This is considered a fast-paced tour. In order to explore as much as possible, this tour may require early starts and long travel days. One to two nights at one destination is standard. While some free time may be scheduled, most sightseeing is included throughout this tour. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage. To ensure this trip is right for you, any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aid, then this tour is not suitable.
For the true explorer, expedition small-ship cruising is the best way to get off the beaten track.This experience is not just about the ship’s creature comforts but very much the destination, its nature and wildlife. Daily shore excursions by Zodiac inflatable boats allow you to step onshore and explore. A world-class, expert expedition team will help you discover each exciting destination. Onboard you’ll enjoy informative and educational lectures. These trips will be a mix of fully guided or self-guided depending on your chosen package. There’s a land touring component with shared sightseeing and transfers.
✓ Add return international airfares for only $999 per person
✓ Save up to $1,357 per person
✓ BONUS onboard credit of $225 per person
✓ Book with confidence - change your date for any reason without fees up until 120 days prior to departure
✓ Return South America charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
✓ All airport and port transfers with guide assistance
✓ 10-night Antarctica expedition cruise onboard the MS Fridtjof Nansen or MS Roald Amundsen (500 people max)
✓ On board accommodation in a Polar Outside Window cabin (RR)
✓ Complimentary wind- and water-resistant jacket to keep
✓ Landings with small Zodiac boats and activities onboard and ashore
✓ Free WiFi onboard for all guests
✓ 3 nights accommodation in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires
✓ Daily breakfast, 9 lunches and 10 dinners including beer, wine, soft drink and mineral water with meals
✓ Guiding and lectures by world-class expedition team
✓ No gratuities expected
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Argentina! - the gateway to your incredible Antarctic adventure.
On arrival at Buenos Aires international airport you will be met and transferred to you hotel.
Enjoy a day in Buenos Aires, the bustling capital of Argentina. Spend the evening at your leisure and discover `Paris of South America´ for yourself on a warm spring or summer day.
oin a river cruise in beautiful surroundings about 30 km north of Buenos Aires. In the suburb of Tigre, we board a riverboat to cruise along the rivers and channels comprising the Paraná River Delta. This is a 14,000 square kilometer area with thousands of islands. The delta runs through a subtropical rain forest where the Argentinian national tree "Ceibo" and its flowers are not uncommon.
Duration: 4 hours sarting and ending at hotel (approx. 09.00–13.00).
Inclusions: The price includes an English-language and guided sightseeing tour by bus and boat, starting and ending at the hotel.
Additional information: This activity requires a minimum of 15 travellers. Hurtigruten reserves the right to cancel the activity up until 6 weeks before departure.
An expression of passion, sensuality, nostalgia and melancholy, the tango is known as the national dance of Argentina. The form originated in late 18th century “boliches” (brothels) and drew from influences brought by immigrants from Europe and Africa. The tango became known internationally and enjoyed a period of great popularity in cosmopolitan cities like Paris. Spend an evening enjoying one of the city´s many tango shows to get a sense of the true spirit of Argentina.
Duration: 4 hours sarting and ending at hotel (approx. 20:00–24:00).
Inclusions: Transfers from the hotel to the tango show and back, live tango show, three-course dinner with aperitif, wine and coffee, and English-speaking guide.
Additional information: This activity requires a minimum of 15 travellers. Hurtigruten reserves the right to cancel the activity up until 6 weeks before departure.
Delve into Buenos Aires’ most multiethnic neighborhoods during a 3,5 hour guided sightseeing tour and discover the city’s unexplored boroughs including Once, Palermo, Belgrano and China Town. Learn about the various cultures, eat their food and visit numerous iconic landmarks. Leaving the hectic city center behind, you will explore Once neighborhood, inhabited by a large Jewish community, currently considered as the third largest orthodox Jewish community in the world, after Israel and New York. You will have a stop and free time to buy some typical food in one of the many Jewish shops in the area before we continue to Palermo Soho, nowadays well known as the most modern and chic area in the city full of colorful graffiti’s and street shops. Discover the area and do some shopping before we continue to Belgrano, where we see China Town. Bus will stop there so you can get a feel for this sector of the city, full of restaurants and shops. Buenos Aires is a complex city - when you thought you knew it, it surprises you once again with something new.
Duration: 3 hours sarting and ending at hotel (approx. 15:00–18:30).
Inclusions: The price includes an English-language and guided sightseeing tour by bus
Additional information: This activity requires a minimum of 15 travellers. Hurtigruten reserves the right to cancel the activity up until 6 weeks before departure.
