Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition

You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentine town is an ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Enjoy active outings in the mountains or sample handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.

As the ship sets sail in the late afternoon, you will begin your Antarctic journey, passing through the historic Beagle Channel. Named after the famed ship on which Charles Darwin traveled, the channel presents great photo opportunities of landscapes and seabirds. Eventually the channel opens up to the Southern Ocean, and onwards to Antarctica.

Your days at sea are filled with presentations and lectures led by your Expedition Team, who prepares you for the wildlife that greets you upon your arrival. In between presentations, spend time chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar, or enjoy the fresh air and views on the outer decks.

The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. Begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every visit to Antarctica, visitors witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other—creating a unique, personal experience.

Each day, take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront, visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the cunning leopard seal. Your Expedition Team takes care of you at each landing, whether you are exploring the Antarctic terrain, visiting a research station or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with five different species of seals. Zodiac cruising can offer opportunities to view some of the larger local marine mammals more intimately, such as Antarctic minke and humpback whales. Each day and each excursion presents a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy.

Be busy spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the astounding beauty of Antarctica. Listening to the crackling and crumbling of icebergs and glaciers and watching penguins waddling on the beach becomes your daily entertainment, while sea kayaking, paddle excursions, or camping are optional activities available on select voyages (at an extra cost).

Crossing the Antarctic Circle is both a memorable experience and an impressive achievement, as few travelers reach so far south. If conditions allow, cross this famed line at 66°33´ S, toast to the first explorers who ventured here, and you can raise a glass and take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home of the midnight sun, Weddell seals, and your best chances of encountering sea ice – the foundation of the Antarctic marine ecosystem.

By now, your knowledge of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins will be matched by your ability to differentiate between a leopard, fur and Weddell seal. Terms like ‘bergy bits’ and ‘pancake ice’ becomes part of your vocabulary, yet there are still many tales to be told. As you head north, Zodiac excursions fill your days, and your Expedition Team continues to look out for species of seabirds, seals and whales that may have eluded you on your journey south.

As you recross the Drake, Antarctica fades away, leaving you with a collection of memories to last a lifetime. Excited conversations with your newfound friends make the crossing fly by, regardless of weather and sea conditions. Your Expedition Team rounds up its series of presentations as well, with a slideshow of the great landing sites and wildlife you’ve witnessed over the course of your voyage. Be sure to take some time to reflect on everything you’ve experienced so far.

Today, you’ll say goodbye to your Expedition Team and fellow travelers, disembarking in the morning to catch your homeward flights or continue your travels on your own.