Quest for the Antarctic Circle
14 days, Ushuaia to Ushuaia
Itinerary Notes
This trip is assigned a Physical Rating of 2. It is accessible to most fitness levels and for those able to do extended walks and light hiking on various terrain. It is important to note that for landings in Antarctica we use Zodiacs and wet beach landings in what sometimes can be extreme environments. This will require you to be able to safely navigate ice and snow on uneven ground, to lift your leg over the side of a Zodiac and push yourself up, walk on wet, rocky beaches and stand throughout the landing with no place to sit. Our expedition team is there to assist you if needed but having good mobility is important for your safety and enjoyment. Please also note that the G Expedition does not have an elevator and thus staircases must be used to move between decks, and depending on the weather the ship can sometimes find itself navigating rough and choppy sea conditions. For visual examples of the zodiac landings and activities please refer to the Excursions image gallery on the Expedition landing page here.
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia at any time. Arrival transfer included. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the world's most southerly city.
There will be a welcome desk in the lobby of the start hotel that will provide more specific information on the G Expedition and your upcoming adventure.
Please note that the first night in Ushuaia is on twin share basis. If you're travelling solo or have an odd number of travellers in your group and have not purchased a private cabin, you will be paired with another solo traveller of the same gender.
Private Vehicle
Included arrival transfer.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Albatros Hotel (or similar)
Day 2Ushuaia/Drake Passage
Enjoy a free morning in Ushuaia. Do any last minute shopping, explore the town, or visit the surrounding countryside. Embarkation on the G Expedition begins in the afternoon at the port in Ushuaia. Enjoy the evening sailing through the Beagle Channel.
Opt to visit the magnificent Tierra del Fuego National Park today before boarding the ship.
Expedition travel can be full of surprises! While it is our intention of adhere to the itinerary described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. On the first day onboard, the Expedition Leader will give an expedition overview outlining what the specific plans are for the trip.
Free Time
Explore the city, do some shopping or take an optional excursion and enjoy lunch ashore.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Embarkation of the Expedition
In the afternoon, join your fellow passengers to take your group transfer and begin your journey on the Expedition. Please refer to your welcome letter or the joining instructions posted in the lobby of the start hotel. Make sure you have your passport handy as you are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Embarkation of the Expedition
In the afternoon, join your fellow passengers to take your group transfer and begin your journey on the Expedition. Please refer to your welcome letter or the joining instructions posted in the lobby of the start hotel. Make sure you have your passport handy as you are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Tierra del Fuego National Park Visit
Explore this stunning coastal national park extending 630 sq km. The Tierra del Fuego National Park has many different attractions, like Acigami Lake and Lapataia Bay, where the Pan-American Route ends. This is the southernmost national park of Argentina and the only one that protects mountains, sea, and forests within its limits.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDays 3–4Drake Passage/South Shetland Islands
The adventure begins with an 1000 km (600 mi) crossing of the passage named in honour of 16th-century English sea captain and privateer, Sir Francis Drake. The ship is at home in this part of the Southern Ocean. Enjoy daily lectures from the expedition team and keep an eye out for icebergs, whales, and albatross following in the G Expedition's wake.
The G Expedition is at home in this part of the Southern Ocean, known for the unimpeded never ending fetch of the winds that encircle the Antarctic.
As the Expedition crosses the passage there will be time to become acquainted with the ship and frequent the common areas that include the lounge, dining hall, library and lecture hall where we meet our guides, ship’s crew and expedition staff.
Begin lectures and information sessions to learn the extraordinary human and natural history of the Antarctic region.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Daily lectures and educational program
Attend lectures hosted throughout the day on everything from local wildlife to geology to history. The G Expedition has one of the highest ratios of expedition team members to guests – with one expert for every ten guests there is always someone on hand to answer questions and provide greater insight and appreciation of the world at its extremes. The expedition team is comprised of professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists, and naturalists who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure.
Free Time
Spend time out on deck keep an eye out for sea birds and whales that live in these fertile waters. Wandering, Black-browed and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Prion's and Cap Petrels are among some of the species of seabirds that may join the Expedition on the journey to Antarctica.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDays 5–6South Shetland Islands/Antarctic Peninsula
Encounter some of the region's unique wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery while setting foot on the Antarctic continent. Attempt two shore landings per day (weather permitting) and encounter gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguin rookeries; Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals; and orca, humpback, and minke whales in the cold Antarctic waters.
This is what we've all been waiting for - a chance to step foot on the Great White Continent! Over the next four days the Expedition will navigate southwards making stops in the South Shetland Islands then through the Bransfield Strait and to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Our goal is to attempt two excursions per day while navigating through the area but our itinerary and daily schedule will be based on the local weather and ice conditions.
The peninsula also has a remarkable human history; during the voyage, learn about some of the most important and dramatic expeditions to this remote corner of the world.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Zodiac Landings
Hop into one of the Expedition’s 14 Zodiacs and take the quick, safe trip from the ship to the shore to encounter the awe-inspiring wilderness of Antarctica. Thanks to the performance of these boats in remote conditions, quick trips to shore are easily accomplished. Get up close to towering icebergs, glaciers and amazing wildlife. Depending on weather conditions these excursions will hopefully happen daily.
