Southern Expedition: The Amazon, Antarctica, and the Falkland Islands - 2024

Your journey begins! Today, board an overnight flight from your home city to Manaus, Brazil. Or join an optional post-trip extension to the Amazon Jungle.

Today, you’ll arrive in Manaus, known as the Paris of the tropics. If you purchased your airfare or transfer from Vantage, upon arrival in Manaus, a Vantage representative will meet you and arrange transfer to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, with lunch and dinner on your own.

Included Feature:

• Welcome dinner at a local restaurant

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll have time to get acquainted with the largest city in the Amazon basin during a tour that features the Manaus Opera House. This enchanting vision in pink – a stunning representation of Renaissance architecture – was opened in 1896 at the height of the rubber barons’ prosperity and is home to the Amazonas Philharmonic and host of the annual Amazonas Opera Festival.

You’ll have time on your own after your opera house visit to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or take a leisurely stroll through the streets of downtown Manaus to see the 19th-century mansions inspired by the charm of European architecture.

This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Included Feature:

• Manaus Opera House

You’ll enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading out for a tour of Manaus and a visit to the municipal market, Mercado Adolpho Lisboa. Fashioned after the Les Halles market of Paris in 1882, it is the city’s oldest market and a scintillating way to immerse yourself in the local culture. Cross the street to see how the goods and produce arrive at the market, aboard an armada of boats sailing along the Amazon River. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant before embarking on the 5-star Ocean Explorer for your small ship cruise. While some ports on this expedition cruise will require us to anchor offshore and board a tender to reach the shore, in Manaus the ship will be docked in the port, allowing you to easily walk aboard.

Included Feature:

• Manaus city tour and Adolpho Lisboa Municipal Market visit

Continue taking in the Amazon’s splendor as you visit Parintins. Located just west of Santarém, this town is renowned for its Parintins Folklore Festival, which is second only to Carnival. Today, we’ll anchor offshore and you will board a tender inland, where you’ll explore this municipality, which is known for its rich biodiversity. Because of its central location in the Amazon, you’ll discover its riverside beaches along the Uaicurapá and the Amazon rivers during low tide.

Starting outside the port, you’ll get to know this incredible province, including Caprichoso Boi, Liberty Square, and Bumbódromo — where the annual festival is held. With a tricycle tour of Parintins you’ll have the opportunity to interact with locals. After visiting the cathedral and cruising along the shore, you’ll get to see Boca dos Botos, weather permitting. Hop on a Zodiac boat for an afternoon cruise, where you may even spot an incredible pink dolphin.

Included Feature:

• Tricycle tour of Parintins
• Zodiac cruising in Boca dos Botos (weather permitting)

Arrive today in Santarém, Brazil, nicknamed “The Amazonian Caribbean” for its 60 miles of white-sand beaches. Spend the morning on a spectacular on an Amazon River cruise, to learn how locals fish for the notorious piranha. You’ll head downriver on a small boat to witness the Meeting of Waters, where the Amazon and the Tapajόs rivers converge. You’ll soon arrive at Lake Maica, home to abundant wildlife, where your captain will cut the motor so you can cast a line into the water in the hopes of catching and releasing a piranha. Or you can just sit back and take in the lush flora and plentiful fauna of the Amazon.

Included Feature:

• Piranha fishing tour on a local boat

Cultural Discovery:

• Try catching and releasing piranha during a local boat ride

Treat yourself to the myriad amenities aboard the Ocean Explorer as you cruise around the easternmost coast of Brazil. Take advantage of this time to read a book from our onboard library, enjoy a drink with fellow travelers at the top-deck bar, try your hand at the ancient art of hot-rock cooking in our onboard restaurant, or ask for a tour of the bridge. Practice self-care with a visit to the full-service hair salon or center yourself with a yoga class. Join your knowledgeable Expedition Team for an interesting and enlightening lecture about the places you’ll visit throughout your journey.

