This tour features a combination of escorted and independent travel. Part of your journey will be enjoyed as a group experience, led by expert tour leaders or local guides. The remainder is self-guided—whether by rail, cruise, or overland—allowing you the freedom to travel between destinations independently and explore at your own pace.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
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 from $699
✓ Incredible sightseeing including an in-depth exploration of Antarctica to discover the icy continent with a world-class expedition team, three days to discover the remote Falkland Islands archipelago, plus time in glamorous Buenos Aires after the cruise
✓ Return South America charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
✓ 14-night Antarctica cruise with expedition leaders Hurtigruten on board MS Roald Amundsen (500 people max) in Polar Outside (RR) cabin, upgrades available
✓ 3 nights in 4-star accommodation in Buenos Aires
✓ Breakfast daily, 13 lunches, 14 dinners, drinks package on Hurtigruten cruise
✓ Zodiac landings, shore excursions and guiding and lectures by a world-class expedition team
✓ Complimentary WiFi onboard, wind and water-resistant jacket to keep, no gratuities expected
✓ Airport transfers included on the last day of tour
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.
On arrival at Buenos Aires international airport make your own way to your hotel.
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.
Remainder of your day is at leisure.
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 its way to the Falkland Islands. Relax and enjoy your ship's facilities, or join one of the lectures conducted throughout the day.
The remote Falkland Islands archipelago is split between the two main islands: East and West Falkland, and nearly 800 smaller islands. For many years, both the United Kingdom and Argentina have claimed sovereignty over the islands.
Your three days of exploration here, along with each day’s landing sites, will be determined by local weather conditions at the time. After the barren, white scenery of Antarctica, it may be reassuring to see grassy hills, blooming wildflowers, stunning white-sand beaches and turquoise waters! It won’t be too different, though, especially since several thousand penguins will be there for you to catch sight of, too! These few days will entail an attempt to view these penguin colonies, which often have families of fur seals sprinkled in among them. We will keep a safe distance, of course, in order not to disturb them or their tuxedoed neighbors.
For the first time in more than a week, you’ll spot signs of civilization in the family-owned farms scattered along the island, and in the capital of Stanley on East Falkland, where 80% of the islands’ population live. When you visit, you’ll find that the town is a slice of typical English life. Watch for the iconic red buses and phone booths, and of course the typical old pubs serving up British beer and friendly banter.
Another day in the Falkland Island learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and joining various activities (weather depending).
Another day in the Falkland Island learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and joining various activities (weather depending).
Your expedition is approaching its end. Make sure you enjoy your last day at sea. Head to the bar and share some drinks with the new friends you made during your journey. Swap adventure stories with the Expedition Team and learn more about these modern-day explorers. Treat yourself to a fine-dining experience at the à la carte restaurant or a refreshing massage treatment in the Wellness Spa. Or simply relax on deck. Watch the waves and relive fond memories of the voyage’s many highlights.
Sadly, our Antarctic adventure comes to an end, as 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.
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.
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
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 availability upon booking. Please note your upgrade option as a special request when booking and our team will be in touch with a confirmed quote. If we are unable to confirm your request, we will quote alternative options.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognized and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and well-being of our guests are 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
We are proudly 100% Australian-owned and now operating across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. Our head office is located in Melbourne, Victoria, with offices around the globe to provide you with 24/7 support while you travel. When you book with Inspiring Vacations, you'll receive the support of travel professionals who are committed to the mission of inspiring people everywhere to experience the world.
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 [email protected], including the reason for cancellation.
We offer two payment options – the choice is yours. Our advertised price is based on our 'Pay in Full' option, which includes a discount by making full payment at the time of booking. Alternatively, choose our 'Installment Payment Plan' option for the flexibility of incremental payments, beginning with a low deposit.
Please click 'Book Now' and proceed to the payment page to select your preferred option under the heading ‘Choose how to pay’. The total due will be reflected accordingly.
Pay In Full Option:
Installment Payment Plan Option:
Booking Process
Please refer to conditions below, which are agreed to at time of purchase.
Can I extend my stay pre- and/or post-tour?
This depends on the package you are booking.
Where available, extensions must be added at time of purchase and cannot be added post-purchase unless inside the 7-day cooling off period.
We can assist in arranging your airfares to accommodate an extension; however, you must also book the additional nights’ accommodation through us at time of booking (where available as an add-on):
When adding additional nights to your booking, the cost of the extra nights’ accommodation will be reflected on your invoice and payable with the final balance.
Airfare surcharges may apply if extending due to airfare seasonal changes and possible fare differences. These are payable at the time of selecting your desired airfare.
The second installment of your booking must be made before airfares can be booked.
Outside of extending your stay you must select Land Only if:
If you are interested in one of the above options, please select LAND ONLY at time of check-out and you will need to arrange your own airfares. Inspiring Vacations will not be accountable for flight delays or missed tour components due to late arrival or airline changes.
Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:
Seat Selection & Frequent Flyer Points
Inspiring Vacations do not arrange seat selection. It is important to highlight that some airlines do not allow pre-selected seats or they may charge a fee to do so. We strongly suggest you contact the airline directly with seating allocation requirements and or arrive at the airport earlier to arrange your seating. While we do not add frequent flyer member details to bookings, you can do this directly with the airline once you have your flight information.
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.
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.
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.
This particular tour is categorised as a”3”
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. 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 aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
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.
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 $4,101.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller'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://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html 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
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.
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.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Argentina