22 Day Antarctica & Patagonia Explorer
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
For the true explorer, expedition small-ship cruising is the best way to get off the beaten track.This experience is not just about the ship’s creature comforts but very much the destination, its nature and wildlife. Daily shore excursions by Zodiac inflatable boats allow you to step onshore and explore. A world-class, expert expedition team will help you discover each exciting destination. Onboard you’ll enjoy informative and educational lectures. These trips will be a mix of fully guided or self-guided depending on your chosen package. There’s a land touring component with shared sightseeing and transfers.
✓ Return airfares with a full-service airline
✓ Return South America charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
✓ All airport and port transfers
✓ 10-night Antarctica expedition on-board Hurtigruten's ship MS Fridtjof Nansen
✓ Environmentally friendly hybrid vessel with underwater drones
✓ 10 nights in 4-star accommodation throughout Chile and Argentina
✓ Experienced local guides throughout Chile and Argentina
✓ Includes Patagonia's stunning national parks
✓ Daily breakfast, 9 lunches, 10 dinners
✓ Guiding and lectures by world-class expedition team
✓ Shore excursions by Zodiac boats
✓ No gratuities expected
✓ 24/7 customer service and your own Dedicated Support Agent
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to South America! Today begins your adventure of a lifetime as you board your flight and head towards the edge of the globe, where few have gone before you. Upon arrival in Santiago, your local tour guide will welcome you at the airport and will transfer to your hotel. Surprising, cosmopolitan, energetic, sophisticated and worldly, Santiago is a city of syncopated cultural currents, madhouse parties, expansive museums and top-flight restaurants. No wonder 40 percent of Chileans call the leafy capital city home. Santiago is wonderful place for strolling, and each neighborhood has its unique flavor and tone. Head out for the day to take in the museums, grand architecture and pedestrian malls of the Centro.
Today is free to enjoy at your leisure – spend time exploring this incredible city, or simply relax after your flight the day before. Don’t hesitate to ask the local hotel staff for advice on what to see and do.
This morning we travel west towards the Pacific Ocean. Our first stop will be in the Casablanca Valley, famous for its many wineries and small towns rich with tradition. Vines were first planted here in the 1980s and the area is known for its cool climate white wines, most notably sauvignon blanc and chardonnay, as well as pinot noir. We'll visit one of the region’s world-class wineries to enjoy a premium tasting before continuing on to Valparaíso.
A historic port city, Valparaíso is known as the 'Jewel of the Pacific' and the cultural capital of Chile, with countless annual festivals and plenty of street artists and musicians. Its colourful houses are set on cobblestone alleyways in the hills that surround the city, lending it the feel of an urban amphitheatre. Because of its unique architecture and urban design, UNESCO declared the historic quarter of Valparaíso a World Heritage Site in 2003. The city’s system of funiculars, or cable railways, are also of note – in 1996 the World Monuments Fund declared the system one of the world’s 100 most endangered historical treasures.
A short drive along the coast affords us with a perfect view of the hills and the city. We’ll walk around the town to discover hidden treasures such as art galleries, small cafés, breweries and the house of the famous Chilean Poet, Pablo Neruda. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll return to Santiago for the evening.
Today we’ll head back to the airport to board our flight to the magnificent city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Upon arrival we'll be greeted at the airport and transferred to our hotel. This afternoon we’ll enjoy a delightful city tour discovering the heart of the city: the Plaza de Mayo. It's the oldest public square in Buenos Aires, and the site of many of the most important events in the city’s history. Surrounding the plaza are the historic Cabildo (Town Hall) where the movement for independence from Spain was first planned; the Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace); and numerous other interesting buildings. We’ll also visit La Recoleta, which houses one of the world's most legendary cemeteries, known for its ornate and elaborate gravestones, unlike anything you've seen before.
Today we say farewell for now to Buenos Aires and board our flight to the Argentinian town of El Calafate in the heart of Patagonia. On arrival, we’ll be met and transferred to our hotel. El Calafate lies near the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and is known as the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. Enjoy a relaxing evening tonight, in preparation for an awe-inspiring tour through the park tomorrow.
Today we’ll partake in a jaw-dropping tour of the Los Glaciares National Park, which has been recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its raw natural beauty and grand scale. The resident Perito Moreno Glacier is perhaps the most exceptional of all the park's natural assets. It's one of the only glaciers in the world that is growing instead of shrinking, and it also 'ruptures' like clockwork every four to five years – huge chunks of blue and white ice thunderously collapse into the glacial Lake Argentino below. Following our visit here, we will return to El Calafate for the evening.
