The Frozen Land of the Penguins

You have a few hours to explore Ushuaia or join an optional excursion before departing in the evening. Your adventure begins as MS Fram sets her course through the scenic Beagle Channel for the Drake Passage and Antarctica.

In addition to spotting the wandering albatross and other seabirds, the crossing of the Drake Passage features a lecture series, which focuses on the history, environment, and wildlife of Antarctica. The series also includes a thorough introduction to the Antarctic visitor guidelines from the Antarctic Treaty and International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).

During these two days at sea, you have time to get prepared for Antarctica and the close encounters with Antarctica's wildlife, particularly the penguins. These amazing birds in their large, dense ‘rookeries’, some with 180,000 or more birds, are astounding.

Antarctica is different from anywhere else you will ever experience! Once you have crossed the Antarctic Convergence you can start feeling the air getting crisper and colder. Begin to see Antarctic penguins in the water, and don’t forget to be on the lookout for the first iceberg. There are no permanent human inhabitants in Antarctica, but it is home to millions of penguins and the feeding area for thousands of whales. The penguins are fearless when encountering humans – although they might be just as curious about you as you are about them. Some of the highlights you can experience while you are here include Deception Island and Half Moon Island, because of the resident colonies of chinstrap penguins. Enjoy beautiful vistas and the gentoo penguin colonies on Yankee Harbour, Cuverville Island, Neko Harbour, and Paradise Harbour. On Petermann Island, see thousands of Adélie penguins.

The British base in Port Lockroy is one of the most popular sites in Antarctica, and offers a peek into life on an Antarctic base in the 1950s. The nesting gentoo penguins surrounding the main building have become accustomed to the frequent human visitors. The huge ice shelves of the Antarctic Sound are home to an estimated half million Adélie penguins as well as gentoo penguins, leopard seals, and killer whales. The best way to experience Adélie penguins at Brown Bluff is to sit quietly and watch nature’s cutest comedians at work. When opportunities arise, launch your kayaks, pitch tents ashore, and take unforgettable hikes to explore one the most beautiful, untouched places on the planet.

The voyage from the Antarctic Peninsula to Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina is roughly 600 miles or 40 hours of sailing time in good weather.

Arrive back in Ushuaia in the morning, where you have the opportunity to join an optional excursion.