Daily lectures and educational program
Attend lectures hosted throughout the day on everything from local wildlife to geology to history. The G Expedition has one of the highest ratios of expedition team members to guests – with one expert for every ten guests there is always someone on hand to answer questions and provide greater insight and appreciation of the world at its extremes. The expedition team is comprised of professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists, and naturalists who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure.
Daily Briefings and Recaps on board the Expedition
Learn about the Expedition’s current location, daily announcements, landing site-specific information as well as recaps of the previous day at a quick daily briefing.
Optional Activities - Days 5–6 HideShow
Polar Plunge
You remembered to pack your bathing suit, right? Depending on weather conditions, opt to do the polar plunge and jump into the frigid waters of the Antarctic. Convince some of your fellow passengers to join and you’ll be left with an amazing group experience no one will ever forget!
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDays 7–8Antarctic Peninsula/Antarctic Circle
With a close eye on weather conditions, continue southward along the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Passing colossal icebergs and countless colonies of penguins, push on with the goal in mind - crossing the Antarctic Polar Circle. Few travelers have ventured this far south, but with our fully equipped ice-strengthened vessel and favourable sea conditions, the Expedition can access many remote locations other ships just can't reach.
Expedition travel can be full of surprises! While it is our intention of adhere to the itinerary described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations
Expedition
Travel south from Antarctic Peninsula to Circle
Zodiac Landings
Hop into one of the Expedition’s 14 Zodiacs and take the quick, safe trip from the ship to the shore to encounter the awe-inspiring wilderness of Antarctica. Thanks to the performance of these boats in remote conditions, quick trips to shore are easily accomplished. Get up close to towering icebergs, glaciers and amazing wildlife. Depending on weather conditions these excursions will hopefully happen daily.
Daily lectures and educational program
Attend lectures hosted throughout the day on everything from local wildlife to geology to history. The G Expedition has one of the highest ratios of expedition team members to guests – with one expert for every ten guests there is always someone on hand to answer questions and provide greater insight and appreciation of the world at its extremes. The expedition team is comprised of professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists, and naturalists who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure.
Daily Briefings and Recaps on board the Expedition
Learn about the Expedition’s current location, daily announcements, landing site-specific information as well as recaps of the previous day at a quick daily briefing.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDays 9–11Antarctic Circle/Drake Passage
Turn north for the first time to continue exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.
Continue our exploration of the peninsula and the then into the South Shetland while moving North again. Keeping a close eye out for wildlife there might be opportunities to do some whale watching or even go for a polar plunge in the Southern waters.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Daily lectures and educational program
Attend lectures hosted throughout the day on everything from local wildlife to geology to history. The G Expedition has one of the highest ratios of expedition team members to guests – with one expert for every ten guests there is always someone on hand to answer questions and provide greater insight and appreciation of the world at its extremes. The expedition team is comprised of professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists, and naturalists who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure.
Zodiac Landings
Hop into one of the Expedition’s 14 Zodiacs and take the quick, safe trip from the ship to the shore to encounter the awe-inspiring wilderness of Antarctica. Thanks to the performance of these boats in remote conditions, quick trips to shore are easily accomplished. Get up close to towering icebergs, glaciers and amazing wildlife. Depending on weather conditions these excursions will hopefully happen daily.
Daily Briefings and Recaps on board the Expedition
Learn about the Expedition’s current location, daily announcements, landing site-specific information as well as recaps of the previous day at a quick daily briefing.
Optional Activities - Days 9–11 HideShow
Polar Plunge
You remembered to pack your bathing suit, right? Depending on weather conditions, opt to do the polar plunge and jump into the frigid waters of the Antarctic. Convince some of your fellow passengers to join and you’ll be left with an amazing group experience no one will ever forget!
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 12Drake Passage
Leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. In between bird watching and whale watching and enjoying some final lectures by the expedition staff, this is a chance to relax and review the adventures of the past week before returning to Ushuaia.
Remember, the best way to experience the wildlife of the Drake Passage is to be on deck keeping a look out for Albatross, Prions and Whales!
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Daily lectures and educational program
Attend lectures hosted throughout the day on everything from local wildlife to geology to history. The G Expedition has one of the highest ratios of expedition team members to guests – with one expert for every ten guests there is always someone on hand to answer questions and provide greater insight and appreciation of the world at its extremes. The expedition team is comprised of professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists, and naturalists who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13Drake Passage/Ushuaia
Begin your journey to your home port of Ushuaia. Review the highlights of your Antarctic experience with our lecturers and staff, and keep your eyes open on the observation deck for some last-minute whale sightings.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 14Ushuaia
Disembark the G Expedition after breakfast.
Upon completion of disembarkation in Ushuaia, passengers will receive a complimentary transfer to either the airport or a central location where luggage can be stored.
For those on morning flights, the transfer will bring them directly to Ushuaia airport (USH). The rest of the passengers will be transferred to the luggage storage point and given time to explore the city. These passengers should then return to retrieve their luggage and board a transfer to Ushuaia airport at 12:30pm or 4:30pm, depending on their flight times. Please note that the transfer times are subject to change according to flight schedules.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.