Overview & Highlights
A singular, off-the-grid epic Antarctic voyage between Argentina and New Zealand aiming to reach the Ross Ice Shelf, Scott and Shackleton’s huts and sail in the shadow of Mount Erebus.
Next voyage departs Ushuaia, Argentina on 13 January 2020, ending in Bluff, New Zealand on 15 February 2020.
This voyage encompasses all Antarctica’s experiences: wildlife, icy wilderness scenery, the Antarctic Circle, exploration history (explorers huts), the Ross ice shelf and helicopter landings.
The ambitious route, followed by the ship MV Ortelius, takes you beyond the Antarctic Peninsula, the final destination of many cruises, and travels down the rarely visited west coast of Antarctica proper to cross the Antarctic Circle en route to New Zealand. Way beyond the Antarctic Peninsula and the Phantom Coast, close to the shores of the Ross Sea, research stations cling to the ice shelves alongside the poignant reminders of the heroic, early expeditions. The ship’s itinerary is designed to stop at some of these sites, along with the wildlife-rich bays and islands – including the little-visited volcanic Peter 1 Island – where the cries of penguins and seabirds pierce the frozen austral silence of this most remote side of the world. The huts of Scott and Shackleton are well preserved and maintained.
Conditions permitting, helicopter and Zodiac landings will allow you to set foot here and on the Ross Ice Shelf, Dry Valleys and Campbell Island (New Zealand).
The itinerary detailed here is for guidance only, and given the expeditionary nature of this voyage, changes are highly likely. Although 32 nights are spent on board, the ship arrives in New Zealand 33 calendar nights after leaving South America (please note that 1 calendar day is skipped as you cross the International Date Line from east to west).
- City tour of Buenos Aires
- Shore and (if necessary) helicopter landings on the Antarctic cruise
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Buenos Aires. Transfer to your hotel in the chic Recoleta district.
Day 2
Guided city tour.
Day 3
Fly south to Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego), overnight in hotel.
Day 4
Embark MV Ortelius; sail along the Beagle Channel.
Days 5-6
Cross the Drake Passage.
Day 7
Arrive at the Antarctic Peninsula.
Day 8
Cross the Polar Circle.
Days 9-10
Sail through the Bellingshausen Sea.
Day 11
Visit Peter Island.
Days 12-17
Sail through the Amundsen Sea.
Day 18
Approach the Ross Ice Shelf.
Day 19
Continue sailing.
Days 20-25
Explore the Ross Sea.
Days 26-27
Sail north along the coast of the Ross Sea.
Day 28
Arrive at Cape Adare.
Days 29-34
At sea toward Campbell Island
Day 35
Arrive at Campbell Island, a New Zealand reserve and UNESCO heritage site.
Days 36-37
Sail to and arrive at Invercargill, New Zealand; disembark.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.

Our Expert's Opinion

Inspired by this trip
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
Papagaio
Your edit for Latin American inspiration
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
View Extraordinary Inspiration