Welcome to Buenos Aires!

Upon arrival to Buenos Aires International Airport, you will be welcomed outside by an English-speaking assistant holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting vehicle and driver, and accompany you to your hotel to assist with check-in.

The elegant Capital of Argentina, with over 3 million Porteños – as the residents are called, is one of the largest cities in the world. This great metropolis renowned for its sophistication stands out for being the most cosmopolitan and European city in South America, displayed through its mixed architecture and diverse culture.

(Private Transfer)

This morning enjoy a tour of the city.

Visit the historic Plaza de Mayo Square, the scene of many resonant, political manifestations. It is surrounded by the Government House, best known as the “Pink House”, the Cabildo (the old City Hall), which dates back to 1754, and still keeps its colonial characteristics; and the Cathedral. Wide avenues and green areas appear constantly trying to slow down the rhythm of this vertiginous city. A sample of this is the 9 de Julio Avenue, with its eight lanes divided by small green squares with old, leafy trees and enriched by sculptures and fountains. In the middle of this avenue, in the Plaza de la Republica, the Obelisk arises as a symbol of the city. Nearby, you will see the majestic Colon Theater, whose perfect acoustics make it one of the best Opera Houses in the world. Southwards, we reach the picturesque and colorful port neighborhood of La Boca with its famous alley, “Caminito”, whose architectural characteristics and customs reflect the influence of the European citizens that came to these shores in the last years of the 19th century. The visit continues towards San Telmo, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. The visit then goes on towards the modern Puerto Madero neighborhood, with its former port warehouses, now turned into offices, flats, entertainment facilities and top-notch restaurants overlooking the Rio de la Plata. You will continue northwards to visit the residential Palermo neighborhood with its elegant residences framed by wide green areas; passing by the Rosedal, the Botanic Garden, the Zoo, the Planetarium, and the Hippodrome. Finally you will reach Recoleta, the most sophisticated neighborhood in Buenos Aires, where some of the best restaurants, cafés, night clubs and boutiques are placed. The Recoleta Cemetery surprises the visitor with its location, its varied architectural resources and the personalities that are buried there, such as Eva Peron.

Upon conclusion of the tour, you will be returned to your hotel.

(B.) (Private Tour)

Suggested restaurant: Don Julio

Don Julio is the 2023 winner of the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants. The restaurant’s menu features an extensive selection of beef cuts, including ribeye, sirloin, and tenderloin but also secondary cuts like skirt or short ribs from regeneratively farmed Aberdeen Angus and Hereford cattle. The steak cuts are grilled to perfection over a wood-fired grill by Guido Tassi, Executive Chef and his team, which imparts a smoky flavor and charred exterior, while keeping the meat juicy and tender in a distinctive way.

This morning at schedule time we will transfer you to the airport for your charter flight to Ushuaia.

Welcome to Ushuaia!

Before embarking on your exhilarating expedition to Antarctica, marvel upon scenes of sub-antarctic Patagonia at the southernmost national park, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) park. It is one of many national parks that protects these famous regions.

Journey through Tierra del Fuego’s natural beauty from the comfort of a coach. Along the way you may see some of the extraordinary wildlife that has made the region home. From the Magellanic woodpeckers of the forests to the penguin colony of Martillo Island, Tierra del Fuego National Park offers nature lovers a delightful slice of Patagonia wildlife. The region is home to at least 50 bird species, including the austral parakeet and Andean condor. Eagles can sometimes be seen soaring over the Beagle Channel. Mammals such as the guanaco, red foxes, muskrat and even small South American camel have been seen wandering the landscapes of the park.

If you find yourself with free time, you can follow one of the many hiking trails found throughout the park that cater to all levels of adventurers, including the shorter Sendero Paseo de la Isla Trail to a more advanced hike at the Cerro Guanaco Trail. Whichever route you may choose to take, each offers its own breathtaking views of natural wonders.

Once Tierra del Fuego National Park tour is completed we will proceed to the port and embark.

Departure schedule at 6pm.

(B. D.) (Charter Flight) (Private Transfer) (Shared Guide)

Navigating the intrepid Drake Passage is made for the boldest of explorers. Petrels and albatrosses that glide across the skies guide the way. To witness its awesome power makes the journey to Antarctica all the more triumphant.

The Drake Passage leads you from the southernmost region of the Americas to the Antarctic Peninsula, the northern point of The White Continent. This waterway where cold southern ocean meets warm northern sea water creates powerful currents that test your mettle.

