Antarctica

Duration: 14 days

Start/Finish City: Ushuaia to Ushuaia

Physical Grading: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Travel Style: Marine

Small-ship adventures on the world’s great seas, rivers, and other places only accessible by boat.

What's Included

12 nts aboard the G Expedition. 1 nt hotel in Ushuaia, on a twin share basis. Arrival and departure transfers. Zodiac excursions with our expert expedition team. Lectures and educational programs. Waterproof boots supplied for USA sizes 4 - 16. Expedition parka.

Highlights

Spend seven full days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, go farther south than most have ever gone, spend time on deck searching for whales and watching soaring albatross, get up close and personal with a variety of penguin species, discover the intricacies of the Antarctic region through our on-board lecture program

Dossier Disclaimer

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. 

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. 

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Important Notes

1. Please note: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described above , there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. On the first day onboard, your Expedition Leader will give you an expedition overview.
2. Flight Information: When packing your luggage please note that the weight restriction on the domestic flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia is only 15 to 23 kg (33 to 50 lbs) per person, depending on the airline. Please note that the airlines will generally charge for excess baggage. We recommend you try to leave luggage that you do not need at your hotel in Buenos Aires (if applicable). 
3. Medical questionnaires are required for all passengers traveling to Antarctica.
4. The G Expedition is an adventure Expedition ship and does not offer an elevator
5. Please note:

BOOTS FOR ZODIAC LANDINGS: 

- Complimentary used waterproof boots will be supplied in the following sizes:

- USA size 4 - 16

- EURO size 35 - 49

Please be advised that there are limited numbers of the smallest and largest sizes. 

If you wish to bring your own boots, you should follow the guidelines below: 

Rubber, waterproof boots that are just below your knees (12-16” high or 30-41cm) with a strong, ridged non-skid sole are essential for wet landings via Zodiac. You usually have to step from the Zodiac into water, which can be up to 1 ft or 30 cm high on most landings. Do not bring heavy, cumbersome boots that make it difficult to walk. Do not bring boots with metal cleats as they cannot be used for the landings. Try out your boots before your voyage.

6. The electricity on board is 220AC electrical outlets, with European 2 pin round holes, as well as 110-volt shaving sockets in the bathroom for electric razors only. You may wish to bring an international adapter. A limited supply of electrical adapters are available to borrow free of charge at the Purser's Desk.
7. Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.

CAMPING & KAYAKING EXCURSIONS

For the more adventurous, our kayaking and camping trips provide the opportunity to encounter the intimacy and power of the polar regions in ways very few people can lay claim to having experienced. For details about these optional activities, including prep notes and full terms and conditions, please visit our Polar Excursions page. 

Please note: Antarctica Camping (offered on select departures) and Kayaking Excursions (offered on all departures) must be confirmed prior to your trip. You may include these extras to your itinerary at the time of booking. If you wish to add these extras after you have confirmed your trip, please contact your travel agent.

ANTARCTIC PRE/POST CRUISE ADD-ON

If you have booked this service, please note that your international flights will be on a separate ticket than the domestic. In order to guarantee that you will be covered in the event of unforeseeable flight delays, please ensure that you have purchased trip cancellation insurance for your flights. We also recommend the earliest that travellers can fly out of Buenos Aires is 10:00pm, which allows buffer time for delays and/or travelling between the domestic and international airports.

Group Leader Description

A carefully chosen team will lead our voyage. Our expedition ships boast an international team of professional naturalists and lecturers. Their goal is to provide an informed and balanced interpretation of the destination, accomplished through stimulating lectures, day-to-day briefings, and informal discussions. Your lecturers and Expedition Leader will cover all aspects of the voyage including ornithology, marine biology, geography, geology, history and the environment, as well as practical things like photography. The expedition staff work conscientiously with you on deck and in the field, improving your observational skills to allow you to experience all that the destination has to offer. Their strong sense of ethics and ecological knowledge make for stimulating and mindful conversation whether onshore or at the dinner table. The Expedition Staff will pilot the Zodiac landing craft used for shore landings and Zodiac cruises; they are experienced drivers who operate the Zodiacs in a responsible manner.

Group Size Notes

Max 134 aboard the G Expedition.

Meals Included

13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 12 dinners

Meals

Onboard our expedition ships you’ll find a diversity of gourmet international cuisines prepared and catered by professional chefs; all meals are included in the price of your expedition. Dining is casual, tables are unassigned and the dining room is capable of seating the entire passenger compliment at one time. There is always a selection of different meals available, and vegetarians will find plenty of options. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice, please advise us at time of confirmation. Coffee, tea and water are all provided free of charge. All other beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic are not included and can be purchased in the dining room, pub, or lounge.

