Complete Antarctica: Sail in, Fly out | Ocean Nova

Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina, check in, and relax at the Hotel Albatros, located in the heart of this fascinating Patagonian city. Ushuaia is the main hub for global visitors to Antarctica, situated on the Beagle Channel at the edge of the infamous Drake Passage. Meet your fellow explorers and prepare yourself for adventure!

Overnight in Ushuaia

Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia before our mid-afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and onboard crew will welcome you as you board and get you settled in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and the Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way to Antarctica!

Join our Polar Experts as they share their extensive knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in our pioneering Citizen Science program, or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort our ship as we cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures.

It’s time to slow our ship down, allowing you to fully explore the dreamlike world around us and let the power of this extraordinary place sink in. This is your opportunity to become more intimately acquainted with Antarctica by Zodiac, kayak, snowshoe, or while spending unhurried time ashore, taking in the silence and scale of the landscape. For those engaged in our Citizen Science program, the important work of understanding and documenting this fragile environment continues. Be sure to keep your camera handy, as penguins, seals, and whale sightings are all part of this incredible experience. And a passing iceberg, towering high above, its magical blue light seeming to glow from within, is something you’ll want to share with friends back home.

Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. Here, you can expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife, including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins. It’s also not uncommon to share the water’s edge with elephant and fur seals, while whales are often spotted as well. We’ll settle into our Zodiacs and spend our final day exploring Antarctica.

On the final day aboard Ocean Nova, we arrive at King George Island, Antarctica’s most populous island (scientists only, please). After a fond farewell to the Expedition Team, crew, and officers of Ocean Nova, you’ll disembark by Zodiac to the small Chilean station on King George Island, where your chartered aircraft awaits. Board your aircraft and watch the White Continent recede as we fly smoothly across the Drake Passage. Upon arrival in Punta Arenas, Chile, a gala dinner and comfortable rest await you at the beautifully appointed Hotel Cabo de Hornos.

Spend the day exploring the best of Chilean Patagonia on an excursion to the famous Estancia Olga Teresa, a local ranch that embodies Patagonian hospitality. Learn about life at the bottom of the world and keep a close eye out for wildlife, including guanacos, rhea, and Andean condors. In the evening, relax in exceptional comfort back at your hotel or explore the vibrant city of Punta Arenas.

After bidding farewell to your fellow explorers, continue exploring the surroundings of Punta Arenas, head off for more adventure in Patagonia, or travel to the airport for your return journey home and a well-earned rest.