Extended Antarctic Circle Crossing

After arriving at the airport, transfer to a partnered hotel resort in Patagonia. Use the remaining time to rest or explore Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.

An optional evening briefing provides a chance to ask questions and meet other travelers.

Spend the morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the local markets 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 your ship as you cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures.

Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. 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. Whales are often spotted as well. So, you’ll settle into the Zodiacs and kayaks and spend most of the day exploring. Whether on land or sea, in Zodiac or kayak, be prepared for a fully immersive introduction to this incomparable part of the world.

Venture into the west along the Antarctic Peninsula into the Gerlache Strait region, exploring a variety of sites highlighting the area's staggering natural beauty. Iconic experiences await on your twice-daily excursions. From Zodiac cruises into Paradise Bay, to witnessing penguins nesting on Cuverville Island, each potential stop promises awe-inspiring encounters. You’ll explore historic huts at Damoy Point, keep an eye out for humpback whales in Wilhelmina Bay, and continue south until you reach the crown jewel of this expedition, the jaw-dropping scenery through the Lemaire Channel. Weather permitting, you’ll cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33’S, an achievement that puts you in rare company.

This archipelago represents the northernmost tip of Antarctica, standing proud against the relentless force of the Southern Ocean. The ice-capped peaks of Livingstone, Greenwich, and King George Islands offer a stunning backdrop to explore. And despite the furious elements, the islands boast a remarkable richness of wildlife, with numerous colonies of Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins dotting the island shores, accompanied by an array of formidable seabirds like the predatory Giant Petrels. Weather permitting, you’ll explore the eerie landscape of Deception Island, an active volcanic crater with black steaming sands and rusting ruins, and immerse yourself in the history of Yankee Harbor, once a vital anchorage for sealers.

Leave this magical place and make your way north, once again heading across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. Have one last hurrah as you celebrate the conclusion of your expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.

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.