Day 1 Puerto Madryn, Argentina | Embark
Embark your ship in Puerto Madryn in the afternoon, your prow aimed for the Falkland Islands. Golfo Nuevo is renowned for its visiting southern right whales, so you have a good chance of spotting one as you sail toward the open ocean.
Day 2-3 At Sea
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
At sea, in the westerlies the ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.
Day 4 Falkland Islands
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) plan to spend the whole day on the fascinating western side of the archipelago. A hike along the shore of Carcass Island gives views of Magellanic and gentoo penguins, as well as close encounters with waterfowl, night herons, and passerines. In addition, on Saunders observe four species of breeding penguins (gentoo, king, Magellanic and rockhopper), black-browed albatrosses, and king cormorants.
Day 5 Stanley, Falkland Islands
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, experience Falkland culture, which has some South American characteristics as well as Victorian charm. In Stanley and the surrounding area see quite an important number of stranded clippers from a century ago. All passengers are free to wander around on their own. A visit to the local church and museum are recommended.
Day 6-7 At Sea
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
At sea, on your way to South Georgia, cross the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic waters, the temperature may drop significantly in the time span of only a few hours. Near the Convergence see a multitude of southern seabirds near the ship, including several species of albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas.
Day 8-11 South Georgia
- Ship
- 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Arrive at the first landing site in South Georgia. You might visit the bay of Elsehul, with its very active fur seal breeding beach, and then set course to Right Whale Bay, Salisbury Plain, Godthul, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour, Cooper Bay and Drygalski Fjord to give you a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife, like the elephant seals, fur seals, and king and macaroni penguins. One of the highlights might be your visit to Prion Island, where you can witness the breeding efforts of the huge wandering albatross and enjoy watching their displays.
At Fortuna Bay try to follow in the footsteps of the great British Explorer Ernest Shackleton and hike over to Stromness Bay. There and at Grytviken see an abandoned whaling village, where king penguins now walk in the streets and seals have taken over the buildings. At Grytviken visit the Whaling History Museum as well as Shackleton´s grave nearby. Depart from South Georgia in the afternoon of day 10.
Day 12 At Sea
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend the day at sea, where the ship is again followed by a multitude of seabirds. At some point you might encounter sea-ice, and it is at the ice-edge where you might have a chance to see some high-Antarctic species like the McCormick skua and snow petrel.
Day 13 South Orkney Islands
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Visit Orcadas station, an Argentinean base located in the South Orkney Islands. The friendly base personnel show you their facilities with wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers. Alternatively you may attempt a landing in Shingle Cove on Signy Island.
Day 14 At Sea
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today pass large icebergs and have a good chance of fin whales on the way south. You also have the best chances on the trip to see Antarctic petrels around the ship.
Day 15-18 Antarctic Peninsula
- Ship
- 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Sail into the Weddell Sea through the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound as huge tabular icebergs announce your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Plan to visit Brown Bluff where you may set foot on the continent. In good sailing conditions more time may be spent in the Weddell Sea. Potential landing sites include:
Half Moon Island
Aim for Half Moon Island in the South Shetland Islands for a visit to a Chinstrap penguin rookery and the usually non-occupied Argentinean Camara station. Often Weddell seals haul out on the beaches here.
Deception Island
Venture to Deception Island through Neptune's Bellows. Deception itself is a subducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbor for the ship. Here, find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape petrels and many Dominican gulls, brown and south polar skuas, and Antarctic terns. Wilson’s storm petrels and black-bellied storm petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.
Neko Harbour or Paradise Bay
In Neko Harbour or Paradise Bay you have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers calving at sea level. Enjoy the landscape surrounded by alpine peaks. In this area you have good chances to see humpback whales and minke whales.
Goudier Island
After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, hope to get a chance to visit the old British research station, now living museum and post office at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy you may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags.
Cuverville Island
In the early hours of your last landing day hope to land at Cuverville Island with the several thousand Gentoo penguins in the largest Gentoo rookery of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Day 19-20 At Sea
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
On your way north you are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.
Day 21 Ushuaia, Argentina | Disembark
Arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark. Transfer to the airport for flights home.