Celebrate Christmas in Antarctica, one of the most remote and awe inspiring places on Earth. With Christmas Eve and Christmas Day spent among glaciers, icebergs, penguin colonies, and whales, this extraordinary voyage offers a truly unforgettable holiday experience far beyond the ordinary.
Please note: This itinerary is meant to serve as a general guide. Plans may change along the way, depending on weather, sea conditions, or choices made by the expedition leader and team to give you the safest and most rewarding experience.
Welcome to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world and the gateway to Antarctica. Nestled between the Andes Mountains and the Beagle Channel, this remote Patagonian port has long been the starting point for expeditions to the White Continent. Upon arrival, transfer independently to Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa and check in. Today is an arrival and gathering day. You may choose to explore the waterfront, enjoy the crisp southern air, or simply rest in preparation for the journey ahead. All meals today are at your own expense.
A complimentary Air2Sea group transfer will be available from Ushuaia Airport (USH) to the hotel during 12pm to 6pm.
After breakfast, we gather at the hotel and transfer as a group to the pier for embarkation. Your Expedition Team will conduct mandatory briefings and introduce the plans for the days ahead. As evening approaches, we head south toward the legendary Drake Passage.
We spend two days crossing the Drake Passage, the stretch of water that separates South America from Antarctica. During these days at sea, you will attend engaging presentations on Antarctic history, wildlife, geology and environmental stewardship. On deck, watch for wandering albatrosses and other seabirds that glide effortlessly alongside the ship. As we move farther south, temperatures drop and the first icebergs may appear on the horizon.
The South Shetland Islands lie between 61° and 63° south latitude and are renowned for their dramatic natural beauty, from vast glaciers and volcanic landscapes to a rich marine ecosystem. They are an important habitat for penguins, seals, and a wide variety of seabirds, while the surrounding waters are also frequented by humpback whales and Antarctic minke whales.
We will also visit Great Wall Station, established in 1985 as China’s first scientific research station in Antarctica. It marks the beginning of China’s Antarctic research programme and a major milestone in the country’s first participation in international polar scientific cooperation. Great Wall Station not only reflects China’s growing capabilities in Antarctic research, but also symbolizes its important role in the global polar research community.
Upon arrival in the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, many travelers experience a profound sense of awe. Towering mountains rise directly from the sea, glaciers spill into sheltered bays, and sculpted icebergs drift silently across calm waters. During the Christmas season, this pristine white wilderness offers an especially memorable setting for your Antarctic adventure.
Each day’s program is carefully crafted by your Expedition Team according to weather, sea, and ice conditions. We will also look for suitable conditions to attempt a crossing of the Antarctic Circle. Passing this symbolic latitude is both a geographic milestone and an emotional highlight, marking entry into one of the most remote regions on Earth.
Daily Zodiac excursions take you away from the ship and into glaciated bays, narrow channels, and potential landing sites. Whether stepping ashore for a guided walk, visiting a research station, or observing thriving penguin colonies, each outing offers a new perspective on this extraordinary environment.
Wildlife encounters may include chinstrap, Adélie, and gentoo penguins, Weddell and leopard seals resting on the ice, and whales such as humpbacks or minkes surfacing in the distance. Every landing and Zodiac cruise reveals new details, making this holiday voyage through Antarctica both immersive and unforgettable.
We retrace our route across the Drake Passage toward South America. These 2 days provide time to reflect on your Christmas journey in Antarctica, attend final presentations, review photographs, and exchange memories with fellow travelers. Gradually, seabirds become more numerous, and temperatures rise as we approach the southern tip of the continent.
We arrive in Ushuaia in the early morning. After breakfast, disembarkation procedures take place and your Antarctic holiday voyage comes to an end. Yet the ice, the wildlife, and the profound silence of the Seventh Continent will stay with you long after you return home.
A complimentary Air2Sea group transfer will be available from the pier to Ushuaia Airport (USH) or other downtown area in Ushuaia central in the morning. Pre-reserved is required.
This expedition includes:
This expedition excludes:
