Antarctica & Chilean Patagonia Cruise

Today make your own way to the airport for your outbound flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Upon arrival a Swan Hellenic transfer is arranged to your hotel. Once checked in, the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Please note:

• Due to flight scheduling and availability, some departures may occur on day 0. Affected customers must be available to depart the day before.
• Flight times will be indicated on your final documents, issued 4-6 weeks before departure.

Overnight: Sofitel Buenos Aires or similar, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Meals included: In-Flight

Today is your day to enjoy at your own pace.

Delight in the sights of The May Square, or Plaza de Mayo, a pivotal and iconic square in Buenos Aires, situated just behind the Pink House. It's a must-visit, as most images of the Pink House originate from this vantage point.

Take a leisurely stroll down Avenue 9th of July (known as Avenida 9 de Julio in Spanish), celebrated as one of Buenos Aires' primary thoroughfares and renowned as the widest avenue globally. It offers access to significant landmarks including the iconic Obelisk, the bustling Corrientes Avenue and the prestigious Colon Theatre.

Wander through La Boca, a destination firmly etched on the bucket lists of many Buenos Aires enthusiasts. Here, you'll encounter the legendary vividly painted houses and the picturesque corner dwelling, El Caminito, both recognized as iconic landmarks of the city.

Overnight: Sofitel Buenos Aires or similar, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Meals included: None

Today, continue your exploration of this vibrant and passionate city at your own leisurely pace.

You can begin by admiring Floralis Generica, an imposing metal flower sculpture nestled in the Recoleta neighbourhood. On sunny days, it casts enchanting reflections in the shimmering water pool beneath its petals.

Make your way to Puerto Madero, a district situated within the historic harbour that has been transformed into a chic and upscale enclave, boasting a plethora of restaurants, cafes, corporate headquarters and impressive skyscrapers.

While in Buenos Aires, a visit to one of the city's most significant landmarks is a must: Puente de la Mujer, also known as the Woman's Bridge. This striking architectural marvel spans the heart of Puerto Madero, and the best part is, it's free to explore and cross.

Venture into the charming neighbourhood of San Telmo, the oldest in Buenos Aires, where you'll encounter beautiful old buildings and traditional coffee shops and bars. This historic neighbourhood extends from Plaza de Mayo, branching out to the right of this central square. With each step, you'll delve deeper into the city's rich cultural tapestry.

Overnight: Sofitel Buenos Aires or similar, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Meals included: None

Today at the appropriate time, a Swan Hellenic transfer will transport you to the airport for your charter flight to Ushuaia.

Upon arrival, a Swan Hellenic transfer will take you to the cruise port to embark SH 'Vega'. Once on board the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Martial Range, Ushuaia’s colourful streets and mismatched buildings cascade from the imposing mountains before coming to an abrupt halt at the shores of the Beagle Channel.

As one of the world’s southernmost cities, Ushuaia carries its ‘end of the world’ reputation well. The moody weather and dramatic surroundings certainly help. Board your boutique ship before departing for your journey through one of the most captivating wilderness regions of the world

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Dinner

Spend your day at sea enjoying the facilities available onboard.

Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the hot tub while taking in incredible views along the way.

If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeable experts.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Marguerite Bay is a large, icy inlet along the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, bordered by rugged mountains and expansive glaciers. Discovered during early 20th-century explorations, it was named by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot after his wife.

The bay is often filled with drifting sea ice and icebergs, creating a striking polar landscape, and it serves as an important area for scientific research, particularly in studying climate patterns, marine ecosystems, and glacial movement in Antarctica.

Jenny Island is a rocky, 500-metre-high island situated within northern Marguerite Bay, east of Adelaide Island. It was discovered and named during early 20th-century expeditions, likely in connection with the explorations led by Jean-Baptiste Charcot. The island is surrounded by icy waters and drifting sea ice, making it a remote and rarely visited location. Like much of Antarctica, it plays a role in scientific research, offering insights into polar climates, glaciology, and the region’s fragile ecosystem.

Bongrain Point is a narrow, rocky headland forming part of the rugged coastline along the Antarctic Peninsula, near Marguerite Bay. It was charted during early French expeditions led by Jean-Baptiste Charcot and named after a member of his team. Surrounded by icy seas and often battered by harsh polar weather, Bongrain Point is a remote and seldom-visited feature, contributing to scientific understanding of Antarctica’s coastal geography and glacial environment.

Please note: All maritime schedules and Zodiac landings remain subject to prevailing polar weather and ice conditions.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Neny Island is a small, rocky island located in Marguerite Bay off the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. It lies close to the historic British research base known as Stonington Island and was explored during early Antarctic expeditions.

Despite its harsh, icy surroundings, Neny Island is notable for supporting some limited wildlife, including seabirds, and has been used in scientific studies focused on the region’s environment and climate.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Horseshoe Island is a small, horseshoe-shaped island in Marguerite Bay along the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is best known for hosting an abandoned British research station, known as Base Y, established in the mid-20th century for scientific and surveying work.

