• Food & drinks
• Entry or admission fee

• Local Transportation: Vehicle: Ship suitable for the number of participants and flights.
• Accommodation: 3 nights in a 4-star hotel &  11 nights on a cruise ship
• Meals Included: 14 breakfasts + 11 lunches + 11 dinners
• Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
• Services of English-speaking local guides
• Entrance fees per itinerary
• Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
• Hotel & cruise porterage
• Round trip flights Miami-Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires-Miami
• All intra-flights: Buenos Aires-Ushuaia & Ushuaia-Buenos Aires
  

This itinerary requires a high level of physical fitness. All passengers must be able to walk on uneven or slippery surfaces and climb on and off the small boats used for landings. An expedition cruise is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking, have heart conditions, or require frequent medical care.

Is This Trip Right for You?

Pace: This tour has 4-5 hours of walking every touring day.

Terrain: Passengers must be able to walk on uneven, slippery surfaces and climb on and off small boats used for landings.

Weather Conditions: The itinerary is subject to weather and ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be communicated in regularly scheduled briefings.

Transportation: Weather and conditions in the Antarctic region are often unpredictable and the ship Captain will make adjustments accordingly for passenger comfort and safety.

Things to Consider: This tour is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking. The Drake Passage is known for its rough waters. The Antarctica cruise route, sightseeing, and itinerary inclusions are subject to favorable weather conditions, seasonal changes, safety issues, and wildlife migration patterns. At the final payment date, a medical questionnaire will be sent that must be completed by a physician and turned in to reception upon embarkation.

For more information about passports and Visa click here

Cruise Amenities:

• Welcome dinner reception
• Coffee & tea with all meals
• Panoramic lounge & bar
• Spa & Fitness Center
• Observation deck
• Non-smoking ship interior

Traveling with Friends or Family?

If you are traveling with friends or family who are booked on another reservation, please make sure that we are aware. On occasion, we may operate more than one vehicle on your tour departure in which case we will ensure that guests will be assigned together. This is achieved by connecting your reservations before your departure. Once you arrive at your destination, it may not be possible to make assignment changes. 

Staying Healthy While Traveling:

All travelers should familiarize themselves with local conditions, such as high altitude or required immunizations, which could affect their health. We recommend you consult with your healthcare provider, the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov), and/or the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/en/) for their recommendations.

There are several easy steps you can take to stay healthy while traveling which may help prevent contracting an illness while away from home.

Watch what you eat. Try new foods in modest quantities, and depending upon your destination, you may want to avoid street foods, salad bars, raw vegetables, and fruits, unless they have thick peels like bananas or grapefruit.

Stay hydrated. Drink bottled water and avoid consuming ice cubes made with tap water.

If you have allergies to foods, medications, or insect bites, or have any other unique medical issues, consider a medical alert bracelet and/or a physician’s note detailing required treatment should you become ill.

Wash your hands regularly and carry hand sanitizer.

Where appropriate, pack sunscreen and insect repellent (for both active and warm destinations).

You may also want to bring a small first-aid kit with band-aids, antibiotic cream, pain killers, bug bite cream, digestive aids like antidiarrheal or anti-bloat medications, antacids, and cold medicine. This is in addition to any prescription medications which should be adequate for the entire trip.

Notice on Aircraft Cabin Insecticide Treatment
Please note that some countries may require aircraft cabin insecticide treatment for inbound foreign flights. A list of such countries is available at: http://www.dot.gov/office-policy/aviation-policy/aircraft-disinsection-requirements. 

Argentina:
While no inoculations are required, vaccination against yellow fever is recommended, especially in the northeast and northwest parts of the country, including Iguazu Falls. If only traveling to Buenos Aires, Mendoza, or Patagonia, it is not suggested to get this vaccination. For the latest health requirements and recommendations, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and also consult with your healthcare provider.

You may encounter mosquitoes in both urban and rural areas, especially during wet seasons. Travelers are encouraged to bring insect repellent and consider wearing clothing that adequately covers arms and legs.

The majority of cities in Argentina have altitudes under 3,000 feet. However, please be aware that some areas in the Andes near Mendoza and throughout Patagonia have elevations reaching 22,800 feet above sea level.

