Antarctica and Polar Circle Quest

Day 1 - Feb 20, 2013: Welcome to Buenos Aires
Check in to the luxury, city-center Sofitel Hotel. Your afternoon tour includes the impressive Plaza de Mayo and colorful La Boca, where the tango was born

Day 2 - Feb 21, 2013: Buenos Aires... as you please
Step out from your hotel and create your own magic in the friendly and sophisticated Argentine capital. Your hotel’s terrific location on charming Arroyo Street offers easy access to some of the city’s finest antique shops, art galleries and restaurants. Meals B

Day 3 - Feb 22, 2013: To the end of the Continent!
Fly to Ushuaia where you’ll be escorted to the deluxe Los Cauquenes Hotel, set on the Beagle Channel, with fine views of the mountains and sea. Meals B

Day 4 - Feb 23, 2013: Into Tierra del Fuego and on to your ship
Explore magnificent Tierra del Fuego National Park on a guided tour before boarding the MV Ushuaia and meet your expedition and naturalist staff. Settle in to your cabin and get acquainted with this intimate Polar vessel as you set sail along the Beagle Channel. Meals B,L,D

[Note: 9 Day Cruise packages include one day less at sea]

Day 5 - Feb 24, 2013: Crossing the Drake Passage
Named after the renowned explorer, Sir Francis Drake, who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar water sinks beneath the warmer northern waters. This creates a great upwelling of nutrients, which sustains the biodiversity of this region. The Drake Passage also marks the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds. As we sail across the passage, your expedition lecturers will be out with you on deck to help with the identification of an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow in our wake. The Ushuaia’s unique open bridge policy allows you to join the ship’s officers on the bridge and to learn about navigation, watch for whales, and enjoy the view. A full program of lectures will be offered as well. [Note: The daily cruise program outlined here for February 24 through March 5 is a sample itinerary only - to give you a general sense of the highlights that will unfold on this cruise. The exact course of your sea voyage will be determined by the ship’s Captain and Expedition Leader on a day-by-day basis based upon local conditions. Likewise, the waters you explore and the islands you will actually visit depend upon these same weather and sea conditions. Although we can assure you of a once-in-a-lifetime voyage filled with unforgettable sightings, experiences and encounters, your safety is the paramount concern of the captain and the entire ship’s staff.] Meals B,L,D

Day 6 - Feb 25, 2013: Continue through the Drake Passage
The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands, a group of twenty islands and islets first sighted in February 1819 by Capt. William Smith. With favorable conditions during our crossing of the Drake Passage, our lecturers and naturalists will accompany you ashore as you experience your first encounter with Antarctic penguins and seals today. Meals B,L,D

Day 7 - Feb 26, 2013: Along the Antarctic Peninsula
As we navigate along the Antarctic Peninsula’s western coast, you’ll likely experience the thrill and excitement that the early explorers must have felt! Exquisite beauty and pristine landscapes are waiting as you explore these remote southern waters. Myriad icebergs of different shades and shapes are floating free in the waterways around this vast continent. Over the coming days, you’ll have plenty of time to explore its amazing scenery and a wide variety of wildlife. Meals B,L,D

Day 8 - Feb 27, 2013: Continuing along the Peninsula
Amazing scenery and wildlife abound and with good conditions, you’ll make at least two landings with our experienced naturalist staff. Apart from Adélie, Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins and many other seabirds, you are likely to encounter Weddell, crabeater, fur and leopard seals as well as Minke whales and orcas at close range! At this time of year it is also quite likely that over the next few days you’ll encounter big cetaceans such as humpback, Finn and Sei whales. Meals B,L,D

Day 9 - Feb 28, 2013: More discoveries in the Antarctic
Depending upon sea and ice conditions, we navigate some of the most beautiful waterways of the Southern Hemisphere: the Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel and the Lemaire Channel – a narrow passage between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. As conditions permit, you’ll continue to make two landings per day – always with our experienced naturalist staff. Possible landing sites include Paradise Bay, on the Continent itself and one of the most aptly named places on earth, Cuverville Island (home to the biggest Gentoo penguin colony in the region) and the British Museum and Post Office at Port Lockroy. Meals B,L,D

Day 10 - Feb 29, 2013: Deeper into these Southern Polar Waters
As further exploration takes far south of the Lemaire Channel in quest of the Polar Circle, we might also visit the Ukrainian Station Vernadsky, the former British base Faradey, where the ozone hole was first spotted, and the rugged Yalour Islands Detaille Island which lies beyond the Polar Circle! Meals B,L,D

Day 11 - March 1, 2013: Further explorations
Your exploration continues with informative briefings from your naturalist guides, visits to the Bridge and shore landings as conditions permit. Meals B,L,D

Day 12 - March 2, 2013: The South Shetland Islands
As we begin our return voyage northward, we plan to explore the South Shetland Islands. The volcanic island group is a haven for wildlife. Vast penguin rookeries and seals hauling out on the shorelines make every day spent here unforgettable. Sailing through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island is truly amazing, so is visiting the crescent shaped island Half Moon, home to Chinstrap Penguins in breathtaking surroundings. Meals B,L,D

Day 13 - March 3, 2013: Another day in the South Shetlands
Enjoy another day of informative briefings from your naturalist guides, visits to the Bridge and shore landings as sea and weather conditions permit. Meals B,L,D

Day 14 - March 4, 2013: Northward across the Drake Passage
The MV Ushuaia leaves Antarctica and heads north across the Drake Passage. Over the next two days, you can join our naturalists on deck or head up to the bridge with the officers; either way, be sure to keep your senses tuned for seabirds and whales. You can also enjoy our final lectures, a wonderful summary and recap of all that you’ve encountered and learned on this once-in-lifetime voyage. Meals B,L,D

Day 15 - March 5, 2013: Cruising toward South America
Lectures, briefings and visits to the bridge continue on this second day navigating northward through the Drake Passage. Meals B,L,D

Day 16 - March 6, 2013: Explore Ushuaia and fly to Buenos Aires
Disembark in Ushuaia for a city tour before your included flight to Buenos Aires, where our program ends at the airport. Meals B

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
2/20/2013 - 3/8/2013	$8,599
2/20/2013 - 3/8/2013	$9,999
2/20/2013 - 3/8/2013	$11,299
2/20/2013 - 3/8/2013	$11,799
2/20/2013 - 3/8/2013	$12,399
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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