But the rewards for the journeyer that braves these waters do not compare. The meeting of warm and cold waters creates an environment that attracts extraordinary wildlife. Drake Passage offers the chance to witness the likes of humpback whales and hourglass dolphins that accompany the voyage. The soundtrack of the 48-hour journey through the Drake Passage includes the crash of the ocean against the ship and the cry of petrels, skuas, and gulls.

While the waterway is famous for its challenging navigation, you may still get another side of the Drake Passage. On some occasions, the channel is calm and tranquil, making for a pleasant voyage into Antarctica. That’s one of the more splendid characteristics of the Drake Passage – you never know what you will get.

As you emerge from the Drake Passage, the mammoth, icy peaks of the South Shetland Islands loom ahead, greeting you on your victorious landing. You have completed the rite of passage to explore the seventh continent.

(B. L. D.)

Part of the greater Antarctica region, the South Shetland Islands contain plenty of wildlife, scenic landscapes, hiking opportunities and magnificent viewpoints that inspire a sense of discovering another world. A possible landing on Elephant Island, named for the shape of its cliffside and the elephant seals that call it home, puts you on the same path as the famous Shackleton Expedition. Deception Island, another possible landing and named for its very nature, is in fact a volcanic caldera where you can find heated springs amid the striking black sands. Other stops could include Half Moon Island, Yankee Harbor, Point Wild and Barrientos Island, where you can find plenty of Gentoo penguin rookeries.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

(B. L. D.)

Nicknamed The White Continent for its vast expanse of icebergs, snow and glaciers, Antarctica is often the final frontier for experienced explorers to conquer. As you navigate Antarctic waters, you may set foot on sites like Beak Island, Brown Bluff, Cierva Cove, Hidden Bay and many more. Each landing throughout the continent offers its own unique landscape, from expansive tundra to rugged mountain peaks, all beckoning you to follow the paths that few explorers have trekked before.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

(B. L. D.)

We leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage.
Join our lecturers and naturalists on deck as we search for seabirds and whales and enjoy some final lectures.

Take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.

(B. L. D.)

This morning upon disembarkation, ATLAS will transfer you to Ushuaia Airport.

Do NOT take the provided ATLAS charter flight back to Buenos Aires, instead check-in for your commercial flight to Calafate.

On arrival to Calafate Airport you will be transferred to your hotel.

El Calafate is a charming town situated in the southern Patagonian region of Argentina, known for its stunning natural beauty and proximity to the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier.

The town is nestled on the shores of Lake Argentino, a glacial lake that provides visitors with picturesque views of the surrounding Andes Mountains. The streets of El Calafate are lined with cozy cafes, shops selling local handicrafts, and restaurants serving up traditional Argentine cuisine.

(B.) (Private Transfer)

An early start takes you to one of the largest and the only advancing glacier in the world, as well as the biggest attraction at Los Glaciares National Park, a 600,000-hectare protected area covered by an ice mantle. We will start by penetrating the Patagonic Andean forest and make a first breath-taking stop at “Curva de los Suspiros” (Curve of Sighs), where we will enjoy a first view of this incredible natural wonder. When we approach the glacier, we will walk down the catwalks to approach the Glacier and admire from different panoramic points this wonderful creation of Mother Nature.

If luck is with you, you will see parts of the wall of ice “calve” off and fall into the lake. The Perito Moreno Glacier is an enormous glacier located in the Los Glaciares National Park. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in Argentina due to its size and accessibility. It is less than two hours by bus from El Calafate while viewing platforms and trails make the visit and the observation easy and pleasant.

Los Glaciares was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1981 and since then the glacier has only increased in popularity, regularly making the news when another ice bridge forms and collapses. The glacier is also part of the Southern Patagonian ice field, which is the third largest frozen body of fresh water in the world. This day will be an unforgettable experience, a once in a lifetime delight.

Part of the adventure will include a short cruise near the face of the glacier. This tour departs daily from Puerto Moreno, by the National Park’s trails at the Iceberg’s Channel. From that point, the tour boat navigates close – but not too close – to the glacier’s North wall where you can admire its size.

Return to Calafate.

(B.) (Shared Guide)

This morning at schedule time we will transfer you to Calafate Airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires.

On arrival to Buenos Aires International Airport your tour comes to an end.

(B.) (Private Transfer)