The Antarctica Explorer

Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. You can explore this lively Patagonian town or take a walk in the nearby forests. Consider a trip into Tierra del Fuego's raw, natural landscape. Tierra del Fuego, the island, is an ideal hiking destination with its rugged mountains and glaciers. It also has flower-filled fields, boggy wetlands, and meadows. We board the vessel that is waiting for us to arrive in port.

Our expedition starts after our safety drill. We navigate the Beagle Channel, named for Charles Darwin’s ship. The steeply-sided Strait that divides Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina and Chile has served as the starting point of thousands of explorations. As we enter the Drake Passage, keep an eye out for dolphins and whales.

We continue sailing and cross the famous Drake Passage, the waterway that separates Patagonia from the Antarctic Peninsula. Drake Passage, also known as the Roaring Fifties for its strong winds and rolly conditions is a place of excitement. Although this is a challenging passage, our expedition ships are equipped with powerful engines, stabilizers and highly qualified crew. Drake Passage is a life-long achievement for the most adventurous sailors. You will make it twice.

We will use our days on the Drake Passage to prepare for our trip to Antarctica. Your Expedition Leader will give you a comprehensive briefing on safety and how to minimize your impact in this wilderness. He will also provide you with tips and hints for wildlife viewing, and our exploration plans. The Expedition Team is dedicated to helping you bioseal your clothes and equipment, which helps to preserve Antarctica's fragile ecology. They will also share tailored lectures about Antarctic exploration history and wildlife.

On the third day, we will enter the Antarctic Convergence. Watch the temperature plummet while sailing southward into Antarctic waters. This abrupt cooling marks the intersection between the cold waters of Antarctica and the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. The sea will cool, bringing with it a plethora of wildlife. This is some of the biologically most productive waters on Earth. Expect to see penguins as well as albatrosses, and possibly seals and even whales. We may land on South Shetland Islands, a beautiful archipelago north of Antarctic Peninsula, weather permitting. This will mark the beginning of our journey on The Last Continent.

This voyage allows adventurous travelers to explore Antarctica in its natural state - allowing Mother Nature to provide the most opportunities. The first half of Antarctica's brief summer is when the sea ice is the thickest. This gives us plenty of time to explore the frozen wilderness on the continent. The Expedition Leader and the Captain will carefully plan our exact itinerary. We will however aim to see a variety of sights that showcase this stunningly beautiful area.

On a Zodiac Cruise in Paradise Bay, marvel at massive icebergs. On Cuverville Island, be moved as penguins fiercely defend their nests and tenderly care for their eggs. Hike over active glaciers in Neko Harbour to see ice waterfalls into the clear, blue water. Visit the historic Damoy Point hut, which has been lovingly renovated and is open to everyone. On a Zodiac Safari in Wilhelmina Bay, you can feel the water spray from a humpback's blow. On a cruise along the Lemaire Channel, you can marvel at breathtaking scenery. In the Antarctic Sound, you can watch tabular icebergs the size of a city drifting silently by the ship. On the Antarctic Peninsula we will find endemic wildlife and fascinating history, as well as breathtaking natural beauty.

You can expect to see penguins tending to their chicks while their partners are frantically hunting for food on the sea. The opportunities to hike onshore will increase as the snow melts. As the snow melts, Antarctic fur seals begin to appear in their feeding grounds for summer and as more humpbacks reach their end-of-migration destination, humpback numbers will increase. We may be lucky enough to see some of the babies. Maybe the ice retreat will allow us to access the islands that lie south of Antarctic Circle, where the sun doesn't set at midnight.

This trip has no fixed itinerary, allowing our crew to make the most of everyone's experience. While our suggested routes and landings are only possible options, we know that the Antarctic will be an unforgettable experience.

We will eventually leave Antarctica and travel northwards across the Drake Passage, returning to the Beagle Channel, Argentina, where we'll spend the next two days. Our guests will have the opportunity to reflect upon their journey during our time at Sea. Enjoy a cocktail at the Nordic Bar with new friends. Learn from our Expedition Team's passion and knowledge during the lectures held in the Shackleton lounge. Or simply watch the albatross fly northwards.

Join the captain and officers for a Farewell Cocktail Party. Then, our onboard camera will show you photos and videos of your Antarctic experience.