Itinerary
- Day 1
Ushuaia Embarkation
You'll board The Ushuaia in Ushuaia and meet the expedition staff to get your cabin sorted. After settling in, head up to the open-air deck and watch as the ship pulls away from port. The journey south takes you along the scenic Beagle Channel and Mackinlay Pass, so there's plenty to see right from the start of your trip.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Embark The Ushuaia polar vessel
- Meet expedition and lecture staff
- Sail along Beagle Channel and Mackinlay Pass
Landmarks/POIs Beagle Channel Mackinlay Pass - Days 2 - 3
Drake Passage Crossing
Crossing the Drake Passage is where things get interesting. Bring binoculars to spot seabirds and whales from the deck, and the expedition lecturers will help point out what you're seeing. If you're curious about how the ship works, stop by the bridge to learn about navigation. You'll also attend lectures about what's ahead in Antarctica. By the afternoon, icebergs and snow-capped mountains come into view as you approach the South Shetland Islands. Weather allowing, your first zodiac landing happens on day 3 to see penguins and seals up close.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise Drake Passage
- Seabird and whale spotting from open-air decks with expedition lecturers
- Visit bridge with officers to learn navigation
- Program of lectures by expert naturalists
- Shore excursion to South Shetland Islands - first opportunity to see penguins and seals (weather/ice conditions permitting)
Landmarks/POIs Drake Passage South Shetland Islands Antarctic Convergence - Days 4 - 9
Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands Exploration
Six days of exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands keep you busy with two zodiac landings each day. You'll visit places like Paradise Bay, Cuverville Island, Neko Harbour, and Petermann Island to see different penguin species, seals, and seabirds. The route takes you through scenic passages including the Gerlache Strait, Neumayer Channel, and Lemaire Channel. Stop by Port Lockroy British Antarctic Museum and check out the post office at Goudier Island. If weather and ice cooperate, there's a chance to cross the Polar Circle and reach research bases and remote spots like Detaille Island.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Two shore excursions daily by zodiac to Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands locations
- Visit Deception Island (flooded caldera with active volcano)
- Visit King George Island (wildlife observation)
- Visit Livingston Island (penguin and elephant seal viewing)
- Navigate Gerlache Strait, Neumayer Channel, and Lemaire Channel
- Shore landings at Paradise Bay, continent proper, Melchior Island group, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, and Petermann Island (ice conditions permitting)
- Visit Port Lockroy British Antarctic Museum
- Visit post office at Goudier Island
- Attempt to cross Polar Circle
- Visit Vernadsky Research Base (Ukraine)
- Visit Faradey Research Base (former British base)
- Visit Yalour Islands (weather/ice conditions permitting)
- Visit Detaille Island (weather/ice conditions permitting)
- Program of lectures by expert naturalists
Landmarks/POIs South Shetland Islands Deception Island King George Island Livingston Island Gerlache Strait Neumayer Channel Lemaire Channel Paradise Bay Melchior Island Cuverville Island Portal Point Neko Harbour Petermann Island Port Lockroy Goudier Island Antarctic Circle Vernadsky Research Base Faradey Research Base Yalour Islands Detaille Island - Days 10 - 11
Drake Passage Return Crossing
The ship turns around and heads north back across the Drake Passage. Take advantage of your last chances to scan the open-air decks for seabirds and whales. The expedition team wraps up their lectures during this crossing, giving you time to reflect on what you've seen before heading home.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Seabird and whale spotting from open-air decks
- Final lectures and programs by expert naturalists
Landmarks/POIs Drake Passage - Day 12
Ushuaia Disembarkation
The Ushuaia pulls into Ushuaia early, arriving at 7 am. After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to the expedition lecturers and naturalists. Disembarkation happens around 8:00 or 8:30 am, and your Antarctic adventure comes to an end.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast on board
