Ultimate Antarctica & the Fjords of Southern Chile

Welcome to Buenos Aires, where you'll have an overnight hotel stay. Perhaps plan to spend some time in the city, nicknamed the 'Paris of South America'. Resplendent with Belle Epoque buildings, sidewalk cafes and green spaces, there's the fiery passion of Latin America - a collective love for football, flame-cooked meats (asado) and the tango.

Some of the highlights are La Boca, a colourful, creative mecca with a must-do art walk, and San Telmo, a former aristocratic neighbourhood that was abandoned during a 19th-century epidemic. Mansions were turned into conventillos (shared housing), boutique hotels, antique shops, and tango clubs, exuding a captivating bohemian vibe.

Fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, the main island of Tierra del Fuego and the southernmost city in the world. The Captain and crew will warmly greet you as you board your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse. 

Toast the start of your once-in-a-lifetime expedition as you depart South America and cruise through the calm and scenic Beagle Channel, named so for the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his five-year discovery journey. Admire the dramatic views of the Andean mountains from the comfort of your private verandah or from the Observation Deck with its commanding view of the bow.

At 55 degrees latitude south, Ushuaia (pronounced oo-swy-ah) is closer to the South Pole than to Argentina's northern border with Bolivia. It is the capital and tourism base for Tierra del Fuego, the island at the southernmost tip of Argentina.Although its stark physical beauty is striking, Tierra del Fuego's historical allure is based more on its mythical past than on rugged reality. The island was inhabited for 6,000 years by Yámana, Haush, Selk'nam, and Alakaluf Indians. But in 1902 Argentina, eager to populate Patagonia to bolster its territorial claims, moved to initiate an Ushuaian penal colony, establishing the permanent settlement of its most southern territories and, by implication, everything in between.When the prison closed in 1947, Ushuaia had a population of about 3,000, made up mainly of former inmates and prison staff. Today the Indians of Darwin's "missing link" theory are long gone—wiped out by diseases brought by settlers and by indifference to their plight—and the 60,000 residents of Ushuaia are hitching their star to tourism.The city rightly (if perhaps too loudly) promotes itself as the southernmost city in the world (Puerto Williams, a few miles south on the Chilean side of the Beagle Channel, is a small town). You can make your way to the tourism office to get your clichéd, but oh-so-necessary, "Southernmost City in the World" passport stamp. Ushuaia feels like a frontier boomtown, at heart still a rugged, weather-beaten fishing village, but exhibiting the frayed edges of a city that quadrupled in size in the '70s and '80s and just keeps growing. Unpaved portions of Ruta 3, the last stretch of the Pan-American Highway, which connects Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, are finally being paved. The summer months (December through March) draw more than 120,000 visitors, and dozens of cruise ships. The city is trying to extend those visits with events like March's Marathon at the End of the World and by increasing the gamut of winter activities buoyed by the excellent snow conditions.A terrific trail winds through the town up to the Martial Glacier, where a ski lift can help cut down a steep kilometer of your journey. The chaotic and contradictory urban landscape includes a handful of luxury hotels amid the concrete of public housing projects. Scores of "sled houses" (wooden shacks) sit precariously on upright piers, ready for speedy displacement to a different site. But there are also many small, picturesque homes with tiny, carefully tended gardens. Many of the newer homes are built in a Swiss-chalet style, reinforcing the idea that this is a town into which tourism has breathed new life. At the same time, the weather-worn pastel colors that dominate the town's landscape remind you that Ushuaia was once just a tiny fishing village, snuggled at the end of the Earth.As you stand on the banks of the Canal Beagle (Beagle Channel) near Ushuaia, the spirit of the farthest corner of the world takes hold. What stands out is the light: at sundown the landscape is cast in a subdued, sensual tone; everything feels closer, softer, and more human in dimension despite the vastness of the setting. The snowcapped mountains reflect the setting sun back onto a stream rolling into the channel, as nearby peaks echo their image—on a windless day—in the still waters.Above the city rise the last mountains of the Andean Cordillera, and just south and west of Ushuaia they finally vanish into the often-stormy sea. Snow whitens the peaks well into summer. Nature is the principal attraction here, with trekking, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife spotting, and sailing among the most rewarding activities, especially in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego (Tierra del Fuego National Park).

Slide open the floor-to-ceiling doors of your verandah suite to see icebergs sculpted by nature and glacial mountains rising thousands of metres from the ocean. Antarctica is a birdwatcher's paradise, with more than 40 different species, so keep your eyes peeled for wandering albatrosses, which have the largest wingspan of any flying bird, as well as shearwaters, giant petrels and more.

Due to the extraordinary nature of the region, excursions throughout your Expedition Voyage are dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Your experienced Captain and specialist Discovery Team, who have made countless journeys to Antarctica, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, making the most of 18–20 hours of daylight.

