Buenos Aires & Ushuaia: Pre-Embarkation Days

A trip to Antarctica is never JUST a trip to Antarctica. There are so many logistics involved in making your way to the literal end of the world! This trip was my second time voyaging to Antarctica and one of many visits to Argentina, however it was the first time I have been ble to share the experience with my husband. Knowing this, Taylor and I planed in a a few extra days on the front and back end of our voyage to take the opportunity to  explore Buenos Aires together, spend time digging into Ushuaia and visit some friends along the way. 

I don't think it is a surprise to say that it is extremely important to build in buffer days when looking at connecting international flights from the US with regional flights in Argentina. The flight path to get to Ushuaia is a long and and twisting one, especially from Missoula, Montana. My flights consisted of a path from Missoula to Salt Lake City, then on to Atlanta, where I would spend about 6 hours inspecting airport bookshops, tasting airport taproom brews and selecting variety store snacks for my overnight flight to Buenos Aires. Along the way I did end up encountering delays, in which I was incredibly happy to have extra layover time at each location built in. All in all, about 25 hours after leaving Missoula, I arrived in Buenos Aires, ready for an empanada and a nap. I cannot stress how important it is to build in extra time as you prepare for your own adventure, no flight delay should inhibit your on time arrival and embarkation for your voyage!

Knowing this, Taylor and I planned two days in Buenos Aires before we flew south to Ushuaia, our port of embarkation and the Southernmost town in Argentina (Also known as "the end of the world"). Having been to Buenos Aires numerous times, we wanted to explore a few neighborhoods we hadn't spent much time in. I was also determined to make it over to Ateneas, the bookstore in Palermo to wander the aisles of books laid out throughout this theatre turned bookstore. We explored downtown, enjoyed empanadas and beef cooked over an open fire (parillas) and bought ourselves an Argentine cookbook so that we could take the flavors home to our kitchen. 

On the morning of our flight to Ushuaia, we were up early hailing our Uber and preparing for the 4 hour flight to the very deep south. Ushuaia has built up it reputation around being the port town for Antarctic voyages. However, the wilderness access around it make Ushuaia so much more than just a pit stop on your journey. With a couple days here, you can hike and canoe in Tierra del Fuego - lands written about by Magellan, Darwin and Fitz Roy. You can climb mountains with expansive views of the city, just by taking a short taxi to the trailhead and you can enjoy a stay in an Airbnb, 3 star hotel in town or a luxury resort perched high on the hill, all depending on your preferences. We spent our free day hiking to the Martial Glacier, a hanging glacier that offers panoramic views of the city as well as the Beagle Channel, from the top. 

Our voyage with Poseidon included a pre-embarkation night at the Arakur, a 5-star lodge on a private reserve that overlooks the city. At night you can enjoy the city lights illuminating the harbor from their outdoor hot pools and in the morning, refuel on their room wide buffet of breakfast options. After our day of trekking, we checked in at the Arakur and we given our pre-embarkation luggage instructions from Poseidon before enjoying a traditional Argentinian wine cocktail and falling into a well earned slumber.