Surrounded by glaciers, sea ice, and rugged terrain, the island offers a striking example of Antarctica’s remote environment and has become an important historic site reflecting early polar exploration and research efforts.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Prospect Island is a small, rocky island situated within Marguerite Bay near the Antarctic Peninsula. It lies in a region characterized by icy waters, drifting icebergs, and nearby glaciers, making it part of a dynamic polar landscape. Though rarely visited, it contributes to scientific observations of coastal geography and changing ice conditions in Antarctica.

Fish Islands are a scattered group of small islands and rocks located off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, also within Marguerite Bay. Despite their remote and harsh setting, they are notable for supporting colonies of seabirds and marine life.

These islands are often used for ecological and environmental studies, helping researchers better understand Antarctic ecosystems and the impacts of climate change.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Petermann Island is a small, low-lying island off the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, known for its rich wildlife, including colonies of Adelie penguins, gentoo penguins, and seabirds. It was explored during early expeditions led by Jean-Baptiste Charcot and remains a popular stop for scientific visits and expedition cruises due to its accessible terrain and vibrant ecosystem.

Cruising through the Lemaire Channel is one of the most spectacular experiences in Antarctica, as the narrow passage is flanked by towering, snow-covered mountains and steep cliffs that plunge directly into icy waters. Often called “Kodak Gap” for its breathtaking scenery, the channel frequently fills with floating icebergs, offering dramatic views and close encounters with seals, penguins, and whales in a pristine polar setting.

Port Charcot is a small, sheltered harbor located on Booth Island along the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula. It was named after French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot, who used the site as a winter anchorage during his early 20th-century expedition. Surrounded by steep, icy terrain and dramatic coastal scenery, Port Charcot remains a historically significant location and is occasionally visited by research teams and expedition cruises exploring the region.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Cierva Cove is a scenic inlet along the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, known for its active glaciers and frequent calving of ice into the sea. The area is rich in wildlife, including seals, seabirds, and penguins, making it an important site for ecological and glaciological research in Antarctica’s rapidly changing environment.

Mikkelsen Harbour is a sheltered anchorage located among the islands off the Antarctic Peninsula, near Trinity Island. Surrounded by rugged, ice-covered landscapes, it provides relatively calm waters that have made it a useful stop for ships and expeditions. The harbour is also notable for its wildlife and quiet natural beauty, offering insight into the region’s marine ecosystems and polar conditions.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Deception Island is a volcanic island in the South Shetland Islands archipelago, famous for its horseshoe-shaped caldera that forms a natural harbor. Within this caldera lies Whalers Bay, historically used as a base for whaling operations and later for scientific research. The bay’s abandoned whaling stations and shipwrecks offer a unique glimpse into early 20th-century Antarctic industry, while the surrounding volcanic landscape provides important geological and ecological insights.

Elephant Point is located on Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands. It is a rugged, ice-covered headland that serves as a habitat for seals, penguins and seabirds. Elephant Point is historically significant as part of the region explored during early Antarctic expeditions and remains a site of interest for ecological studies and wildlife observation.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Spend your day at sea enjoying the facilities available onboard.

Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the hot tub while taking in incredible views along the way.

If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeable experts.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Estimated time of arrival: 19:00

Your arrival time in port is subject to weather conditions in the Drake Passage.

Dependent on the crossing the ship may dock overnight, or still navigating the final stretch of your voyage.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Martial Range, Ushuaia’s colourful streets and mismatched buildings cascade from the imposing mountains before coming to an abrupt halt at the shores of the Beagle Channel.

As one of the world’s southernmost cities, Ushuaia carries its ‘end of the world’ reputation well. The moody weather and dramatic surroundings certainly help. Board your boutique ship before departing for your journey through one of the most captivating wilderness regions of the world

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Accessible only by water, Pia Glacier is a massive, advancing tidewater glacier plunging from Chile’s Darwin Range into the Beagle Channel. Part of Alberto de Agostini National Park, it builds more ice than it loses to melting and calving. Zodiac rides take visitors close to its towering, creaking ice face, where thunderous cracks signal monumental chunks breaking loose and crashing into the sea, filling the air with awe and raw power.

Considered one of Chile’s most beautiful glaciers, the towering teal walls of Garibaldi Glacier are quite spectacular. Surrounded by pristine sub-Antarctic forests, the vegetation is just as impressive as the ice. The glacier and surrounding Garibaldi Fjord are part of UNESCO-recognised Alberto de Agostini National Park, one of the 24 most pristine ecoregions on the planet. The mighty Andean condor is often seen soaring overhead

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Cape Horn is a legendary nautical landmark where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. Known as the "sailor’s Everest," it is a major challenge for global sailing races.

The Cape Horn Memorial, featuring an albatross silhouette, honours sailors lost at sea. Only a small family lives permanently on remote Hornos Island, while the area is rich in unique wildlife, including southern royal albatrosses and Magellanic penguins

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Isla de los Estados, at Tierra del Fuego's remote eastern tip, is a strictly protected reserve. Its rugged coasts and dense forests host large colonies of Magellanic and rockhopper penguins, imperial shags and giant petrels, while kelp forests harbour rich marine life.

