Antarctica Off The Beaten Track Adventure

Your adventure will begin in Ushuaia, Argentina’s southernmost town, where after having arrived independently you will make your way to the central meeting point where your transfer will take you to the port to board your expedition vessel in the afternoon. After settling into your comfortable cabin and familiarising yourself with your new surroundings, you can enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner as we set sail for the adventure of a lifetime. We recommend spending some time on deck as we sail through the exceptionally scenic Beagle Channel and watch civilisation fade far into the distance behind us.

Over the course of the next two days we will enjoy an exciting sail through the legendary Drake Passage towards Antarctica. We recommend spending some time on deck looking out for the abundant seabirds that are likely to be following the ship along with possibly whales in the waters below. This will be a great time to brush up on your wildlife photography skills, with your resident photography expert on hand to provide you with hints and tips for perfecting your technique.

You can also enjoy the commencement of your lecture and presentation programme delivered by onboard experts covering everything from Antarctic wildlife and geology to historical polar explorations. Bio-environmental briefings will be held to prepare you for your time in Antarctica and those who are participating in activities will receive safety briefings. As we near closer to the Antarctic coastline, the majesty of Antarctica’s landscapes will slowly come into sight and the anticipation will build as we prepare for our first of many landings.

This morning we will awake to the awe-inspiring sight of Antarctica’s South Shetland Islands, and the pure majesty and remarkable remoteness of Antarctica will suddenly become apparent. You have arrived in one of the most spectacular places on earth! As with all polar expeditions, our course throughout your time in Antarctica will be flexible and dependent on ice and weather conditions, but your experienced captain and crew will be sure to make the most of every opportunity available to ensure you get to see all that this incredible area has to offer. Exploring by Zodiac boat, on foot, and via a wide range of activity options, we will be on a constant lookout for the wildlife that abounds here including various species of penguins, seals, whales and seabirds. Every opportunity for activities will be taken as we venture to rarely-visited locations and fill each day with a new adventure.

Our first adventure will be an exploration of the South Shetland Islands, and having sailed through the McFarlane Strait between Greenwich Island and Livingstone Island, we will reach either Half Moon Island or Yankee Harbour for our first land visit. We also hope to sail into the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island. This historically rich area is a delight to explore and weather dependent we hope to enjoy a walk around to see the old whaling station and aircraft hangar, learning all about Antarctica’s first flights and early explorations as we walk. We will also be on the lookout for the sizeable penguin rookeries that are often spotted along the distinctive black sand beaches. There are some fantastic hiking opportunities here including an energetic climb up to the spectacular viewpoint of “Neptune’s Window”.

Overnight we will have sailed across the Bransfield Strait towards the Gerlache strait and the anticipation will build again as our programme of activities starts in earnest. Our route is purposely flexible to allow for the early season ice conditions and so as to allow our activity participants to take every advantage of optimal snow conditions in some of our favoured landing sites.

Whether exploring by foot, by Zodiac, on skis and snowshoes or by kayak, each day will be filled with wildlife sightings, unrivalled scenic opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Our course is expected to concentrate around the areas of Mikkelson Harbour and nearby Cierva Cove, but some excursions will of course take us further afield. Although the focus will be on activities, there will also be ample time for wildlife observation, visits to historic huts and science stations, and learning all about Antarctica, it’s history and geology. Thrilling Zodiac cruises will bring us up-close to the action and Photography enthusiasts will enjoy the chance to spend an entire day with the expedition photographer on an all-day field workshop.

Hiking opportunities will be endless, from gentle walks along the peninsula coastline to adventurous climbs to spectacular view points. The perfect locations for skiing will be sourced and the skiers can set off into the wilderness blazing fresh tracks in Antarctica’s virgin snow. This incredible experience skiing to some of the most breath-taking view points on the continent will be like no other skiing route you will have ever done. The included snowshoeing activity will allow you to either follow in the tracks of the skiers at a gentler pace, or stick to lower ground along the coastline.

You may wish to partake in the included camping on ice excursion that will be available somewhere along this stretch of coastline if weather conditions allow. This unforgettable experience will see you camping out in your provided tents under the clear Antarctica skies surrounded by nothing but wilderness and the sounds of the Antarctic silence.

The feeling of sea kayaking in Antarctica is simply indescribable, and the kayakers amongst us can revel in full-day excursions to remote bays and iceberg-filled channels. An overnight kayaking excursion will also be available for the most adventurous amongst us.

However you choose to discover Antarctica you can be assured that these thrill-filled days will be ones you won’t forget in a hurry!

Please note: Camping on Ice, snowshoeing and hikes are included in the cost of your voyage. Skiing and kayaking incur an additional charge, have limited numbers and must be booked in advance of departure.

Leaving the Peninsula area behind, there is time for one more adventure as we return to the South Shetland Islands for another day of exploration. Weather conditions today will dictate which landing site we choose, with Half Moon Island and Yankee Harbour being high on the list of possibilities. We will hope to visit Aitcho Island for a final hike and Zodiac cruise, or Hannah Point where we will hope to see the resident elephant seal colony and nesting Antarctic petrels.

Leaving the wilderness wonderland of Antarctica behind, we will gently make our way back to Ushuaia through the Drake Passage. As we sail your presentation and lecture programme will continue and your onboard photography expert can help you to collate and make the most of the countless pictures you will have no doubt taken throughout your voyage. If sailing conditions allow we hope to make a rounding of the famous Cape Horn along the way. There will also be a special voyage recap delivered by your expedition leader and as we near the Beagle Channel on the evening of day 12 you will be invited to join the captain for a special farewell dinner to mark the end of your adventure of a lifetime.

Arrival back into the port in Ushuaia will signal the end of our voyage and after disembarkation it will be time to bid farewell to your crew and shipmates. Upon arrival in Ushuaia a transfer will be provided to the airport, or to a downtown location should you wish to extend your stay in South America. Various extension tours are available, and we would be delighted to help you decide should this be of interest to you.