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Argentina/Antarctica

Beyond The Edge: Exploring Antarctica, the Southernmost Frontier

Program No. 25617RJ
Cross the Antarctic Circle on an epic voyage and enter a world rarely seen — or experienced. Explore by Zodiac and look for penguin colonies, icebergs, whales and seals.
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Start
  • A group of explorers hike up a snowy Antarctic peninsula with a towering, cloud-wreathed mountain in the background under a blue sky.
  • A Road Scholar group leader in a red shirt and sun hat holds up a red sign for their group in a sunny city plaza.
  • Three people in colorful parkas and life jackets ride in a zodiac boat through a snowy, arctic landscape.
  • A group of travelers on a walking tour explores a city street in Buenos Aires lined with classic architecture on a sunny day.
  • A smiling woman with arms raised stands in a sunny city square surrounded by historic buildings and other people.
  • Two penguins stand on a rocky, snow-covered shore, looking out at a ship in the water with large, icy mountains in the background.
  • A leopard seal rests on a small iceberg in Cierva Cove, with blue water and snowy mountains in the background.
  • A group of chinstrap penguins travels down a steep snowy bank toward the sea, with icy mountains in the background.
Adventures Afloat Study CruiseSmall GroupExpeditionNew
Length
17 days
Rating
New
Activity Level
Starts at
19,999
Flights start at
1,200
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
17 days
16 nights
What's Included
39 meals ( 14B, 12L, 13D )
5 expert-led lectures
15 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
14 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Evening:
At leisure
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving approximately 3.5 hours. Walking up to 1 mile at a time and standing up to 1 hour at a time. Sidewalks, paved roads, and some uneven terrain. Do not forget to refill your reusable water bottle at the hotel before getting into the bus.
Morning:
Arrival at Buenos Aires Airport. Meet and greet and transfer to the hotel for participants who have purchased the international air segment from Road Scholar. They will have the room ready for check-in at arrival to the hotel. Get some rest before the official start of the program with the orientation meeting.
Afternoon:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, and emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Adventures Afloat “Expedition” program. Expedition ships, more rugged than traditional vessels, are designed to venture into remote landscapes, enabling us to seek opportunities for getting up close to nature and wildlife. There may also be serendipitous occasions to experience something unexpected. The itinerary may change based on weather, sailing conditions, and potential wildlife sightings. Routes, port stops, field trips, and excursions could be impacted; the cruise itinerary should therefore be regarded as provisional. Updates will be provided aboard ship. Thank you for your understanding. In addition to lectures, field trips, and activities exclusively for our Road Scholar group, you are invited to take advantage of activities and events offered by the cruise line that are separate from Road Scholar. While on board, there will be educational presentations on a variety of topics by members of the ship's resource staff. Many are active researchers with expertise in areas such as history, paleontology, geology, and biology. Due to the remote location of the ports, some embarkation and disembarkation will be via Zodiac rafts. Staff will be available for assistance. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a 3-course plated welcome dinner with a glass of wine and coffee, tea, or water; other beverages are available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; total driving approximately three hours with one stop for restrooms. Walking short distances and standing on unpaved ground at the ranch. Hats, sunblock, and mosquito repellent are strongly recommended. Do not forget to refill your reusable water bottle at the hotel and at the ranch.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, we will enjoy a breakfast buffet, including water, juice, coffee, and tea.
Morning:
We will depart by motorcoach to experience the famous La Pampa, land of the gauchos, or Argentine cowboys. We’ll spend the day at a local family ranch to learn the culture of the gauchos, watch their horse-riding skills, listen to their songs strummed on the guitar, and learn the tradition of yerba mate, a local tea drunk out of a special, gourd-shaped cup. Also, we will visit a typical small countryside town of the flatlands.
Lunch:
At the estancia, we will enjoy a typical Argentine asado, barbecue of meats and poultry, with side salads and garnishes. Water, soft drinks, and wine are included.
Afternoon:
Returning from La Pampa and our experience with the Gauchos, the rest of the afternoon will be at leisure.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local cuisine.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Flight time under 4 hours. Up to 2 miles of walking, approximately 1-2 hours; sidewalks, paved roads, and some uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, we’ll have a buffet meal with juice, coffee, tea, water included.
Morning:
Check out. Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport on time to take our flight to Ushuaia. After a 3.5-hour flight, we will arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional de Ushuaia Malvinas Argentinas. Transfer to the hotel and check in at 2 PM.
Lunch:
This lunch was excluded from the program. Depending on the flight schedule, we will have the opportunity to get something to eat at Buenos Aires Airport or Ushuaia.
Afternoon:
Free Time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
Welcome to the end of the world! We will walk to a nearby hotel for dinner and order from a select menu with a choice of a main course and dessert with water; other beverages are available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach several times during a field trip. Walking short distances on a boardwalk and unpaved ground. Do not forget to refill your reusable water bottle before getting on the bus!
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board a motorcoach for an expert-led field trip to Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego (Tierra del Fuego National Park), approximately 7.5 miles west of Ushuaia. This was Argentina’s first shoreline park. Native forests of lengas, coihues, ñires, canelos, and mossy foliage are home to guanacos, foxes, and muskrats. Short trails follow the southern edges of the park, providing scenic views of the Ensenada and Lapataia Bays and the famous Beagle Channel. In the park, we will see several species of seabirds, including terns, geese, ducks, gulls, and, of course, albatross. We may get lucky and see condors, Magellanic woodpeckers, and Austral conures too. The park is also home to an important archaeological site left by the Yamaná (a/k/a Yahgan) from hundreds of years ago. The site is accessible by a 5-mile trail westbound from Bahia Ensenada.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we will enjoy traditional local cuisine. Salad and dessert are included as well as one soft drink or water.