Starting on the cobbled streets of historic San Telmo barrio, you explore Pasaje Defensa, the 16th century ruins of El Zanjón de Granados, antique shops, and the renovated San Telmo market. Continue to the Barracas district and Avenida Caseros, a cool gastronomic boulevard shaded by linden trees, featuring architecture resembling Paris. Finally, stroll around the Palermo area with its many restaurants, pubs and clothing stores, and mingle with locals and celebrities.
Duration: 3 hours sarting and ending at hotel (approx. 15:00–18:30).
Inclusions: The price includes an English-language and guided sightseeing tour by bus
Additional information: This activity requires a minimum of 15 travellers. Hurtigruten reserves the right to cancel the activity up until 6 weeks before departure.
Buenos Aires is an exquisite combination of European flair and the charm of Latin American cities. This tour provides an in-depth introduction to the city’s history and architecture, the culture, anecdotes and secrets of its people. Visit the lively and frenzied downtown area, the ‘aristocratic’ northern neighbourhoods and the working-class districts in the south.
Duration: 3 hours sarting and ending at hotel (approx. 15:00–18:30).
Inclusions: The price includes an English-language, guided sightseeing tour by bus
Additional information: This activity requires a minimum of 15 travellers. Hurtigruten reserves the right to cancel the activity up until 6 weeks before departure.
This morning you will be transferred to the airport to take an early flight to Ushuaia. On arrival you will be collected and transferred to board your expedition ship MS Fridtjof Nansen. Settle into your cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship.
Tonight, we kick off our journey with a welcome dinner.
Prepare yourself for Antarctica as we cross the infamous Drake Passage, and trust us – it will take your breath away! Take it all in onboard MS Fridtjof Nansen with her two-storey panorama lounge over the bow, with wall-to-wall windows bathing the room in natural light and providing extraordinary views.
Today is another day at sea as your ship makes its way to the Antarctic Peninsula. Relax and enjoy your ship’s facilities, or join one of the lectures conducted throughout the day.
Welcome to one of the most remote areas on Earth!
There have been spectacular photo opportunities so far, but Antarctica is in an entirely different category. Go ashore by Zodiac boat to explore the breathtaking Antarctic scenery and get close to penguins and seals. You will feel like a real explorer from the moment you set foot on the endless expanse of snow and ice and from the deck there will be ample opportunities to see whales.
Over the next six days we’ll be making various landings in different locations throughout the peninsula. Enjoy close encounters with wildlife and glaciers, and visit old whaling stations and its relics. Trust us when we say that every second of this journey has something new to offer.
One of the highlights of the South Shetlands is Deception Island. When we sail into the natural harbor of this volcanic island, you will see an abandoned whaling station known as Hektor and a derelict British base.
Over the course of the next few days we’ll also visit Wilhelmina Bay, Paradise Harbor and other remote locations. Join gatherings where the various members of the expedition team recount the day’s activities, make presentations, and discuss the next day’s plan. These gatherings are great opportunities to share experiences and mingle with your fellow explorers.
Another day in Antarctic waters learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and various activities (weather depending).
Another day in Antarctic waters learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and joining various activities (weather depending).
Another day in Antarctic waters learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and joining various activities (weather depending).
Another day in Antarctic waters learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and joining various activities (weather depending).
After exploring this exhilarating continent, we set course back to civilisation. Spend the day at sea recapping your experiences with fellow explorers, or just relaxing on deck.
Today is another day at sea as your ship makes it way back to South America. Relax and enjoy your ship's facilities, or join one of the lectures conducted throughout the day.
Sadly, every adventure must come to an end. It is time to say goodbye to the crew and all your new friends when we reach Ushuaia. We transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. On arrival at the airport you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
Today, you will be transferred to Buenos Aires International Airport for your scheduled flight home. We hope you enjoyed your journey to Antarctica with us!
For detailed information on your ship, click HERE.
Compulsory Cruise Forms
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
Limited Only - Antarctica Expedition Promotion
INCLUDED - Book now, change later with our Flexible Date Change option, giving travellers the flexibility to change your date without penalty (subject to availability, less third party costs incurred, plus any applicable surcharges for the new date selected).
Date change must be requested prior to 120 days before your original selected departure date*. Once inside 120 days of departure, date changes are not permitted.
*some packages may have a varied period in which you can request a date change due to limitations with the third-party provider.
The Flexible Date Change option does not cover cost incurred for components not fulfilled by Inspiring Vacations or in the event extra services have been booked with Inspiring Vacations outside of the standard package, including but not limited to airfares, pre/post accommodation or insurance.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling off period.
Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7 day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply. Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
Deposit & Installment Payment Option:
Booking Process
Business Class upgrades
Please specify this in the “Special Request” field when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare at the time of booking your flights.
