Antarctica – Uncharted islands of the Deep South

Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. In the afternoon, embark from this “End of the World” town and cruise through the scenic Beagle Channel.

Spend two days crossing the legendary Drake Passage, experiencing cool ocean breezes, rolling seas, and possibly spotting whales. As you pass the Antarctic Convergence, watch for a variety of seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and petrels.

Arriving at the Antarctic Peninsula near the Antarctic Circle. If sea ice conditions permit, you may continue through Pendleton Strait and attempt a landing at the rarely visited southern tip of Renaud Island. Here, you have the opportunity to encounter the first Adélie penguins of the voyage and enjoy spectacular views of icebergs in this surreal, snow-swept environment.

Later in the afternoon, continue your journey towards Adelaide Island and Marguerite Bay, crossing the Polar Circle. Spend the night in the area of Crystal Sound, where the scenery is so captivating it may keep you awake into the early hours. This region also offers the chance to spot orcas, humpback whales, and minke whales.

You sail into the majestic Marguerite Bay, surrounded by ice-cloaked islands and soaring peaks. Wildlife sightings may include humpbacks, leopard seals, and possibly Adélie penguins. If ice allows, you may land at Pourquoi Pas or Horseshoe Island before continuing toward Lazarov Bay.

You navigate into Lazarov Bay and explore this a remote area with its icebergs of all shapes and sizes dominate the landscape. Navigation is challenging, and if conditions are favorable, launch Zodiacs for a stunning ice cruise and prepare for deeper exploration. This is true expedition territory, raw, remote, and rarely visited.

Weather and ice permitting, you head even further south, aiming to reach islands never visited before. With every mile, step deeper into the unknown, a voyage of discovery in the purest sense. In the evening, begin repositioning northward, leaving behind the uncharted edges of Antarctica.

If conditions allow, you then sail through The Gullet, one of the most impressive narrow channels in Antarctic, with towering mountains either side, birds following the ship and playful penguins and seals frolicking in the water as you sail through this very special part of the journey. If ice conditions allow you can also carry out a landing or cruise in the afternoon.

You may make a landing at an abandoned British research station here, taking in the island’s lofty position and imposing glaciers scenery.

Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.