Antarctic Peninsula with South Shetlands

Day 1 Embark in Ushuaia

In the afternoon, embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located in the shadow of the Andes and right at the Beagle Channel shore. Sail through this scenic waterway during the afternoon.

Days 2-3 Drake Passage

During these two days sail across the Drake Passage. When you cross the Antarctic Convergence, arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area you may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black- browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson's Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, get your first glimpse at the first icebergs.

Days 4-9 Antarctic Peninsula

A typical itinerary in Antarctic Peninsula could be as follows. This is a sample only, the final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board.

Sail to Deception Island first and hope for a good long walk and kayak trip which will depend on site availability and weather conditions. Sail through the Gerlache Strait to "High Antarctica", passing Brabant Islands. In Orne Harbour hope to make a landing in order to walk the spectacular Spigot Peak. The surroundings are very alpine, the walk as such brings you up to approx 300m above sea level. The views from the summit are fantastic. The kayakers have much time to do their near shore exploratory trips. On Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island, find a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. On Danco Island observe Chinstrap Penguins and possibly Weddell and Crabeater Seals. In Neko Harbour you will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers, other continent landings are for example possible on Portal Point. During the cruise zodiac cruises will be offered to locations such as near Foyn Harbour on Nansen Island and Neko Harbour.

When sailing to Paradise Bay, with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, you will have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. In this area there are good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, visit the British research station and post office Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy take a zodiac landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Imperial Shags.

Sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pleneau and Petermann Island one we can find Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. In this area there are good chances to encounter Humpback Whales, Minke Whales and Fin Whales. A visit to one of the scientific stations in Antarctica will give you an insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent. Further south visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, where you will receive a warm welcome from the station crew. Sailing north through Neumayer Channel arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape and again possibilities for zodiac cruising among the icebergs, where you may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales.

Days 10-11 Drake Passage

In the Drake Passage you again have a chance of seeing many seabirds and to take advantage of the knowledge of your lecture team.

Day 12 Disembark in Ushuaia

Arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.