Itinerary
Day 1: End of the World, beginning of the adventure
Hondius, Svalbard, July
Your journey begins in the place where the world seems to end. Ushuaia, Argentina, known for being the southernmost city on the planet, is located at the southern tip of South America. In the afternoon, you will embark from this small tourist town in Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” to sail through the mountain-lined Beagle Channel for the rest of the night.
Days 2 - 3: In the Footsteps of Polar ExplorersOver the next two days in Drake Passage, you’ll experience some of the same sensations as the great polar explorers who charted these regions: cool, salty breezes, rolling seas, and perhaps even spot a fin whale breaching. After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, a natural boundary where cold southern waters collide with warmer subantarctic waters, you’ll enter the circumpolar upwelling zone. Here, marine and bird life changes markedly. You might spot wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, Cape petrels, southern fulmars, Wilson’s petrels, blue petrels, Antarctic petrels and more.
Days 4 – 9: Attractions on the Antarctic Peninsula
On the Antarctic Peninsula, the options for late summer activities are diverse and fascinating. Humpback whales abound in the area, feeding on krill before migrating north. Young penguins will be moulting, filling the beaches with life, while leopard seals stalk the unluckiest.
Possible destinations during your Antarctic adventure may include:
- Livingston Island: At Hannah Point you will find a variety of Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins, along with Southern Giant Petrels and Elephant Seals on the beach.
- Deception Island: A collapsed crater forming a natural harbour, this island is home to an abandoned whaling station and a variety of bird species, including Cape petrels and polar skuas.
- Cuverville Island: A small, rugged island that is home to a large colony of Gentoo penguins and Antarctic skuas.
- Neko Harbor: With a landscape dominated by giant glaciers and snowdrifts, this place offers the opportunity to take a Zodiac cruise and walk around the continent.
- Paradise Bay: Ideal for a Zodiac cruise, where you can spot humpback whales and Minke whales.
- Pléneau & Petermann Islands: Cruising through the Lemaire Channel, you might spot Adélie penguins and blue-eyed cormorants, as well as humpback and Minke whales.
- Crystal Strait: You will sail south along the Argentine Islands, crossing the Arctic Circle.
- Detaille Island: You can disembark at an abandoned British scientific station, surrounded by imposing mountains and glaciers.
- Fish Islands: Here you will find one of the southernmost colonies of Adelie penguins and blue-eyed cormorants.
- Melchior Islands: These islands offer stunning scenery, with opportunities to spot leopard seals, crabeater seals, and whales, as well as kayaking and diving.
The exact departure time will depend on conditions in the Drake Passage.
Days 10 - 11: Back to familiar waters
On the return journey through the Drake Passage, you will be greeted again by the seabirds that accompanied you on the journey south, but this time they will be more familiar to you.
Day 12: End of the trip
Every adventure, no matter how great, comes to an end. It's time to disembark in Ushuaia, taking with you memories that will accompany you on your next adventure.
Included in the trip
- Stay on board the mentioned ship according to the itinerary.
- All meals on board, including snacks, coffee and tea.
- Zodiac excursions and activities during the trip.
- Lecture programme by leading naturalists and an experienced expedition team.
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Luggage transfer from the pick-up point to the ship on the boarding day in Ushuaia.
- Group transfer from the ship to the airport in Ushuaia, immediately after disembarkation.
- All miscellaneous service and port taxes during the program.
- Pre-departure briefing material.
Not included in the trip
- Airfares, whether on scheduled or charter flights.
- Pre- or post-land management.
- Passport and visa fees.
- Government entry and exit taxes.
- Meals on land.
- Luggage insurance, cancellation and personal insurance (highly recommended).
- Excess baggage charges and other personal expenses such as laundry, bar, drinks and telecommunications.
- Gratuities for onboard staff (guidelines will be provided).
Optional activities:
Dive
On request
You must be an advanced diver with experience in drysuit and cold water diving. Diving is subject to local ice and weather conditions. Group size: minimum 8 divers.