10 Day Antarctica Itinerary with Albatros Expeditions
Antarctica is a destination that has always fascinated us. The thought of standing on the southernmost continent (and our seventh continent!), surrounded by pristine nature and wildlife, has been a dream forever. This year, we finally had the chance to fulfill that dream by taking a 10-day cruise with Albatros Expeditions to Antarctica. It was definitely our most exciting bucket list adventure yet! Here’s a glimpse of what it's like to explore this remote and beautiful part of the world. As always, you can follow along on our Antarctica adventure on our stories here: part 1, part 2, and Q&A.
Don’t forget that if you use the code TheLostTwo22, you can get up to 20% off your booking with Albatros Expeditions!
DAY 0: GETTING TO USHUAIA
To get to Ushuaia (the southernmost city in the world, located in the Patagonia region), you need to first flew into Buenos Aires. Then transfer from the international airport to the domestic airport, located inside the city. From then, you take a quick 3 hour flight to Ushuaia. We definitely recommend spending a night or two in Buenos Aires, as it’s one of the coolest cities we’ve been to (think of Paris but with a Latin twist). We also had the best steak of our lives at La Cabrera in the Palermo neighbourhood- this is the area where we stayed, it’s super safe, cute and trendy. Also, in case your baggage gets lost on your international flight, staying in Buenos Aires will give you some extra time to sort out any issues.
DAY 1: BOARDING IN USHUAIA
Our journey Antarctica journey really began in Ushuaia. We got there the night before the boat departed and stayed at Arakur Resort and Spa. They have an incredible infinity pool and hot tub that overlooks the city.
The next day, we boarded the ship, Ocean Atlantic, and were welcomed by the friendly and professional crew. After settling into our cabins and attending the safety briefing, we enjoyed a delicious dinner and got to know our fellow passengers.
DAY 2-3: CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE
The next two days were spent crossing the infamous Drake Passage, which is known for its rough seas. We were lucky to have relatively calm weather, but the journey was still bumpy at times. Luckily, seasickness armbands, dramamine and blueberry tea (grand mariner with amaretto) helped!
During the voyage, the staff organized several onboard activities, including lectures on Antarctic history and wildlife, as well as movie screenings and games so you were never bored. We also had the opportunity to spot some seabirds, including albatrosses and petrels, which are common in this area. All of the clothing you plan to take on land goes through biosecurity during this time, to make sure no contamination occurs.
DAY 4-7: EXPLORING THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Finally, we reached the Antarctic Peninsula, the northernmost part of the continent. Our first landing was at Cuverville Island, where we saw our first penguins, including the iconic chinstrap penguin. Over the next few days, we visited several other landing sites, including Neko Harbor, Deception Island, and Port Lockroy (you can mail a postcard home from here). Each landing was a unique experience, with different landscapes, wildlife, and historical sites to explore.
One of the highlights of our trip was a visit to a gentoo penguin colony, where we witnessed the daily life of these fascinating creatures. They’re super cute, but also really smelly. We also had the chance to go kayaking, which was a surreal experience. Paddling through the calm waters, surrounded by icebergs and glaciers, was like being in a different world.
Other activities that were offered on Albatros was overnight camping on the Antarctic and snowshoeing. On our last full day, we did the famous Polar Plunge. Weather conditions need to be clear for this to take place, and the staff work hard to ensure that there are no icebergs nearby. The water is so salty that it is just below freezing, at around -2 C. But honestly, once you jump in and get over the shock of the cold water, it wan’t too bad. You get out fairly quick (I think I lasted 18 seconds while Kaan lasted 13) and are greeted by a shot of vodka. Also you’re tied to a rope when jumping in just in case anything happens, so overall it’s definitely an experience I’d recommend to everyone. There was even a gentlemen in his early 80’s doing the jump!!!
DAY 8-9: CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE (AGAIN)
After four days of exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, it was time to head back to Ushuaia. The journey across the Drake Passage was a bit rougher this time, but we were all seasoned sailors by now. We enjoyed more onboard activities, including a quiz night and a photography workshop, and had plenty of time to reflect on the incredible experiences we had just had.
DAY 10: DISEMBARKING IN USHUAIA
We arrived back in Ushuaia at 8am, and it was time to say goodbye to our fellow passengers and the crew. It was a bittersweet moment, as we were sad to leave but grateful for the unforgettable memories we had made. We left on a 3pm flight to Buenos Aires, and spent another night in the city (of course we went back to La Cabrera) and explored La Boca the next day before our return flight to Toronto.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, our 10-day cruise with Albatros Expeditions to Antarctica was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The natural beauty and wildlife of the continent are truly breathtaking, and the professionalism and friendliness of the crew made the journey even more enjoyable. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who is interested in nature, wildlife, and adventure. It's a destination that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Don’t forget that if you use the code TheLostTwo22, you can get up to 20% off your booking with Albatros Expeditions!
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