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Tokyo to Antarctica via Ushuaia

Tokyo → Ushuaia → Antarctic Peninsula (expedition cruise)

Ushuaia
"Ushuaia_aerial_panorama.jpg" by Deensel, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Ushuaia aerial panorama (Ushuaia)
Photo : Deensel, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Antarctic expedition Best season (general guide): Nov–Mar

Going from Japan's capital to the white continent means travelling nearly from one end of the globe to the other. You fly from Tokyo, usually changing in North America or Europe and then again in Buenos Aires, to reach Ushuaia, the small Argentine town on the Beagle Channel that sees off most of the ships bound for the Antarctic Peninsula. From there the sea takes over: two days or so across the Drake Passage, then landings by inflatable boat where ice and weather allow. The itinerary spends two nights in Ushuaia.

It's worth reaching Ushuaia ahead of your departure date. With such a long chain of connections, one late flight can cost you a sailing. Spare time in town is easy to fill. The Tierra del Fuego National Park lies just west of town, and boats on the channel pass sea lion colonies and a lighthouse. Once on board, each day depends on the captain's reading of the sea ice, wind and wildlife. Penguin colonies, glaciers calving into bays and whales feeding in cold water are what most travellers hope for, but no landing is ever guaranteed.

The season follows the southern summer, from about November to March. The earliest voyages see untouched snow, high summer brings the longest days, and late-season trips are often the ones for whales. None of our connected partners sells Antarctic voyages. This page links flights to Ushuaia and services in town, and shows the voyage only as a notice. Book the expedition directly first, then build your flights around its dates.

Expedition ships set strict limits on landings, and passengers follow the guidelines of IAATO, the operators' association, on wildlife distances and biosecurity.

Suggested outline

  1. Tokyo

    Start

  2. Ushuaia

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    Two nights before embarkation give you a buffer against delays and a chance to walk in Tierra del Fuego National Park.

  3. Antarctic Peninsula (expedition cruise)

    Overland

    The voyage, including the Drake crossing, is run entirely by the expedition operator. Landings depend on ice and weather.

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Ushuaia — Settle in by the Beagle Channel· Tokyo → Ushuaia (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Ushuaia — Tierra del Fuego National Park or a channel boat trip; embarkation buffer
  3. Day 3 · Antarctic Peninsula (expedition cruise) — Antarctic Peninsula (expedition cruise): voyage days set by the expedition operator
  4. Day 3 · Ushuaia — Travel home from Ushuaia· Ushuaia → Tokyo (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

Each button opens a live, dated search. We don't show stored fares here: check today's price on the booking site.

Showing dates about a month ahead — change them when you search.

Expedition section

No connected programme sells this expedition segment. The page shows a notice only, with no booking button. Flights to the departure city and ground services are linked through connected programmes.

Ushuaia

More about Ushuaia →

Plan the trip: Ushuaia

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Antarctic Peninsula (expedition cruise)

Nearest airport: Ushuaia Search fares · Ushuaia ↗

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