At mealtimes, our skilled chefs will continue to amaze you with their culinary expertise. After dinner, head to the Observation Lounge for panoramic views of the picturesque coastline. Spend time with your fellow travelers, and relive the highlights of your luxurious journey through South America as you recount stories of the new discoveries and experiences you’ve enjoyed so far and the many more you are looking forward to throughout the rest of your cruise.

One of the highlights of your South America small ship cruise is an exclusive Equator Crossing Ceremony. This long-standing maritime tradition is meant to commemorate a person’s first time crossing the Equator. Also known as equatorial baptism, the tradition dates back several centuries, and signifies an initiation into the court of King Neptune, the mythological Roman god of the sea. It is a unique highlight of any sailing that crosses the Equator, and one you will remember for a lifetime.

Included Feature:

• Participate in an equator crossing ceremony

Natal means “Christmas” in Portuguese, and the time you’ll spend exploring this culturally rich and diverse city will certainly feel like a gift. You’ll start the day with a visit to Ribeira, where you will become acquainted with the history of the area, before heading downtown, where you’ll stop at the Governor’s Palace and the mayor’s office. Next, you’ll pass scenic Ponta Negra on the way to Pirangi Beach, where you’ll visit the world’s largest cashew tree. So named by the Guinness Book of Records, this astonishing behemoth spans almost 86,000 square feet and produces approximately 80,000 cashews every harvest. After the beach you’ll visit Fortaleza dos Reis Magos, a star-shaped Portuguese fortress dating back to the 16^th century, before heading back to your ship in the afternoon.

Included Feature:

• Natal city and beach tour

Spend time getting to know the Brazilian city of Recife, which has a long, rich history, dating back to its founding by the Portuguese in 1537. Today’s excursion will take you on a scenic drive through Old Recife before stopping at Republic Square where you’ll see the Governor’s Palace, Justice Hall, and St. Isabel Theater. Next, you’ll be taken to the historic town center of Olinda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site populated with dozens of centuries-old churches and colonial homes. Visit local artisans and shop for handcrafted items before heading to your next stop,  São Bento Monastery. Enjoy a choir performance at the 17^th-century baroque-style Capela Dourada – the Golden Chapel – and stroll down the hill to see colorful homes and Casa de Cultura, a former prison that has been converted into a market for local handicrafts. You’ll return to your ship in the afternoon.

Included Feature:

• Recife city tour and UNESCO World Heritage Site visit to Olinda

Cultural Discovery:

• Golden Chapel choir performance

Make the most of the many amenities and activities on board during these two days of leisure aboard the luxurious 5-star Ocean Explorer. Take part in a meditative yoga class or the hot tub is a perfect place to relax and take in the passing scenery. Or head to the gym for a heart-pumping workout as you take in the views of the Brazilian coastline. The Latitude Bar & Lounge is the perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail with new friends, before making your way to the lavish Main Dining Room to savor incredible culinary creations perfectly prepared by your onboard chefs. After dinner, make your way to the Observation Deck for magnificent stargazing and relive your favorite moments of your trip.

This morning you’ll board a tender into the buzzing resort town of Armação dos Búzios, a destination favored by glamorous jetsetters the world over. Made famous by French actress Brigitte Bardot when she visited in 1964, this little fishing village has transformed into the St. Tropez of South America. With more than 23 beaches gracing this peninsular region, it is the place for members of high society to be seen. On an included tour by open-air trolley, you’ll see many of these beaches for yourself, including the wild and scenic Brava Beach, the pink sands of Forno Beach, and the unique rock formations of Point Lagoinha — known as the Brazilian Himalayas. There’ll be time to linger and to swim if you wish, after which you may browse the posh shops downtown.

