CHANNEL your inner Mawson and explore the Antarctic with our latest escorted cruise adventure.
Partnering with Travelrite International, The Senior will take you to the most southern continent via colourful South America on an incredible journey you'll never forget.
What's new, Buenos Aires? Our tour starts in Argentina's capital, dubbed the Paris of the South. We'll travel down 9 de Julio Avenue, one of the world's widest streets, and pass some of the city's most important buildings including the famous Colon Opera House and the Obelisk. We'll visit La Boca, the district famous for its colourful houses, tango-dancing and football team, the Palermo Chico, where you'll find cafes, bars, galleries, shops and markets, and the tomb of the Eva Peron, immortalised in the musical Evita.
After exploring Uruguay's capital Montevideo, we'll dock at Puerto Madryn in the breath-taking Patagonia. Renowned for its natural beauty, Patagonia is home to vast plains, forests, lakes, snow-capped mountains, ocean shores and glaciers. We'll visit Peninsula Valdes, a wildlife sanctuary for birds and marine species including rheas, flamingos, egrets, whales, elephant seals and sea lions.
We then set course for the Falkland Islands. We'll visit the archipelago's capital Stanley. The quaint seaside town is dotted with colourfully painted houses, small shops and restaurants and a truly unique scenic landscape. On our sightseeing tour we will see the traditional British charm that is preserved in this overseas territory of the United Kingdom.
As we venture further south, we begin to pass icebergs in the Antarctic Sound, a body of water about 50kms long and between 11-19kms wide. We'll see the stunning scenery and wildlife, including terns, petrels and gulls. We'll also see some of the 6500 pairs of Gentoo Penguins as we pass by Cuverville Island, home to the largest known colony of the species in the world. For those who prefer to stay indoors, expert lecturers will be onboard to talk about the region.
After our Antarctic adventure, we head back to South America, where we make our way past Cape Horn and dock in Argentina's Ushuaia, the city at the bottom of the world. Then it's onwards to Chile.
We'll visit the country's most southerly city, Punta Arenas, sight the Amalia Glacier in the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields, and Puerto Montt before we dock in our final city of Santiago.
We'll visit Santiago's Civic Centre, La Moneda Presidential Palace, the Plaza de Armas and the main square. We'll also head to the Bellavista district, home to many of Santiago's artisans, that is lined with galleries, open-air cafés and restaurants.
Extend your stay
If that's not enough, there are optional pre- and post-cruise options to extend your holiday.
Those starting early will fly into Brazil's colourful capital Rio de Janeiro, where we visit the world-famous Ipanema and Copocabana beaches, the 17th century Saint Benedict Monastery's Church and the bohemian neighbourhood of Santa Tereza. And that's all before we visit the Cristo Redenator statue that watches over the city.
Then it's off to Argentina's Iguazu Falls. Considered to be one of the most impressive natural wonders in the world, Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly said the falls makes Niagara Falls look like a leaky faucet. Our guide takes us on a walking tour to see the falls in all their glory before we join the main tour in Buenos Aires.
If you're not ready to head home after our main cruise, join the post-cruise tour to Peru to learn about the lost civilisation of the Incas.
We'll visit Cusco, the Archaeological Capital of the Americas before making our way to the lost city of Machu Picchu. We'll see the almost intact remains of an ancient culture consisting of alcoves, terraces, plazas, and temples that make this ancient city the premiere archaeological site of South America. There's also the chance to marvel at the Sacsaywaman fortress, the Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of Wiracocha.
How to book
The 27-day escorted tour departs Australia on January, 29 2020. Different dates apply for pre- and post-cruise add-ons.
Main cruise prices start from $11,990 per person twin share and includes flights from Australia to South America as well as more than $2500 in value in sightseeing, tours, entrances and gratuities.
More information and bookings, call Travelrite on 1800-630-343, or visit www.travelrite.com.au.