White Christmas in Antarctica

• Day 1 - Buenos Aires

  Explore Buenos Aires, also dubbed ”Paris of South America”, on your own and get a taste of what the birthplace of the Tango has to offer.

• Day 2 - Buenos Aires/Ushuaia; Embarkation Day

  After a night in a first class hotel in Buenos Aires, you fly to Ushuaia where MS Fram awaits you. In the evening we set our course for the Southern Ocean and the Christmas adventure that awaits us.

• Day 3 - South Atlantic Ocean

  We set course for the Falkland Islands located 480 km (300 mi) east of the southern tip of Argentina and approximately 1,000 km (600 mi) north of the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica. We will begin our lecture series with a focus on the dramatic history and diverse wildlife of the islands as we keep a watch for wandering albatross and Dusky dolphins.

• Day 4/5 - Falkland Islands

  The Falklands are teeming with wonders of wildlife and nature. Penguins comes close to you, stop and take a glance, before continuing on their way in total disregard to your presence, giving you some great photo opportunities!

  Stanley, the islands’ capital, makes a wonderful starting point for the various excursions we offer in the area. The town is easy enough to discover on foot as most shops and services are centred on the port.

• Day 6/7 - At Sea

  We spend two days cruising southward to beautiful South Georgia. En route you can participate in a number of presentations about the area’s wildlife, as well as whaling and polar history.

  Our expedition team is well versed in every facet of South Georgia, from its geology and glaciology to the mating rituals of the sooty albatross and the legends of the Norwegian whalers. One of the fascinating stories that will be told is that of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the men of the ill-fated Endurance and the amazing feats of bravery and seamanship that saved them all.

• Day 8/9 - South Georgia

  South Georgia is a superb place to celebrate Christmas Eve! There is nowhere, in any latitude, quite like South Georgia. It offers magnificent mountain scenery with majestic glaciers and beaches teeming with wildlife.

  South Georgia is a superb place to celebrate Christmas! Explore abandoned whaling stations, the whaling museum, a Norwegian whaler’s church and the tiny graveyard in Grytviken where we can pay our respects to one of Antarctica’s greatest explorers, Sir Ernest Shackleton.

• Day 10 - Scotia Sea Crossing

  As we continue to Antarctica, we learn more about the wonders of the Deep South. In addition to spotting for the magnificent wandering albatross and other seabirds, we continue our lecture series focusing on the history, environment, and wildlife of Antarctica. Our series includes a thorough introduction to the Antarctic visitor guidelines from the Antarctic Treaty and International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).

• Day 11 - South Orkneys

  The deserted South Orkney Islands are every photographer's dream, with majestic snow-capped mountains, blue icebergs and an endless wilderness. We spend one day exploring these islands.

• Day 12 - Washington Strait

  We will cruise by the Washington Strait and Coronation Island before setting course towards Elephant Island and Antarctica.

• Day 13/17 - Antarctica

  Antarctica is different from anything else you will ever experience! Once we have crossed the Antarctic Convergence you will start feeling the air getting crisper and colder. You will begin to see Antarctic penguins in the water, and don’t forget to be on the lookout for the first iceberg.

  Among the highlights of our days in Antarctica is Deception Island, one of the South Shetlands; a distinctive ring-shaped volcanic caldera. This is one of the few places in Antarctica where we can take our backpacks and hike. Hiking on an active volcano is a rarity, and being in Antarctica makes it even more special. You can also look forward to visiting Half Moon Island, considered a jewel of diversity in the polar landscape. It can be difficult to navigate through the 48-kilometre Antarctic Sound due to ice, but it offers the most impressive manifestations of icebergs that we will see on our voyage. On Brown Bluff, adélie and chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls and cape petrels nest below spectacular cliffs that rise out of the sea. The stony beach is suitable for shore landings outside of nesting season. When opportunities arise we will launch our kayaks, pitch tents ashore and take you on unforgettable hikes to explore the most beautiful, untouched places on the planet.

• Day 18/19 - Drake Passage

  After some magnificent days exploring Antarctica, MS Fram heads north and we make our way back to the South American continent. The voyage from the Antarctic Peninsula to Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina is roughly 950 km (600 mi) or 40 hours sailing time in good weather. During the voyage north, we will continue our lecture series and recap our experiences of Antarctica, the Falkland Islands/Malvinas, and wonderful South Georgia and South Orkneys.

• Day 20 - Ushuaia/Buenos Aires; Disembarkation

  If you want some sun and warmth after spending time in the coldest place on earth, we recommend you participate in one of our post-voyage programmes in Buenos Aires.

Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your Captain and Expedition Leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.