Antarctica / Iguazú Falls

The planet's last great untouched wilderness!

Join us as we explore the Antarctic Peninsula aboard Hurtigruten’s comfortable and ­modern expedition ship, MS FRAM. An expert natural history team accompany us, and our experienced Norwegian crew navigate skilfully through the cool waters. Landings and ­excursions by rigid zodiac boats will allow you to get up close. Antarctica is the highest, driest, coldest and cleanest continent on Earth. Its oceans are unimaginably rich in bird and marine life:- leopard and fur seals, minke whales, several species of penguin and great flocks of seabirds, including the ­wandering albatross. When you ­manage to tear your eyes away from the wildlife, the icebergs and glaciers ­present an equally enthralling sight. From the bow, every view is a ­ photographer’s dream and the long ­summer days mean there is plenty of opportunity to take it all in. The wonders of Antarctica - this truly is a voyage of discovery.

Pre and post voyage we’ll explore Argentina’s vibrant capital city, Buenos Aires, famous for ­shopping, food, architecture, history and, of course, the tango! We’ll also head to the border with Brazil to ­ experience the magnificence of Iguazú, one of the largest and most impressive waterfalls in the world. UNESCO listed since 1984, the falls span nearly 2 miles of the Iguazú River. The entire tour will be escorted by our proprietors, Richard and Dawn Furlong.

Advance Registration

While final holiday details for this November/December 2013 tour won’t be fixed until December 2012, we recommend you advance register if you’re interested in joining us. Our tours often sell out well in advance so we recommend you secure your place as early as possible. Simply email, telephone or register online and we’ll hold your places as a priority. A £50 per person refundable deposit is payable to hold your place. When final tour details and prices are circulated (in December 2012) you decide whether you wish to confirm your booking. You may cancel at any time during the advance registration period and receive a full refund of your £50 per person paid. In the meantime your payment is fully protected by our ATOL, number 3710. Advance registration is an easy way to secure tour places without obligation or financial risk. To advance register now, click here.

For more details follow the tour information links shown above.

Photo credits: MS Fram © Hurtigruten, Adele Penguins © Richard Neall, Wilhelmina Bay © Nina Bailey, Albatross © John Chardine, Iguazú Falls © Metropolitan Travel.

Experience counts

Dawn Furlong first visited Antarctica in 2002 and we’ve since escorted a number of tours to the great white continent. We’ve always sailed with Hurtigruten ships complete with experienced Norwegian captains and crews. Our first voyages were aboard MS Nordnorge and MS Nordkapp, and most recently we've chosen Hurtigruten's purpose built polar expedition ship, the MS FRAM. We know many of the crew and the expedition staff. We’ve visited the landing sites and know how these voyages operate, so we can help you get the most from your holiday experience. 

As usual, we’ve included all the essentials and more in your tour arrangements. The price will include your international and domestic flights, hotel and ship accommodations, transfers, meals, and gratuities. And you’re ­personally escorted throughout, which makes for great peace of mind. List the content and compare the alternatives, and you’ll agree we offer great value.  

Tour dates

Thursday 28th November to Sunday 15th December 2013.

Itinerary, 18 days

Thursday 28th November 2013 - UK to Buenos Aires
We travel scheduled service with British Airways departing from London Heathrow mid-evening and flying direct non-stop to Buenos Aires. Flights from some regional UK airports connecting to Heathrow may also be available, please enquire. (D*)

Friday 29th November 2013 - Buenos Aires
Landing at Buenos Aires Airport around 8AM this morning, we transfer to our deluxe city centre hotel for a 2-night stay. Included today is a Buenos Aires City Tour. (B*,D)

Saturday 30th November 2013 - Buenos Aires
A free day in Buenos Aires, with an included Tango Dinner Show this evening. (B,D)

Sunday 1st December 2013 - Embark MS FRAM
Today we fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and embarl the MS FRAM. (B,D).

Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3rd December 2013 - Crossing the Drake
Named after Sir Francis Drake, the Drake Passage is one of the world’s great seaways, connecting the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. As we sail south we enjoy a series of educational ­lectures from the expert ­natural history team on board. (B,L,D)

Wednesday 4th, Thursday 5th, Friday 6th, Saturday 7th December 2013 - Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
Ice, wind and weather conditions determine our exact schedule but our Antarctic visits and ­landings will be chosen from an ­enticing list:- The staggeringly photogenic Half Moon Island. Yankee Harbour: home to a large Gentoo Penguin colony. Paradise Bay. Port Lockroy on Goudier Island: once a British base in the 1950’s. The Lemaire Channel: one of the most ­beautiful passages. The South Shetland Islands, and Wilhelmina Bay, a choice feeding ground for whales and seals. (B,L,D)

