An Emperor Penguin rookery, is situated south of Snow Hill Island. Although we will not be able to reach that far through the ice, we will try to sail between Snow Hill Island and James Ross Island close to the ice-edge and observe the young Emperor Penguins on their way to the open water. If the weather and /or ice-conditions are adverse, we will try again the next day. If on the other hand the weather is great, but we can not find any Emperor Penguins, our programme would still unfold on Snow Hill Island with a visit to the historic hut of the Swedish Nordenskjöld Expedition and a visit to Seymour Island in order to see fossils.
Day 1 Arrive Ushuaia, Argentina/ Embark Ship
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.
Days 2-3 Drake Passage
During these two days we will sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may meet 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.
Day 4 Sailing into the Weddell Sea
We will sail into the Weddell Sea and if the Antarctic Sound is accessible and the ice does not prevent us to sail further, we might see the huge tabular icebergs that announce our arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. We plan to visit Paulet Island with a million pairs of Adelie Penguins. In the afternoon we visit Snow Hill with the remains of the Nordenskiöld expedition.
Day 5 Search for the Emperor Penguins
Between Snow Hill Island and James Ross Island we will make our first attempt to observe Emperor Penguins on the ice-edge making their way to open water. In case this should fail we will tray again on day 6. We might also visit Seymour Island, where many fossils can be found, and the Argentinean station Esperanza on the Antarctic Continent, where we can observe Adelie Penguins, Cape Petrels, Pale-faced Sheathbills, Skuas, Kelp Gulls and Antarctic Terns.
Day 6 Devil and Vega Islands
If the ice allows us to go further into the Weddell Sea area we will visit Devil Island and Vega Island with a large colony of Adelie Penguins and a magnificent view for those hikers who can make it to the top of the hill. Melting ice sometimes provides spectacular waterfall from the cliffs close to point ‘Well-Met’.
Day 7 Heading north through the Antarctic Sound
On our way north through the Antarctic Sound we might pay a visit to the Argentinean station Esperanza on the Antarctic Continent. We will still look out for Emperor penguins on the ice-floes. In the afternoon we may visit Gourdin Island, with three penguin species; Chinstraps, Gentoo and Adelies.
Day 8 Half Moon Island
In the morning we have planned to visit Half Moon Island where we can see Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins, various other bird-species and Southern Elephant Seals and Weddell seals. Early in the afternoon we will sail to Deception where we have the last landing of our voyage at Pendulum cove.
Days 9-10 Drake Passage
In the Drake Passage we have again a chance of seeing many seabirds and to take advantage of the knowledge of our lecture team.
Day 11 Arrive Ushuaia/ Disembark/ Return Home
We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is 15% total trip cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/mail/fourways.php
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure, and most travelers will pay the final balance with a check, money order, or bank transfer. You can also pay the final balance by credit card, but please note there is a 3% convenience fee assessed to all credit card-not-present final payments.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 70 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 60 Days or more | 15% total cost |
| 30-59 Days | 35% total cost |
| 29 Days or less | 100% total cost |
