Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula

Itinerary

Days 1-2: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Arrive in Ushuaia, a small town at the "end of the world" surrounded by rugged peaks and glaciers, and transfer independently to your conveniently located hotel. The following day, in the afternoon, the Expedition Team gets you settled aboard your ship as you sail into the Beagle Channel to start your Antarctic expedition.

Days 3-5: Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands

Wandering albatross, storm petrels and other seabirds accompany the ship as you sail south across this famous passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English navigator. A program of lectures by the shipboard team of experienced naturalists and Antarctica specialists will help prepare you for the many adventures that lie ahead. In 1819, the British explorer William Smith described the South Shetland Islands as “barren and covered with snow, with seals in abundance.” Yet, mosses and lichens thrive during the short summer on the low-lying peninsulas of these rugged maritime islands, which are located directly adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula. Places such as King George Island or Livingston Island support huge numbers of nesting penguins, while seabirds nest on the cliffs and elephant seals wallow along the shores. Deception Island is still considered to be an active volcano, and sailing through the narrow passage into its huge, flooded caldera is a thrilling experience. Depending on weather and ice conditions, we hope to be able to approach the South Shetland Islands during the afternoon of day four.

Days 6-8: Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula is the most easily accessible part of the ‘White Continent,’ but it also has some of the most awe-inspiring scenery and a rich variety of wildlife. This voyage offers ample time to experience the special magic of this wilderness region. Among the places you may visit are aptly named Paradise Harbor, where glaciers fill the calm waters with a vista of icebergs sculpted by wind and weather. Here, you may set foot on the ‘White Continent’ itself. At Port Lockroy, you will find thriving colonies of penguins and shags and a former British scientific station that has recently been renovated and serves as a fascinating museum. Cuverville Island and Rongé Island, with their dramatic location, are home to a large colony of nearly 5,000 pairs of gentoo penguins. Many visitors find the Antarctic scenery as rewarding as the wildlife, and you will be enchanted by such beautiful waterways as the Neumayer and Lemaire channels. Located south of the spectacular Lemaire Channel and separated from the mainland of the Antarctic Peninsula by Penola Strait is Petermann Island, on which we plan to land. Adélie and gentoo penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags nest close to the landing site.

Days 9-10: Drake Passage

Today you leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. In between bird watching and whale watching, and enjoying some final lectures by our expedition staff, this is a chance to relax and review our adventures before returning to Ushuaia.

Day 11: Ushuaia

You disembark after breakfast and transfer by bus to the Antarctic Unit office located at the entrance of the pier. Passengers departing the same day on the morning flight will continue by bus to the airport.