Antarctica & Falkland Islands Photo Tour Itinerary - March 16 to April 05, 2025

Welcoming fully vaccinated guests on all our tours.

Day One: Sunday March 16th, 2025: Late afternoon departure offered from Staybridge Suites London to Toronto pick-ups available en route. Toronto and area guests will meet at Pearson International. We fly from Toronto to Santiago, Chile via Air Canada our fight departs at 10:15 p.m.. Our overnight flight will see us arriving the following morning.

Day Two: Monday March 17th, 2025: Arriving in Buenos Aires we clear customs, meet and transfer to our hotel. Buenos Aires moves to a rhythm that is unmistakably unique to the Argentinian capital. Just ask a local and they’ll tell you straight away: It’s the diverse melting-pot of people who inject vibrancy into the city. These porteños (port people) have roots from all across the globe, bringing their diverse cultures with them. The result is an intoxicating blend of romantic music, tango dancing around every corner, Maradona soccer fans, Old World colonial architecture, and flavorful food. We will have time to relax and this evening attend our group pre expedition briefing. 

Day Three: Tuesday March 18th, 2025: After breakfast, our Antarctic adventure begins. Check-out, and transfer to the airport for our morning flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. The capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province sits on a bay backed by the snow-capped mountains of Martial Glacier, to the north. Although Ushuaia claims to be the world’s southernmost city, two other Chilean cities also lay claim to this dubious title. Here we will board our first of it's design hybrid-powered MS Fridtjof Nanse awaits our arrival. Once on board, settle into our cabins, set sail, and then kick off our journey with a welcome-on-board dinner. Estimated time if departure 8:00 p.m.. (B) (D)

Day Four and Five: Wednesday March 19th and Thurday March 20th, 2025: It takes two days of sailing to reach Antarctica. This is a good thing! Two days is the perfect amount of time to both relax and prepare for the adventures ahead.

To make sure you are ready for the days of exploration ahead of you, the Expedition Team will launch a series of insightful lectures at the Science Center. Each member of the Expedition Team specializes in a different subject. You’ll see that they are walking, talking, treasure troves of fascinating stories and information. Listen and learn as they share information about the local wildlife and the IAATO-approved sustainability protocol you must follow if curious penguins or seals come too close to you. The IAATO guidelines include learning the importance of wearing sterilized rubber boots during all Antarctica landings and why we thoroughly vacuum any foreign particles from our clothes beforehand.

You’ll also appreciate how the ship is equipped with all services and facilities added for your comfort. Work out in the gym and or run along the outdoor track circuit. Steam away the soreness from your workout in the sauna, or let masterful hands relax you during a message in the Wellness Spa. Three different onboard restaurants will delight your palate, while the Explorer Lounge & Bar is always the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine or a bit of bubbly. Just because the expedition is exciting doesn’t mean it can’t be luxurious too! (B)(L)(D)

Day Six: Friday March 21, 2025: You are now in one of the most remote areas on earth! There have been spectacular photo opportunities so far, but Antarctica itself is in a whole different category. Come ashore to explore the breath taking Antarctic scenery and to come close to penguins and seals. You will feel like a real explorer from the moment you set foot on the endless expanse of snow and ice. Prepare for an amazing experience and outstanding photo opportunities. We will attempt landings at several sites in the South Shetlands and on the Antarctic Peninsula (B) (L) (D)

Day Seven: Saturday March 22, 2025: Breakfast. As we sail in to one of the main inlets, from the deck there will be ample opportunities for whale sightings. Enjoy close encounters with wildlife and glaciers, old whaling stations and relics. Trust us when we say that every second of this journey has something new to offer. One of the highlights of the South Shetlands is Deception Island. When we sail into the natural harbour of this volcanic island, you will see an abandoned whaling station known as Hektor and a derelict British base. Another day of Antarctica photography. (B) (L) (D)

Day Eight: Sunday March 23, 2025:  Breakfast then a day of exploration. We are certain you will enjoy a visit to Half Moon Island. A staggeringly photogenic island blessed with some of the most beautiful Antarctic scenery imaginable. Yankee Harbour, with its large colony of Gentoo penguins, estimated to be 4,000 breeding pairs.(B) (L) (D)

Day Nine: Monday March 24, 2025: Breakfast Cuverville Island is home to another of the largest known colonies of Gentoo penguins. Neko Harbour is beautifully located in the innermost part of Andvord Bay. Paradise Harbour got its descriptive name from the whalers during the last century. Wilhelmina Bay has stunning scenery and is often called “Whale-mina Bay”, because of the large number of humpback whales spotted here in December. (B) (L) (D)

Day Ten: Tuesday March 25, 2025: Breakfast the majesty of the Antarctic Peninsula’s mountains will enchant as you scramble up snowy pathways to vantage points offering you 360° views of your surroundings. One of these in particular, in Danco Island, affords us the opportunity to visit a penguin colony high up on a ridge. Here, you’ll have the choice between hiking to the island’s summit or spending time sitting quietly on a pebbled beach, enjoying and photographing the antics of curious penguins. (B) (L) (D)

Day Eleven and Day Twelve: Wednesday March 26 and Thursday March 27, 2025: After exploring this unforgettable continent, we set course for the Falkland Islands. As we sail to the Falklands there is plenty to see from the observation decks wildlife and scout for the Albatrosses that often guide our way. You are also invited to use the state-of-the-art microscopes in the ship’s Science Center, you can analyze samples taken during the expedition cruise to see another kind of ‘wildlife’ at the cellular level or attend one of the many daily nature talks in the lecture halls. (B) (L) (D)