Included Feature:

• Trolley tour of Búzios

Today you’ll visit Brazil’s 19th UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of Rio de Janeiro. You’ll get up close to its most iconic landmark as you ascend to the spectacular Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain. The 124-foot soapstone figure has an arm span of 98 feet. Then, visit the cathedral and admire its modernist design inspired by Mayan pyramids. After lunch at the historic Confeitaria Colombo — founded in 1894 by Portuguese immigrants and known for its stunning interiors — you'll have some free time to head to the beach for sun and surf.

Later this afternoon, see this vibrant city in a different light as you embark on a Rio By Night Tour that takes you around the city center. Then, enjoy dinner at a local steakhouse, also known as a churrascaria. Servers will come to your table with skewers of perfectly prepared meats and slice them directly from the skewer as you watch. This style of dining is known as rodizio and is a much-loved part of Brazilian dining.

After dinner you’ll attend a samba show featuring professional local performers. The history of samba in Brazil is believed to date back to the 17th century and is considered by many to be the soul of the country. The word “samba” is thought to be derived from the Kimbundu term semba, which means “invitation to dance,” and you’re invited to witness this lively, colorful dance for yourself before heading back to the Ocean Explorer.

Included Feature:

• Visit Christ the Redeemer

Cultural Discovery: 

• Dinner at a typical Brazilian steakhouse
• Samba performance

For the four states (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Bahia, and Pernambuco) that go big in Carnival, samba is much more than music. It’s about culture, heritage, dance, and history. The tradition of Carnival in Rio dates back to 1723 and today you’ll get an inside look into the history of this epic event, considered by many to be the biggest in the world. You’ll partake in an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the warehouse where the extravagant parade floats are stored and learn about the ins and outs of the construction process. Your tour includes a private samba lesson, where you’ll learn about the types of costumes worn by the performers, how they are made, and the significance of each. You’ll even have an opportunity to try on a few and have your photo taken while wearing them. You’ll conclude your behind-the-scenes tour with a private samba lesson where you’ll get to show off your fancy footwork!

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Sugarloaf Mountain, a landmark overlooking Rio and the entrance of Guanabara Bay. At the base of this conical peak sits the São João Fortress. Built over a span of 262 years, from 1602 to 1864, the site is now a museum still used by the Brazilian army.

Included Features:

• Behind-the-scenes Carnival and samba tour
• Sugarloaf Mountain visit

Cultural Discovery: 

• Learn how to samba during your tour

Arrive this morning — via tender — on the lush shores of Ilha Grande, or Big Island, the largest of a breathtaking archipelago of 360 islands dotting the Bay of Kings. This largely unspoiled paradise — named a new UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 and free of vehicles and other signs of civilization — is today ringed by sand beaches and blanketed in forest and palms. You’ll join your guide for a walk into Abraão Village, stopping at the San Sebastian church. Then, follow the footpaths into the woodlands of the state park, hearing tales of the island’s buccaneer days and its once-prosperous coffee and sugar barons. Keep your eyes and ears open for howler monkeys, sloths, and countless birds. There’ll be time for a refreshing swim at Black Beach in the natural pools of an aqueduct.

After lunch, learn what cultural and historic treasures await during an onboard lecture. Enjoy the afternoon pampering yourself with a spa treatment. Dinner tonight is on board and features a festive Brazilian show.

Included Feature:

• Walking tour of Ilha Grande

Cultural Discovery: 

• Visit the former Cândido Mendes prison
• Evening onboard entertainment: Brazilian cultural show

Today, we will anchor offshore and board a tender into Ilhabela, the largest island in the country and known as the sailing capital of Brazil.  Long before attracting visitors with its charm, this was a popular destination for pirates and buccaneers who used its bays and canals for shelter. You’ll have the opportunity to sail the day away aboard a two-masted schooner. The unspoiled beauty of this island, with its numerous waterfalls and immeasurable flora and fauna, will take your breath away as you motor through the São Sebastião Channel. You’ll head towards Pereque Beach and its downtown area as your guide regales you with fascinating stories about this captivating locale as you sip on caipirinha, the country’s national cocktail.

