Sailing from South America to Antarctica
Hi All, Not my usual post but the trip to Antarctica is wort documenting
we sailed from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula and back the total trip takes about 25days give or take a few days as we dependent on weather for the drake passage.
The trip It's mainly done when the south hemisphere is at summer time December, January, February
Day 1: We Arrive by flight to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, located at the tip of Tierra del Fuego. We meet with our fellow travelers at a welcome dinner on this first evening of our Antarctic adventure
Day 2: Ushuaia—Estancia Las Hijas
This extra day is included as a "reserve day" if flights are delayed. You don't want to take a chance on missing the boat departure the following day
But there's plenty to see in the Tierra del Fuego region, too, and we’ve crafted an interesting all-day excursion to a traditional Patagonian sheep farm .
A 3-hour drive takes us to Estancia Las Hijas, with stops en route for dramatic viewpoints. On arrival we'll learn about the property, its history and what life was like for the hardy pioneers who settled here in the 1930s.
Lunch at the farm is a highlight, an authentic Fuegian meal cooked over a wood-fired grill. Savor barbecued lamb, empanadas, salads and dessert. At the afternoon you can choose to observe activities that are part of daily life on the estancia: watching sheep dogs rounding up the flock, visiting the pens, learning about shearing and conditioning the harvested wool. Demonstrations are run by shepherds who live and work on the farm. We’ll also take an interpretive hike through the beech forest with beautiful views of the valley and river before departing for Ushuaia, with dinner upon our return.
Days 4–6: Crossing the Drake Passage
Named for renowned explorer Sir Francis Drake who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage is notorious for its often-fierce gales, creating large, wind-whipped swells—we're likely to have some raucous sailing! The southern portion of the Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence, a biological zone where a great upwelling of nutrients draws an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses that follow in our stern.
The first sightings of icebergs and snow-clad mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands. If conditions are favorable, we'll step ashore for our first encounter with penguins and other wildlife of this southern polar wonderland.
Days 7–14: Sailing and Camping on the Antarctic Peninsula
For the next eight days we follow the best weather and safest water, sailing along the bays and fjords of the Antarctic Peninsula. These waters are a haven for a remarkable collection of wildlife, including vast penguin rookeries and beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. Taking advantage of the perpetual light, we spend long days sailing among the icebergs, watching for whales and seals bobbing by.
Birdlife is extraordinary, with huge populations of albatrosses, petrels, skuas, gulls, terns and cormorants. Where landings permit, we step ashore to hike.
Every day holds something different. While at times we are struck by the depth of the silence, other times we're amidst a cacophony of squawking penguins, honking seals and crackling ice. With our special permit from the National Science Foundation, we have the option to camp for up to three nights, weather permitting, on deserted beaches, sharing the solitude only
with the legions of wildlife. There are few places on the planet where the natural world feels more intact, while we have never felt smaller.
Now it time to differ the man/woman from the children
Option A return by flight
Day 15: King George Island
The only airstrip on the Antarctic Peninsula archipelago that can reliably serve the South American continent on a regular basis is located on King George Island in the South Shetland group.
We arrive here today, one day prior to meeting up with our return flight home, as a hedge against any weather problems. Tomorrow morning, it will be time to say a reluctant goodbye to the Australis and her outstanding crew after a fortnight of extraordinary adventure.
one last meal a local dish there are others but this is one of our favorites
Day 16: Fly to Punta Arenas, Chile
Weather permitting, we board our airplane for the 3-hour flight back to Punta Arenas on the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia. On arrival, we check into our hotel and this evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with the group in town.
Day 17: Punta Arenas / Depart
Fly homeward today from Punta Arenas, with a cache of memories to last a lifetime and then some!
Option B Someone need to sail the boat back
Weather permitting, we depart back from King George Island trough the notorious drake passage back to Bengal channel and run home to Tierra del Fuego
And we are going to return to this amazing untouched spot on earth this coming year so join us on this miraculous trip of your life.
