Antarctic Explorer | 13 Days | Viking Polaris Cruise

Your journey begins in Argentina’s vibrant capital. After arriving and checking into your hotel, immerse yourself in Buenos Aires’ unique blend of European elegance and Latin flair. Stroll along tree-lined avenues adorned with colonial architecture reflecting Spanish, French, and Italian influences. The city’s barrios each offer a distinct charm—San Telmo, with its cobblestone streets and Belle Époque buildings, resonates with the soulful rhythms of tango, while bustling cafés and bodegas showcase the city’s dynamic culture.

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. Nestled between the Beagle Channel and the rugged Andes, this remote outpost is the gateway to Antarctica. It also serves as the capital of Tierra del Fuego, the legendary “Land of Fire,” named for the flickering flames that Indigenous Yámana people once used to combat the cold. This pristine region, composed of Argentina’s and Chile’s countless islands, is a striking landscape of untamed beauty.

Named after Sir Francis Drake, the legendary 16th-century navigator, the Drake Passage stretches for approximately 600 miles between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands. As you sail these infamous waters, take advantage of enriching lectures or watch an immersive film on the 8K laser-projected panoramic screen in The Aula—one of the most technologically advanced learning spaces at sea. With its retractable floor-to-ceiling windows, this venue offers breathtaking 270° views, ensuring that nature remains the star of the journey.

A realm of untouched majesty, Antarctica has captivated explorers for generations. Witness towering icebergs glistening in tranquil bays, mountains draped in snow, and basalt cliffs rising from the mainland. Experience the serene beauty of fur seals resting on drifting ice sheets and the raw power of glaciers as they calve dramatically into the sea. The nutrient-rich waters teem with marine life, and if luck is on your side, you may encounter humpback, fin, or even giant blue whales as they surface near your expedition vessel.

Renowned for its unpredictable and often turbulent conditions, the Drake Passage has long challenged even the most experienced sailors. During your crossing, unwind at the Finse Terrace, an outdoor lounge named after Norway’s famed mountain plateau. Here, you can take in the stunning views while enjoying heated seating and unique lava rock “firepits,” ensuring comfort as you admire the boundless sea and dramatic surroundings.

Where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet, the legendary Cape Horn stands as a testament to maritime history. Part of the Hermite Islands, this remote and windswept promontory marks the continent’s southernmost boundary. Towering above Hornos Island is an imposing volcanic massif, sculpted during the Jurassic period. Near the water’s edge, the iconic Cape Horn lighthouse, a guiding beacon for sailors since 1991, continues to provide assurance to those navigating these treacherous waters.

Disembark in Ushuaia and transfer to the airport for your charter flight. Bid farewell to your fellow explorers before continuing your journey home from Buenos Aires, carrying memories of an extraordinary adventure to the Earth’s final frontier.