Included Feature:

• Panoramic schooner sailing

Cultural Discovery: 

• Savor a caipirinha, the national cocktail of Brazil

The indulgent amenities of the Ocean Explorer, your South America small ship, are yours to explore as we sail along the beautiful coastline of Brazil, South America’s largest country. Lounge on deck with a cocktail and a bestselling book. Get your heart racing with a cardio workout at the gym or indulge in a soothing treatment at the onboard luxury spa. The days are yours to spend at leisure, whatever you choose to do.

During mealtimes, savor incredible culinary creations – inspired by the regional flavors of the destinations you’ll visit and thoughtfully prepared by your skilled onboard chefs – with the picturesque beauty of the Brazilian coastline and the Atlantic Forest as a backdrop. In the evening, head up to the Observation Deck for a post-dinner cocktail accompanied by magnificent stargazing.

Known for its resort style and well-heeled visitors, Punta del Este is the jewel of Uruguay at the wide mouth of Rio de la Plata. Today, we’ll anchor off the coast of this posh resort town and you will board a tender inland, then set out on a scenic panoramic tour through tiny residential neighborhoods and past stunning beaches. Stop to visit Casapueblo, the self-built curvilinear home and studio of the late artist Carlos Paez Vilaro perched on a cliffside overlooking the Atlantic. A picturesque coastal road will lead you back to the pier.

Included Feature:

• Scenic tour of Punta del Este

This morning you’ll arrive in Montevideo, Uruguay, consistently ranked at the top of “quality of life” lists among Latin American cities. Get acquainted with the vibrant and sophisticated cultural capital on a far-reaching city tour that takes in the major monuments, parks, and gardens. At Independence Square, begin a walking tour that features the cathedral, City Hall, the Government House, and the renowned Teatro Solís. Then, drive along the celebrated 18 de Julio Avenue, stopping to view the Legislative Palace, built with 52 types of local marble and 12 different kinds of wood. Continue to El Prado, an elegant neighborhood of sprawling botanical gardens and colonial mansions. At the Plaza Virgilio, enjoy sweeping views of the city.

Spend the remainder of the day exploring on your own. Perhaps you’ll walk to Plaza Cagancha and stop at Mercado de los Artesanos – or Craftsmen Market – to pick out a souvenir amid the swirl of local art and handcrafted goods. Alternatively, your onboard Concierge can help you set up a tour catered to your interests. This evening, be delighted by a dance show on board!

Included Feature:

• Half-day Montevideo city tour by coach

Cultural Discovery:

• Evening onboard entertainment: local dance show

Wake up early and enjoy the scenery and downtown skyline as we enter Buenos Aires, the sultry capital of Argentina.

After breakfast onboard the Ocean Explorer, you’ll head out for a tour of Buenos Aires’ most magnificent sites. Visit the Plaza de Mayo, the Casa Rosada, La Boca (a neighborhood full of colorfully-painted homes), and the neoclassical Catedral Metropolitana, the church home of Pope Francis. No Buenos Aires visit is complete without a visit to the famed Café Tortoni, and you’ll lunch at this institution today. Founded in 1858 by an enigmatic Frenchman, the café’s European ambience, intricate moldings, and marble-topped counters have lured artists and scholars alike for more than 150 years. After lunch at the famed Café Tortoni, you’ll return to your ship and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Included Feature:

• Buenos Aires city tour

Cultural Discovery:

• Lunch at Café Tortoni

Relax aboard the Ocean Explorer as we trek south toward the Falkland Islands.

The key characteristic of Vantage’s Antarctica cruises is a strong educational element, and the Expedition Team will prepare you for the adventure to come by hosting presentations on history, geology, ornithology, marine biology, and more topics relevant to your expedition. Our team has been traveling to polar regions for years, and their expertise and advice will undoubtedly enhance your journey. Not to mention, they’re sure to have some epic travel stories to tell you all about!

