Life Returns | Springtime Expedition to Antarctica
Cruise Overview
Antarctica Cruise | Life Returns - Springtime Expedition to Antarctica
See the untouched icescapes of Antarctica in its late spring as the glaciers and icebergs are at their most sparkly and pristine
Visit the beautiful, windswept Falkland Islands and South Georgia at the height of mating season
Go ice-cruising in small expedition boats and join landings with your expert Expedition Team
Wonderful islands in the Southern Ocean
From windswept green hills to white-sand beaches, beauty and charm abound in the Falkland Islands. We know that the wildlife around here is plentiful, but South Georgia is in a class of its own – and the beaches are teeming with seals, penguins, and other seabirds. From here we’ll head to beautiful Buenos Aires for one last tango.
Amazing Antarctic wildlife
At this time of year, the snow is fresh from winter and towering icebergs glisten in newly sculpted grandeur. On land, the penguins court and build nests. Over the next five days, we’ll explore several landing sites where you can experience the frozen continent up close. Your cruise ends in Chile’s Patagonia region.
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Practical information you need to know
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Itinerary
We'll help you plan where to go, when to visit and how long to stay
The beat of Buenos Aires
Day 1
The beat of Buenos Aires
Feel the rhythm of bustling Buenos Aires
Home to a proud and diverse community of porteños, or ‘people of the port’, Buenos Aires is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendour and Latin American panache.
There are plenty of places to explore, including many parrillas serving authentic Argentine steak. Or maybe you’d like to practise your dance moves in the famed birthplace of the tango.
Your Expedition Ship will be awaiting you for embarkation.
Prepare for adventure
Day 2-4
Prepare for adventure
Enter expedition mode
Over the next few days at sea, you’ll learn more about the wonders we’ll encounter on our trip.
Members of the Expedition Team will start their lecture series on topics such as oceanography, geology, ornithology, and history. Pop into the Science Center for hands-on presentations as well.
Grab a pair of binoculars and look for rare wandering albatrosses and petrels. Make the most of your onboard facilities and enjoy the hot tubs, panoramic sauna, and gym.
Wildlife of the Falklands
Day 5-7
Wildlife of the Falklands
Enjoy birding and hiking on these green islands
The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sand beaches teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape amid grassy hills and wildflowers. Enjoy a community walk around Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Historic Dockyard Museum.
Our landings, hikes, and excursions are – as always – subject to weather conditions. We hope to visit albatross and penguin colonies, where seals can often be found as well, getting as close as possible without disturbing them.
Adventure lies ahead
Day 8-9
Adventure lies ahead
Cruising the South Atlantic
After the Falkland Islands, we will spend two days cruising toward beautiful South Georgia. Look forward to seeing an archipelago filled with diverse wildlife.
The Expedition Team will prepare you for what lies ahead. They will tell you everything they know about South Georgia, including information about the area’s wildlife, polar history, geology, glaciology, and stories of Norwegian whalers.
You’ll also learn how to make your visit as safe and as low impact as possible. You can join our Citizen Science programs to help collect data for global research projects.
The southern Serengeti
Day 10-12
The southern Serengeti
Visit a wildlife watcher’s paradise
South Georgia’s abundant wildlife has earned it the nickname ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’. Its unique position, free from sea ice, makes the island an ideal breeding site for large colonies of penguins, other seabirds, and seals. In fact, it is listed as an Important Bird Area, home to albatrosses, petrels, shags, skuas, and terns.
During three days in the area, we’ll land as often as we can to explore the wilderness and observe the wildlife. We’ll also try to reach Grytviken, the final resting place of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Nature always calls the shots on our expedition route. Our experiences will vary depending on that day’s conditions as we adapt to find the best possible experience.
Antarctica bound
Day 13-14
Antarctica bound
Time to relax and reflect
After visiting the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, take time to relax and reflect on your journey so far as we head toward Antarctica.
Antarctica is a continent dedicated to peace, science, and wildlife. As we approach, the Expedition Team will talk about the IAATO environmental guidelines and sustainability rules that we follow when visiting. We leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but pictures.
Another world
Day 15-19
Another world
Experience Antarctica in all its majesty
Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Icebergs, sculpted by nature, float in the straits. Gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins watch from the shores. Countless seabirds wheel overhead. Nature is in charge.
During the next five days, you’ll explore several possible landing sites on and around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. It doesn’t matter where we go or what we do, every day will be thrilling and unlike anything you’ve experienced before.
We might sail into a flooded volcanic caldera or land in icy bays where remnants of whaling paraphernalia lie abandoned. You may also have the chance to kayak among icebergs and seals or snowshoe to a stunning viewpoint.
Bird enthusiasts should look skyward for Antarctic seabirds such as skuas, petrels, and terns. Through onboard lectures and onshore talks, you’ll learn more about this precious habitat and discover how we can all protect it for the future.
The passage back
Day 20-22
The passage back
Land ahead!
Five unforgettable days in Antarctica are over. It’s time for us to embark upon our final adventure together: the Drake Passage. Known for its often strong winds and strong currents, the passage can also be silent and still. Luck will dictate whether you will experience the so-called ‘Drake Shake’ or the ‘Drake Lake’.
Don’t worry; even if we experience rough seas, your ship is perfectly equipped for this leg of the adventure exploring the Southern Ocean. During the crossing, the Expedition Team will recap our experiences, keeping your head in the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica a little while longer.
Arrival in Punta Arenas
Day 23
Arrival in Punta Arenas
Onward from Punta Arenas
Your Antarctica expedition cruise comes to an end in Punta Arenas. Catch a flight here to Santiago de Chile and then your connecting flight home, taking fantastic memories with you.
If you’re not ready for your adventure to end just yet, we recommend extending your trip and joining our optional Post-Program.
What's included
Flights
- Flight in economy class from Punta Arenas to Santiago de Chile
Transfer
- Transfer from the ship to the Punta Arenas airport after the expedition cruise
Expedition Cruise
- A stay in a cabin of your choice
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Wine, beer and spirits available at meals and throughout the day and evening (subject to licensing laws, excludes premium drinks)
- All day coffee, tea and soft drinks
- Fine dining in restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
- A complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home
- A polar expedition jacket, a backpack, or another piece of HX kit
- Professional photos from your trip taken by our onboard photographer
- Complimentary Wi-Fi. Please note, streaming is not supported
- Use of sauna, hot tubs, fitness room, lounges and more
- Gratuities included. Fantastic service is standard at HX – though if you’d like to leave something extra, it’s always appreciated
- Range of included activities
Onboard Activities
- In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
- Full access to the ship’s Science Centre
- Citizen Science Programme allows guests to assist with ongoing scientific research
- Professional onboard photographer gives tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos
- Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings
Landing Activities
- Escorted landing with small expedition boats
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities
- Expedition photographers on hand to assist you
Notes
- All planned activities are subject to weather and ice conditions
- Excursions and activities are subject to change
- Please make sure you meet all entry and boarding requirements
- Depending on your flight times, an additional overnight might be needed (not included)
What's not included
International flights
Additional overnight(s) if required due to international flight timings
Travel insurance
Luggage handling
Optional shore excursions with our local partners
Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
Special offers
Expedition exclusive cost savings and rare opportunities.
* Certain offers may not be combinable, up to two savings opportunities except where noted otherwise