Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery

The voyage begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. Starting in the afternoon, embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed "The End of the World" and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening. 

During these two days, sail across the Drake Passage. When crossing the Antarctic Convergence, arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area, see wandering albatrosses, grey headed albatrosses, black- browed albatrosses, light- mantled albatrosses, cape petrels, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels and Antarctic Petrels. 

Gray stone peaks sketched with snow, towers of broken blue-white ice, and dramatically different wildlife below and above. You first pass the snow-capped Melchior Islands and Schollaert Channel, sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands. 
 
The intended route for this Antarctic adventure includes: 
 
Cuverville Island – A small precipitous island nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Rongé Island, Cuverville houses a large colony of gentoo penguins and breeding pairs of brown skuas. 
 
Neko Harbour – An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow, Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks. 
 
Paradise Bay – You could take a Zodiac cruise in these sprawling, ice-flecked waters before sailing to the Lemaire Channel. 

After a comfortable night of sailing, wake among the many islands south of Lemaire Channel now near the Antarctic Circle. At this point, a voyage through the aptly named Gullet – a narrow but picturesque channel between Adelaide Island and the Antarctic Continent – is possible if the ice isn’t too thick. Explore this area either from the prow of the ship or the edge of a Zodiac, getting the closest possible contact with the polar terrain as you venture southward. 
 
Along the way, enjoy the following visits:
 
Pourquoi Pas Island – You might circumnavigate this island, named after the ship of the famous French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot. This location is known for its tight fjords and lofty, glacier-crowded mountains. 
 
Horseshoe Island – This is the location of the former British Base Y, a remnant of the 1950s that is now unmanned though still equipped with almost all the technology it had while in service. 
 
Stonington Island – Home to the former US East Base and British Base E, which was occupied until 1975, this island marks the southernmost landing site of the trip – 68° south. If a landing here is possible, your road turns north again afterward, through the Gunnel Channel.
 
Hanusse Bay – Enjoy the scattered icebergs of this scenic bay, which offers a good chance of spotting whales.

Near the Antarctic Circle, cutting north through the countless ice floes of Crystal Sound. Humpback whale sightings are likely and the approach to the Fish Islands offers the possibility of a Zodiac cruise or even a landing. Whatever the case, the views are beyond comparison in this area. There may also be more Adélie penguins congregating among the bergs nearby. Petermann & Pléneau Islands provide a great variety of birdlife, along with possibilities for Zodiac cruises among icebergs that are highly popular among leopard and crabeater seals. Minke whales, humpbacks and gentoo penguins can also be found here. 
 
Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.

On the way north, a great selection of seabirds follow the ship while crossing the Drake Passage.

In the morning, arrive in Ushuaia and disembark.