This morning we depart on a journey which will take us over the border to the Chilean Frontier of Torres del Paine National Park. This park has been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, due to its converging landscapes of exquisite mountains, glaciers, valleys, lakes and ponds. The dramatically contrasting colours will bring a sparkle to your eye. Torres del Paine National Park displays soaring peaks, bright blue icebergs cleaved from glaciers and golden pampas (grasslands) that shelter rare wildlife such as the llama-like guanacos. We’ll discover the turquoise waters of Nordenskjöld Lake and the impressive, horn-shaped peaks otherwise known as the Cuernos Del Paine. After our tour here, we will return to El Calafate for the evening.
Please note: entrance to Torres Del Paine National Park must be paid locally to the authorities. Please make sure you are carrying the correct cash amount (US$35 per person).
Board your international flight bound for Buenos Aires. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for another night in this colourful city.
Today you will join the rest of your group as you are transferred to the airport to board your charter flight to the end of the world, Ushuaia, where MS Fridtjof Nansen awaits. Once onboard, we start our journey with a welcome dinner.
Prepare yourself for Antarctica as we cross the infamous Drake Passage, and trust us – it will take your breath away! Take it all in onboard MS Fridtjof Nansen with her two-storey panorama lounge over the bow, with wall-to-wall windows bathing the room in natural light and providing extraordinary views.
Today is another day at sea as your ship makes its way to the Antarctic Peninsula. Relax and enjoy your ship’s facilities, or join one of the lectures conducted throughout the day.
Welcome to one of the most remote areas on Earth!
There have been spectacular photo opportunities so far, but Antarctica is in an entirely different category. Go ashore by Zodiac boat to explore the breathtaking Antarctic scenery and get close to penguins and seals. You will feel like a real explorer from the moment you set foot on the endless expanse of snow and ice and from the deck there will be ample opportunities to see whales.
Over the next six days we’ll be making various landings in different locations throughout the peninsula. Enjoy close encounters with wildlife and glaciers, and visit old whaling stations and its relics. Trust us when we say that every second of this journey has something new to offer.
One of the highlights of the South Shetlands is Deception Island. When we sail into the natural harbor of this volcanic island, you will see an abandoned whaling station known as Hektor and a derelict British base.
Over the course of the next few days we’ll also visit Wilhelmina Bay, Paradise Harbor and other remote locations. Join gatherings where the various members of the expedition team recount the day’s activities, make presentations, and discuss the next day’s plan. These gatherings are great opportunities to share experiences and mingle with your fellow explorers.
Another day in Antarctic waters learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and various activities (weather depending).
Another day in Antarctic waters learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and joining various activities (weather depending).
Another day in Antarctic waters learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and joining various activities (weather depending).
Spend another day in this unforgettable landscape undertaking a shore landing, listening to lectures and enjoying your spectacular vessel.
After exploring this exhilarating continent, we set course back to civilisation. Spend the day at sea recapping your experiences with fellow explorers, or just relaxing on deck.
Today is another day at sea as your ship makes it way back to South America. Relax and enjoy your ship's facilities, or join one of the lectures conducted throughout the day.
Our Antarctic expedition cruise ends as we reach Ushuaia, and we transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. On arrival in Buenos Aires, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel to relax after your expedition.
Today is a free day to relax and explore this colourful city at your own pace.
Today, you will be transferred to Buenos Aires International Airport for your scheduled flight home. We hope you enjoyed your journey to Antarctica with us!
Arrive home today
For detailed information on your ship, click HERE.
Compulsory Cruise Forms
For more information, click HERE.
Bedding on board the cruise is restricted to the following configurations.If you wish to upgrade your cabin, the following amounts are payable in addition to the package price prior to travel:
Deposit & Payment
Booking Process
Airfare Information
Full-service airline used will be LATAM Airlines, Air New Zealand, Qantas Airways or similar
Flights are not direct and include a maximum of two connections
If you would like to travel with a preferred airline, please ensure you mention this in the special request field. Please note that appropriate fare and tax difference will be applicable in order to confirm your request.
All tickets will include 20 kilos checked baggage per person, along with 7 kilos of hand luggage.
Despite the airlines baggage allowance, we recommend travelling with 20 kilos per person due to restrictions with internal flights (where applicable), as well as coach and train transportation. Also, you will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters is not included. If travelling over this amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable direct.
Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable; any changes will be subject to the airline rules and change fees
Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required
Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are beyond our control
Adelaide surcharge $250 - Perth surcharge $500
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.
Land Only discount (if booking your own flights)
A reduction of $1,500 per person applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares. To purchase a land-only fare, please select this option in the booking process under 'Departure City'.
Please note, if you are not arriving or departing as per the group itinerary, airport transfers will not be included.
Should you wish to book airport transfers to match your own flights, the cost is $69 per person, per direction.
Extending Your Stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour or including a stopover in another destination. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
By choosing to extend your stay, please note that a supplement of $150 per person, plus applicable fare and tax differences will apply. We will contact you via email with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, and then proceed with collecting the additional payment required to confirm your request.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, adding a stopover package en-route or booking a tour extension. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Airport chauffeur
Take the hassle out of getting to the airport with private chauffeur transfers to and from your home airport. Your personal chauffeur will meet and greet you, attend to your luggage and drive you to your destination in a luxury vehicle.
