Compare Antarctic Peninsula-Basecamp Plancius by Oceanwide Expeditions vs Ushuaia, End of the World in 4 days by Qwerty Travel Argentina

Day 1: We embark our vessel m/v Plancius in Ushuaia

In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.

Days 2 - 3: En-route to the Antarctic Peninsula where we cross the Antarctic Convergence

During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black- browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Albatrosses, Cape Petrels, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs.

Days 4 - 8: Antarctica!

We will sail directly to “High Antarctica”, passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. We will sail to the Neumayer Channel, where we position our ship for the multi activity base camp. The protected waters around Wiencke Island will become our playground for all activities. In this alpine environment there are great opportunities to scout the region on foot, per zodiac and during kayak trips. Walkers will find opportunities to use snowshoes on hikes near the shore lines and the mountaineers will find their challenge by climbing hills and viewpoints further inland. All climbs and excursions can only be conducted in good weather conditions.  We plan to stay two overnights at anchor in order to implement two camp nights and two full activity days. We will visit the old British research station, now working museum and post office at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. We look out for leopard seals, Crabeater seals and whales.  In good conditions and time allowing we sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Booth Island, Pléneau and Petermann Island where we can find Adélie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. In this area there are good chances to encounter Humpback Whales and Minke Whales.  We choose another camp site which is suitable and close to next day’s activity.  At Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of a huge glacier and enjoy the landscape during zodiac cruises, walks and kayak excursions. A small group of glacier walkers may climb up on higher grounds of the glacier. We will spend the night at Neko or near Paradise Bay with a camp erected ashore. We will leave early morning after breaking our last camp. We sail via Melchior Islands towards the open sea of the Drake Passage. We have again a chance of seeing many seabirds.

Days 09 - 10: At sea en-route to Ushuaia

On our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.

Day 11: We disembark m/v Plancius in Ushuaia

We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark after breakfast.

Day 1: Ushuaia

You will be met in Ushuaia airport by our staff who will take you to your accommodation.

Day 2: Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego National Park + Sailing the Beagle Channel

Represents the southernmost protected area, the only National Park that has coastlines, covering a stretch of 6 km. Wide over the Beagle Channel and an area of 63,000 hectares. It is reached by the National Highway No. 3 to N.A. Ushuaia, met along the way Pipo River, Monte Susana, Ensenada Bay, Redonda Island sighting, lake Roca Casita del Bosque, Laguna Verde and Negra, beaver dam, Lapataia Bay, marking the end of the route, to 3,242 km. Federal Capital. The topography of the park is extremely varied, everything is a series of craggy mountains, rivers, valleys and lakes, resulting in varied landscapes from the picturesque and lively stream to the mass of towering mountains, or the extraordinary spectacle of the majestic Canal Beagle. During the spring and summer, you can admire varied and colorful flowers: mutillas, violet, primrose, white orchids, armories, white and yellow daisies, and the various tree species: Cinnamon, Wood Dura Notros Lenga Ñire, Burgundy presenting as Misodendro parasites and the Llao Llao, observing lichens, which hang in the form of a beard. The most common mammals are foxes and rabbits, living in the Park also muskrat and beaver. Among birds, Upland Goose and gray-headed, steamer ducks and great grebe, the black carpenter and rayadito giant, as the Park presents exclusive marine birds such as albatross, the oystercatcher overo the white Cauquen and mammals such as seals and otters sea.

We began sailing out of Puerto Tourist our city, towards the Beagle Channel, enjoying as we move away from the panoramic view of the coast of Ushuaia, overlooking the most important buildings, Museum (old prison), Museum of the End World, the industrial area, and mounts Olivia and Cinco Hermanos. We sailed to the southwest, approaching the island of Los Lobos, where, from the boat, we enjoy the view of specimens of sea lions, watching their permanent habitat, in a wonderful setting. During the afternoon, we drive to the Island of Birds, habitat Magellanic Cormorants, Imperial Cormorants and privileged sector to spot examples of marine birds Continue to the Lighthouse Eclaireurs in the archipelago of the same name, where sank the ship Monte Cervantes in 1930. The return will be through Paso Chico, overlooking the tunnel stays and Fique, we return to Ushuaia, with a stunning view of the frame that gives the city and Mount Martial Glacier.

Day 3: Ushuaia – Escondido & Fagnano Lakes

We departure from the city of Ushuaia to the north of the island, We go through the Fueguinos Andean and the valleys. The next point is the ‘’Garibaldi crossing’’, one of the Andean crossing to Chile with a beautiful sight of the Escondido and Fagnano Lakes.

The Escondido Lake is only 60 km far away from the city and 15 km after we find the Fagnano Lake, nice and beautiful Lake mirror.

Day 4: Ushuaia

Today transfer to the airport