This expedition cruise offers you the ideal introduction to the Great White Continent. Departing from and finishing in the port of Ushuaia, we take in the most exciting sights of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Our program is orientated to the viewing of wildlife and the breathtaking scenery of narrow waterways, glaciers, icebergs and the rugged mountains. The itinerary given below is the 11 day Antarctica expedition. Of course no two expeditions can be exactly the same so the itinerary outlined here is for your guidance only: the Captain and the expedition leader will assess conditions daily with the intention of maximizing your time ashore. This means taking full advantage of opportunities to land passengers with our zodiacs and making best use of the light of the long summer days.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Passengers board the "Antarctic Dream" where you will be greeted by our Expedition Leader and staff and shown to your cabin. Our departure is scheduled for 7:00 pm. Check in begins at 2:30 pm.
Day 2-3: Drake Passage
Wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds will escort the vessel as you sail south across this famous passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English navigator. We will continue towards the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zone. In 1819, the British explorer William Smith described the South Shetland Islands as "barren and covered with snow, with seals in abundance". Yet, mosses and lichens thrive during the short summer at the low-lying peninsulas of these rugged islands located directly adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Day 4: Aitcho Island
Aitcho Island will give us an early taste of what the Antarctic really is. It is the biggest island of the South Shetlands, where we will disembark in Potter Bay. In the afternoon we will disembark at Aitcho Island which is in between Greenwich and Robert Islands. We will continue with the crossing of the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits to enter Andvord Bay where we find Neko Bay.
Day 5: Antarctic Peninsula & Neko Bay
Besides the magnificent scenery of mountains, snow and ice, in Antarctica you can expect to see a wide variety of the native wildlife. Other birds to look out for are blue-eyed shags, gulls, cape petrels, skuas, snowy sheathbills and Antarctic terns. Marine mammals that you are likely to see include Weddell crab-eaters and leopard seals while orcas, humpback and mink whales may be spotted at close range. The program includes your first landing on the White Continent (Neko Bay) and another on Port Lockroy (Gaudier Island). Neko Bay was discovered by Adrian de Gerlache, a Belgian explorer. Port Lockroy is close to Wiencke Island in the Antarctic Peninsula and was the principle base of the 1944 Tabarin Operation - the scientific research included the Antarctic’s first ionosphere measurements and also the first recording of an atmospheric whistle.
Day 6: Paradise Bay – Cuverville Island
At this point of our program we will begin our return voyage. During the morning and, stressing again that (if weather permits, we will disembark or use our zodiacs in Paradise Bay. This is one of the most striking places of the whole Antartctic Peninsula. Here glaciers tumble into the sea, icebergs break off and are later carved into wonderful shapes by the wind.
In the evening we will visit Cuverville Island. Beside its dramatic scenery it is home to a large colony of nearly 5,000 pairs of Gentoo Penguins and other breeding birds including Giant, Wilson, White and Painted petrels while on its beaches seals and sea wolves. This rocky island is on the north side of the Errera Channel, between Ronge Island and the Arctowski Peninsula. Most visitors find the viewing of such abundant wildlife is every bit as rewarding as the magnificent Antarctic scenery, and you will be enchanted by these waterways. Navigating and exploring these channels is certainly one of the highlights of a visit to the Peninsula. Unfortunately on some trips they may be choked with icebergs and pack ice.
Day 7: Pleneau - Petermann Island
We sail south through the narrow Lemaire Channel who’s high, sheer cliffs suggest that no passage could be found. Once through the channel, known as one of the most beautiful places in the world, and provided climate and ice conditions are good enough, we will be able to visit Petermann Island which is the most southern land point of our expedition. Here we will disembark and will be able to see the most southern colony of Gentoo penguins which nest near our landing spot. On this island we will also be able to see a colony of beautiful Adelei penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. At Pleneau we should have the opportunity to take our zodiacs and visit impressive ice formations.
Day 8: Deception Island - Whaler`s Bay - Pendulum Cove
We continue sailing to Deception Island which is at the northwest side of the Peninsula. Deception Island is the largest active volcano in the area and one of the main sources of seismic and volcanic activity in the Antarctic.Sailing through the narrow passage into its huge flooded crater is a thrilling experience. Do not forget to bring your bathing suit as swimming in this water is a unique experience.
During the morning we will try to disembark in Whaler`s Bay and Pendulum Cove. In the afternoon and depending on weather conditions we will disembark at Livingstone Island (Hannah Point). This is one of the best places in the Antarctic to see fauna and we should see Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. With luck we should also see sea elephants.
Day 9-10: Drake Passage
Today, we will leave the Antarctic and head north back across the Drake Passage. Now is the chance to compare and revise notes and dwell on the adventures of the past week, to take in the final lectures and to enjoy the delicious gastronomy on board as you return to Ushuaia.
Day 11: Ushuaia, Argentina
After and early breakfast we will land at 9:00 am and bid farewell to our guests. Thus ends an incredible and unique expedition.
Please note that you should regard this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to the weather conditions we encounter. Flexibility is the key to success for all expedition of the Antarctic Dream.
Dates & Prices
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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.