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Antarctica: Expedition of a Lifetime

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Cindi Sanden, Travel Agent in Soddy Daisy, TN

Cindi Sanden

Soddy Daisy, TN Travel Agent
Super Agent

Cindi Sanden

Soddy Daisy, TN · 11 Years of Experience

An independent agent with AWAKEN TRAVELS, LLC, , a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
4.8
(23)
100% Recommended
The arrangements were very well organized and made the trip and wedding relaxed for all the travel and event. Read More >
DESTINATIONS VISITED:Argentina
PLACES VISITED:Buenos Aires
SUGGESTED DURATION:6 Days
An 11-day expedition to the White Continent aboard a small expedition vessel. Crossed the legendary Drake Passage, landed on the Antarctic Peninsula for penguin colony visits, kayaked among icebergs, and took the polar plunge into 28-degree water. Expert naturalists and scientists led Zodiac excursions to places few humans have ever visited. The silence, the scale, and the wildlife made this the most extraordinary trip of a lifetime.
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DAY1
Buenos Aires
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Buenos Aires: Gateway South
Two nights in Buenos Aires exploring the colorful La Boca neighborhood, elegant Recoleta district, and vibrant San Telmo market. A tango dinner show and world-class Argentine steak prepared us for the journey to Earth's last frontier.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Tango show and La Boca exploration
Recoleta cemetery and Palermo neighborhood stroll
Puerto Madero waterfront dinner and city lights
DAY2
Argentina
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Ushuaia: End of the World
Fly to Ushuaia at the tip of South America. Explore Tierra del Fuego National Park, visit the End of the World museum, and board the expedition ship. The captain's welcome briefing outlined our route through the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Tierra del Fuego and expedition embarkation
Beagle Channel cruise with sea lion colonies
Train at the End of the World historic railway
DAY3
Antarctica
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Drake Passage: The Convergence
Two days crossing the Drake Passage with expert lectures on Antarctic wildlife, history, and geology. Expedition team prepared us for zodiac landings and wildlife encounters. First icebergs appeared on the horizon as albatrosses soared alongside the ship.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Expert lectures and first iceberg sighting
Albatross and petrel seabird watching on open ocean
Photography workshop for polar wildlife and landscape shots
DAY4
Antarctica
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Antarctic Peninsula: Penguins
First zodiac landing at Neko Harbour on the Antarctic mainland. Gentoo penguins surrounded us by the thousands, completely unafraid of humans. Kayaking among icebergs while leopard seals hunted below and glacier walls calved into the sea. Nothing compares.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Gentoo penguin colony and iceberg kayaking
Zodiac cruise through floating ice sculptures
Historic Neko Harbour landing and glacier views
DAY5
Antarctica
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Deception Island: Volcanic Wonders
Sailed through the narrow gap of Neptune's Bellows into the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island. Hiked to the rim for panoramic views of the steaming landscape. Some brave travelers took a polar plunge in the geothermally heated shallows of Pendulum Cove.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Volcanic caldera hike and polar plunge
Whalers Bay penguin nursery and old whaling station ruins
Subglacial hot spring bathe on black sand volcanic beach
DAY6
Antarctica
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Lemaire Channel: Ice Cathedral
Cruised through the Lemaire Channel, the most photographed waterway in Antarctica. Towering ice cliffs on both sides reflected in mirror-calm water. Humpback whales surfaced beside the ship. Final zodiac cruise through a sculpture garden of sapphire icebergs.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Lemaire Channel and humpback whale encounters
Zodiac paddle among towering blue icebergs
Paradise Bay landing and Antarctic silence experience
FINAL THOUGHTS
Antarctica changes you. The silence, the wildlife, the raw power of nature at the bottom of the world is something no photo can capture.