Taste of Antarctica

You arrive in Ushuaia, where a representative meets you and transfers you to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Ushuaia, head directly to your hotel. Check-in begins at 3:00 pm. Visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the hotel lobby between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm to collect your luggage tags and confirm your participation in tomorrow’s Lake Escondido pre-embarkation tour. The team provides details about embarkation day, answers questions, and shares dining and shopping recommendations.  

If you arrive after 7:00 pm, find a welcome pack waiting for you at check-in. Stop by the hospitality desk tomorrow between 8:00 am and 10:00 am.  

The rest of your time is free to explore at your leisure. Meals today are at your own expense.  

Assigned accommodation: To be advised.

Start your day with breakfast and check out of your hotel. Make sure your cabin luggage is fitted with tags clearly showing your name and cabin number. Drop off your cabin luggage at reception before or during check-out. It will be securely stored, transferred to the port for clearance, and placed in your cabin before your arrival on board. Keep valuables and personal items with you throughout the day.  

If you’re joining the Lake Escondido tour, meet in the hotel lobby at 8:45 am. This tour takes you on a stunning drive through glacial valleys, lush forests, waterfalls, and rivers in the Andes Mountains. Travel to Garibaldi Pass for panoramic views of Lake Escondido and, weather permitting, Fagnano Lake. Continue to a local ranch on Fagnano Lake’s shore to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and savor a traditional Fuegian lamb barbecue before returning to Ushuaia for embarkation.  

If you prefer a leisurely day, relax and meet at your hotel lobby or designated meeting point near the pier (details provided by our ground staff) for your transfer to the ship.  

Once onboard, settle into your cabin and attend mandatory briefings. As the ship departs, gather on deck to take in spectacular views of Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.  

In the evening, join your fellow expeditioners, the expedition team, and the crew for a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of your Antarctic adventure.  

Settle into your cabin and get comfortable! Take time to explore the onboard facilities, including the gym, wellness center, and well-stocked library. Your expedition team will host engaging presentations on Antarctica’s history, wildlife, and environment to enrich your journey. You’ll also be invited to collect your Muck Boots and attend essential briefings on biosecurity, wildlife-watching guidelines, and Zodiac safety to prepare for your first Antarctic landing.  

On day four, excitement builds as you approach the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Head to the observation decks to catch your first glimpse of an iceberg—a moment you’ll likely remember forever. South of the Antarctic Convergence, the ocean transforms, with porpoising penguins and towering icebergs surrounding you. If time and weather allow, you may even make your first Antarctic landing in the late afternoon.

Arriving in Antarctica is a moment you’ll never forget. Spot your first iceberg and breathe in the crisp, fresh air—it’s an experience that stays with you forever.  

Once you arrive, the western Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands are yours to explore. With 18-24 hours of daylight, your days can be as active as you choose. Your experienced expedition team, who know the region inside out, plan the itinerary daily, adjusting for weather, ice conditions, and wildlife sightings to ensure the best possible experience.  

Typically, you’ll take part in two landings or Zodiac excursions each day. Bundle up and join Zodiac cruises along towering ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, watching for whales, seals, and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs also bring you ashore to visit penguin rookeries, explore historic huts, and discover favorite spots along the peninsula.  

On land, stretch your legs along pebbly beaches or hike snow-covered ridges for breathtaking views of mountains and ice-speckled seas. If you’ve opted for an additional activity, you'll have the chance to participate whenever conditions allow. For thrill-seekers, the polar plunge offers an unforgettable dip into icy Antarctic waters—keep an ear out for the announcement!  

Beyond shore excursions, you may cruise through dramatic straits or linger in scenic bays, watching whales feed and travel. Take in the views from the observation lounge or visit the bridge (when open) for uninterrupted vistas of the white continent. Listen for the creaks and rumbles of glaciers calving into the sea, and take a quiet moment to soak in the wonder of Antarctica’s pristine, untouched beauty.

Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before starting your journey back across the Drake Passage to South America.  

Take this time to attend lectures and film presentations that wrap up your Antarctic experience, while reflecting on the incredible moments and wildlife encounters you've had. Use the opportunity to share and discuss your experiences with fellow travelers. As you return, consider how you can become an ambassador for Antarctica, inspiring friends and family to appreciate and support the preservation of this extraordinary region.  

As the ship nears South America, your Captain may navigate close to the legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting, offering one last unforgettable highlight before the journey concludes.

In the early morning, cruise through the Beagle Channel before docking quietly in Ushuaia. Disembark around 8:00 am and bid farewell to your expedition team and fellow travelers as you head off on your next journey, carrying memories of Antarctica’s immense natural beauty.  

For guests continuing their travels in the region, transportation to hotels is provided for those who booked accommodations through Aurora or are staying near the port. If you’re flying out, passengers with flights before 12:30 pm will be transferred directly to Ushuaia Airport. Those with later flights can explore Ushuaia before an afternoon airport transfer. Transfer details will be shared onboard prior to disembarkation.  

Note: To allow for any potential delays, it’s recommended to book flights departing Ushuaia no earlier than 12:00 pm on the day of disembarkation.