Antarctica's Whale Season

After arrival at the airport, transfer to the Arakur Resort & Spa or another comfortable hotel in Ushuaia. Spend the rest of the day resting or exploring the city, known as the southernmost in the world. In the evening, attend a briefing to ask questions and meet other travelers.

Spend the morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia before the mid-afternoon transfer to the ship. The Expedition Team and crew greet passengers on board and assist with settling in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and the Captain’s welcome dinner as the ship departs for Antarctica.

Join the Polar Experts as they share their vast knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in the pioneering Citizen Science program, or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely-seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort the ship as you cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures, your cue to get ready for that first iceberg sighting, an unforgettable moment on every journey.

The South Shetlands are 12 islands separated from the Antarctic Peninsula by the Bransfield Strait. Significant volcanic activity has sculpted a geology – and a diverse natural beauty – unlike anywhere else on Earth. Here, you can expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife, including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, and it’s not uncommon to share the water’s edge with Elephant and Fur seals. And this time of year is feeding time for Humpback whales, so don’t be surprised if you’re joined by a number of them on your day’s adventure.

On to the Antarctic Peninsula, where you’ll explore any number of stunning bays and famed landing sites, maneuvering through majestic channels as you continue to navigate these wildlife-rich waters, passing any number of glorious icebergs, on your way to historic landing sites and perhaps even an active scientific base. Of course, a spectacular highlight of this voyage is the likelihood of encountering the giant Humpback whale – or many of them! - feeding on the abundance of krill in the water this time of year. Orcas and Minkes are also common sightings, as are a variety of penguins and seals.

You leave this magical place and make your way north, once again crossing the legendary Drake Passage. You have one last hurrah as you celebrate the conclusion of the expedition with a special slideshow, passenger photo contest, and a final celebratory meal together. Congratulations, explorers!

With huge smiles on weary, content faces, you disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.