Afternoon:
Next, we will transfer to the port and board the ship after completing boarding procedures and getting your cabin, take some time to start becoming familiar with the ship. There will be a mandatory passenger briefing and safety drill before departure.
Dinner:
In the dining room aboard ship, there is a sector for the Road Scholar group. The menu is a la carte, and some selected alcoholic beverages are included as well as coffee, tea, and water; other beverages are available for purchase. Road Scholars are invited to sit together as a group on our first night out. While meal times may change due to landings and wildlife encounters, we will always have three meals a day. Hours of operation will be posted around the ship, as they are subject to change based on the activities planned for each day.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to check out the library that offers a wide range of multilingual books ranging from fiction to travel literature or have a look at the booklet we gave you to understand better what you are about to see, listen to, and feel.
Activity Note
At sea for the day and night.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Sailing onward, we cross the famed Drake Passage, a body of water that marks the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Drake Passage is known for strong westerly winds, heavy seas, and its nickname "The Roaring Fifties". While this passage may be challenging, you can rest confidently aboard our expedition vessel, which is purpose-built with stabilizers, powerful engines, and a highly qualified crew. The most spirited sailors consider Drake Passage a lifetime achievement, and soon you can tick it off on the list yourself! In the Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view with our first sight of seals, penguins, and albatrosses.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
The onboard educational programming will continue as we cross the Drake Passage.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
At sea for the day and night.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Having crossed the Drake, we will explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we will encounter along the way. Weather permitting, we hope to make our first landfall on King George Island before continuing further south to the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
We will continue to explore the South Shetland Islands.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of Zodiac boats. Walking on uneven, snow-covered, and sometimes icy conditions. Landings are all dependent on weather conditions.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
As we continue to explore the South Shetland Islands, our goal is to attempt two outings per day while we navigate through the area, but the itinerary and daily schedule will be based on the local weather and ice conditions that we encounter.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Attend lectures, engage in shipboard activities, spend time with fellow participants, and feel the rhythm of the cruise.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of Zodiac boats. Walking on uneven, snow-covered, and sometimes icy conditions. Landings are all dependent on weather conditions.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will continue to explore the Antarctic Peninsula. Our goal is to attempt two outings per day while we navigate through the area, but the itinerary and daily schedule will be based on the local weather and ice conditions that we encounter.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Our exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula will continue. On this voyage, under favorable conditions, we plan to cross the Antarctic Circle, an imaginary line located at latitude 66°33' south. This is certainly a special highlight for many expeditioners, and the moment will be celebrated with a toast on deck (conditions permitting). You have earned some boasting privileges, joining a small group of lucky adventurers who have ventured to this part of the world. As we approach The Circle, you will notice subtle changes in the landscape and in the distribution of wildlife. The waters at this time of year are rich with krill, and we hope to see plenty of whales, particularly humpbacks and minkes. We also hope to enjoy the spectacle of penguins feeding their ravenous chicks.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of Zodiac boats. Walking on uneven, snow-covered, and sometimes icy conditions. Landings are all dependent on weather conditions.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will continue to explore the Antarctic Peninsula. Our goal is to attempt two outings per day while we navigate through the area, but the itinerary and daily schedule will be based on the local weather and ice conditions that we encounter.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Attend lectures, engage in shipboard activities, spend time with fellow participants, and feel the rhythm of the cruise.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At lesiure.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of Zodiac boats. Walking on uneven, snow-covered, and sometimes icy conditions. Landings are all dependent on weather conditions.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will continue to explore the Antarctic Peninsula. Our goal is to attempt two outings per day while we navigate through the area, but the itinerary and daily schedule will be based on the local weather and ice conditions that we encounter.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Our exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula will continue.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of Zodiac boats. Walking on uneven, snow-covered, and sometimes icy conditions. Landings are all dependent on weather conditions.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship
Morning:
Our experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. Join the zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favorite spots along the peninsula.
Lunch:
Aboard ship
Afternoon:
We continue our zodiac rides or landings.
Dinner:
Aboard ship
Evening:
At leisure
Activity Note
Getting in/out of Zodiac boats. Walking on uneven, snow-covered, and sometimes icy conditions. Landings are all dependent on weather conditions.
Breakfast:
Aboard Ship
Morning:
This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge (open at the captain’s discretion) for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendor. Listen out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of the pristine paradise of the splendid white continent.
Lunch:
Aboard ship
Afternoon:
In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Activity Note
At sea for the day and night. The extent and duration of elective activities aboard the ship depend on personal choice.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship
Morning:
With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica, telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here.
Lunch:
Aboard ship
Afternoon:
As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
At sea for the day and night. The extent and duration of elective activities aboard the ship depend on personal choice.
Breakfast:
On board the ship.
Morning:
This begins our last full day at sea. As we near the end of our program, take some time to reflect on the journey we have been on together.
Lunch:
On board the ship.
Afternoon:
Free time. Enjoy the amenities onboard the ship. Your Group Leader will organize our farewell "wrap up" meeting where we can share discoveries and we can make the last updates in our Journal.
Dinner:
We will enjoy one last meal as a group at our farewell dinner. During this time, we will get to share with each other what we learned and our favorite moments from the exciting journey we embarked on together.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Disembarkation is scheduled to begin at approximately 8:00 a.m. after breakfast. Transfer to Ushuaia Airport on time to take your included flight to Buenos Aires.
Breakfast:
On board the ship.
Morning:
After completing disembarkation procedures from the ship, we will transfer to the airport to take our included flight back to Buenos Aires. After 3.5 hours we will arrive at Buenos Aires Airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!