Antarctic Peninsula 

Arriving in Ushuaia. (We recommend arriving in Ushuaia at least one day before boarding).

When your plane lands in Ushuaia, you will enjoy an impressive view.
Ushuaia is a picturesque community located in the foothills of the Andes, with snow-capped peaks and lush green valleys. Walk along the main street with its charming boutiques and cafes, or along the harbor to see for the first time the seabirds that will accompany you as you exit the Beagle Channel.

Day 1: Departure from the city of Ushuaia.
Embark in the afternoon and meet your expedition team and speakers. After settling into your cabin, we'll sail through the Beagle Channel and the famous Drake Passage.

Days 2 and 3: Crossing the Drake Passage
Named after the famous explorer Sir Francis Drake sailed these waters in 1578, Drake Passage is one of the stormiest seas on the planet. Between the night of the second day and the morning of the third day we will cross the Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence), a natural biological barrier where the cold polar waters submerge below the warmer waters of the north. This generates a large amount of nutrients, which sustain the biodiversity of this region.

The Drake Passage also marks the northern limit for many Antarctic seabirds. As we sail through the passage, our team will be with you on deck to help you identify the huge variety of seabirds, including the majestic wandering albatrosses. Furthermore, a full conference program will be waiting for you.

The first icebergs and snowy mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands, an archipelago of 20 islands and islets discovered in 1819 by Captain William Smith with his brig Williams. If conditions in the Drake Passage are favorable, on the third day our expedition team will accompany you on the first landing and experience the fascinating encounter with penguins and seals.

Days 4 to 7: Discovering the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands
The South Shetland Islands are teeming with wildlife. Vast penguin colonies, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals make every day on this island group unforgettable. Navigating the narrow passage into Deception Island's flooded caldera is truly incredible.

25 de Mayo Island is the largest island in the South Shetland Islands and is characterized by colonies of chinstrap and Adelie penguins, terns, imperial gulls, Antarctic terns and giant petrels. south. There are also scientific bases in different countries. Chinstrap penguins, gentoo penguins and elephant seals await you on Livingston Island.

Learning about the remarkable history of the Antarctic Peninsula will thrill you in a way comparable to the early explorers. You will have plenty of time to explore its incredible landscape, an untouched wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and canals, and the incredible variety of wildlife. In addition to penguins and seabirds, you'll also be able to see crabs, Weddell seals and leopard up close, as well as humpbacks, minke and maybe even orcas!

We hope to sail through some of the most beautiful canals ever depending on the ice conditions: Gerlache Strait, Neumayer Canal and Lemaire Canal are narrow passages between towering rocks and spectacular glaciers. We plan to do at least two shore excursions per day. Locations for such excursions may also include:

Paradise Bay, literally the best named place in the world, is where we will attempt to make a proper descent to the mainland.
Ice conditions permitting, after crossing the iceberg-covered waters of the Antarctic Strait, we hope to visit the active Adélie penguin (more than 100,000 pairs breed here) and imperial shag colonies on Paulet Island. The Nordenskjöld expedition built a stone shelter here in 1903; ruins that today have been invaded by penguin nests.

Other possible explorations could take us to Melchior Islands, Cuverville Island, Punta Portal, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island and, ice conditions permitting, Petermann Island to visit the Adélie and Gentoo penguin colonies.

Days 8 and 9: Crossing the Drake Passage
We will leave the Antarctic Peninsula and head north, crossing the Drake Passage. Join our speakers and naturalists on deck as they look for seabirds and whales, and enjoy some of the final talks. Take time to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the last few days on the way back to Ushuaia.

Day 10: Arrival at the port of Ushuaia
We will arrive in Ushuaia early in the morning, where you will disembark after breakfast.

NB:The itinerary described above is just a guide. Our exact route and schedule may vary to make the most of local weather, ice conditions, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Changes will be made by the captain and expedition leader to facilitate the best results for the prevailing conditions. A daily program will be posted on board. Remember that on these trips, flexibility is the key to success.