fbpx

Best of Brazil and Argentina with Christmas in Antarctica CATEGORY 2 (Triple Interior)

Best of Brazil and Argentina with Christmas in Antarctica CATEGORY 2 (Triple Interior)

From $ 11,820 AUD

Description

Contrast the vibrant pulse of two of South America’s liveliest cities with the stark and glacial beauty of Antarctica on this 18-day tour, including a trip to one of the world’s grandest series of waterfalls and a very unique Christmas. Take in the unique atmosphere of Rio before flying to immense Iguazu Falls. Soak up the heat in Buenos Aires before flying to the world’s southernmost city for an unforgettable expedition to the Great White Continent.

Trip Name
Best of Brazil and Argentina with Christmas in Antarctica CATEGORY 2 (Triple Interior)
Last Updated
2020-05-02
Days
18
Capacity
200
Highlights
  • With two full days at Iguazu Falls, you can marvel at this beauty up close on the Argentinean side and get sweeping panoramas from the Brazilian side.
  • Be among orca and humpback whales, hear cracking glaciers pierce the Antarctic silence, and experience, with all the senses, scenes that seem windows to another world.
  • Wake up to the whitest of white Christmases and enjoy the festive spirit in Antarctica plus the usual daily excursions in search of wildlife.
  • Our experienced leaders have made hundreds of polar voyages. Learn about the history, geography and wildlife of the Antarctic from experts in marine biology, glaciology and history.
  • Rest assured you will leave only footprints behind. Our Antarctica expeditions are carbon offset, we serve only sustainably-sourced seafood, avoid single-use plastics and use biodegradable cleaning products on board.

Itinerary

No two Polar voyages are the same and this is part of the excitement of travelling in these remote regions. Weather, ice conditions and wildlife will all affect where your ship is able to access, and most importantly, where your Expedition Team think you will get the best possible experience from your trip. On board, daily updates are given to advise what the specific itinerary will be for the next day based on local conditions. Published itineraries cannot be guaranteed but an amazing voyage full of adventure and once-in-a-lifetime experiences is guaranteed. ITINERARY CHANGES: Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you print and review a final copy prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any changes once on tour.

