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Antarctica/Argentina

Beyond The Edge: Exploring Antarctica, the Southernmost Frontier

Program No. 25617RJ
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Itinerary
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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 )
6 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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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m. Arrival day. Orientation meeting. Remember to bring your name tag to the 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
Remember to bring your name tag. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 10 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time including stops. 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. Stairs with rails at Tango house.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
The city tour begins in Recoleta, the most sophisticated neighborhood in Buenos Aires, where elegant French-inspired mansions, refined avenues, and neoclassical architecture reflect the wealth and European influence that shaped the city during its golden age. The journey then continues to Plaza de Mayo, where it all began. Colonial buildings and monumental public architecture tell the story of Argentina’s political foundations and the rise of modern Buenos Aires. In San Telmo, cobblestone streets, iron balconies, and historic residences reveal the character of the city’s immigrant expansion and the vibrant social life of the late 19th century. The experience concludes in La Boca, where colorful conventillos, working-class architecture, and the atmosphere of the old port embody the energy, diversity, and cultural spirit brought by generations of immigrants who helped define the identity of Buenos Aires.
Lunch:
We will enjoy a 3-course plated lunch with a glass of wine and coffee, tea, or water; other beverages are available for purchase
Afternoon:
To visit Buenos Aires without experiencing tango would be to miss a part of the city’s soul — not only its dance, but also its music. Tango was born from the emotions of nostalgic immigrants who arrived in these new lands searching for a brighter future. Within tango converge melancholy, hope, passion, and joy. Its music carries the echoes of longing and resilience, while its dance, much like the music itself, becomes a labyrinth of emotions and sensations, expressing the deep spirit and history of Buenos Aires. After the Lunch with the full performance we will go to the hotel. rest of the afternoon is free to explore Buenos Aires. Your group Leader will be happy to offer options.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and it is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out, transfer to the airport, and our flight to Ushuaia in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Getting on/off an aircraft; flight time under 4 hours. Paved roads, and some uneven terrain. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Checking out of the hotel, we’ll take a motorcoach back to the Buenos Aires airport and board 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.
Lunch:
On your own. 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. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. Before dinner, we will gather to enjoy the first Road Scholar lecture, welcoming us to the journey ahead. The “Introduction to Antarctica” lecture is designed to provide context for the experiences that await us in the days to come.
Dinner:
Welcome to the end of the world! We will walk to a nearby hotel for dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out, transfer, and ship embarkation tomorrow.
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 motorcoach. Embarking the ship.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our bags will be picked up by the cruise line to be transferred to the ship. Keep your personal belongings in your handbag as well as medicines and passports, as you will see your luggage again when you get aboard in the afternoon. Your Group Leader will deliver your Road Scholar tag with your cabin number to be attached to each piece of luggage you send to the ship. After checking out of the hotel, we will board a motor coach 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.
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. 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 provided to understand better what you are about to see, listen to, and feel.
Activity Note
At sea for the day and night.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
Sailing onward, we will cross the famed Drake Passage, a body of water that marks the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The 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 the ship.
Afternoon:
The onboard educational programming will continue as we cross The Drake Passage.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
At sea for the day and night.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
Having crossed the Drake, we will explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain and be marveled at 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 the ship.
Afternoon:
We will continue to explore the South Shetland Islands.
Dinner:
Aboard the 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 the 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 the ship.
Afternoon:
Attend lectures, engage in shipboard activities, spend time with fellow participants, and feel the rhythm of the cruise.
Dinner:
Aboard the 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 the 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 the 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). We 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, we 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 the 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 the 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 the ship.
Afternoon:
Attend lectures, engage in shipboard activities, spend time with fellow participants, and feel the rhythm of the cruise.
Dinner:
Aboard the 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 the 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 the ship.
Afternoon:
Our exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula will continue.
Dinner:
Aboard the 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 the 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 the ship.
Afternoon:
We continue our zodiac rides or landings.
Dinner:
Aboard the 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 the 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 the 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 traveling or feeding.
Dinner:
Aboard the 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:
Aboard the 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 the 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 the 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:
Aboard 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:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
Free time. Enjoy the amenities onboard the ship. The Group Leader will organize our wrap-up meeting where we can share discoveries and make the last updates in our journal.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for disembarkation and transfer to the airport in the morning.
Activity Note
Disembarkation is scheduled to begin at approximately 8:00 a.m. after breakfast. Getting on/off a motorcoach; transfer to Ushuaia Airport in time to take included flight to Buenos Aires.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
After completing disembarkation procedures from the ship, we will transfer by motor coach 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 like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!