Antarctica & Falklands Expedition

With its fusion of faded European splendour and Latin American panache, an overnight stay in Buenos Aires is the ideal way to start your Antarctic adventure. Why not arrive early to explore more or join our optional Pre-Programme to tour wild Patagonia. T ake in the beautiful architecture. Visit the beautiful opera house of Teatro Colón, the pretty-in-pink Casa Rosada, and the National Museum of Fine Arts, displaying works by Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso. Explore the colourful street museum in La Boca with its buzzy markets and restaurants. Or take in a tango show before savouring delicious Argentinian beef in one of the city's steakhouses.

Your adventure begins with an early morning flight to Ushuaia, where you'll meet your hybrid-powered expedition ship, MS Fridtjof Nansen, specially designed for sustainable cruising in polar waters. This bustling port is the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province. Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Martial Glacier, Ushuaia vies for the title of the world’s southernmost city. After a briefing from your Expedition Team, you’ll have time to settle into your cabin and explore the comforts and amenities on board. Later, you'll join your Expedition Team for a welcome dinner.

As we cruise from Ushuia to Antarctica through the Drake Passage, the Expedition Team will equip you with all you need to make the most of your polar expedition. Visit the onboard Science Center and find out what lies ahead. You'll learn about Antarctica’s history, wildlife and how we can protect this fragile Antarctic environment from the impact of climate change and plastic pollution. You can also find out about Citizen Science projects you can join. There's plenty of time to relax so take an invigorating swim, unwind in the Wellness Spa, enjoy delicious cuisine or meet fellow adventurers in the Explorer Lounge.

Nothing quite prepares you for it. Surrounded by looming glaciers, and icebergs the size of floating cathedrals, Antarctica will fill you with wonder. Perhaps the most surprising part of Antarctica is the silence. It's a stillness that's broken every so often by the locals – the wildlife. In the Antarctic summer, that might be penguins tending to their chicks; cormorants, sheathbills and egrets wheeling through the skies; or humpback whales and even orca feeding on the krill-rich waters. Antarctica is simply a place where nature is king and the rest of us, mere observers. You’ll spend an exciting five days busily exploring several of the possible landing sites. Wherever we go and whatever we do, each day will offer something different and thrilling. You'll join the Expedition Team on landings and ice cruises, all included as part of your expedition. You can join optional activities that include memorable possibilities such as kayaking, snowshoeing, hiking and even camping in Antarctica. Our lecture programme continues, providing you with fascinating insights in real time. You can take part in Citizen Science programmes like the HappyWhale project. Upload your whale pictures to help researchers track migration patterns and population health, where your precious memories will contribute to real conservation.

As you savour your Antarctic experiences, prepare for more adventures ahead as we cruise towards the Falkland Islands. Your Expedition Team will brief you about the history and biology of the islands. In the Science Center, you can look through the microscope at the tiny krill and phytoplankton that sustains so much of the region's wildlife. Get tips from our professional photographer to improve your images, or join a workshop on wildlife painting and nautical knots. You can also book a spa treatment, visit the gym, and enjoy the locally-sourced, regionally inspired dishes in our restaurants.

The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sands teeming with birdlife. The occasional farm dots the landscape. You’ll find grassy hills, wildflowers, sandy beaches and turquoise waters, in contrast to the vast whiteness of Antarctica. You'll also enjoy an included community walk of Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villa Gardens, Christchurch Cathedral and the Historic Dockyard Museum. Our landings, hikes and excursions are, as always, guided by the conditions. We hope to visit penguin colonies, often found sharing space with fur seals, getting as close as we can without disturbing them.

Your action-packed expedition cruise, taking in the wonders of Antarctica and the wildlife of the Falkland Islands, nears its end. As we sail the final leg to Ushuaia, enjoy your final day at sea. Join the Expedition Team in the Science Center to examine special interests in more depth. Learn more about photography, or simply relax on deck, mulling over the highlights of a memorable adventure. And don't forget to contribute your findings to Citizen Science projects. End the evening in the Explorer Lounge with the new friends you’ve made on your trip, sharing experiences over a relaxing drink.

Your expedition cruise ends in Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina’s southernmost province. From here, you’ll take a flight back to Buenos Aires, but it needn't be the end of your adventure. If you’re not ready for the adventure to end just yet, why not join our optional Post-Programme to tour the magnificent Iguazu Falls. Summer is the best time to visit and it's a memorable way to wrap up your travels. Or you can stay and enjoy the sights of Buenos Aires before heading home.