Day 1 - Rio de Janeiro
Ola! Welcome to Rio! Enjoy a complimentary transfer from the airport to this evening’s accommodation. Your adventure truly begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you have the time, you’re free to explore on your own before the meeting, but don’t feel too rushed – there will be a full-day tour of the city tomorrow to acquaint you with it.
Day 2 - Rio de Janeiro
Embark on a full-day guided tour of Rio. Visit Santa Teresa, a beautiful artistic neighbourhood situated on a hill overlooking the city. Continue to scenic Corcovado and witness the grand open-armed Christ the Redeemer statue that surveys the city. Give your feet a break during a lunch stop at an incredible NGO called Gastromotiva, where creative dishes are made with donated produce and the cooks are marginalised members of the community given free culinary training. Finish the day with a walking tour of the Port area. This area, a little more off the beaten track, has been recognized for its cultural and historical importance as it was a main port for the slave trade in Brazil. We will be joined by a local guide from the Pretos Novos Institute, which aims to preserve the area’s Afro-Caribbean heritage.
Day 3 - Iguazu Falls
This morning fly to Puerto Iguazu in Argentina (2 hours), gateway to the mighty Iguazu Falls. Travel to the Brazilian side of the falls to get a panoramic perspective on this immense wonder of nature. The falls are two-kilometres-long and are made up of 275 waterfalls in total, some of which stretch up to 80-metres-high. This makes them both higher than Niagara Falls and wider than Victoria Falls. This evening return to Argentina and your whitewashed accommodation and perhaps relax with a cocktail in the gardens.
Day 4 - Iguazu Falls
Rise and shine at 7.30 am to visit the Argentinean side of the falls. Walk along the boardwalks built into the hard rock on top of the falls, which allow you to feel the power (and water spray) of these immense falls. You can choose to get another exhilarating perspective on Iguazu Falls with an optional zodiac boat ride below. At approximately 3 pm, you can choose to accompany your leader on a visit to a nearby Guarani community or return to the hotel. If you do choose to partake in this optional excursion, you will return to the hotel at approximately 5 pm.
Day 5 - Buenos Aires
Board a flight to Buenos Aires and arrive in the afternoon. The rest of your day is free for you to explore this vibrant city at your leisure. Tomorrow brings with it a guided tour of essential local sights, so perhaps spend today discovering at a more relaxed pace. You could ask your leader where to find a fine glass of malbec and picada (Argentinian tapas), or maybe pay a visit to the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires (MALBA).
Day 6 - Buenos Aires
Enjoy a morning exploring Buenos Aires. Visit the Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of some of the city’s most famous residents. Walk around La Boca and its well-known ‘Caminito’ district, before moving on to the lesser-known side of this colourful neighbourhood to visit an artist's gallery. Next, wander the cobbled streets of San Telmo and finish the tour getting to know the iconic Plaza de Mayo. Stop for a group lunch at a local NGO, Abriendo Caminos, where local women learn to make alfajores (a local delicacy). After lunch, get ready to be captivated by Argentina’s famous tango. In a private space a professional dance couple will explain the origin and history of the tango, as well as demonstrating the passionate steps. You will then have the chance to join a 1-hour beginner’s class to learn some of the basic techniques and understand the rhythm.
Day 7 - Buenos Aires
Enjoy a free day in delightful Buenos Aires. Perhaps explore the antique markets of San Telmo or browse the museums in the well-to-do neighbourhood of Recoleta. If you’re a foodie or a wine connoisseur, maybe take part in the Malbec Trail of Palermo or Gourmet Buenos Aires Food Urban Adventure day tour.
Day 8 - Ushuaia
Your Antarctic adventure begins with a transfer to the airport and domestic flight to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. On arrival at the airport in Ushuaia, meet a Peregrine representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Attend a briefing at 7.30 pm to run through the details of the tomorrow’s embarkation. If you have time you are free to explore Ushuaia as you please. This city has quite the dramatic setting, overlooking the Beagle Channel and surrounded by mountains.
Day 9 - Ushuaia – Embarkation Day
This afternoon you’ll be transferred to the city’s port for boarding the Ocean Endeavour. After meeting your fellow passengers and settling into your cabin, begin the journey through the famed Beagle Channel. Look around at the incredible views as we glimpse our last sight of land and head south towards Antarctica.
Day 10-11 - Drake Passage
Spend two days travelling across the legendary waters of the Drake Passage, named after the famous English seafarer, Sir Frances Drake. If conditions allow, enjoy the outer deck space for your first sightings of dolphins, whales and orcas as well as seabirds including the iconic albatross. A comprehensive optional lecture program will also get under way, with some fascinating insights into Antarctic history, geology, biology and everything in-between. Today we continue crossing the Drake Passage, scheduled to reach the Antarctic Peninsula by early evening if conditions are favourable. The first sighting of land always brings great excitement on any expedition south.
Day 12-14 - Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula gives access to a high number of wildlife sightings on a mountainous backdrop of ice and water. Zodiac rides allow for a closer encounter with marine life such as whales and seals. Onshore exploration takes you to penguin rookeries with optional activities for the active adventurer – snowshoeing, kayaking and camping overnight (these must be booked before departure). Landing sites will depend on the ship's location and weather conditions, but a full list of sites can be found at https://www.peregrineadventures.com/en-au/antarctica/landing-sites. Our lecture program from experts in polar wildlife continues during our voyage and throughout the trip the team is on-hand to answer any questions you may have. If the weather conditions make an excursion unsafe, the crew will arrange for alternative activities on the ship – such as wildlife presentations, documentary screenings or you can make the most of the wellness spa, heated pool and sauna, library and gym on board.
Day 15 - Christmas in Antarctica
Wake up to the whitest of white Christmases and see if Santa has found his way from the North to the South Pole. Enjoy the festive spirit on board the ship. Of course, there are still landings to be made and all things Antarctica to marvel at. Wildlife encounters along the Antarctic Peninsula are likely to include Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals; gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguins, and elephant seals.
Day 16-17 - Drake Passage
Leaving Antarctica behind we cruise north to our home port of Ushuaia. Now is the time to reflect on the amazing journey. We are scheduled to reach the waters of the Beagle Channel by the evening, ensuring a restful night’s sleep before the last day of departure. Our last meal together is often a highlight, so live it up and enjoy as you celebrate the trip with your fellow travellers.
Day 18 - Ushuaia
After breakfast we disembark the ship as the journey comes to an end. Transfer to the airport is included for flights departing today.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-12-202028-12-2020AUD $ 11,820-
11-12-202028-12-2020AUD $ 24,865-
11-12-202028-12-2020AUD $ 23,580-
11-12-202028-12-2020AUD $ 26,150-
11-12-202028-12-2020AUD $ 17,075-
11-12-202028-12-2020AUD $ 17,075-
11-12-202028-12-2020AUD $ 18,435-
11-12-202028-12-2020AUD $ 18,435-
11-12-202028-12-2020AUD $ 19,725-
11-12-202028-12-2020AUD $ 21,010-
11-12-202028-12-2020AUD $ 22,295-

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights),Hotel Feature Stay (2 nights),Expedition Voyage (9 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle,Plane,Boat,Expedition cruise ship,zodiac

Map