DAY 1 ARRIVE IN USHUAIA, ARGENTINA

DAY 1 | ARRIVE IN USHUAIA, ARGENTINA

Your dream will begin to unfold in Ushuaia, “the gateway to Antarctica.” You may arrive at any time today but why not take advantage of an extra day or two of exploration? This lively adventure hub is the most southerly city in the world and the capital of Tierra del Fuego (“Land of Fire”) and travelers are vibrating with anticipation and exhilaration–both coming and going! Here, the Andes meet the Beagle Channel and the grade school maps you coloured with a lot of indigo blue Crayola appear in 3D!

Poke around the vibrant artisan markets or slide into a café for your first authentic alfajore (an irresistible Argentinian dulce de leche cookie). It won’t be your last! There are several museums including one that is housed in a former prison (Museo Marítimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia). Learn about sailing, whaling and natural history in a museum hop or aimlessly wander the streets and absorb the town’s dramatic setting in a pocket of snow-blanketed mountains purring with travelers ready to embark on their dream. Make sure to try the king crab and local lamb, it won’t disappoint!

DAY 2 EMBARK

DAY 2 | EMBARK

In the morning, your luggage will be collected from the lobby of your hotel, safely transferred to the ship and stored in your cabin for your arrival. 

Ship embarkation usually occurs around 4pm. Your fellow Wild Women and jittery shipmates will meet at a designated location near the pier to board the waiting buses for transfer to the ship. Detailed information about embarkation will be posted in your Ushuaia hotel and discussed in highly organized-Virgo form during the (optional) pre-departure meeting on Day 1.

After the goosebump-inducing ship horn blast, our vessel, the mighty Ocean Adventurer will begin her hotly-anticipated sail down the historic Beagle Channel which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Anticipation will be at an all time high as the thrill and magic of the 7th continent’s secrets are slowly unveiled. This is the world’s most southern continent! 

DAY 3 & 4 CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE

DAYS 3 & 4 | CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE

Drake Passage has nothing to do with Canada’s rapper and media darling, Drake, though some millennials might assume an affiliation. Named after the legendary English explorer, Sir Frances Drake, the Passage splits the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula from the southernmost tip of South America. As Melissa Etheridge sang, “the only thing that stays the same is change.” The Passage is famously unpredictable—it can be rough and turbulent or as calm as a curled up cat in a sunny spot—so be prepared!

You will be thoroughly prepped on safety procedures for the Zodiac excursions and shore landings. For those who wish to take advantage of the sea kayaking opportunity (this is an additional fee), instructions will be given to ensure an optimal experience. 

Your days at sea will be seamlessly filled with engaging presentations led by the ship’s energetic and expert Expedition Team. Expect dynamic crash courses in photography, wildlife, marine biology, ornithology, geology, glaciology and history. In between the juicy presentations, you are encouraged to spend time on deck searching for wildlife. Or, swap travel stories with the Wild Women gals over a drink at the bar. It seems appropriate to sample the fine reds of Argentina to fully slip into the proper continental groove. 

DAY 5 to 8 SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS & ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

DAYS 5–8 | SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS & ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

(OR DAYS 5-7 OF 10-DAY VOYAGE)

The next few days will be spent navigating the South Shetland Islands and dramatic Antarctic Peninsula, a region that was trendy with explorers centuries ago–long before travelers latched on to the contemporary version that includes bathrobes, hairdryers, champagne and decadent just-baked desserts! And an outdoor jacuzzi to boot (sea conditions permitting).

Reverence and awe are the universal emojis of the next few days. This experience is a rare and transformative one. Antarctica remains as one of the few untouched and enduring destinations that seems impossible to access beyond the closed eyes and sighs of dreamland.

You will begin to appreciate why the White Continent has long captivated the attention

of explorers–its rapture is timeless. Mother Nature doesn’t adhere to a predictable schedule so each expedition offers unprecedented natural encounters and a uniquely curated experience that simply can’t be repeated.

Each day, we will explore the glaciated bays, still channels and landing sites in Zodiacs.

