What to Expect
- Physical requirements:
This trip is only for physically fit and healthy travelers and is not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids. You must have a strong sense of balance, possess good agility, and be able to hike 3 miles unassisted on rough terrain. This trip involves boarding Zodiac rafts from a gangway with ten or more steep steps, making wet landings during Antarctic excursions, and cruising for 4 days across the Drake Passage, where very rough seas and constant motion of the ship are likely. We reserve the right for our Trip Leaders to modify participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home if their limitations are impacting the group's experience.
- Climate & terrain:
In Argentina, daily highs in Buenos Aires average in the 80s from December through February. The climate is cooler in Ushuaia, with daytime temperatures in the 50s-60s, and rain or high winds possible at any time. In Antarctica, we travel during the austral summer—from November to February—when daylight lasts up to 18 hours and temperatures average 32 degrees. We’ll encounter wet, rocky terrain covered with ice and snow.
- Pacing:
3 locations and 9 nights onboard ship in 15 days with one 1-night stay. Early mornings, including one pre-dawn departure. We also have 2 internal flights of about 4-5 hours each.
- Transportation:
We travel by bus and small ship. We board Zodiac rafts for excursions during our cruise.
- Accommodations:
In Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, we stay at well-appointed hotels where you have a room with private bath and modern facilities.
- Group size & leadership:
28 maximum. We share our ship with three other OAT groups, each with its own Trip Leader.
Visa Information
U.S. citizens will need a visa (or visas) for this trip. In addition, there may be other entry requirements that also need to be met. For your convenience, we’ve included a quick reference list, organized by country:
- Antarctica: No visa required.
- Argentina (main trip/optional extensions): No visa required. Note: Argentina charges a reciprocity (entry) fee.
- Brazil (optional Iguassu Falls extension): Visa required. (Necessary to visit the Brazilian side of the falls.)
Travelers who are booked on this adventure will be sent a complete Visa Packet— with instructions, applications, and a list of visa fees—approximately 100 days prior to their departure. (Because many countries limit the validity of their visa from the date it is issued, or have a specific time window for when you can apply, we do not recommend applying too early.)
If you are not a U.S. citizen, do not travel with a U.S. passport, or will be traveling independently before/after this trip, then your entry requirements may be different. Please check with the appropriate embassy or a visa servicing company. To contact our recommended visa servicing company, PVS International, call toll-free at 1-800-556-9990.
Vaccinations Information
For a detailed and up-to-date list of vaccinations that are recommended for this trip, please visit the CDC’s “Traveler’s Health” website.