About the Zika Virus:
The Zika Virus is a mosquito-borne virus mostly found in areas of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. According to the CDC, most cases of Zika are mild. However, there is a potential link between this virus and a brain defect called microcephaly which affects unborn babies and may pose a potential risk to pregnant women. If you are pregnant or believe you could be at the time of travel, the CDC cautions against traveling to these destinations. For information, please visit www.cdc.gov/zika/.  

Medical Questionnaire:
You must be in good health as the journey can be long and tiring. Please note that in remote areas there is no immediate access to modern medical facilities. There is an English-speaking physician and nurse on board at all times. The ship has a small medical facility. An expedition cruise is not recommended if you have a life-threatening disease or illness that requires frequent medical care. To be able to participate in landings, you must be able to walk on uneven or slippery surfaces and climb on and off small boats.
Important:

All guests must have a completed medical questionnaire, including a confirmation of fitness to travel from your doctor. At the final payment date, you will receive a medical form by email that must be completed by a physician. Guests without the completed questionnaire will be refused embarkation. A medical questionnaire may also be obtained here.

Consideration for Tour Participants (Escorted Tours):

• For the benefit of all tour participants, we ask tour members to be considerate of their fellow travelers in the following ways:
• Refrain from wearing colognes, perfumes, and/or personal products containing excessive fragrance in respect for other guests who may be allergic
• Avoid smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or cigars in the vicinity of other tour members, including in outdoor areas where smoking may be permitted but may still affect other tour participants
• No Smoking of any kind (medical or recreational) is allowed on any transportation that is exclusively provided by Gate 1. This includes e-cigarettes, e-cigars, or any other smoking device. Furthermore, some countries heavily regulate the public use and possession of cigarettes (including e-cigarettes and vape pens) which could include their complete ban. Please check the regulations for the destinations you plan on traveling to before departure.
• Avoid attire with political or religious messages that may offend other travelers
• Respect your fellow passengers. Guests come from all walks of life and varied lifestyles. Please refrain from topics of conversation that might offend, such as religion and politics
• Refrain from conversation or talking on mobile phones while commentary is in progress
• Respect the mandatory seat rotation policy on the couch
• Make use of the available hand sanitizer on the coach to support a healthy environment
• Seek approval before taking photographs of other tour participants
• Respect tour departure times to avoid delays and loss of sightseeing opportunities

Getting Ready to Go

Passports and Visas

It is each traveler's responsibility to have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the dates of travel and a visa if required. Please check the information here for the specific country/region you are visiting for more details.
IMPORTANT: Passengers who are not U.S. citizens must check with the respective consulate or a visa agency to determine what personal identification is required. Passengers who enter, leave, and then re-enter the same country on their itinerary should check if they require a double-entry visa. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies.
Passengers requiring visas, whether obtained in advance or locally upon arrival, should ensure that their passport has blank pages.

Climate & Clothing:

Argentina: Bring comfortable walking shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer, and an all-weather jacket. Some religious sites may require modest dress to enter (no shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops).

In Argentina, the seasons are reversed compared to the United States. Spring: September – November; Summer: December – February; Fall: March-May; Winter: June – August

Argentina Average Temperatures: https://www.gate1travel.com/weather/americas/default.aspx#argentina-weather

Antarctica: It is recommended to bring clothes you can layer and that protect you from the wind. Warm and light clothes, a waterproof parka, waterproof gloves, waterproof pants, a winter hat, comfortable walking shoes, waterproof boots, sunglasses, and sunscreen lotion are recommended. Some Antarctica cruises may provide boots and/or light parkas for excursions. Please check cruise info under 'At Your Destination' for more information.

Average Temperatures: https://www.gate1travel.com/weather/americas

Trip Preparation

A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you. Make sure your documents (passports, visas, driver's licenses) are in order. Make sure also that you have enough prescription medications to last through the trip and carry them with you in case your luggage is delayed. Bring a change of clothes in your carry-on bag if your luggage is delayed or lost. Lost luggage is common. 

We strongly urge you to consider carry-ons instead of checked bags when possible, and when checking a bag is necessary, choose a bag color and identification that stands out. We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal IDs, and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. You may also make a digital copy of your passport to keep a clear picture of the important details in your cell phone or digital camera photos. If you lose the originals while traveling, you'll have copies for easier reporting and replacement. 

Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names. You may consider bringing a small supply of over-the-counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhea pills (especially when traveling outside of the USA and Western Europe). We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock. Due to security reasons, many museums have restrictions on the size of bags that can be taken inside, and backpacks, carry-on bags, or large purses may not be permitted. It is recommended to bring a small shoulder bag or purse to use in these situations instead. Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage. Airplane pressure can cause similar pressure in your body, most notably in the ears, as well as in liquid tubes and bottles. Your physician can suggest medication for decongestion. We suggest that you place liquid containers into Ziploc bags to catch any leaks.

Hurtigruten Cruises Terms & Conditions: Hurtigruten Cruises Terms & Conditions governing the cruise component of a Tour & Cruise package apply to all customers sailing with Hurtigruten Cruises. Carriage by Sea is subject to the Carriers Conditions of Carriage which are expressly incorporated into the following document: Hurtigruten Passage Contract

Travel Safety Advice:
The safety of our guests is Gate 1’s #1 concern. Before deciding to reserve your vacation, we want you to be aware of potential situations which may impact your holiday. While most of the time our programs run precisely according to plans, on rare occasions force majeure events including weather, transportation mechanical issues, uninhabitable accommodation, civil unrest, and even criminal or terrorist activities will present themselves unexpectedly and with little or no notice. Gate 1 will decide to cancel a tour only after receiving verifiable government-issued information. We are otherwise obliged to comply with contractual airline and vendor agreements and carry out the tour until or unless we are advised otherwise. In the event of such an occurrence anytime after your date of departure, Gate 1 and the local destination ground staff, in coordination with government advisories, airlines, hotels, cruise ships, and other vendors, will make decisions about your safety first. We strongly recommend that tour participants review the destination country's specific information here.

Travel Protection:

Even the best-planned trips can be impacted by the unexpected. And that is why we recommend that you help protect yourself and your investment by purchasing Travel Protection for your Gate 1 trip. Travel Protection can help with medical coverage for illness or injury, trip cancellation and/or interruption, baggage loss, medical evacuation, and more. At any time before you complete Final Payment, you may choose to purchase Travel Protection. The protection plan premium is non-refundable after a 10-day review period. In addition, you must be medically able to travel at the time the premium is paid. For a summary of the plan details on coverages, benefits, limitations, and exclusions, please refer to the Description of Coverage by visiting here.

Mobile Phones:

Mobile networks differ from country to country. We recommend you check with your provider to see if your wireless plan will work in the destination(s) you are visiting. To avoid possible roaming charges, you may want to consider purchasing an international plan. With most major phone companies, for a modest fee, you will be able to use your domestic plan's talk, text, and data allowances just like you do at home. If you can access the internet while you travel, you can also take advantage of services such as WhatsApp or Skype.

Making Telephone Calls from One Country to Another:

When dialing a number from one country to another, you should proceed as follows: dial your country's Exit Code (often indicated with a “+” sign), then the destination Country Code, and then the Phone Number. For most countries, the exit code is 00. Exceptions include the USA and Canada (011), Hong Kong and Cambodia (001), Australia (0011), and Russia (8 Pause 10*). For Brazil, please consult with the local telephone company. If you are dialing from a mobile phone, you can enter a “+” instead of the international Exit Code (011, 001, 0011, or 00) by pressing and holding the 0 key. For most countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and the South Pacific, if you are calling from a local phone to a number within the same country, you should drop both the exit and country codes and then add a leading 0 (zero). Exceptions include Spain, Italy, Hungary, and Malta (no additional zero is needed to dial locally).

Example:

To dial the following number in Germany (as listed on your voucher): +(49) 0555-555

From the USA or your US cell phone: 011-49-555-555

From another country in Europe: 00-49-555-555

From a German phone within Germany: 0555-555

Wi-Fi Access:

Wi-Fi is available in most airports, hotels, and cruise lines, as well as on some flights, trains, and buses. There may be a fee for access and service quality and speed may vary greatly especially while on moving vehicles. Availability on cruises is also dependent upon its location while sailing through multiple countries. Please note that Wi-Fi can be extremely slow, unreliable, and sometimes nonexistent in developing countries.