The island also features the historic San Juan de Salvamento Lighthouse - known as the 'Lighthouse at the End of the World'

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Barren Island, at the southern entrance of Falkland Sound, is a low-lying island known for its ponds and sandy coves. Conservation efforts have restored tussac grass, supporting rich wildlife such as thousands of Magellanic penguins, southern giant petrels, gentoo penguins and sea lions.

It operates as an eco-friendly sheep farm along with George Island, offers easy coastal walks and is home to historic buildings including a wool shed and house.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Recognised as an Important Bird Area, Bleaker Island is a pristine coastal sanctuary where sustainable tussac farming supports 47 breeding bird species. Over 8,000 pairs of imperial cormorants nest alongside snowy sheathbills, skuas, and gulls, while large colonies of gentoo, Magellanic and southern rockhopper penguins thrive. Freshwater ponds attract diverse waterfowl, and nearby waters are frequented by sea lions and dolphins.

Bertha's Beach is a designated Important Bird Area and RAMSAR wetland. This white-sand beach on Fitzroy Farm, East Falkland, teems with life, playing host to gentoo and Magellanic penguins, South American terns, steamer ducks and ruddy-headed geese. Commerson’s and Peale’s dolphins are regularly spotted offshore while sea lions bask onshore. Eighty plant species thrive here: five found nowhere else, including the rare Dusen’s moonwort fern.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Anyone familiar with Britain’s trademark red post boxes might spot a resemblance in this British outpost. Port Stanley, on East Falkland, is the tiny capital of the Falkland Islands and is small enough to get around on foot.

The Historic Dockyard Museum is devoted to maritime history and exploration. Magellanic penguins gather on the beach at nearby Gypsy Cove, and sea lions and dolphins frolic in the harbour.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Carcass Island, in the Falklands, is a wildlife haven free of introduced predators, allowing fearless animals to thrive. The lush island features rolling hills, sandy beaches and rare mature trees and hosts large colonies of gentoo and Magellanic penguins with famous burrows. Birdwatchers can spot striated caracara ("Johnny Rook"), Cobb’s wren, and tussacbird. Marine life includes elephant seals, sea lions, dolphins and whales.

West Point Island Birdlife is the big draw on this lush sheep-farming island, where thousands of rams and ewes roam. Settled by British explorers in 1765, the island’s unique scenery includes golden sand beaches filled with the cacophony of rockhopper, gentoo and Magellanic penguin colonies, and the pillar-shaped nests of black-browed albatross. Nine of the Falklands’ 14 endemic plants, including silvery buttercup and hairy daisy, grow here and are a real treat

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Pebble Island, named for its colourful agate pebbles, features diverse landscapes. Family-owned, the Falklands' third largest island is home to the 6.4 km Elephant Beach and a memorial to H.M.S. Coventry.

The island supports abundant birdlife, including 1,000 pairs of Imperial shags, 8,500 breeding pairs of southern rockhopper penguins, and black-necked swans. Also here are endemic Falkland plants, while Commerson’s dolphins are often spotted. Saunders Island Black-browed albatross grace the skies over this remote Falkland Island, while Commerson's dolphins play in its waters.

With a sparse population of people and sheep, the island is also a sanctuary for fur seals, rockhopper penguins, Magellanic penguins and imperial cormorants, nesting amid its cliffs and the impressive Cliff Mountain. Hiking through the moss-covered terrain unveils beautiful wildflowers like pink-petalled Felton's

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

A sea day aboard SH Vega is a chance to relax and embrace the rhythm of the ocean.

Enjoy panoramic views, enriching onboard experiences, and peaceful moments on deck as the ship sails through breathtaking scenery in complete comfort.

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

In the northern Patagonia region of Argentina, the fast-growing coastal city of Puerto Madryn is known for sandy beaches, its lighthouse and for watching frolicking southern right whales from Playa El Doradillo beach.

At Caleta Valdes on the Valdes Peninsula, white bull elephant seals who are ever watchful for hungry orcas haul out next to penguins. The Ecocentro museum is the place to learn about Patagonia's natural environment

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Swan Hellenic's SH Vega

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

After breakfast this morning, it's time to disembark. A transfer is provided to your hotel for you two-night city stay.

Once checked in, the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure, exploring this amazing city.

Overnight: Costanero Hotel McGallery Collection or similar, Montevideo, Uruguay

Meals included: Breakfast

Across the River Plate (Río de la Plata) from Buenos Aires, Uruguay's charming capital Montevideo is an authentic gem with timeless architecture, leafy plazas and sandy beaches. A city steeped in literary history, Montevideo was home to famed writers like Benedetti, Onetti and Peri Rossi.

Nicknamed the 'Athens of the Rio de la Plata,' it is the cradle of Gaucho literature and the only UNESCO City of Literature in Latin America.

Overnight: Costanero Hotel McGallery Collection or similar, Montevideo, Uruguay

Meals included: None

After check-out this morning, a transfer is provided to the airport for your homeward bound flight.

Meals included: In-Flight

Meals included: In-Flight

Welcome home!

Meals included: None