Looking for photo tips? Check the schedule (posted on your onboard interactive system) for the next photography workshop. If the seas are calm enough for you to be on deck, keep your eyes peeled for pelagic birds or whales.

During your voyage, you can also rejuvenate with luxurious spa services, by taking a dip in the hot tub, or by hitting the gym.

As your ship approaches West Falkland Island, you may pass the pristine sandy beaches or sheer cliffs that are home to some of the island’s more than 200 avian species, including Cobb’s wren, Falkland skua, king cormorants, ground tyrant, pipit, royal albatrosses, and more. More than a million penguins call the Falklands home, often nesting in the green tussock grass burrows.

During your visit, the Expedition Leader will help you try to spot the five main penguin types — waddling gentoos, with their orange beaks; king penguins, the largest breed which can stand 39 inches tall; black-and-white banded Magellanic; macaronis, with their orange head feathers; and rockhoppers, with their bushy heads.

From the ship or the shore, you may spot some of the islands’ marine life, including elephant seals, the southern sea lion, orcas, South American fur seals, and a few dolphin varieties.

Please note: Where we make landfall will be determined by local conditions.

Included Feature:

• Landing and expedition on West Falkland Island (weather permitting)

Today you’ll arrive on East Falkland and visit the capital, Port Stanley. With a population of about 2,100, Port Stanley is home to nearly two thirds of the Falklands’ residents. It will be the focus of today’s discovery.

Given the quaint pubs, red phone booths, and fish and chips shops, you’d think you are in rural England, except for the occasional Argentinean shop or Spanish word. One Spanish word you’ll hear often is “camp,” derived from the Spanish campo meaning countryside. Here, the Falklanders say "camp" to refer to all the land outside Stanley.

Your city tour showcases some of this tiny city’s main attractions, including the Victory Green, where a mizzenmast from the SS Great Britain is displayed; the Government House; the Town Hall, which also serves as a post office, court of law, and dance hall; and the Christ Church Cathedral, the southernmost Anglican church in the world. Nearby, there is a decorative arch made of whale bones.

Included Feature:

• City tour of Port Stanley

Relax aboard your 5-star expedition ship as you head to South Georgia, whose biodiversity is so rich it is known as the “Serengeti of the Southern Ocean.” Along the way, the Expedition Team will conduct different presentations on topics relevant to your upcoming destinations. For instance, they may offer a lecture on the wildlife you may spot in South Georgia or bring you into the history of the island and its past as a hub for commercial whaling.

During the cruising, make the most of the many amenities and activities on board. Treat yourself to a relaxing treatment in the spa, a little yoga, or a workout in the fitness center. Maybe you’ll soak in the hot tub or just enjoy some unwinding downtime with a book or a movie as you prepare for the next leg of the adventure.

You’ll have three days to explore the unique history and natural splendor of South Georgia. Not only does South Georgia boast 30 million breeding birds — including 7 million penguins and 250,000 albatrosses — but at the peak of this breeding season, there is more wildlife per square foot here than anywhere else on the planet. Although South Georgia is within the Antarctic ecosystem, it is outside the limit of sea ice. The island has no permanent residents — human residents, that is.

Our schedule in South Georgia is flexible — like Antarctica, our Captain and Expedition Team will determine the best conditions for our outings. The Expedition Team will lead various excursions by Zodiac boats and on foot, taking you to observe fascinating wildlife and to admire the unspoiled scenery of hanging glaciers, cliffs, and scenic landscapes. South Georgia is also home to 2 million fur seals and 50% of the world’s population of southern elephant seals. Keep an eye out for newly-birthed seal pups alongside their mothers, plus a huge colony of king penguins and wandering albatrosses in their nesting grounds.

We’ll also make a visit to the South Georgia Museum, a whaling museum that also details the island’s maritime and natural history, as well as the 1982 Falklands War. Also featured are the Norwegian seaman’s church, former whaling stations, and the grave of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton in Grytviken. Weather permitting, you might hike over part of the trail that Shackleton followed on his brave journey across rugged mountains to find help for his men.

