South Georgia & The Antarctic Peninsula

Day 1
Our journey begins in Ushuaia where we will overnight in a hotel.

Day 2
Morning is free to explore Ushuaia and the surrounding area, to do some last minute shopping, stroll around Ushuaia and down to the port or maybe go for a walk in the nearby National Park. The transfer to the ship takes place in the afternoon. Once on board there is a get together for introductions to the expedition team, to learn about the ship and its layout, talk about the itinerary for the next 10 days and participate in the obligatory lifeboat drill. Departure from Ushuaia is normally around 6:00 p.m, and we set sail through the Beagle Channel in the early evening. The long days mean plenty of evening light in which to experience the beauty of the channel, and to perhaps enjoy your first wildlife sightings.

Day 3 - 4
The Expedition Team will give a number of fun and informative lectures during our time at sea. Reaching the Antarctic Convergence is the first taste of what makes polar travel special. Here, the cold Antarctic waters meet and mix with the warmer waters of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans, creating the abundance of marine life that attracts whales and other species to this part of the world.

Day 5 - 8
Once ruled by sealers and whalers, things have changed greatly on South Georgia; the once exploited and nearly vanquished seal and whale populations are now thriving. Penguins abound here as well, with four different species to be on the lookout for. Some are a bit elusive, but the King penguins are impossible to miss, as their rookeries here number into the hundreds of thousands! Often referred to as the Galapagos of the Poles, South Georgia contains an exceptional quantity of wildlife. Each landing we make on South Georgia will open our eyes to a new wonder of wildlife, including the odd Elephant seal. One significant and historic site that will be of interest is the grave of the great explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. We visit his grave at the settlement of Grytviken, which is also home to an old whaling station, museum and a small gift shop, church and scientific research station.

Day 9 - 10
Antarctica awaits, along with its own penguin and seal species. While at sea, we can enjoy some quiet time or take in presentations by the Expedition Team, which will cover everything from the history and geology of Antarctica to tips on identifying different species and what makes them each unique. With good weather conditions, a landing at the South Orkney Islands may mark our official landing on Antarctica.

Day 11 - 14
Arriving in Antarctica is often a surprisingly emotional moment, filled with a sense of reverence and awe. No other place on earth is like Antarctica, which is a land of extremes. Complete silence in the middle of the day is something we're unaccustomed to in our busy lives, so Antarctica puts many people into a contemplative mood. But not for too long, as a calving glacier may break the silence or a penguin comes waddling by to inspect your footwear.
Trekking up a glacier, visiting a research station or going on a Zodiac cruise amongst massive icebergs will become daily activities. It won't take long to be able tell the difference between Weddell, Fur, Crabeater and Leopard seals either, which are all found in this part of Antarctica. Curious whales, such as Minkes, are often attracted to Zodiacs as well, giving the chance to get close to these majestic animals. Every journey is full of surprises, even for our experienced Expedition Team, which means each journey will be unlike any before, or after it. This is untamed, unscripted nature at its best!

Day 15 - 16
Leaving the Antarctic Peninsula overnight our ship heads back across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. The crossing is completed with the rounding of Cape Horn, weather permitting.

Day 17
Disembark and end in Ushuaia.