Antarctica & South America Cruise 2020

DAY 1 Wednesday January 29, 2020 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Today we board our flight to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. As we cross the International Date-Line we will arrive on the same date that we depart Australia. After clearing Customs, we will be transferred to our hotel, with free time to relax.

DAY 2 Thursday January 30, 2020 Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires has been dubbed the “Paris of South America.” One writer described it as having “seductive charm.” On our tour of this fascinating, South American city, we travel down 9 de Julio Avenue – said to be the widest avenue in the world, passing some of the city’s important buildings – the famous Colon Opera House, the Obelisk, commemorating the founding of the city in 1536, to get to Plaza de Mayo, Government House, the Metropolitan Cathedral, with the mausoleum of General Jose de San Martin – one of Argentina’s greatest independence heroes and political leaders. From there, we head into La Boca, intriguingly, a “typically Italian” quarter where Argentina’s first Italian immigrants settled. These days it’s known for its colourful houses, tango-dancing and its soccer team. We continue our tour to the city’s port area and onto Palermo Chico, a “cool” residential district with plenty of cafés, bars, restaurants, galleries, shops and artisan markets. Our tour ends in the elegant Recoleta district and a visit to the tomb of “Evita” – the infamous late Eva Peron

DAY 3 Friday January 31, 2020 Buenos Aires
Today we visit a ranch on the Pampas, South America’s fertile grassland plains – to experience some of the heritage of this country, including an authentic Argentinean BBQ – arguably a BBQ like no other in the world. We also see a group of Gauchos (legendary Argentinean cowboys) show us their prowess at throwing bolas (balls connected by strong cord used to catch cattle) and, lassoing. Originally, gauchos roamed most of Argentina and also much of Brazil and Uruguay. There’s an entire genre of dances, folktales, songs and even words exclusive to the gaucho culture. Later we will be transferred to the port to board the MS Zaandam. We don’t depart until the following evening, making it possible to go ashore to explore the exuberant night life of enthralling Buenos Aires.

DAY 4 Saturday February 1, 2020 Buenos Aires
A free day to enjoy, relax and shop in the city. This evening, join fellow group members at our welcome drinks to celebrate the start of our fabulous adventure to Antarctica.

DAY 5 Sunday February 2, 2019 Montevideo, Uruguay
Today, we arrive in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, often referred to as the “Switzerland of South America.” Geographically, Lonely Planet cleverly described this small country as “wedged like a grape between Brazil’s gargantuan thumb and Argentina’s long forefinger.” We have a sightseeing tour of the city with its blend of traditional and European architecture. We will visit the Old Town of Ciudad Vieja, the city’s cultural heart.

DAY 6 Monday February 3, 2020 At sea
A day at sea to enjoy the facilities of the ship.

DAY 7 Tuesday February 4, 2020 Puerto Madryn, Argentina
Today we tie up at Puerto Madryn in the mind-boggling region of Patagonia, in the province of Chubut. Taking in both Argentina and Chile, at ‘the south of the world’, Patagonia is one of those places that has the lot – immense natural beauty; vast plains, forests, lakes, snow-capped mountains, fertile valleys, ocean shores and glaciers! We will visit nearby Peninsula Valdés, a wildlife sanctuary for birds and marine species, including rheas, oystercatchers, flamingos, egrets, whales, elephant seals, sea lions and many other species of wildlife. In addition, Puerto Madryn itself has an interesting history. Long after Spanish explorers landed, this area was settled by Welsh colonists.

DAY 8 Wednesday February 5, 2020 At sea
Today we have a day at sea to enjoy the facilities of the ship. This afternoon we have a game of Bingo with prizes for the winners.

DAY 9 Thursday February 6, 2020 Stanley, Falkland Islands
Today, we arrive in Stanley, the capital of an archipelago of more than 700 islands that make up the Falklands, located off the east coast of South America. This quaint seaside town is dotted with colourfully painted houses, small shops and restaurants and a truly unique scenic landscape. On our sightseeing tour we will see the traditional British charm that is preserved in this overseas territory of the United Kingdom. We will see Stanley House, the only brick house in town and Government House, the home of the islands’ governor and beautiful flower gardens. We also take in some sights from the nasty 10-week Falklands conflict in 1982.

DAY 10 Friday February 7, 2020 At sea
Today we have a day at sea to enjoy the facilities of the ship.

DAY 11 Saturday February 8, 2020 Antarctic Sound
After 10 absorbing days of travel and on-board relaxing, we’re in the Antarctic, starting with Antarctic Sound, a body of water about 50kms long and anything from 11 to 19kms wide. Cruise ships have been visiting this part of Antarctica for more than 10 years; The Sound separates the Joinville Island group from the northeast end of the Antarctic Peninsula.

DAY 12 Sunday February 9, 2020 Antarctic Sound
As we continue south we begin to pass one iceberg then another. On board over these few days viewing the Antarctic region, expert lectures are on offer for those who prefer to stay indoors. Or, despite the potentially icy winds, you may find it hard to resist the lure of remaining outdoors all day to absorb the beauty of this area.

DAY 13 Monday February 10, 2020 Antarctic Sound
On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship’s naturalists will point out the birds—terns, petrels, and gulls—found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbor, you’ll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

DAY 14 Tuesday February 11, 2020 Antarctic Sound
Cruising A day to further enjoy the unique sights of the Antarctic and to enjoy the facilities of the ship.

DAY 15 Wednesday February 12, 2020 At sea
A day to further enjoy the facilities of the ship. This afternoon join us for a fun game of Scattegories with prizes for the winners.

DAY 16 Thursday February 13, 2019 Cape Horn, Argentina
We continue our journey through Drake Passage, then around the bottom of South America, past the tip of the continent. This deep waterway connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Cape Horn – the southernmost tip of South America – remains a maritime legend. Sailing around this remote point has always been regarded as one of the most challenging nautical routes on the planet with big seas and unpredictable conditions.