Included Features:

• Opportunities for up to three landings led by the Expedition Team
• Visit to the South Georgia Museum

During this relaxing interlude as you cruise to Antarctica, we once again invite you to take advantage of the Ocean Explorer’s amenities to refresh and restore yourself, perhaps visiting the sauna or enjoying a soothing massage in the spa. As always, lectures and talks by our Expedition Team will fill your time and further enrich your journey.

Prepare to witness the most unspoiled, sublime terrain on earth — and to cross another continent off your bucket list. In the history of humankind, only a tiny handful of people have ever set foot on Antarctica and now you’re one of them.

Since you’ll explore during the austral summer, the most temperate time of year, you’ll enjoy daily landings to venture ashore via versatile Zodiac boats and daily scenic cruisings which can be viewed best from the deck. As always, weather and ice conditions will dictate our schedule and locations for exploration.

During landings, you’ll break into small groups alongside your Expedition Team. Once on shore, they’ll survey conditions and offer guided hikes, walks, talks, and helpful information, about the region and its wildlife. You can look forward to encountering penguin rookeries, floating icebergs, paradisiacal bays and quiet, wildlife-rich sounds, international research bases, and even an active caldera!

You’ll also have free time to explore on your own and take lots of photographs, using the knowledge you’ve gained from the Expedition Team’s lectures and your conversations with them to enhance your explorations.

While going ashore may seem more exciting and rewarding than cruising, you’ll be surprised. There’s so much to see in Antarctica, and cruising is oftentimes the best way to accomplish that, as the Ocean Explorer’s small size grants us more flexibility in where we navigate compared to other cruise lines. Look forward to getting up close to icebergs, spotting whales (humpback, minke, and orcas are most common in the austral summer), and other spontaneous and bucket-list experiences.

You can also further enhance your expedition by joining the Expedition Team for optional polar kayaking. This is a popular option, so we encourage you to reserve your spot as early as possible.

Included Features:

• Landings led by the Expedition Team

Scenic Sailing:

• Every day in Antarctica includes a sailing component, and you’ll be able to see more of the continent’s landscape, as well as penguins or seals lounging on ice floes; mountains, glaciers, and other unique scenery; and icebergs in varying shapes and colors. Have a camera ready at all times!

Cross the fabled Drake Passage, which is quite literally a “rite of passage” for all Antarctic cruises. And because the Ocean Explorer is outfitted with the game-changing ULSTEIN X-BOW^® stabilization technology, your crossing is sure to be more enjoyable.

Enjoy more opportunities to take advantage of your ship’s amenities. Try your hand at the ancient art of hot-rock cooking in our unique onboard restaurant. Lounge in the library and enjoy a good book. Toast to your discoveries with fellow travelers at the bar. Or take this final opportunity to book a rejuvenating massage at the onboard spa as your ship sails towards Ushuaia.

After breakfast on board, you'll disembark the Ocean Explorer and transfer to the airport for your included flight back to Buenos Aires. After settling into your hotel, your afternoon is free to explore. Perhaps you’ll learn a little more about Eva Duarte Perón, Argentina’s most fascinating First Lady, at the Evita Museum. There are two fine museums if you like modern art, the Museo de Arte Moderno and the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo. For last-minute shopping you might browse the fashion boutiques around Plazoleta Julio Cortázar.

Tonight you’ll enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers — the perfect send-off for your milestone adventure!

Please note: Due to the limited availability and scheduling of flights in Ushuaia, we may not be able to spend leisure time here. Flight schedules are provided by a local airline and are out of our control.

Flights from Buenos Aires typically depart late in the evening, so you’ve got another day to take in the wonders of the city on your own.

Later, you’ll transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home. Or if you’ve selected our optional post-trip extension, continue to Iguassu Falls, Brazil.