Antarctica - Polar Circle - Whale watching | Plancius Cruise

This is a 12-day expedition to Antarctica, where you will experience stunning scenery and wildlife, including penguins, seals, and whales. You will visit Livingston Island, Deception Island, Cuverville Island, Neko Harbour, Paradise Bay, Pléneau & Petermann Islands, Crystal Sound, Detaille Island, Fish Islands, and the Melchior Islands. Highlights include seeing a variety of penguins, visiting an abandoned whaling station, sailing through the Lemaire Channel, crossing the Polar Circle, and landing at an abandoned British research station. This is an incredible journey that will create memories that will last a lifetime.

12 Day Antarctica Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia & Beagle Channel

Where the world ends, your journey begins. Ushuaia in Argentina is reputedly the end of the world. The city of Adelaide, Australia is the most southernly point on Earth. South America. You depart from the small resort in the late afternoon. Visit Tierra del Fuego (the "End of the World") and take a boat tour. The rest of the night, you can enjoy the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel.

Day 2 & 3: Drake Passage & Antarctic Convergence

Enjoy some of these same experiences over the next two days as you cruise the Drake Passage. The great polar explorations that first charted the arctic regions were a series of experiences. Regions: rolling waves, cool breezes of salt, and maybe even fin whales spouting. sea spray. The Antarctic Convergence is the natural convergence of Antarctica. You are now in the circumAntarctic Upwelling Zone, which is formed by cold north-flowing waters colliding with subAntarctic warmer seas. It is not only that The marine and avian worlds change together. Albatrosses that wander. Grey-headed albatrosses are also known as black-brown albatrosses and light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses. You might also see albatrosses. Cape pigeons. Southern fulmars. Wilson's Storm Petrels. Blue petrels. Antarctic petrels.

Day 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9: Antarctic Peninsula: Livingston Island, Deception Island, Cuverville Island, Fish Islands & Melchior Islands

There are several options for activities on the Antarctic Peninsula, which is no different in late summer. The humpback whales in the region are present and consuming krill to prepare for their northward migration. Penguin chicks also hatch, causing a flurry of activity along the beach. Leopard seals, on the other hand, are waiting to strike at the unlucky. Your Antarctic adventure may take you to:

Livingston Island - Hannah Point is home to a variety of penguins, including gentoos and chinstraps. You can also see southern giant petrels as well as elephant seals scurrying onto the beach.

Deception Island - This island is a subducted volcano that opens up into the ocean and provides a safe harbor for ships. Here you can see an abandoned whaling base, as well as multiple bird species such as cape petrels and kelp-gulls. You will also find brown and south-polar skuas and Antarctic terns. Wilson's Storm Petrels, and Black-bellied Storm petrels nest on the wreckage of Whalers Bay whaling station.

Cuverville Island - Cuverville is a small island that lies between Ronge and the Antarctic Peninsula. It houses an extensive colony of Gentoo Penguins, as well as breeding pairs of Brown Skuas.

Neko Harbour - Neko Harbour is a spectacular landscape with mammoth icebergs and wind-carved mountains. It offers a Zodiac ride and landing to get the best views. Here you might be able set foot on a continent.

Paradise Bay - Take a Zodiac Cruise in the ice-flecked, vast waters of this area. You have a great chance to see humpback whales and minke.

Pleneau & Petermann Islands - If the ice permits, you can sail the Lemaire Channel to search for Adelie and blue-eyed penguins. You may also encounter leopard seals, humpback whales and minke. Crystal Sound – Your trip takes you along the Argentine Islands south to this ice packed body of water. Then, in the morning, cross the Polar Circle.

Detaille Isle - Here you can land at an abandoned British Research Station and take in the island’s impressive glaciers, imposing mountains, and lofty mountains.

Fish Islands - Further north, you will find one of the most southern colonies of Adelie penguins and blue-eyed shags in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Melchior Islands - These islands have a stunning landscape with many icebergs. Here you can find whales and crabeater and leopard seals. There are also excellent kayaking and diving opportunities. The conditions on Drake Passage will determine when you depart.

Day 10 & 11: Familiar seas, familiar friends

You're not alone on your return journey. You'll see the same seabirds you saw on the way south as you cross the Drake. They are still there You and they seem to be a bit more familiar now.

Day 12: There and back again

No matter how great the adventure may be, it must end. Now it's time to leave Ushuaia but you will carry with you the memories. Wherever your next adventure takes you.

12 Day Antarctica Itinerary Includes

Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.

All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.

All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.

Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.

Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes

Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.

Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.

AECO fees and governmental taxes.

Comprehensive pre-departure material.

12 Day Antarctica Itinerary Does not Include

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post- land arrangements.

Transfers to the vessel in Ushuaia and Ascension and from the vessel in Ascension and Praia; passport and visa expenses.

Government arrival and departure taxes.

Meals ashore.

Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).

Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.

The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

12 Day Antarctica cruise activities

Under full instruction from your sea kayaking guide, experience true tranquillity as you paddle through clinking ice floes and realise the enormity of the surrounding scenery. Look out for breaching whales, lounging seals and penguins zipping alongside your kayak. Some experience is required.

Camp out on the ice and experience the silence which blankets the continent by night. This is your chance to completely connect with this ethereal ice world – wrap up warm and embrace the Antarctic elements.

Get a spring in your step when you slip on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. Enabling you to easily scale gentle slopes, this unique activity allows you to access hard to reach places and seek out the most impressive views.

Learn to capture wildlife and landscape shots in a small group photography program, including critiquing sessions and editing classes. Plus, Explorer Boat excursions with a dedicated photography expert on landings.

Achieve the best views and photographs from a forward facing Explorer Boats. They allow you to sit comfortably and securely while crackling through the ice-strewn waters. Look out for wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales as you cruise.

It doesn’t get more serene than complimentary yoga classes to the tune of glacial scenery. Join the most unique exercise setting in the world after a day of exploration. Classes are regular but are dependent on weather conditions and swell.