Antarctic Peninsula

Enjoy the Argentinean leather markets and succulent lamb dishes that make Patagonia famous as you explore the southernmost town in the world. Highlights of Ushuaia include an award-winning museum and trips to nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park and its popular “Train at the End of the World”.

Arrive at the ship in the afternoon and be greeted by your Expedition Team and the ship's officers. Attend a safety and orientation briefing, followed by the Captain's welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on your early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic penguin, rock cormorant, and sea lion colonies.

Spot albatrosses, prions, and petrels as you sail south. Join the Expedition Team out on deck, in search of the whales and dolphins which may also be seen in the area. Informative and entertaining presentations on the wildlife, history, and geology of Antarctica are offered and led by onboard experts. Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety are also held in the ship's comfortable lounge. The length of the journey across the Drake Passage depends on sea conditions, but the ship should approach the South Shetland Islands of the Antarctic Peninsula by the evening of Day 4.

Reach the land of superlatives: Antarctica! Your Expedition Leader and Captain create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. The route will stress the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula, stopping at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas, as well as sites of historic and scientific interest. The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the humpback whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel.

You may also stop at an active scientific base, such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy, as well as an historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House. Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins abound, and Weddell, crabeater and elephant seals are often found hauled out to rest along with predatory leopard seals and the aggressive Antarctic fur seal. Minke and humpback whales are frequent visitors in the late season and orca sightings are also common.

Continue your lecture series and wildlife spotting as you sail back to Ushuaia. Depending on sea conditions, you may have an opportunity to sail past the legendary Cape Horn. Arrive at the pier in Ushuaia in the early hours of day 12.

Disembark in the morning for your continued journey home.