Day 1: | Ushuaia
We strongly recommend that you are in Ushuaia the day prior to embarkation. Arrive in the southernmost town of the world and transfer independently to your accommodation. Enjoy the rest day at leisure.
NOTE: For those travelling onboard the following vessels, the pre-voyage overnight in Ushuaia (on a bed and breakfast basis) is INCLUDED, together with a transfer from the pre-voyage hotel to the vessel on day 2: Akademik Shokalskiy, Ocean Nova, Clipper Adventurer, Akademik Ioffe, Akademik Vavilov.
For all other vessels we are happy to assist in booking an overnight in Ushuaia, at an additional; please contact our team to discuss your requirements. |
Day 2: | Embarkation and the Beagle Channel
Free time in Ushuaia today; perhaps take a tour into the Tierra del Fuego National Park or a day trip to Estancia Harberton (we are able to book this for you at an additional cost; please contact our team to discuss your requirements). Perhaps visit the Fin del Mundo or Maritime Museums (entrance fee payable locally) or browse the souvenir shops and cafes of this quirky town, which sits in the shadow of the Andes. Embark your vessel at Ushuaia pier at approx. 16:00 this afternoon and set sail through the Beagle Channel out into the Drake Passage. You will be introduced to the Expedition Team and crew and take part in lifeboat drills and safety briefings shortly after boarding.
NOTE: Transfers from pre-voyage hotel to the vessel are provided for those booked on specific vessels; please see information under ‘Day 1’ above. |
Day 3: | At Sea
Wandering, black-browed and sooty albatross, shearwaters, giant and cape petrels and numerous other seabirds provide an escort during the voyage. |
Days 4-5: | The Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are renowned for their amazing wildlife. Carcass Island features flightless steamer ducks, magellanic and gentoo penguins and a colony of rare black-crowned night herons. Peale's and Commerson's dolphins are often seen along the coast. Nearby New Island boasts fantastic rockhopper penguin rookeries, along with black-browed albatross and blue-eyed shags. Explore Stanley, the islands’ characterful capital. |
Days 6-7: | Continuing east, cross the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zones. Chance to spot marine mammals and seabirds en route. |
Days 8-11: | Sharing many of the biological characteristics of Antarctica, South Georgia has spectacular scenery with towering, 7,000-foot mountains and mighty glaciers, but also low-lying, grassy areas, deep fjords and beaches. First sighted by Captain James Cook in 1775, the island attracts an astounding concentration of wildlife and is viewed by many as one of the most inspiring places on earth.
Witness the thousands of king penguins on Salisbury Plain, the wandering albatross and fur seal colonies on Prion Island and elephant seals and many king and gentoo penguins on the beaches at Gold Harbour. Weather, sea conditions and permission to visit specific places will determine landing sites.
The island also played a significant role in the story of Shackleton's epic journey after the sinking of his ship, the 'Endurance', a hazardous bid for rescue in an open lifeboat and traverse on foot of the mountain range of South Georgia. Visit his grave at Grytviken, a once-active whaling station. |
Days 12-13: | At Sea en route to the Peninsula
Head south to the Antarctic Peninsula seeing the first icebergs on the horizon.
*NOTE: For itineraries onboard the vessels Grigoriy Mikheev, Aleksey Maryshev, Prof Multanovskiy and Prof Molchanov the itinerary differs: Day 13 will be spent in the South Orkneys (hopefully at Laurie Island where there is afriendly Argentine base, where you can see breeding Southern Giant Petrels and with the permission of the base personnel may also visit Punta Cormoran which has an Adelie penguin colony), with Day 14 at sea, therefore Days 15-17 will be spent exploring the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. |
Days 14-17: | The South Shetland Islands & the Antarctic Peninsula
In the rugged South Shetland Islands, possibly catch sight of Elephant Island where Shackleton's men found refuge after their ship sank; unfortunately landings here are rare due to the swell of the southern oceans. Other islands support huge numbers of nesting penguins while seabirds nest in the cliffs and elephant seals wallow along the shores. Deception Island is still considered an active volcano and sailing through the narrow passage into its huge, flooded caldera is a thrilling experience.
The Antarctic Peninsula is the most accessible part of the Continent and also has some of the most spectacular scenery and variety of wildlife. Navigate the Antarctic Sound, often referred to as "iceberg alley", where huge tabular icebergs drift north from the Antarctic continent. Possibly land on Paulet, a crater island carpeted with nesting Adélie penguins.
Cruising Palmer Archipelago, see several thousand gentoo penguins along with sheathbills, Antarctic terns, skuas and blue-eyed shags. Sail into Paradise Harbour, where a series of huge glaciers flow into quiet waters. Zodiacs cruise passed rugged cliffs where cape petrels, blue-eyed shags and kelp gulls nest. Watch for humpback whales and crabeater seals on the ice and land at Almirante Brown, an Argentine research station.
The breathtaking Lemaire Channel is another narrow passage between towering rock faces and stunning glaciers. Attempt to land at potentially the most southerly point on our itinerary, Petermann Island, where Adélie and gentoo penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags nest nearby. |
Days 18-19: | Depart Antarctica for the Drake Passage and sail past Cape Horn
Leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. In the Drake Passage we have again a chance of seeing many seabirds, particularly around the Antarctic Convergence. |
Day 20: | Disembarkation
Disembark after breakfast and transfer independently to Ushuaia Airport for the return flight.
NOTE: For those travelling onboard the following vessels, a group transfer immediately after disembarkation is INCLUDED from the vessel to Ushuaia Airport: Akademik Shokalskiy, Ocean Nova, Clipper Adventurer, Akademik Ioffe, Akademik Vavilov.
Please note that it is not recommended to book a flight out of Ushuaia on the day of disembarkation any earlier than 10:00am. Our team will be happy to advise you and provide a quotation for flights and further travel arrangements in South America. |
Note: | This itinerary is intended as a guide only; the exact route and programme varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife encountered. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. |