Antarctic Circle Expedition

16 days
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3.4/5 Average
29 reviews  
66%
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USTOA

Cancellation Policy
Small Ship Cruise
Cross the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66° 33’ 39’’ and set foot where few have gone before you. Starting in Buenos Aires, you have the opportunity to discover the “Paris of South America” before embarking on MS Fram in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost town and setting course for the Southern Ocean. En route to Antarctica we sail through the notorious Drak...
From$8,031
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Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • First class scientific lectures
    • Come ashore on isolated beaches and spend the night in a tent
    • Cross the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66° 33’ 39’’
    • See penguins, Leopard seals and whales

What's this trip about?

    Cross the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66° 33’ 39’’ and set foot where few have gone before you. Starting in Buenos Aires, you have the opportunity to discover the “Paris of South America” before embarking on MS Fram in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost town and setting course for the Southern Ocean. En route to Antarctica we sail through the notorious Drake Passage, where two oceans meet. Then we head through open sea towards a continent of endless white wilderness, with its overwhelming presence of nature and wildlife.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityBuenos Aires
End CityUshuaia

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • South America
  • Argentina
  • Antarctica

Attractions

  • Buenos Aires
  • Shetland Islands
  • Ushuaia

Activities

  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Nature
  • Whale watching
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • Cabin grade of your choice on a full board basis
    • One hotel night in Buenos Aires before the voyage including breakfast
    • Return economy flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
    • Transfer in Ushuaia with orientation tour
    • Wind and water resistant jacket
    • Landings with Polarcirkel boats and activities onboard and ashore
    • Professional English speaking Expedition team that gives lectures as well as accompanying landings and activities
    • Free tea and coffee

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires’ mixture of elegant and bohemian neighbourhoods only adds to its charm and appeal. You start with an overnight stay here, in the birthplace of the tango.

Day 2: Buenos Aires/Ushuaia

Ushuaia is where the Andes meet the Southern Ocean. It is a busy port and adventure hub with steep streets and architectural diversity below the snow-capped Martial Range.

Day 3: Drake Passage

The Drake Passage is the stretch of ocean between the south tip of South America, also known as Cape Horn or Tierra del Fuego, part of Chile, and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica, off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. On the way across the passage and towa...

Day 4: Drake Passage

The Drake Passage is famous for some of the roughest and most unforgiving waters of the world. This is where two oceans meet; sailors say that it’s either the Drake Lake or the Drake Shake.

Day 5: Antarctica

The Antarctic continent is an endless white wilderness full of overwhelming vistas of nature and wildlife. On this special trip, we plan to cross the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66° 33’ 39’’. We will go ashore several places and offer activities like hiking, kayak tr...

Day 6: Still in Antarctica

We continue our voyage in Antarctica.

Day 7: Still in Antarctica

We continue our voyage in Antarctica.

Day 8: Still in Antarctica

We continue our voyage in Antarctica.

Day 9: Still in Antarctica

We continue our voyage in Antarctica.

Day 10: Still in Antarctica

We continue our voyage in Antarctica.

Day 11: Still in Antarctica

We continue our voyage in Antarctica.

Day 12: Still in Antarctica

We continue our voyage in Antarctica.

Day 13: Still in Antarctica

We continue our voyage in Antarctica.

Day 14: Drake Passage

After nine unforgettable days in Antarctica, MS Fram takes us safely back across the famous Drake Passage.

Day 15: Drake Passage

The sailing from the Antarctic Peninsula to Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina is roughly 40 hours in good weather. During the voyage north, we will continue our lecture series and recap our experiences of Antarctica.

Day 16: Ushuaia/Buenos Aires

Back in Ushuaia you can either join an optional excursion or go straight to the airport to fly to Buenos Aires. Here you can either fly back home or spend time with our post programmes to the Tigre Delta or the incredible Iguazu Falls.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $8,031
Price per day$502
Last Updated: 7/13/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Hurtigruten.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Hurtigruten Reviews & Ratings

3.4/5  Average
Excellent
15
Great
3
Average
0
Disappointing
1
Terrible
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Other Hurtigruten Reviews

A

Alex

Mar 2024

Provided byHurtigruten

What a shambles

This company is unbelievable. Firstly I get a cancellation of the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica trip. The compensation in comparison to a like for like tri...

C

Carla

Mar 2020

Provided byHurtigruten

Its the best sea voyage we've ever made!

Its the best sea voyage we've ever made! We're looking for...

L

Linda

Mar 2020

Provided byHurtigruten

unfortunately due to covid-19

do not book with this company !!!!! I my husband and 2 other friends (all Italian) had to take the cruise starting March 17th, unfortunately due to covid-19 we were ...

