Ushuaia Roundtrip 13 Nights - Antarctic Cruise

Ushuaia, also known as the End of the World because of its position at the very southern tip of South America in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago, is not the end of adventure. The vibrant town of Ushuaia is located where the Andes Mountains meet the Beagle Channel, and behind the colorful city lies the Martial Mountains. Parque Yatana is a great place to experience the indigenous culture.

The most adventurous explorers will be able to navigate the Drake Passage. The way is guided by the albatrosses and petrels that glide through the sky. Antarctica is a triumphant journey when you witness the power of the continent.
The Drake Passage takes you to The White Continent, from the Southernmost Region of Americas. The Drake Passage is a waterway that connects the cold waters of southern seas with warm water from northern seas. This creates strong currents and will test you.

The rewards of a journey that takes on these cold waters are not comparable. It is the combination of cold and warm waters that creates an ecosystem where extraordinary wildlife can be found. Drake Passage is a great opportunity to see humpbacks whales, hourglass dolphins and other wildlife. The 48-hour Drake Passage journey includes the crashing of ocean waves against the ship, as well as the cries of petrels and skuas.

You can still see the other side of Drake Passage, even though it is known for being a challenging waterway. Sometimes, it is a calm, tranquil channel, which makes for an enjoyable voyage to Antarctica. Drake Passage is a wonderful experience because you can never be sure what to expect.

The South Shetland Islands greet you as you land on the South Shetland Islands after you have successfully crossed the Drake Passage. The rite of entry to the seventh continent is complete.

Exploring Antarctica- Captain’s Choice

Referred to as The White Continent due to its vast expanse of icebergs, snow, and glaciers, Antarctica stands as the ultimate challenge for seasoned explorers. As you navigate the Antarctic waters, you may step ashore at locations such as Beak Island, Brown Bluff, Cierva Cove, Hidden Bay, and various others. Each landing on this continent unveils a distinct landscape, ranging from expansive tundra to rugged mountain peaks, enticing you to traverse paths that few explorers have ventured before.

Embracing the philosophy of Captain's Choice, designated ports of call contribute to the overall sense of adventure and add an element of surprise. Your ship's captain adeptly navigates changing weather conditions, ensuring you are taken to optimal areas for wildlife viewing. This approach enhances the spontaneity of your expedition, making each day a unique adventure as you explore the remarkable and less-charted territories of Antarctica.

Crossing the Antarctic Circle - Captain’s Choice

As you traverse the Antarctic Circle, marking the 66th southern parallel, you step into what seems like a different realm, fostering a profound connection with your inner explorer spirit. This region, seldom explored, features narrower channels that draw you nearer to ice floes, snow-capped peaks, and mesmerizing icebergs, crafting a scene of unparalleled beauty. Upon completing this crossing, you become part of the exclusive Order of the Red Nose—a distinguished group that ventures deep into the farthest reaches of The White Continent, experiencing an undeniable sense of triumph.

In the spirit of the Captain's Choice, the Antarctic Circle Crossing may be undertaken on a date different from the one initially outlined in the itinerary, adapting to evolving conditions. Collaborating closely, your Captain and expedition team communicate wildlife sightings and strive to bring you as close as safely possible to extraordinary views, fostering a spontaneous spirit of exploration. Each day unfolds as a new adventure, with your Captain skillfully guiding the yacht to remote and concealed landings, offering a more intimate immersion in destination experiences. It's essential to note that all expeditions are subject to change, ensuring the utmost safety and the best possible exploration experience.

Distinguished as The White Continent due to its vast expanse of icebergs, snow, and glaciers, Antarctica represents the ultimate challenge for seasoned explorers. As you navigate the Antarctic waters, your journey may lead you to sites such as Beak Island, Brown Bluff, Cierva Cove, Hidden Bay, and more. Each landing across the continent unveils a unique landscape, ranging from expansive tundra to rugged mountain peaks, inviting you to tread paths that few explorers have ventured before.

