Voyage on a spectacular 11-day polar expedition from Ushuaia to the Great White Continent. You’ll be delighted by penguins, seals and whales as they accompany you on your journey to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Be joined by an expert expedition team focused on maximising wildlife sightings and presenting a detailed and comprehensive lecture series on marine biology, glaciology and Antarctic history. With a fully equipped marine expedition vessel and a number of optional activities to enhance your explorations, experiencing the wilds of Antarctica has never been this effortless.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Ushuaia
Welcome to Ushuaia – one of the southernmost cities in the world. With high seas to the south and mountains to the north, Ushuaia is an ideal departure point for your Antarctic expedition. There are no activities planned until a pre-departure briefing at 6 pm, where you will meet your group leader and some fellow travellers. If you arrive early, you may like to spend some time in the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park, enjoy some Argentinean barbecue and wine in the city, or visit the many boutique shops and cafés.
Day 2: Ushuaia – Embarkation Day
This morning, pick up any last-minute supplies you may need before heading to the port after lunch. Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel. This channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of the continent. Settle into your cabin and head out on deck to say farewell to South America. The next time you see land, it will be catching sight of the Great White Continent.
Meals Included
Breakfast
Dinner
Days 3-4: Drake Passage
Crossing the Drake Passage may be at times rocky, but it’s all for a reason – you’re now well and truly off to Antarctica! Spend the next two days getting to know your fellow travellers over a meal or a drink at the onboard bar and prepare for a series of lectures presented by experts on Antarctic history, glaciology and marine biology.
Days 5-8: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
You’ve arrived along the Antarctic Peninsula! With an air of excitement brewing, prepare for the next few days scouring the landscapes in search of penguin rookeries, breaching whales and other unforgettable wildlife spotting opportunities. Your polar expedition team will survey the ice, weather and sea conditions to organise the perfect Antarctic itinerary, maximising the amount of time for Zodiac excursions, shore landings and adventure activities, including optional kayaking, camping and even a polar plunge! Expect to get the chance to see multiple species of penguin, leopard seals, humpback and minke whales, among other polar wildlife. You may have the chance to stroll along the pebbled beaches of Orne Harbour in search of a chinstrap penguin colony, or cruise past the calving glacier in Neko Harbour. The picturesque Lemaire Channel and animal filled Aitcho Islands are also popular sites. While nothing is set in stone, you will definitely be awestruck at every turn by the fierce power and icy wilderness on full show along the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.
Days 9-10: Drake Passage
Catch up on your shipmates’ Antarctic stories and cycle through your gallery of incredible images as you journey back across the Drake Passage. Spend time on the deck watching for seabirds up high and whales breaching in the waters below. Enjoy some more lectures presented by your expert expedition team, or simply relax on deck and breathe in the crisp Antarctic air.
Day 11: Disembarkation Day – Ushuaia
In the early morning, arrive back in Ushuaia, where you will disembark your vessel. With no activities planned after disembarkation, you are free to farewell your fellow travellers and continue your onward journey.
Package Inclusions
Inclusions:
• 01 night accommodation at Expedition Voyage, Hotel, Ushuaia
• 09 nights expedition cruise to Antartica
• Meals –10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners
• Transport – Expedition cruise ship, Zodiac