Antarctica

br />Discover the magic and wonder of the “White Continent” aboard the stylish and comfortable MS Fram. Jump off from Ushuaia, Argentina and explore vistas of blue white glaciers and busy penguin rookeries. See breaching whales crashing and scenes of pure ice walls. Cruise through the Lemaire Channel, where steep, sheer cliffs rise above the narrow iceberg-filled passage. Zip by zodiac boat into small bays and harbors, for personal and in-depth exploration. Make your way to Whalers Bay on Deception Island with its warm springs and black volcanic sand. Relax for 2 nights in Buenos Aires, “The Paris of South America.”

Day 1: Depart from Home - Overnight Flight
Begin your journey to the “White Continent” with an overnight flight to Buenos Aires.

Day 2: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arrive this morning in Buenos Aires, the “Paris of South America,” and home of the tango. Enjoy a Porteños tour, viewing the Teatro Colon, opera house, Avenida 9 de Julio honoring Argentinean independence; the Recoleta Cemetery, where “Evita” rests in her tomb; the Presidential Palace, the Casa Rosada; and the San Telmo barrio lined with cobblestone streets.

Day 3: Buenos Aires
Today is at leisure to experience this lively city. Perhaps choose to visit the pampas to enjoy a typical asado lunch and traditional gaucho music, hallmarks of Argentine culture.

Day 4: Buenos Aires - Ushuaia
This morning you fly to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city situated on the Patagonian peninsula overlooking the historic Beagle Channel. Experience a home-hosted dinner with a local Fuegon family.

Day 5: Ushuaia - Embark Ship
Journey into the “Land of Fire” at Tierra del Fuego National Park to visit La Roca. Enjoy free time in this famous port town before boarding the state-of-the-art MS Fram expedition vessel.

Day 6: The Drake Passage
Cruise south through the fabled Drake Passage, named for the legendary Sir Francis Drake. Warmer waters of the north meet the colder, denser waters of the south here in the Antarctic Convergence, making the area rich in marine life. Spot whales and sea birds as you begin this voyage of exploration. Experts provide presentations on history, biology and geology throughout your adventure.

Day 7: The Drake Passage - Antarctica
Arrive in Antarctica – the last great wilderness stretching across ice-covered desert and mountains for over five million square miles. The ethereal beauty and immense scale of the continent is like nowhere else on the planet.

Day 8: Antarctica
The next five days are filled with discovery! Weather conditions determine each sailing’s final itinerary. Cruise through the astounding, glacier-lined Lemaire Channel – “Kodak Gap” – and enter the majestic Neumayer Channel with its imposing cliffs. Humpback, killer and minke whales – and icebergs – are common sights. PolarCirkel (rugged zodiac) boats take you to incredible locations along the Antarctic Peninsula, which could include: • Half Moon Island, a small island in the South Shetland chain boasting mountainous views and a nesting place for chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls and the Antarctic tern.

Day 9: Antarctica
Continue your visits by PolarCirkel boats to locations which could include: • Whalers Bay, Deception Island – featuring an active volcanic caldera. Zodiac into Whalers Bay where ruins from a 20th-century whaling station rest ashore. The black volcanic sand and waters upon the beach are warmed by geothermal vents. • Almirante Brown Research Station in Paradise Harbor, where gentoo and chinstrap penguins nest.

Day 10: Antarctica
Continue your visits by PolarCirkel boats to locations which could include: • Neko Harbor, part of the Antarctic mainland nestled in the fjord-like Andvord Bay, where penguins plus elephant and weddel seals are often spotted.

Day 11: Antarctica
Continue your visits by PolarCirkel boats to locations which could include: • Port Lockroy, a harbor on Goudier Island and former British base, hosting cormorants and surrounded by glaciers and ice shelves. Here you can mail home a postcard with a rare Antarctic stamp!

Day 12: Antarctica
Continue your visits by PolarCirkel boats to locations which could include: • Wilhelmina Bay, where mountains and high glaciers create dramatic scenery. View the 1915 wreck of the Norwegian ship, Guvernøren. • Antarctic Sound & Brown Bluff – hear the tale of the 1903 Swedish polar expedition which met its fate here at “Iceberg Alley.” At Brown Bluff, you may have the chance to stroll the beach with the cute adélie penguins.

Day 13: Antarctica - Drake Passage
Leave Antarctica, crossing the southern waters of the Drake Passage. Participate in engaging lectures on Antarctica’s wonders.

Day 14: Drake Passage - Ushuaia, Argentina - Disembark Ship - Buenos Aires
Disembark the ship in Ushuaia. Transfer to the airport, return to Buenos Aires and spend the afternoon at leisure. This evening, relish a dinner featuring Argentine favorites and a tango performance!

Day 15: Buenos Aires - Tour Ends
Board your overnight flight to return home.

Don't miss our current specials: FREE Door to Door Service Now Vacations Start at HOME! Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours. On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
12/29/2010 - 1/12/2011	$6,999
1/7/2011 - 1/21/2011	$6,799
12/31/2011 - 1/14/2012	$6,999
1/9/2012 - 1/23/2012	$6,999
2/11/2012 - 2/25/2012	$6,999
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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