In the spirit of Captain's Choice, designated ports of call contribute to the overall sense of adventure and introduce an element of surprise. Your ship's captain skillfully maneuvers around changing weather conditions, ensuring you are guided to the best areas for wildlife viewing. This approach enhances the spontaneity of your expedition, promising an exploration of Antarctica's remarkable and less-explored territories.

Exploring the South Shetland Islands - Captain’s Choice, Antarctica

Within the expansive Antarctica region, the South Shetland Islands offer a wealth of wildlife, picturesque landscapes, hiking opportunities, and awe-inspiring viewpoints that evoke a sense of discovering an entirely different world. A potential landing on Elephant Island, aptly named for its cliffside resemblance and the presence of elephant seals, places you on the historic trail of the renowned Shackleton Expedition. Deception Island, another potential landing spot, lives up to its name as a volcanic caldera featuring heated springs amid striking black sands.

Additional stops may include Half Moon Island, Yankee Harbor, Point Wild, and Barrientos Island, home to numerous Gentoo penguin rookeries.

In keeping with the spirit of Captain's Choice, the designated ports of call contribute to the overall sense of adventure and introduce an element of surprise. Your ship's captain adeptly navigates changing weather conditions, ensuring you are guided to optimal areas for wildlife viewing. This approach adds a spontaneous touch to your expedition, promising exploration of the South Shetland Islands' captivating wonders.

Exploring Antarctica - Captain’s Choice

Distinguished as The White Continent due to its vast expanse of icebergs, snow, and glaciers, Antarctica represents the ultimate challenge for seasoned explorers. As you navigate the Antarctic waters, your journey may lead you to sites such as Beak Island, Brown Bluff, Cierva Cove, Hidden Bay, and more. Each landing across the continent unveils a unique landscape, ranging from expansive tundra to rugged mountain peaks, inviting you to tread paths that few explorers have ventured before.

In the spirit of Captain's Choice, designated ports of call contribute to the overall sense of adventure and introduce an element of surprise. Your ship's captain skillfully maneuvers around changing weather conditions, ensuring you are guided to the best areas for wildlife viewing. This approach enhances the spontaneity of your expedition, promising an exploration of Antarctica's remarkable and less-explored territories.

Traversing the formidable Drake Passage is an endeavor tailor-made for the most daring of adventurers. Guided by the graceful flight of petrels and albatrosses overhead, the experience of witnessing the passage's formidable power adds a triumphant dimension to the journey to Antarctica.

This navigational route connects the southernmost region of the Americas to the Antarctic Peninsula, the northern gateway to The White Continent. The convergence of the cold southern ocean with the warmer northern sea water in the Drake Passage creates powerful currents that challenge the mettle of those who dare to cross.

Yet, the rewards for those who brave these waters are unparalleled. The unique blend of warm and cold waters fosters an environment that attracts extraordinary wildlife. The Drake Passage provides an opportunity to witness majestic humpback whales and playful hourglass dolphins accompanying the voyage. The 48-hour journey is accompanied by the rhythmic crash of the ocean against the ship and the cries of petrels, skuas, and gulls, creating a captivating soundtrack.

While the Drake Passage is renowned for its challenging navigation, it may, on occasion, reveal a different facet. At times, the channel is calm and tranquil, offering a serene passage into Antarctica. This unpredictability is one of the splendid characteristics of the Drake Passage—you never quite know what to expect.

Emerging from the Drake Passage, the imposing icy peaks of the South Shetland Islands come into view, welcoming you to a victorious landing. Having completed the rite of passage, you stand ready to explore the seventh continent.

Despite earning the moniker "End of the World" due to its position at the southernmost tip of South America within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Ushuaia is anything but the conclusion of adventure. Nestled where the Andes converge with the Beagle Channel, and the snow-capped Martial Mountains form a backdrop to a vibrant city adorned with colorful buildings, this lively town beckons to take you on an exhilarating journey of a lifetime. Places like Parque Yatana offer opportunities to deeply engage with the rich, indigenous culture, ensuring that Ushuaia is not the end but the beginning of an extraordinary adventure.