel and museum that depicts how life was lived in this sheltered cove until it was abandoned in 1966.
  
  The second-largest King Penguin colony in the world is on Salisbury Plain. Have your camera ready, it is an unforgettable sight. Later, after supper, share your shots with new friends in the lounge, library or bar.

• Days 12-17: Antarctica, scenery, history and wildlife!

• As the ship steams south and west, watch for tabular icebergs. When you arrive in the South Shetland Islands, the Expedition Team will attempt an average of two landings a day, subject to permissions, weather, wind and ice conditions, of course. It is here that you may visit an active research station, where scientists track the life cycle of birds and icebergs. You'll walk with penguins at a rookery, and cruise rocky coastlines where birds rest after a day on the wing.
  
  "This land feels like a fairytale"
  Amundsen's quote captures the majesty of Antarctica quite nicely. It is vast, pristine and glorious. Massive glaciers, many covering an area equal to that of a small city, are reflected in still, black water. The sheer scale is humbling.
  
  Setting foot on the Peninsula, remember the brave and determined explorers that have proceeded you - Ross, Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen. They too were captivated by the antics of penguins, curiosity of seals, and the grace of whales swimming.

• Days 18-20: Behind every name, a story

• Crossing the Drake Passage, the Expedition Team will recap your adventures and recall the explorers in whose wake you have sailed. You will have gazed at the same shorelines, and marveled at the same stars. As they were, you will be transformed.

"Explorers' Route" Itinerary:

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• Days 1-2: Your journey begins at the foot of the Andes
• Days 3-5: The Drake Passage
• Days 6-11: Land, birds, seals, whales, volcanoes, ahoy
• Days 12-17: Antarctica, scenery, history and wildlife!
• Days 18-20: Behind every name, a story

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Airfares to or from the gateway city, whether on scheduled or charter flights; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel and our traditional Argentine asado lunch before embarking from Ushuaia; baggage, cancellation and travel insurance (please note that emergency medical insurance is mandatory - see Terms & Conditions); excess baggage charges; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges; telecommunications charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personnel (guidelines will be provided). On icebreaker expeditions, any possible helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group will be charged at an hourly rate to be announced on board.

The weather in Antarctica is notorious for extreme variability. Although heavy rainfall is unusual, strong winds are fairly common and can greatly affect your comfort during shore landings. Average temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula during the summer months range from approximately 23º - 41º F. Ushuaia will be slightly warmer but equally unpredictable with regard to sunshine, wind and rain.

The trip is rated easy to moderate [2]. During most shore landings, trip participants will have the opportunity to walk for short distances (less than 1 mile) while visiting penguin rookeries and exploring the landscape. Dependent on location, walks may involve crossing snowfields or bare, rocky terrain. Individuals prone to motion sickness should carry appropriate remedies as high seas may be encountered while crossing the Drake Passage.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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