Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

Your Antarctica trip begins in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, where having arrived independently you will make your way to the port to board your expedition vessel in the afternoon. As you settle in to your comfortable home for the next 9 nights, we will set sail through the incredibly scenic Beagle Channel and begin our journey towards Antarctica.

You may wish to arrive in Ushuaia a couple of days before departure to allow you time to explore this quaint city and the hiker’s paradise of nearby Tierra del Fuego. Please enquire should you require any advice or help in organising this.

The next 2 days will be spent at sea sailing across the legendary Drake Passage. The Drake Passage is notoriously changeable, but your exceptional purpose-built vessel is more than equipped to deal with any crossing with ease. Whilst on board you can make the most of the ship’s fantastic facilities, attend some of the informative lectures and presentations on offer, spend time on deck looking out for seabirds and whales following the ship, or simply relax and prepare for your time in Antarctica.

As we get closer to the South Shetland Islands and the first of many icebergs start to appear on the horizon, we may spot our first seals or penguins and the excitement will build as we get ready for our first landings.

Welcome to Antarctica! A world that truly has to be seen to be believed! As with all Polar expeditions, our schedule on the White Continent may be dictated by sea, weather and ice conditions, and each day your experienced crew and captain will determine the route taken to ensure optimal wildlife and scenic experiences.

Our first adventures will take us to the often mist-shrouded and wonderfully fascinating South Shetland Islands. Here we will spend two days exploring on foot and by Zodiac. We expect to visit the flooded caldera of the volcanic Deception Island which will offer a memorable walk and the chance to see chinstrap penguins up-close, King George Island, and the very scenic Half Moon Island where we will hope to see more chinstrap penguins as well as nesting Wilson’s storm petrels. These captivating islands offer the perfect introduction to Antarctica.

As the bright white of the Peninsula creeps on to the horizon and the wildlife presence starts to multiply, you’ll know you have truly arrived in Antarctica. It’s time to really discover this isolated wildlife paradise, as you experience thousands of lively penguins, including gentoo, Adelie and macaroni, large seal colonies, multiple seabirds, and marine mammals.

Our projected route will see us visit areas where wildlife abounds and scenic photo opportunities are endless. Places we may visit include Cuverville Island where leopard, fur and Weddell seals are likely to greet us, the Gerlache Strait where we have the best chances of spotting whales, the incredibly beautiful Paradise Bay where a walk on land is likely to take your breath away, and the wonderful Lemaire Channel where the excitement of the marvellous scenery is matched only by the possibility of spotting orcas in the surrounding waters.

Each day, weather dependent, you will enjoy unforgettable shore visits and Zodiac cruises designed to showcase to you everything that this remarkable area has to offer. Your photo workshop will teach you how to capture the perfect pictures and should you choose to partake in kayaking, this wonderful experience will surely be one to remember. Please note, kayaking is not included in the cost of your voyage and should be booked in advance.

Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to Antarctica as we make our way back into the Drake Passage for our return journey to Ushuaia. Relax in the comfortable surroundings of your ship with a drink and chat with your new-found friends, join the activities designed to commemorate your trip, enjoy the last of the lecture and presentation programme, or spend time collating and editing the countless pictures you will have taken.

As we get closer to the Beagle Channel we plan to cruise past Cape Horn, a legendary maritime landmark and the southern tip of South America.

Having sailed through the Beagle Channel overnight, we will arrive back in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. There are multiple options available for extending your stay in South America, including discovering more of Argentina and trips into Brazil. Please enquire for further details should this be of interest.