Arrive in Ushuaia, where you will be met by a representative and transferred to your downtown hotel (preferred flights only).

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before exploring Ushuaia on a half-day city tour.

Ushuaia, capital city of the province of Tierra del Fuego, is located on the shores of the Beagle Channel and is surrounded by the Martial Range, which offers a unique landscape as a result of the combination of mountains, sea, glaciers and forest. Visit The Mission, Brown and Solier neighborhoods, where the old houses belonging to the first families in Tierra del Fuego can be found, such as the Beban, the Pastoriza, and the Ramos. Head 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) out of town to Martial Glacier. The ride in the chair lift to the trails leading up to the glacier provides wonderful regional views and of Ushuaia town, the Beagle Channel and its islands. Afterwards, continue to the End of the World Museum with exhibitions explaining the history of Tierra del Fuego.

Transfer to the pier where the expedition team is sure to welcome all on board the Greg Mortimer at approximately 4.00 pm.

As the Greg Mortimer pulls away from port, everyone gathers on the deck to commence the adventure with spectacular views over Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego. Have the time to settle into your cabin before our important briefings.

Cross the Drake Passage, accompanied by albatross, petrels, fulmars, and prions. The polar experts speak about Antarctica’s unique wildlife and history and prepare you for landings with environmental, activity and Zodiac briefings. All eyes are peeled for first iceberg, first penguin and first glimpse of land, the mercurial sea stacks outlying the South Shetland Islands. If conditions allow, you may have a chance to go ashore by late afternoon on Day 4.

The Antarctic Peninsula’s western flanks offer long days and relatively ice-free waters. Visit historic huts and Zodiac cruise through narrow straits and majestic icebergs, and if you’re lucky, whale watch from the bow of the ship. A few landing points you can hope to visit include Half Moon Bay, Lemaire Channel, Hydrurga Rocks and more.

You can hope to visit the large Adélie and gentoo penguin colonies of Brown Bluff or Paulet Island, and fossil-rich Seymour Island. You may be able to hike to spectacular vantage points on Beak or Devil Islands; large tabular icebergs and volcanic scenery create long lasting memories. Wherever you go, wildlife, Heroic Age relics and haunting landscapes await.

As you approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and your amazing adventure before boarding your return flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. On arrival at the Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to the preferred downtown hotel.

NOTE: King George Island is located at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. This is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required in order to take off and land safely. 

After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with
a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.