The Expedition Team has designed a thoughtful itinerary of research station visits, hikes that tread lightly through the fragile, biodiverse Antarctic landscape and cherished time consorting with the chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins too. They often end up stealing the limelight!

We’ll also remain on high alert for Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals, armed with the necessary identification skills to truly appreciate their antics and behavior. Whales in this region tend to be just as curious as the human folk on board. Humpbacks, minkes and orcas (occasionally) will keep us company on Zodiac excursions with playful spouts and fluke shows. We may spot a whale “lunging” (*not to be confused with your own lounging!). Lunging is quite a spectacle–whales will launch vertically or perform a high-speed horizontal propulsion, consume gallons of water and prey and then filter the buffet through closed mouth filtration.

Each excursion offers countless opportunities to witness life above and below the surface. Your camera will be working overtime just like your pounding heart! Amid the serene, otherworldly  silence of Antarctica, the noisy interludes seem more amplified than a Rolling Stones concert. Just wait until you tune into your first penguin argument. Their squabbles over coveted pebbles are animated and not unlike human bickering! Of course the sudden boom and shearing of a calving glacier creates an instant hush as everyone (even the penguins having a heated debate) realizes the ultimate, domineering power of nature.

The Expedition Team is eager to share their knowledge and the educational component of this trip sneaks in when you least expect it.

DAY 9 & 10 CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE

DAYS 9 & 10 | CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE

(OR DAYS 8 & 9 OF 10-DAY VOYAGE)

The journey back across the Drake Passage provides final (and melancholic) opportunities

to inhale the crisp purity of the Antarctic air. Be sure to spend time on the deck, scouting for whales and the mighty avian airplane, the albatross. Of course, there will be a tempting menu of presentations by the Expedition Team to satiate your curiosity. Or, find a seat at the bar to share the overwhelming marvel of the trip with new friends while nursing a glass of wine or espresso.

DAY 11 DISEMBARK IN USHUAIA

DAY 11 | DISEMBARK IN USHUAIA

(OR DAY 10 OF 10-DAY VOYAGE)

In the morning, we will arrive rather star-struck from all that we’ve seen and felt in Ushuaia. The ship is scheduled to arrive at the pier between 7am and 8am. Please note: It can take up to one hour to disembark. 

We encourage you to continue your adventure–explore the city a little deeper or discover the wilds of Tierra del Fuego National Park, the most southerly national park of South America. This bountiful park offers several hiking trails (choose from an easy stroll or strenuous quad-quivering climb) that wind around peat bogs, lagoons, woodland, rugged coastline, glaciers, pounding waterfalls and still lakes. Birders will go bonkers for the airshow of austral parakeets, Andean condor, Magellanic oystercatchers, kelp geese and torrent ducks.

Or, tightly embrace your Wild Women mates, decide where you’ll go next and head to the airport for a reflective flight home!

Disclaimer: We don’t like to blame Mother Nature but she has her off days and weather conditions can change in a snap and affect our arrival times. Airline schedule changes have also been known to occur in Argentina too so pack a little patience with your extra granola bars. We advise not booking flights until mid or late afternoon.

Friendly reminder: Embracing the unexpected is an integral part of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage (this doesn’t mean you have to demonstrate a downward dog to participate!). There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned in this itinerary may be changed to others equally as riveting! 

About the Ocean Adventurer

The Ocean Adventurer has long been a fleet favorite among guests and crew who’ve appreciated the charm of this nimble vessel, its ample outdoor deck space, numerous cozy spots to socialize onboard, the outdoor jacuzzi and, of course, the intimacy of a 128-passenger vessel. In 2017, Ocean Adventurer underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation including a refreshed look and feel throughout, plus a completely remodeled lounge, dining room and bar. All cabins received brand new bathroom facilities. Six new deluxe cabins, as well as three new suites, were also added. Major technical enhancements featured two new Rolls-Royce engines, which yield increased speed and fuel efficiency, and a minimized carbon footprint.