Additional surcharges may apply depending on pick-up time, tolls and government levies.
Airport Chauffeur can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
Pre and post tour accommodation (deviating from group flights forfeits your group airport transfers)
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation and/or airport transfers. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
Airport lounges
Escape busy airport terminals and relax at a cosy and catered lounge instead. Departure lounge access in Sydney $70 per person (up to 6 hours); Melbourne & Brisbane $55 per person (up to 3 hours).
Airport lounge passes can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
Physical Fitness: A good level of physical fitness is essential. You must fit into a dry suit size S to XXL. You must be able to get from a floating platform to the kayaks and you must be able to swim. The ship's doctor and kayak instructor assess every participant individually and have the final say on a participant's suitability for this activity.
Duration: 3-4 hrs (including getting dressed and preparation time)
Important: Kayaking takes place during a landing and you will have less time ashore during that landing. Outings are subject to weather and prevailing ice conditions. Experienced guides will accompany you on the adventure. This activity is done in two-person kayaks. The suitability for single kayaks is only assessed on board. We cannot promise viewing ice and wildlife - every location is different.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity.
These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers. As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “3”.
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $9,999 person in addition to the twin share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from your intended date of return to Australia.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements. Visa's should not be applied for before receiving your final documentation.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
2-40 people.
Children
Children must be 12 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
Refundable deposit within 28 days of purchase:
For cancellations made within 28 days of paying the deposit on any tour, your deposit can be refunded in full or can be transferred to a new booking should you decide to change to another package or destination. Please note this change of mind guarantee does not apply for bookings made within 90 days of departure, after which time our standard 48 hour cooling off period applies. After this time, your booking becomes non-refundable.
All cancellation or change requests must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Refund times will vary and the timeframe of which will be advised at the time of cancellation. Any refund of deposit will be issued back to the original form of payment.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Transferrable second installment up until 90 days before scheduled departure:
Following the second installment payment and up until 90 days before your departure only, should you wish to postpone your travel or transfer to another package, we can provide you with a credit note of the current balance paid on your booking, to be used to rebook within 18 months of the credit being issued.
Any change request must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for more details
18 Sep 2020
From penguins to whales and birds, wildlife are the star attractions on an Antarctic adventure An expedition to the Antarctic is a once in a lifetime journey. Traversing the mighty Drake Passage, circling the Antarctic Peninsula, watching icebergs drift by in the southern ocean and stepping onto the icy continent for t...
16 Sep 2020
Exhausted, cold, beaten. Expeditions aren't for the faint-hearted and these first explorers will not be forgotten At the turn of the 20th century, during an era of exploration and adventure, expeditions were sent to the most remote corners of the earth to discover places where man had never walked. The race was on to g...
16 Sep 2020
It may be a frozen desert but there’s still a whole lot of wildlife in Antarctica Here, 12 Antarctica residents you're most likely to encounter on your icy adventures. PENGUINS Six out of 17 species of penguin can be seen waddling, swimming, nesting or just playing on any trip to Antarctica. Chinstrap penguins One of t...
16 Sep 2020
The frozen continent is the most remote corner of earth. We speak to one of the only people on earth who has spent two years living at the South Pole Just a century ago, man first set foot on this frozen land. This dry, cold desert supports no mammals or plant life, and only a couple of hardy grasses manage to survive...
16 Sep 2020
Hurtigruten’s new addition is a world leader in innovation and environmentally-conscious expedition cruising Exploring the Antarctic is a dream come true for many, and with the remote continent becoming more accessible every year, it’s no longer a choice of "how do I get there?" But rather, "which option do I choose?"...
16 Sep 2020
Shore excursions are the highlights of any expedition cruise - here's what you need to know For most, travelling to Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime journey. The frozen continent is home to extraordinary wildlife, a baffling landscape and 90% of the world’s ice. It’s also one of the most remote places in the world, m...
16 Sep 2020
From temperature to sights and safety, we answer the most commonly asked questions It’s hard to believe that wild and untamed frontiers still exist today, but that’s exactly what Antarctica is. Nature at its most raw and unfiltered; where penguins, seals, whales and birds roam the icy land unencumbered. The only place...
16 Sep 2020
Antarctica is one of the most pristine pieces of wilderness on the planet. But, when is the best time to go? Antarctica is like another world. In this far southern continent, Mother Nature rules; cross the Drake Passage and you’ll enter the domain of natural wonder at its finest. Here, wildlife from penguins to whales...
16 Sep 2020
Before travelling to the icy continent, its sights and fascinating history are best explored through screen and literature As the most remote destination on earth visited by a few thousand every season (November to March), it’s no surprise that Antarctica is shrouded in mystery. If you’re considering a trip to the migh...