Extending Your Stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
Once you have logged in to your account, click on ‘Book Now’ and complete the required fields until you reach the 'Special Requests' free text field. Here, be sure to mention if you would like us to also quote additional nights' accommodation, with the number of nights needed.
Bedding on board the cruise is restricted to the following configurations.
If you wish to upgrade your cabin, the following amounts are payable in addition to the package price prior to travel:
Cabin Upgrades and prices are subject to availabilty upon booking. Please indicate your upgrade option when booking, by noting in the "Special Request" section. If available we will add to your invoice and confirm. If we are unable to confirm your request, we will quote alternative options.
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Please ensure that you review Hurtigruten entry requirements information HERE, in addition to reviewing Smart Traveller advice prior to your departure. When you follow this link, you will see that there are some forms that you are required to complete and return to Hurtigruten prior to your voyage.
It is the customers' responsibility to ensure that all required forms are completed and returned to ensure they are permitted embarkation for your cruise. Furthermore, Hurtigruten requires all guests (including children) sailing on any Hurtigruten Expeditions cruise to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a WHO-approved vaccine. In addition, the vaccine and the vaccine certificate must comply with the local regulations in the area of the cruise. Thank you for your understanding.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity.
These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers. As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
However, no gratuities expected on cruise.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $6,073 per person in addition to the twin-share price for the RR cabin. Additional single supplement costs will apply for the higher cabin categories. Please follow the 'book now' prompts to view pricing.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveler's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Visas may be required.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up-to-date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
2-500 people.
Trip Style - Expedition Cruise
These trips are for the true explorer. Expedition small ship cruising is the best way to get off-the-beaten-track and see some of the world's most unspoilt and remote destinations. The experience on an expedition cruise is very different from that of a conventional, larger cruise ship. The focus is not about the ship’s creature comforts but very much about about the destination, it’s nature and wildlife.
Daily shore excursions by zodiac inflatable boats allow you to step on to shore in the world's most remote locations where few have ever been before. These trips will be a mix of fully guided or self-guided depending on your chosen package, on board your small ship you'll have an expert expedition team giving you informative lectures and educational lectures in many different scientific fields.
Children
Children must be 12 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 65 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability. We appreciate your understanding.
18 Sep 2020
From penguins to whales and birds, wildlife are the star attractions on an Antarctic adventure An expedition to the Antarctic is a once in a lifetime journey. Traversing the mighty Drake Passage, circling the Antarctic Peninsula, watching icebergs drift by in the southern ocean and stepping onto the icy continent for t...
16 Sep 2020
Exhausted, cold, beaten. Expeditions aren't for the faint-hearted and these first explorers will not be forgotten At the turn of the 20th century, during an era of exploration and adventure, expeditions were sent to the most remote corners of the earth to discover places where man had never walked. The race was on to g...
16 Sep 2020
It may be a frozen desert but there’s still a whole lot of wildlife in Antarctica Here, 12 Antarctica residents you're most likely to encounter on your icy adventures. PENGUINS Six out of 17 species of penguin can be seen waddling, swimming, nesting or just playing on any trip to Antarctica. Chinstrap penguins One of t...
16 Sep 2020
The frozen continent is the most remote corner of earth. We speak to one of the only people on earth who has spent two years living at the South Pole Just a century ago, man first set foot on this frozen land. This dry, cold desert supports no mammals or plant life, and only a couple of hardy grasses manage to survive...
16 Sep 2020
Hurtigruten’s new addition is a world leader in innovation and environmentally-conscious expedition cruising Exploring the Antarctic is a dream come true for many, and with the remote continent becoming more accessible every year, it’s no longer a choice of "how do I get there?" But rather, "which option do I choose?"...
16 Sep 2020
Shore excursions are the highlights of any expedition cruise - here's what you need to know For most, travelling to Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime journey. The frozen continent is home to extraordinary wildlife, a baffling landscape and 90% of the world’s ice. It’s also one of the most remote places in the world, m...
16 Sep 2020
From temperature to sights and safety, we answer the most commonly asked questions It’s hard to believe that wild and untamed frontiers still exist today, but that’s exactly what Antarctica is. Nature at its most raw and unfiltered; where penguins, seals, whales and birds roam the icy land unencumbered. The only place...
16 Sep 2020
Antarctica is one of the most pristine pieces of wilderness on the planet. But, when is the best time to go? Antarctica is like another world. In this far southern continent, Mother Nature rules; cross the Drake Passage and you’ll enter the domain of natural wonder at its finest. Here, wildlife from penguins to whales...
16 Sep 2020
Before travelling to the icy continent, its sights and fascinating history are best explored through screen and literature As the most remote destination on earth visited by a few thousand every season (November to March), it’s no surprise that Antarctica is shrouded in mystery. If you’re considering a trip to the migh...
