Antarctica is a continent that spreads
around the South pole. Most of it, is circumscribed by the polar Antarctic
circle (66°33´south) and none of its points reach the 60°
south parallel.
From Ushuaia's harbour, between November and March, several ships, with
capacity for carrying between 38 and 1400 passengers, leave towards the
fascinating and mysterious white continent.
Due to the distance that separates Ushuaia from Antarctica (1200 km) and
the crossing of Drake Passage that takes, at least, two days, these trips
last about 8 days. When the voyage includes Cape Horn, Shetlands, Georgias
or Malvinas Islands, lasting increases to two weeks or more. The circumnavigation
of the white continent needs two months, approximately.
Along the circuit, different places are visited, chosen for the beauty
of their landscapes or their rich fauna, in which passengers can disembark
on board dingy boats.
In order to get off the boat, it is necessary to have impermeable clothes:
coat, trousers and boots, as well as cap and gloves, woolen clothes, sun
glasses and sun protector. All ships have a very good heating system,
so it is possible to wear light clothes while on board.
Fares of these voyages vary not just according to the circuit and characteristics
of the ship, but also for the king and location of the cabin. In all cases
you have full board and they include excursions, informative material
and lectures by naturalist and other scientists. The official language
on board is English. Fares do not include: personal insurance, alcoholic
drinks, laundry, phone calls or tips.
It is possible to visit Antarctica by vessel. A classical circuit, depending
on then weather conditions, includes a visit to Puerto Williams, (where
customer steps are done) and to Cape Horn, from where we leave towards
the peninsula.
Once on it, different scientific bases are visited, old whaler anchorage,
Shetland and Deception Islands (in the last one there is a crater in which
is it possible to have a thermal bath). Returning to Tierra del Fuego
starts going through Drake Passage again, this navigation lasts about
four days. These vessels can room between 2 and 8 passengers, the voyage
last 4 weeks, approximately.
TO BEAR IN MIND: While Continent is one of
the most important natural resources in the world. Therefore, protection
and preservation are necessary, that means to protect fauna and avoid
any kind of contamination, chemical as well as residual one. We do not
have to forget that there are scientific bases that make investigations
about changeable trends, such as: pollution and global weather change,
that seriously endanger the evolution of the whole world.
THIS IS A BASIC TOUR TO VISIT USHUAIA AFTER OR BEFORE
YOUR CRUISE...
DAY 1 - Arrival to Ushuaia Airport and transfer to hotel. 03 nts
of accommodation with breakfast
DAY 2
- Excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Return to the city and
take a Beagle Channel Navigation to see Isla de los Pàjaros, Isla
de los Lobos and Faro Les Eclareirs.
DAY 3
- Excursion to Fagnano and Escondido Lakes
DAY 4
- Transfer to airport
This is a basic program to visit Ushuaia Area. Please visit our tour list
to see more tours combining this area and others place in Argentina and
Chile