Sunday 8th, Monday 9th December 2013 - Heading North
Presentations and lectures from our ­expedition team sum up our Antarctic experience. As the bow points north you’ll carry with you incredible ­memories. (B,L,D)

Tuesday 10th December 2013 - Ushuaia to Iguazu Falls
Back in Ushuaia we disembark MS Fram and fly north to spend 3-nights in Iguazú. (B,D)

Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th December 2012 - Iguazu Falls and Iguazu National Park
Two days to explore the magnificent Iguazú waterfalls and the wildlife of Iguazú National Park. (B,D)

Friday 13th December 2013 - Christmas shopping in Buenos Aires!
Leaving Iguazú we fly to Buenos Aires. Perhaps time for a little Christmas shopping, and certainly a tour grand finale dinner! (B,D)

Saturday 14th December 2013 - Depart Buenos Aires
An early afternoon flight departure, aboard British Airways direct non-stop flight home to the UK (B,D*)

Sunday 15th December 2013 - Arrive UK
We're scheduled to land back at London Heathrow this morning. (B)

Tour meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Asterisk indicates "in flight meal".

MS Fram

MS FRAM belongs to the Norwegian Hurtigruten fleet. She was built in 2007 and is widely accepted as the most modern expedition ship afloat. With a focus on safety, comfort and the unique demands of polar travel, the Fram is large enough to provide stability, speed, ample public space and comfortable accommodations, and yet small enough to manoeuvre in remote areas and get you close to the action. Ship stabilizers assist with a smooth ride and a fleet of zodiac style Polar Cirkel boats allows ­guests to get out and explore.

The FRAM has a capacity of 318 berths, but will be limited to approximately 250 guests for our Antarctic voyage. She can speed along at 16 knots which means you’ll spend less time getting from A to B, and more time exploring!

On board there’s a spacious reception, a glass-enclosed observation lounge, a restaurant, café, lecture rooms, Internet facility and library, plus plenty of observation ­terraces and deck space. There are also excellent leisure facilities, including a gym, sauna and heated Jacuzzis.

Cabins all have private facilities of shower, washbasin and WC, and most also have a refrigerator and room safe. As a general rule, outside accommodations on the higher decks have a picture window while those on lower decks have large round windows. Most cabins have twin berths, one of which can be turned into a sofa. Suites have a double bed plus a sitting area. Cabins vary in size and location, sometimes within the same grade.­

The holiday cost will vary according to the ship cabin type chosen.

• I-category: Inside cabin on decks 3, 5 or 6.
• FJ-category: Outside superior cabin (with limited or no view) on deck 5.
• N-category: Outside cabin on deck 3.
• U-category: Outside cabin on decks 5 and 6.
• F-category: Oytside superior cabin on decks 3 and 5.
• M-category: Outside suite on decks 5 and 6.
• MG-category: Outside grand suite on decks 5 and 6.

What's Included?

• International economy class schedule flights with British Airways including inflight meals and refreshments.
• 2-nights deluxe hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires including breakfasts and dinners.
• Buenos Aires City Tour
• Domestic economy class flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
• 9-night Antarctic voyage aboard MS FRAM.
• Ship cabin grade of your choice assigned on booking.
• Full board meals on ship - breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Complimentary tea and coffee on board ship.
• Antarctic landings via rigid zodiac style boats.
• Landings accompanied by expedition team.
• Lectures and presentations by expedition team.
• Domestic economy class flight from Ushuaia to Iguaza.
• 3-nights deluxe hotel accommodation at Iguaza Falls including breakfasts and dinners.
• Guided visit to Iguaza Falls.
• Guided visit to Iguaza National Park.
• Domestic economy class flight from Iguaza to Buenos Aires.
• 1-night deluxe hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires including breakfast.
• Buenos Aires Tango dinner show.
• Airport transfers and sightseeing transport.
• Port charges.
• Current airport and ­prepaid air taxes.
• Gratuities.
• Personally escorted throughout by Richard and Dawn Furlong

Tour Price

Prices are yet to be finalised for 2013. Based on a 2012 budget we anticipate tour costs from around £6,250 per person sharing twin accommodations.

Advance Registration

While final holiday details for this November/December 2013 tour won’t be fixed until December 2012, we recommend you advance register if you’re interested in joining us. Our tours often sell out well in advance so we recommend you secure your place as early as possible. Simply email, telephone or register online and we’ll hold your places as a priority. A £50 per person refundable deposit is payable to hold your place. When final tour details and prices are circulated (in December 2012) you decide whether you wish to confirm your booking. You may cancel at any time during the advance registration period and receive a full refund of your £50 per person paid. In the meantime your payment is fully protected by our ATOL, number 3710. Advance registration is an easy way to secure tour places without obligation or financial risk. To advance register now, click here.