Discovery: Daily experiences may include cruising on Zodiacs, stepping ashore to view vast penguin rookeries or historic huts, and kayaking or paddle boarding around icebergs. Wherever your voyage takes you, you will have countless “pinch me" moments.

Portal Point^^ – a former British refuge hut – may be a potential landing site during your voyage.

Or you may visit Deception Island^^ as part of your itinerary. Nestled in the South Shetland Islands archipelago, it is one of the only places in the world that ships can sail directly into the centre of a submerged caldera of an active volcano. With her world-class design and state-of-the-art technology, Scenic Eclipse can sail through a rocky gap into the horseshoe-shaped harbour. The island is also home to a few small scientific outposts and hundreds of thousands of chinstrap penguins.

Tonight could be the night you enjoy Sushi^ @ Koko's with your new friends. Stay up late in the bar or retire to the library for a moment of blissful solitude before bed.

Various species of penguins can be found in Antarctic and the sub-Antarctic region, with around 12 million penguins living on the Peninsula, including Adélie, Chinstrap, Gentoo, and the very rare Emperor penguins. Guided by the expert Polar Discovery Team, you'll witness colonies up close; hear their mighty calls and watch as they clumsily waddle along and interact with each other.

Whales are another majestic creature you may encounter, whether a minke, a humpback or an Orca. Watch them from the comfort of your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, in a Zodiac with an experienced Polar Discovery Team member, or from their level in a kayak or stand-up paddleboard – a breathtaking experience.

Discovery: When enjoying daily Scenic Discovery excursions, ask for your expert Discovery Leader for photography tips and guidance on how to spot the wildlife around you. They will help you immortalise these incredible moments while cruising on the Zodiacs, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding around impressive ice formations.

Lemaire Channel^^, renowned for its picturesque views and often referred to as 'Kodak Alley', could be our next exciting destination. If during your voyage the Scenic Eclipse weaves through this channel, make sure you set your alarm and embrace the cool air from the Observation Terrace. Pass through the 11-kilometre-long channel, just 700 metres wide at its narrowest point, and be amazed at the dramatic rocky mountains and glowing blue icebergs so close to the ship.

In between Scenic Discovery experiences, enjoy a specialty tea or coffee in the Observation Lounge and watch the world float by through Swarovski telescopes.

In the distance on a clear day you can see Mount Francis^^ standing tall as Anvers Island's highest peak, showcasing the rugged beauty of Antarctica.  Every day is unique, you might get the chance to hike or spend time on the pebbled beach, enjoying the view surrounded by curious penguins.

Back on board, explore some of Scenic Eclipse's indulgent spaces, from the welcoming Observation Lounge to the expansive Senses Spa#. Soothe your muscles in the sauna or heated therapy lounge, join a yoga or Pilates class. Choose one of up to 10 world-class dining experiences on board tonight.

Be sure to pack your swimming suit because you could be going for a swim today. For many, the polar plunge is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a rite of passage on an expedition to Antarctica. Once throughout your voyage, Scenic Eclipse will stop, and the team will set up the marina ready for the brave people who want to jump into the freezing Antarctic waters.

Excitement will spread through the Discovery Yacht, and you will start hearing the contagious nervous laughter. As you stand on the edge, ready to jump, you will feel the adrenaline rush while you second-guess whether this is a good idea. When you jump, the moment before you hit the water will feel like it goes forever, but soon, an invigorating, exciting, and surprisingly refreshing sensation will take over.

If you choose to skip the polar plunge, make sure you find a good viewing location as you feel the chills of everyone coming out of the water. Join them for a cup of hot chocolate or toast with a glass of whiskey.