Transport

G Expedition, Zodiac, private bus, walking.

Local Flights

Local flights are not included in the price of this trip. Please make sure that you arrive into Ushuaia on Day 1. If you require assistance booking local flights please contact your G Adventures representative. From our experience we have found that there are regular delays in flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and we highly recommend you fly into Ushuaia at least 1 day prior to the sailing of the expedition ship.

Please note that internal flights in Argentina generally allow less luggage than international flights.

Solo Travellers

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Accommodation

Twin-share hotel (1 nt), aboard the G Expedition in quad-, triple-, twin-share cabins, or suites (all with en suite bathrooms and porthole or window, 12 nts). Please note that all cabins consist of twin-size berths and are ocean-facing. Suites have one queen-size bed.

My Own Room

Please note that if you have selected the Private Cabin option at the time of booking, you will receive your own room for the duration of this cruise. This includes the Hotel in Ushuaia. 

If you are a solo traveller and you have NOT selected the Private Cabin option, you will be paired with another solo traveller for all nights, including the hotel in Ushuaia. 

For groups of 3 passengers travelling together who have booked a triple cabin, you will have a triple room in the hotel where available. If we cannot book a triple room, please note that one of you will be sharing with another solo traveller of the same gender for the hotel night in Ushuaia.

Joining Hotel

Please note your first night hotel in Ushuaia is based on your cabin category:

Category 1/1A and 2

Las Lengas

Address: Goleta Florencia 1722, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina 

Phone: +54 2901 43-6100

Category 3, 4 and 5 

Albatros Hotel

Address: Av. Maipu 505, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Phone: +54 2901 43-7300

ANTARCTICA PRE/POST CRUISE ADD-ON

If you have purchased the Antarctica Pre/Post Cruise Add-On, your first night hotel in Buenos Aires will be the following:

Hotel Kenton Palace Buenos Aires

Defensa 383, C1065AAE CABA

Tel: (+54 11) 4331-2020

Joining Instructions

A NOTE ON FLYING INTO BUENOS AIRES

Most international flights flying into Buenos Aires arrive at Ministro Pistarini Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires.

On arrival at the International airport, there is an airport shuttle service, Manuel Tienda Leon, that can take you from Ministro Pistarini Airport (EZE) to Jorge Newberry Airport (AEP), available at an approximate cost of USD $16.00 each way. It is about 1 to 1.5 hours between the airports, so please allow yourself enough time.

A NOTE ON FLYING INTO USHUAIA

From our experience we have found that there are significant delays, especially in high season on flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. We highly recommend booking your travel arrangements to arrive into Ushuaia earlier in the day on Day 1. We are happy to book additional pre-tour accommodations should you want some additional time in Ushuaia.

Please check with your airline as to which airport your domestic flight will be flying out of. Most flights that continue to Ushuaia depart from the domestic airport, Jorge Newberry Airport (AEP); however this is not always the case and some flights do depart from Ministro Pistarini Airport (EZE). 

Please also confirm the luggage restrictions for your flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia as domestic flights generally allow less luggage than international flights.

ARRIVAL INTO USHUAIA

G Adventures is happy to offer you a complimentary airport transfer if you are arriving on Day 1 of the tour or have booked pre-night accommodation through G Adventures.

Joining Instructions with complimentary transfer: 


Upon arrival into Ushuaia City Airport (USH) please collect your luggage and look for a G Adventures representative. Please make sure you have advised your booking agent of your arrival flight details into Ushuaia so we are expecting you. Be sure to keep all your important documents (i.e. passport) and medication in your hand luggage, as your main luggage will be transferred separately to the hotel.

Joining Instructions without complimentary transfer:

Ushuaia City Airport (USH) is located only 5 km outside of the city. Local taxis can be hired at the airport for transportation into Ushuaia at a cost of about $10 USD. On your arrival to Ushuaia please make your way to the hotel listed on your voucher. Information will be available on the notice board at the hotel. Luggage tags and other information will be available for you 1 day prior to embarkation.

Your luggage will be transferred for you from the hotel to the expedition ship on the morning of Day 2. Please have your luggage in the lobby of the hotel by 9:00 am on the morning of Day 2. You will have the morning free to enjoy the city of Ushuaia and the surrounding countryside.

Embarkation time on Day 2 is set for 4:00 pm, and passengers will not be able to board the ship before that time due to refueling, provisioning, and preparing the ship for your stay. For information on activities, restaurants, and services you can consult either the tourist information office or your hotel. Due to new port security regulations you are no longer allowed to enter the port area on your own so make sure you are on time at the designated parking lot across the pier to catch the 4:00 pm group transfer to the ship. More details will be provided with your hotel welcome letter.

