Itinerary
- Day 1
Ushuaia
You'll arrive in Ushuaia and have time to check out the Patagonian surroundings or take an optional day trip into Tierra del Fuego if you want something more remote. Later in the afternoon, head to the dock and board your expedition vessel. There's a mandatory safety drill to get through, and then you'll start sailing through the Beagle Channel toward the Drake Passage.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Mandatory safety drill
- Navigate through Beagle Channel
Optional Activities
- Explore Ushuaia city
- Walk in surrounding forests
- Day trip to Tierra del Fuego (hiker's paradise with snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows and boggy wetlands)
Landmarks/POIs Beagle Channel Tierra del Fuego Drake Passage - Day 2
Drake Passage to Falkland Islands
The ship heads across the South Atlantic following ocean currents on the way to the Falkland Islands. Bring binoculars because you might spot whales, seals, and penguin populations in these waters. The Expedition Team runs lectures throughout the day about the islands' history, biology, and the local 'Kelper' culture so you can learn as you travel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Lectures on Falkland Islands history, biology and culture
Optional Activities
- Wildlife observation (whales, seals, penguins)
Landmarks/POIs Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) - Days 3 - 4
Falkland Islands
You'll explore the outer islands of West Falkland, which locals call 'Camp,' visiting places like West Point, Carcass, and Saunders. You'll see Southern Rockhopper Penguins, Black-Browed Albatross, King Cormorants, Striated Caracaras, Commerson's dolphins, and South American sealions. Later you'll anchor in Port Stanley where the Victorian architecture and colorful buildings give the place a distinctly British feel. Walk through town, visit the cathedral and museums, grab a drink at one of the pubs, or head to nearby beaches where more penguins hang out.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Zodiac landings on outer West Falkland islands
- Wildlife viewing (penguins, albatross, cormorants, caracaras, dolphins, sealions)
- Zodiac landing in Port Stanley city centre
- Visit Christchurch Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Shopping for local woollen goods
- Café and pub visits
- Museum visits in Port Stanley
- Visit stunning beaches near Port Stanley
Landmarks/POIs West Point Island Carcass Island Saunders Island Port Stanley Christchurch Cathedral - Days 5 - 6
Falkland Islands to South Georgia
After leaving the Falklands, the ship sails east into the Furious Fifties and heads toward South Georgia over the next two days. You'll notice the temperature dropping as the waters become more Antarctic. The vessel's engines and X-Bow technology keep things stable during the crossing. Participate in biosecure equipment checks and attend lectures covering South Georgia's history and wildlife. Watch for whales, albatross, penguins, seals, and the mix of sub-Antarctic and polar species you'll encounter.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Biosecure clothing and equipment preparation
- Lectures on South Georgia history, biology and wildlife
Optional Activities
- Deck observation of marine wildlife (whales, albatross, penguins, seals)
Landmarks/POIs Furious Fifties South Georgia - Days 7 - 9
South Georgia
You'll explore South Georgia's dramatic peaks, glaciers, and fjords with landings on beaches packed with hundreds of thousands of King Penguins and Antarctic fur seals protecting their territory. You might spot South Georgia Pippits, Pintail Ducks, leopard seals hunting, and various whale species. Your actual stops depend on weather and sea conditions, but options include Salisbury Plain and St Andrew's Bay for massive penguin colonies, former whaling stations at Lieth and Stromness, Gold Harbour with its scenic beaches and seals, or Grytviken where Shackleton's buried.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Zodiac landings and wildlife viewing in South Georgia
- Optional visits to penguin colonies, whaling stations, scenic harbours, or historical sites (subject to weather)
Optional Activities
- Visit Salisbury Plain penguin colony
- Visit St Andrew's Bay penguin colony
- Visit former whaling station at Lieth
- Visit former whaling station at Stromness
- Explore Gold Harbour
- Visit Grytviken historical site and Shackleton's grave
Landmarks/POIs Salisbury Plain St Andrew's Bay Lieth Stromness Gold Harbour Grytviken - Days 10 - 11
Drake Passage crossing
You're now crossing the Drake Passage, which has a reputation for strong westerly winds and rough seas (the Furious Fifties and Screaming Sixties). The ship's built specifically for this with stabilizers and powerful engines so you'll stay relatively comfortable. The Expedition Leader briefs everyone on safety protocols and Antarctic regulations. You'll do biosecure equipment checks and sit in on lectures about Antarctic exploration history, wildlife, geology, and glaciology.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Expedition Leader safety and impact minimization briefing
- Biosecure clothing and equipment preparation
- Lectures on Antarctic exploration history, wildlife, geology and glaciology
Landmarks/POIs Drake Passage - Days 12 - 15
Antarctica
Your Antarctic adventure starts in the South Shetland Islands where Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins gather along with Giant Petrels. You'll visit places like Deception Island (an active volcanic crater with black sand beaches and steam vents) or penguin colonies at Aitcho and Half Moon Islands. Then you head south through the Gerlache Strait and along the Antarctic Peninsula, exploring Paradise Bay's massive icebergs, Cuverville Island's penguin nesting sites, Neko Harbour's active glaciers, historic huts at Damoy Point, and the Lemaire Channel's scenery. Weather determines the exact route and landing sites, so if conditions prevent landings you'll have lectures and can relax in the hot tubs instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Zodiac cruises and landings in South Shetland Islands
- Visit penguin colonies (Gentoo, Chinstrap)
- Zodiac cruise in Paradise Bay
- Visit Cuverville Island penguin nesting site
- Hike over Neko Harbour active glaciers
- Historic hut visit at Damoy Point
- Zodiac safari in Wilhelmina Bay
- Ship cruise through Lemaire Channel
- Onboard lectures by Expedition Team (weather-dependent)
Optional Activities
- Visit Deception Island
- Visit Aitcho Island
- Visit Half Moon Island
- Yankee Harbour visit
- Onboard wine-tasting
- Polar Spa relaxation massage services
Landmarks/POIs South Shetland Islands Deception Island Aitcho Island Half Moon Island Yankee Harbour Gerlache Strait Antarctic Peninsula Paradise Bay Cuverville Island Neko Harbour Damoy Point Wilhelmina Bay Lemaire Channel - Days 16 - 17
Drake Passage return to Ushuaia
You'll spend two days at sea heading back across the Drake Passage to Ushuaia. Relax with cocktails in the Nordic Bar, attend Expedition Team lectures in the Shackleton Lounge, or just watch albatross flying around the ship. On your last evening, join the Captain and Officers for the Farewell Cocktail Party followed by a photo and video presentation showing highlights from your Antarctic voyage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Farewell Cocktail Party with Captain and Officers
- Photo and video presentation by onboard photographer
Optional Activities
- Cocktails in Nordic Bar
- Expedition Team lectures in Shackleton Lounge
- Wildlife observation (albatross)
Landmarks/POIs Drake Passage - Day 18
Ushuaia
The ship arrives back at the Ushuaia pier early in the morning. After a hearty breakfast onboard, say goodbye to the crew and Expedition Team, then head ashore with all the memories from your Antarctic voyage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast onboard
Landmarks/POIs Ushuaia