At 55 degrees latitude south, Ushuaia (pronounced oo-swy-ah) is closer to the South Pole than to Argentina's northern border with Bolivia. It is the capital and tourism base for Tierra del Fuego, the island at the southernmost tip of Argentina.Although its stark physical beauty is striking, Tierra del Fuego's historical allure is based more on its mythical past than on rugged reality. The island was inhabited for 6,000 years by Yámana, Haush, Selk'nam, and Alakaluf Indians. But in 1902 Argentina, eager to populate Patagonia to bolster its territorial claims, moved to initiate an Ushuaian penal colony, establishing the permanent settlement of its most southern territories and, by implication, everything in between.When the prison closed in 1947, Ushuaia had a population of about 3,000, made up mainly of former inmates and prison staff. Today the Indians of Darwin's "missing link" theory are long gone—wiped out by diseases brought by settlers and by indifference to their plight—and the 60,000 residents of Ushuaia are hitching their star to tourism.The city rightly (if perhaps too loudly) promotes itself as the southernmost city in the world (Puerto Williams, a few miles south on the Chilean side of the Beagle Channel, is a small town). You can make your way to the tourism office to get your clichéd, but oh-so-necessary, "Southernmost City in the World" passport stamp. Ushuaia feels like a frontier boomtown, at heart still a rugged, weather-beaten fishing village, but exhibiting the frayed edges of a city that quadrupled in size in the '70s and '80s and just keeps growing. Unpaved portions of Ruta 3, the last stretch of the Pan-American Highway, which connects Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, are finally being paved. The summer months (December through March) draw more than 120,000 visitors, and dozens of cruise ships. The city is trying to extend those visits with events like March's Marathon at the End of the World and by increasing the gamut of winter activities buoyed by the excellent snow conditions.A terrific trail winds through the town up to the Martial Glacier, where a ski lift can help cut down a steep kilometer of your journey. The chaotic and contradictory urban landscape includes a handful of luxury hotels amid the concrete of public housing projects. Scores of "sled houses" (wooden shacks) sit precariously on upright piers, ready for speedy displacement to a different site. But there are also many small, picturesque homes with tiny, carefully tended gardens. Many of the newer homes are built in a Swiss-chalet style, reinforcing the idea that this is a town into which tourism has breathed new life. At the same time, the weather-worn pastel colors that dominate the town's landscape remind you that Ushuaia was once just a tiny fishing village, snuggled at the end of the Earth.As you stand on the banks of the Canal Beagle (Beagle Channel) near Ushuaia, the spirit of the farthest corner of the world takes hold. What stands out is the light: at sundown the landscape is cast in a subdued, sensual tone; everything feels closer, softer, and more human in dimension despite the vastness of the setting. The snowcapped mountains reflect the setting sun back onto a stream rolling into the channel, as nearby peaks echo their image—on a windless day—in the still waters.Above the city rise the last mountains of the Andean Cordillera, and just south and west of Ushuaia they finally vanish into the often-stormy sea. Snow whitens the peaks well into summer. Nature is the principal attraction here, with trekking, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife spotting, and sailing among the most rewarding activities, especially in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego (Tierra del Fuego National Park).

Discover Ushuaia, the enchanting "end of the world" destination. The city is nestled along the picturesque Beagle Channel against a backdrop of snow-dusted peaks, with the towering Monte Olivia commanding attention. As your gateway to the spellbinding Antarctic Peninsula, Ushuaia promises unparalleled adventures and unrivalled beauty. Immerse yourself in a world of natural wonders, ancient cultures, and the intoxicating spirit of exploration that defines this region.

Sail through the iconic waters of Cape Horn, where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet at the southernmost point of South America. It's a great place to spot sea lions, penguins and whales. You'll also cruise through the Murray Channel, named after British naval officer Captain John Murray. Be on the lookout for albatrosses and other seabirds that inhabit these remote waters.

Join an introductory presentation about your expedition by the Discovery Team in the state-of-the art theatre. Feel the excitement building as they explain how your Zodiac and other Discovery Excursions will work in the coming days. The theatre is where you can watch talks, lectures, movies and documentaries during the day. At night, enjoy world-class productions from musical theatre and cabaret to pop music, dance and fun interactive game shows.

Navigate the labyrinth of the Chilean Fjords – its long narrow inlets and steep cliffs, channels and islands all carved by glaciers. From the Observation Deck, with its commanding view of the bow, marvel at the towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and dense forests of this pristine wilderness.

You will also witness Seno Garibaldi, one of a handful of advancing glaciers in the world, and cruise to Seno Pia Glacier where you'll explore its ice crevasses and rivers. This area is a World Heritage listed Biosphere Reserve, and its rich waters are home to seals, sea lions and seabirds, including the impressive Andean condor. Ask for some insights from the expert Discovery Team; comprised of up to 20 members, this team of geologists, historians, ornithologists, marine biologists, and glaciologists is at the heart of your Expedition Voyage.

Cruise through the calm and scenic Beagle Channel, named so for the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his five-year discovery journey. Admire the dramatic views of the Andean mountains from the comfort of the ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse. You will also cruise through the 64-kilometre Vockburn Channel, known for its stunning glacier views. Keep an eye out for seals, dolphins, and whales which frequent these waters.

Watch this spectacular scenery slip by as you relax in a cabana on Deck 10. Alternatively, ask your butler to bring afternoon tea to your suite and relax on your private verandah.

Today, you will witness the awe-inspiring Aguila Glacier and Condor Glacier, which form part of the Darwin Mountain Range – named after Charles Darwin – in Alberto de Agostini National Park. This is the third largest park in Chile, comprising fjords, glaciers and ice fields among subpolar forests and snow-capped peaks. Marvel at the immense size of these ancient ice formations cascading down the mountainside into the sea. Aguila Glacier is particularly beautiful feeding into a mineral-rich lagoon that attracts wildlife.