On embarkation day, you should dress for changeable weather. Once aboard, you will find your luggage stored in your assigned cabin. Please ensure that all your luggage is accounted for on arrival.

ANTARCTICA PRE/POST CRUISE ADD-ON

Around 25-30 days before departure, you will receive a letter confirming your travel arrangements, including all information about your transfers to and from the airport, your hotel reservation, as well as details about your connecting flights to Ushuaia. Please note that you will not receive tickets for these flights prior to departure. 

Flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia normally depart between 4:30 am and 4:00 pm. These will arrive in Ushuaia between 8:00 am and 7:30 pm respectively. Flights from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires normally depart between 11:00 am and 3:30 pm. These will arrive into Buenos Aires between 2:30 pm and 7:00 pm respectively. 

If you have booked this service, please note that your international flights will be on a separate ticket than the domestic. In order to guarantee that you will be covered in the event of unforeseeable flight delays, please ensure that you have purchased trip cancellation insurance for your flights. We also recommend the earliest that travellers can fly out of Buenos Aires is 10:00 pm, which allows buffer time for delays and/or travelling between the domestic and international airports. As we have no control over flights and airlines, we cannot be held responsible for such delays and insurance will be the best way of ensuring you are covered. We can assist with booking insurance, if required.

Arrival Complications

We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to arrive into Ushuaia before embarkation time (usually 4pm) of Day 2 please use the emergency contact details in this dossier. We highly recommend arriving at least 1 day before sailing in order to make sure that delays do not ruin your trip as the ship is unable to wait for late passengers. If you are delayed in arriving to pre booked accommodations please contact the hotel to advise them when you will arrive. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your booking agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Operator (if one is listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

G Adventures Office Buenos Aires, Argentina

During office hours (Weekdays 9am-6pm Local Time)

>From outside Argentina: +54 11 2150 2581

>From within Argentina, but outside of Buenos Aires: 011 2150 2581

After hours Emergency number

>From outside Argentina: +54 9 11 3425 0380

>From within Argentina, but outside of Buenos Aires: 15 3425 0380

Finishing Point Instructions

Upon completion of the 8:00 am disembarkation in Ushuaia, passengers will receive a complimentary transfer to either the airport or a central location where luggage can be stored.

For those on morning flights, the 8:00 am transfer will bring them directly to Ushuaia airport (USH). The rest of the passengers will be transferred to the luggage storage point and given time to explore the city. These passengers should then return to retrieve their luggage and board a second transfer to Ushuaia airport at 12:30 pm or 4:30 pm, depending on their flight times. Please note that the transfer times are subject to change according to flight schedules.

With the understanding that most will be needing to connect to their International flights in Buenos Aires, you can arrange departure flights from Ushuaia starting from 9:00 am onward. Although if possible, we suggest you consider booking flights after 11:00 am.

What to Take

Most airlines allow one checked bag and two carry-on per person. To avoid any problems at check-in and with possible excess baggage charges, please consult the airline for specific restrictions. For storage on board the expedition ship soft compactible luggage makes storage much easier.

Dress on board is informal. Plan to bring comfortable, casual clothing for all activities. Bring wind and waterproof outer layers. Beware of tight clothing that leaves no room for trapped air, which is an excellent insulator. Wool, silk and some of the new synthetic fibers, like polar fleece, retain heat better than cotton. When packing, we suggest that you do not weigh yourself down with too many clothes or too much gear. Select informal, practical attire that can be worn in layers. 

One of the important items that you will need to bring on your voyage is a a pair of waterproof pants. It is possible to rent gear in Ushuaia for the expedition, but the quantity and quality of gear varies greatly depending on the demand. For the location of a rental shop consult with the front desk of the hotel where you are staying. If arriving on embarkation day you will NOT have time to rent the gear. You will also not have time to return the rental gear if you have a morning flight departing Ushuaia.

In the worlds most remote destinations that the G Expedition travels to we cannot offload our plastics, glass or tin waste for recycling. Therefore, we try to reduce what single use items that we use. You will see on the ship that every effort is being used to stop the use of single use plastic containers, bags and other items. In an effort to prevent plastic waste from entering the waste stream, we are asking for your help. We offer exceptional drinking water on the ship with refilling stations for your reusable water containers. You will be provided a complimentary water bottle to fill up as needed. Plastic Items such as single use shampoo/conditioner plastic containers cannot be recycled, so please plan to bring any plastics back to your home countries for recycling. Please do not bring single use items that you intend to leave behind such plastic bags and throw away razors. Your participation in helping to prevent pollution and promote recycling is greatly appreciated.