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The coastline between Bergen and Kirkenes is over 1,490 miles long, and in the 19th Century almost all of it was home to rich fishing grounds. The maritime maps were unreliable and there were only a few lighthouses, especially in the north. This important seaway was lined with perilous reefs, small islands and narrow inlets, and it was essential that a safe trade route be established to link the southern and northern regions of Norway.

When the Norwegian government decided to create a connection between the north and the south, Richard With and his friend Anders Holthe took on the challenge of thoroughly mapping the seas along the coastline. In 1893, Captain Richard With’s steamer, DS Vesteraalen, was brought into regular service along the coast of Norway, and Hurtigruten was established. The service offered several weekly departures, first from Trondheim to Hammerfest and later from Bergen to Kirkenes in only seven days. He called this important connection ‘Hurtigruten’ (the fast route).

120 years later, we still carry freight and passengers. Our captains use their extensive maritime expertise to ensure that guests and goods are safely carried from port to port. Today, as then, the Hurtigruten ships are a part of Norwegian coastal life. One of the fleet’s 11 ships departs Bergen daily, sailing to Kirkenes and back in 12 days at an average speed of 15 knots.

Hurtigruten's Ships

Hurtigruten ships have been a staple along the Norwegian coast since 1893. The current fleet consists of classic ships, ships built in the late nineties, and ships built after the millennium.

MS Fram:

Many boast of their “ultimate” expedition ships. But none, save the MS Fram, contains two critical features which deliver adventure in a more safe and comfortable way. MS Fram is a purpose-build expedition ship built especially for comfortable Explorer voyages, with emphasis on relaxation and discovery.

MS Fram was built in 2007 with one mission in mind - to bring her guests closer to nature, wildlife and unforgettable experiences. As well as offering numerous lounges in which to relax, our more active guests can use our well-equipped gym. Meanwhile, on deck, our Jacuzzis guarantee you surreal memories when passing the towering icebergs of Antarctica or Greenland.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International flights
    • Travel insurance
    • Luggage handling
    • Optional excursions and gratuities
Ship & cabin information
MS Fram
The original Fram was the most famous explorer ship of its time, and the achievements of her expeditions are unparalleled. MS Fram brings on the heritage of the original Fram, using the most advanced technology to make her exceptionally well suited for expedition voyages in Polar Regions. Fram means ‘forward’ – lifting expectations of the voyage at hand. MS Fram was built in 2007 with one mission in mind – to bring her guests closer to nature, wildlife and unforgettable experiences. The spacious outside decks include access to the very front of the ship – a great place to observe marine wildlife.
Year built 2007 Shipyard Fincantieri, Italy Passenger capacity 318 Beds 376 Car capacity 0 Gross tonnage 11647 Length 114 Beam 20.2 Speed 13
Deck B   Expedition Suite Cabin: Our Expeditions Suites are the most exquisite cabins on the ship. Situated on upper deck, you can enjoy the most comfortable suites on board. Inside you will find seating areas with TV, bathrooms with shower/wc and most of them have double beds. All of the suites offer cabin kits, which contains bathrobe, slippers and other beauty articles.  Some of the suites do have more facilities than others. Grand Suite: Enjoy these exclusive suites with one or two rooms, seating area, TV, kettle, tea/coffee, stereo and mini-bar. Some of them also have bathtub. Most of these suites have a private balcony or bay window. Suite: These elegant suites are situated on upper deck with one or two rooms, seating area, TV and mini-bar.
Cancellation policy

You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the person who made the booking or your travel agent must be received at our offices. We recommend ‘Recorded Delivery’. Cancellation takes effect the day we receive your letter or email. Since we incur costs in relation to your arrangements from the time we confirm your booking you will have to pay the applicable cancellation charges as shown in the table below (which also applies if we cancel because you have failed to make payments on time - see ‘Payment’ section) together with the cost of any air fare for which we have had to pay at the time of the booking and will be payable immediately on cancellation.

When the cancellation letter is received by us before departure

Charges as a % of the total holiday cost (excl. insurance premiums)

60 or more days Retention of deposit

42–59 days is 30%

28–41 days will be 60%

14–27 days is 90%

Less than 14 days is 100%

If you have to cancel for a reason covered by your travel insurance you may be able to reclaim the cancellation charges, less applicable excess. Insurance premiums are not refundable.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Additional Information
All planned landings are subject to weather and ice conditions All itineraries are subject to change Medical questionnaire mandatory Free rubber boot rental service on board
Trip ID
hurtig-AntCirhur

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