DAY 17 Friday February 14, 2020 Ushuaia, Argentina
This morning we arrive in Ushuaia, for all the obvious reasons known as the “City on the bottom of the World”. Located on the island of Tierra del Fuego (“Land of Fire”), it’s a breathtaking landscape, known for its plains surrounded by snowcapped mountains. After disembarking, we take a sightseeing tour of the city and the surrounding Tierra del Fuego National Park to marvel at its endless nature and ever-changing geography. We cruise through Cockburn Channel – a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago on the extreme southern tip of South America, partly in Chile and partly in Argentina. We then enter Beagle Channel (with its tell-tale Charles Darwin connections) about 240 kilometres long and at its narrowest point only about 5 kilometres wide. It extends east to Darwin Sound and Cook Bay in the west. Glacier Alley is literally embedded in the Darwin Range on the north-west arm of the Beagle Channel. From a lookout at Pia Glacier, we have a spectacular view of the entire glacier tongue, stretching from high in the mountains all the way to the sea. Prepare to hear thunderous noises caused by large masses of ice cracking and dropping into the bay. Weather permitting; we will sail past glaciers such as Italia, Holanda, Alemania, Francia and Romanche, among others.

DAY 18 Saturday February 15, 2020 Punta Arenas, Chile
This morning we arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile’s most southerly city with a rich sheep farming history, as it is surrounded by Patagonian grazing plains. On our tour we explore the town lined by the impressive townhouses of the sheep barons and the tree-lined Plaza de Armas Square and La Cruz Hill. Back on board, we cruise through the Straits of Magellan, a 580km strait named for the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, who famously discovered a way to circumnavigate the globe. We’ll retrace Magellan’s route as we make the only natural crossing available between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans – with the notable alternative, of course, being the mechanised Panama Canal, far to the north of South America, in Central America!

DAY 19 Sunday February 16, 2020 Chilean Fjords & Canal Samiento
The goal of these two days of cruising is to sight the Amalia Glacier, which is a highlight of the memorable few days of natural beauty all around us. In the central Southern Patagonian Ice Fields, the Amalia descends from the Andes Mountains and sits towering above the sea (and us). Here’s a bit of fascinating natural science – the glacier’s immense weight causes the oxygen to be pressed out of the ice, giving it a startlingly beautiful crystalline appearance. Amalia is hailed as one of three spectacular glaciers that are genuine once-in-a-lifetime sights. Cruising through the Tierra del Fuego gives us a chance to witness what some observers have poetically described as the “ethereal blue” glaciers of Canal Sarmiento.

DAY 20 Monday February 17, 2020 Chilean Fjords
Today, we continue cruising through the Chilean Fjords stretching from the Strait of Magellan to Puerto Montt, some of the most magnificent fjords in the world. As your eyes work their way up the jagged walls of mammoth glaciers, you may also be rewarded with an Andean condor sighting. As you’re probably aware, the condor is the largest flying bird in the world! On the ocean’s surface, the Magellan penguins always put on a good show.

DAY 21 Tuesday February 18, 2020 Puerto Chacabuco, Chile
Along the wild western coast of Chile’s fjord land, 400kms south of Puerto Montt, Patagonian ice-sheets fall into the sea in neon blue splendour. One of the last frontiers, there are few such remote and underdeveloped places left on this battling planet than Puerto Chacabuco. On our tour, we’ll also enjoy the Rio Simpson National Reserve 37kms west of the town Coyhaique, providing us with yet another opportunity to enjoy Chile’s remote natural beauty – canyon rivers, valleys, beaches, waterfalls and forests. Getting close to the end of our South American journey, Coyhaique also has a craft market selling handmade items.

DAY 22 Wednesday February 19, 2020 Castro, Isla Chiloe, Chile
Today we arrive at Castro on the Isla Chiloe. Although it’s only a 30-minute ferry crossing away from mainland Chile across the Chacao Channel, verdant Isla Chiloe is the largest in the Chiloe archipelago and we will visit some of its cluster of wooden churches with UNESCO World Heritage status. Traditional local houses on stilts are called palafitos and they dot the island’s shores. Nearby Chiloe National Park is a natural biosphere sheltering foxes, sea lions and otters.

DAY 23 Thursday February 20, 2020 Puerto Montt, Chile
This morning we wake cruising Reloncavi Sound, a body of water located immediately south of Puerto Montt, Chile, the place where geologists tell us the “Intermediate Depression” falls into the Pacific Ocean. It’s also an ideal place to catch a glimpse of three volcanoes, Mounts Oorno, Calbuco and in the distance, Puntiagudo. Arriving in Puerto Montt, the heart of the Chilean Lakes District, we’ll tour the surrounding lake region – another unspoiled Chilean national park.

DAY 24 Friday February 21, 2020 At sea
This is our last day at sea, one to relax and enjoy the facilities of our “temporary floating South American home”!

DAY 25 Saturday February 22, 2020 San Antonio (Santiago), Chile
After disembarking, we will take a tour of Chile’s capital city, Santiago; including the Civic Centre, La Moneda Presidential Palace, the Plaza de Armas and the main square. We’ll head towards the Bellavista district, home to many of Santiago’s artisans, that is lined with galleries, open-air cafés and restaurants. The lookout on San Cristobal Hill, its tallest peak, has a wonderful panoramic view of the city. Later, we will be transferred to the airport for our return flight to Australia.

DAY 26 Sunday February 23, 2020 In flight

DAY 27 Monday February 24, 2020 Arrival Australia
Having crossed the International Date Line east to west we lose a day and arrive in Australia today. What an unforgettable geographic and cultural journey!