Day Thirteen: Friday March 28, 2025: This morning we arrive to the Falkland Islands. After the wilderness of Antarctica, enjoy the contrast provided by visit to Stanley, with red phone boxes, red buses and old pubs. The capital is good size for roaming the streets on foot. We will have many urban and wildlife photo opportunities today as explore Stanley. Our ship will be docked in Stanly throughout the day. (B) (L ) (D)

Day Fourteen: Saturday March 29, 2025: Breakfast then we continue our sail around the Falklands. The islands are teeming with wonders of nature, with fantastically clear blue skies, seamless horizons and stunning white sand beaches. We plan to go ashore to explore this region. Back onboard leasure time and evening briefing on tomorrows activies. (B) (L) (D)

Day Fifteen: Sunday March 30, 2025: As we reach the westernmost outposts in the Falklands, you will see remote farms that have been family-owned for generations. Penguins can be found along the beaches here, often coming close to you to take a look out of curiosity, and they seem to be posing for photos! We plan to go ashore to explore the area on hikes and to spot some of the many bird species that live here. (B) (L ) (D)

Day Sixteen: Monday March 31, 2025: As we complete the loop of the Magellan Strait, we will have a recap of everything we have experienced on this expedition cruise vist the Science Center. Make sure you spend some time on deck looking for wildlife. Today is a day at sea as we sail towards the Pueto Madryn. (B) (L ) (D)

Day Seventeen: Tuesday April 01, 2025: Breakfast Pueto Madryn - Puerto Madryn boasts warm temperatures and beautiful beaches. It’s also the gateway to the dramatic Valdes Peninsula, and while we’re here, you can explore the stunning nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site.  You might get the chance to see marine mammals. There are also no less than 180 species of birds living on the peninsula, so don’t forget to bring your binoculars. Stroll through the tranquil natural beauty of the reserve, enjoy a delicious bite to eat and browse the local arts and crafts shops.

Day Eighteen and Ninteen: Wednesday April 02 and Thursday April 03, 2025:  As we sail the final leg from Puerto Madryn to Buenos Aires, enjoy your final day at sea. Join the Expedition Team in the Science Center to examine special interests in more depth. Learn more about photography, or simply relax on deck, mulling over the highlights of a memorable adventure. And don't forget to contribute your findings to Citizen Science projects. 

Day Twenty: Thursday April 04, 2025: This morning our ship docks back in Buenos Aires where our tour began. Breakfast, a little time at leasure before we leave our ship, have a city tour and transfer to the airport for our Air Canada flight back to Canada. Our flight departs at 4:30 p.m.

Day Twenty-One: Friday April 05, 2025: Our Air Canada flight arrives at 6:00 a.m into Toronto. After cleaning customs, we will say good-bye to our connecting and GTA guests and board our motor coach for our drive back to London, with any drop offs en route arriving at approximating 10:00 a.m.

Antarctic Peninsula in February has an annual temperature range of -5.3C to 13.6 we will also experience 24 hours of sunlight this time of year. Therefore packing winter gear like you would wear in Canada will work fine for your Antarctic expedition. You will also need to pack a pair of splash pants to wear over your clothing. Included with your package is a HH Expedition Jacket which you will receive once onboard our ship. You will also be suppled with rubber boots for our landings.

Pre-tour Information Night:  As with all our photo tours, we will hold a photo information night approximately three weeks prior to departure. We will present the final itinerary, travel suggestions, what gear to pack, and hand out all related travel documents.  The pre-tour presentation is designed to give our photographers all the information needed for our trek.  This also allows you a chance for you to meet your fellow travellers, and host. Event two weeks prior to departure.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Antarctica Registration Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cost of our Antarctica Photo Tour is $15,895.00 CAD based on double occupancy Outside Cabin, including international air from Toronto to Buenos Aires and internal flights Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, plus air tax of $614.90 and $15.73 HST.

Cabin upgrades available: Arctic Superior Cabin Balcony: Double add $3,485.00 CAD per guest. Single supplement for $6,275.00 CAD Outside Cabin.

A deposit of $3,800 CAD is due at time of booking (75% of deposit refundable up to 90 prior to departure), deposits will be adjusted for upgrades. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Cancelations 50% refund between 180 and 90 day before departure, 25% refund between 89 and 61 days prior to departure, less than 60 days 100% non refundable.

More ways to pay ... Equal monthly payments from deposit day to 90 days prior to departure charged to your credit card or finance though our Uplift Finance Program and pay over 6 month, 12 month  or 18 month payments. You may choose your payment option during registration. 

Includes:

• Round trip coach  for departures from London to Pearson Airport
• Other pick-up locations available upon request along the 401 corridor
• Round Trip Airfare via Air Canada to Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Airfare from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
• 16 nights onboard MS Fridtjof Nansen
• All meals onboard our ship
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Be aware we sail in remote areas with limited connection. Streaming not supported
• Complimentary reusable water bottle to use at water refill stations on board
• 1 night pre Antarctic cruise accommodations according to itinerary 
• All airport and hotel transfers
• Breakfast included each day
• Complimentary wind and water-resistant expedition jacket
• Loan of boots, trekking poles, and all equipment for activities
• English speaking expedition guides
• Photo Workshops
• Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie

Excludes:

• Items of a personal nature, laundry, phone calls, etc.
• Local guide tips and gratuities
• Current Port Taxes and Visas for Argintina if required
• Alcoholic beverages purchased on land or at the ships bar
• Personal Travel and Medical Insurance

** Schedule may vary according to weather - please note landings in itinerary are at the ships captain descrection and decisions are made according to weather and ice flows always make travel safetly the first priority.

** Policy dose not allow us to do residental pickup.

Tourcan Vacations and Photo Tour Trekkers recommends the purchase of travel and health insurance as our tour takes us out of the country. Health insurance is highly recommended. Please note your passport expiry date must be valid for 6 months past our return date of April 05, 2025.

          --------------------------------------------------------------------------