Stand on the Observation Terrace as Scenic Eclipse cruises through the narrow passages of Magdalena Channel and Gabriel Canal, surrounded by towering cliffs and pristine wilderness. The Tucker Islets is a group of small islands and rocky outcrops in the Strait of Magellan, which is home to colonies of Magellanic penguins and other seabirds, such as skuas and petrels.

Tonight could be the night you meet your new friends at Sushi @ Koko's for dinner. Enjoy entertainment in the state-of-the-art theatre and unwind with a nightcap at the Scenic Lounge Bar.

Cruise majestic Admiralty Sound, which is home to leopard and elephant seals and hugged by snow topped mountain ranges, wide bays and majestic fjords of Alberto de Agostini National Park. Go ashore to secluded Ainsworth Bay in a Zodiac, where you can get up close to towering glaciers and perhaps spot seals basking on the ice floes.

You may also wish to enjoy your time on board with a visit to the gym for an invigorating workout or the studio for a Pilates class, some guided stretching or aerial yoga.

Cruise through picturesque Whiteside Canal today and the historic Strait of Magellan, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Named after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1520, this was the primary passage for seafaring transport before the Panama Canal. You'll follow the journeys of early explorers such as Ferdinand Magellan and Sir Francis Drake. Learn about the rich maritime history of these legendary waterways from your expert Discovery Team.

You may wish to spend time in the theatre tonight, which has advanced cinemascope technology and multiple viewing screens that create an immersive 270-degree experience, complete with a sparkly night-sky ceiling.

Punta Arenas is located at the southern extreme of Chile and serves as the gateway into Antarctica as well as Torres del Paine National Park. Overlooking the Strait of Magellan, the city flourished during the California Gold Rush – its prime position served as a haven for ships. The city will captivate you with its clean air, sophisticated European architecture and is renowned for kayaking. Nearby Magdalena Island is the breeding ground of Magellanic penguin colonies.

When back on board, you may wish to book a treatment# at the tranquil Senses Spa. Perhaps indulge with an ESPA facial# or an alternative therapy including Ayuverdic massage#

Sail through the legendary Strait of Magellan and enjoy panoramic views of the rugged coastline out the open sea. Enjoy a specialty tea or coffee in the Observation Lounge and watch the world float by through Swarovski telescopes.

Spend time with friends at one of 10 dining venues – enjoy a casual lunch at Azure Bar & Café or elegant affair at Elements. At night, enjoy a performance in the state-of-the-art theatre before you retreat to your ultra-luxury suite with a nightcap.

Discover Puerto Deseado, a picturesque port town that captured the attention of Charles Darwin for its seclusion and extraordinary wildlife. Its natural harbour is a protected area, where you may encounter Commerson's and Peale dolphins, Magellanic and Patagonian penguins and several species of seabird. You'll also explore Isla Pingüino (Penguin Island), which is home to a colony of Magellanic penguins, and marvel at its rugged beauty.

Isla Pinguino (Penguin Island) is a tiny island less than a mile across located off the coastline of Santa Cruz province in Argentina. The island was previously known as an “island of the Kings” for ships traveling on their way to the Magellan Strait; from the 16th to the mid-19th century, sailors and travelers knew this location was a supply point of food. While several bird species live on this island, none are so numerous and distinctive as the southern rockhopper penguins, with their yellow-plumed eyes and squat stature. The island used to house an Argentinian naval station, and a lighthouse from this installment is still in service on the island, powered by solar energy.

Explore Punta Piramides, a World Heritage-listed nature reserve and an important breeding location for the endangered southern right whale, elephant seals and a large rookery of sea lions. Orcas also frequent the area and shorebirds also stop here on their annual migrations.

When enjoying daily Discovery excursions, ask for your expert Discovery Leader for photography tips and guidance on how to spot the wildlife around you. They will help you immortalise these incredible moments while cruising on the Zodiacs, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

Arrive in Montevideo, Uruguay's vibrant capital city that boasts a rich 300-year history and an eclectic melange of Art Deco and Neoclassical architecture. While its Rambla (beachside avenue) may not be as famous as Barcelona's, it's much longer at 22 kilometres and traces the seaside almost the entire way. Most of the city's streets connect to the Rambla, making Montevideo an easy place to navigate and explore. There's a collective love for meat, wine, football and celebrations, as well as an annual month-long carnival.

Your journey of wonder ends this morning in Buenos Aires. Farewell the crew and your new friends and disembark after breakfast, taking away memories of a truly unforgettable experience.

Please book your flight to depart out of Buenos Aires after 12:00 PM.

^Flights on board our two helicopters and submersible experiences are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather, ice and tidal conditions. #Spa treatments at additional cost. +All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.