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Zodiac excursions will take you close to the action

Classic Antarctica

Example 12 Day Cruise
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The shortest of the Antarctic cruises offers travelers to discover the Sixth continent and sub-Antarctic islands. The route includes the northern part of the Antarctic continent – Antarctic Peninsula – and nearby islands. Every expedition day offers intense exploration of Antarctica and use all the opportunities, performing as many landings and Zodiac-cruising as possible. In the 24-hour-daylight at the peak of Antarctic mid-summer try to offer travelers maximum outdoor activities to explore all the highlights of this program: huge penguin colonies – Adelie, gentoo, chinstrap; awesome scenery; visits to operational research stations; incredible icebergs; 5 species of seals – crabeater, Weddell, leopard, fur and southern elephant; whales – humpback, minke, orca.
Albatross cruising the Drake Passage to AntarcticaUnbelievable views await your passageA huge colony of king penguins.Embark on a polar adventure aboard the Sea ExplorerZodiac excursions will take you close to the action
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia

Arrive at Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Make your way to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. You can visit the Argentinean leather markets and succulent lamb dishes that make Patagonia famous as you explore the southernmost town in the world. Highlights of Ushuaia include an award-winning museum and trips to nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park and its popular “Train at the End of the World.”

Day 2: Embark

Arrive at the ship in the afternoon, where you are greeted by your Expedition Team and ship's officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain's welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on your early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies. Your Antarctic cruise has begun!

Day 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage

As your ship sails south, wildlife spotting opportunities include Albatrosses, Prions, and Petrels that frequently follow the ship. Your Expedition Team is out on deck as well, looking for the whales and dolphins that may also be seen in the area. Ship experts hold informative and entertaining presentations on the wildlife, history, and geology of Antarctica. Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety are also held in the ship's comfortable lounge. The length of this journey depends on sea conditions but you can expect to approach the South Shetland Islands in the evening of Day 4.

Day 5-9: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula

The land of superlatives: Antarctica! Your Expedition Leader and Captain create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. The route you take highlights the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas as well as sites of historic and scientific interest. The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the Humpback Whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. You may make a stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well as an historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House.

All the while, Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins abound, and Weddell, Crabeater and Elephant Seals are often found hauled out to rest along with predatory Leopard Seals and the aggressive Antarctic Fur Seal. Minke and Humpback Whales are frequent visitors in the late season and Orca sightings are also common.

Day 10-11: At Sea

The journey back across the Drake Passage provides you with final opportunities for spotting seabirds and looking for whales. The Expedition Team run their last lectures and presentations, recapping the great Antarctic adventure that you have gone through.

Day 12: Disembark in Ushuaia

Arrive in Ushuaia early this morning to disembark for your continued journey home.

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney

Antarctica Travel Guide

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