Antarctica In-Depth Voyages

Visits Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Weddell Sea

Length of Travel: 13 Days

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

Day 2: Embarkation

Days 3-4: Drake Passage

Days 5-10: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

Days 11-12: Drake Passage

Day 13: Disembarkation

 

 

 

Itinerary Map

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

Your gateway for this expedition is Ushuaia, Argentina. Nestled within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Ushuaia offers you a small-town feel but has many shops, museums, cafes and restaurants to enjoy before your voyage. The nearby national park and Martial Glacier are must-sees and offer plenty of hiking and outdoor activities.


Day 2: Embarkation

Embarkation begins in the afternoon at the port in Ushuaia. Enjoy the evening sailing through the Beagle Channel.


Days 3-4: Drake Passage

The adventure begins with a 400 mile crossing of the passage that bears the name of the 16th century English explorer Sir Francis Drake. The ship is at home in this part of the Southern Ocean. Take in daily lectures from your expedition team and keep an eye out for the first sightings of icebergs, whales, and albatross following in the ship’s wake.


Days 5-10: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

Experience some of the most unique wildlife viewing and inspiring scenery in the world as you set foot on the Antarctic continent.

Attempt two shore landings per day (weather conditions permitting), and encounter gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguin rookeries, Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, and orca, humpback and minke whales in the cold Antarctic waters. The peninsula also has a remarkable human history. During the voyage you will learn about some of the most important and dramatic expeditions to this remote corner of the world.


Days 11-12: Drake Passage

Today begins the journey north to our home port of Ushuaia. Review the highlights of your Antarctic experience with our lecturers and staff. Keep your eyes open on the observation deck for some final whale sightings.


Day 13: Disembarkation

Disembark in the morning.



Upcoming Trips with this Itinerary:

Includes 2 pre voyage hotel nights in Ushuaia.
Oct 22, 2024 – Nov 3, 2024 (13days)
Price
$8,795.00 – $20,325.00
Adventure Options
Nov 6, 2024 – Nov 20, 2024 (15days)
Price
$16,595.00 – $34,195.00
Adventure Options
Nov 11, 2024 – Nov 23, 2024 (13days)
Price
$8,799.00 – $15,599.00
Adventure Options
CHARTERED VOYAGE
Nov 28, 2024 – Dec 9, 2024 (10days)
Price
$0.00 – $15,599.00
Adventure Options
Dec 1, 2024 – Dec 13, 2024 (13days)
Price
$9,799.00 – $16,799.00
Adventure Options
Round trip charter flights BA-USH + a free pre-night hotel in Buenos Aires
Dec 15, 2024 – Dec 28, 2024 (13days)
Price
$18,454.00 – $33,319.00
Adventure Options
Feb 15, 2025 – Feb 27, 2025 (13days)
Price
$13,780.00 – $26,280.00
Adventure Options
Feb 19, 2025 – Mar 3, 2025 (13days)
Price
$11,595.00 – $34,495.00
Adventure Options
Mar 3, 2025 – Mar 14, 2025 (12days)
Price
$11,980.00 – $22,980.00
Adventure Options

Length of Travel: 12 Days

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Embarkation in Ushuaia
  • Days 2-3: At sea – Crossing the Drake
  • Days 4-5: Antarctic sounds & Weddell Sea
  • Day 6-8: Antarctic Peninsula
  • Days 9: South Shetland Islands
  • Day 10-11: At sea – Crossing the Drake
  • Day 12: Disembarkation in Ushuaia

Itinerary Map

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Embarkation in Ushuaia 

Ushuaia is the gateway to the White Continent. Found at the southernmost tip of South America in Argentinian Patagonia, the city is often described as “the End of the World”. The city’s mountain backdrop rises above the harbour and entrance to the Beagle Channel. The town itself is walkable and has a few small museums as well as pubs, restaurants and cafes – a good place to try Patagonian lamb cooked over open fire pits.


Days 2-3: At sea - Crossing the Drake

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.


Days 4-5: Antarctic sounds & Weddell Sea

As you sail quietly past house-sized, free-floating tabular icebergs and pancake ice, you may be able to hear the sounds of creaking and popping as huge chunks break off and crash into the sea. While Gerlache Strait is filled with ice, the Antarctic Sound takes it up a notch with even more impressive bergs and ice cliffs. Possible landing points where you will meet thousands of breeding Adélie penguins include Brown Bluff and Paulet Island.


Day 6-8: Antarctic Peninsula

Among captivating glaciers, majestic icebergs and snowy islands, the Antarctic Peninsula is where most visitors to the White Continent will live out their Antarctica dream. The Antarctic Peninsula, the most accessible area of the continent, hosts several scientific bases and some of the most interesting wildlife scenery, such as the extremely photogenic Lemaire Channel. Shore excursions might include Petermann Island, where among Adelie penguins, blue-eyed shags and skuas, huge, lumbering elephant seals haul out.


Days 9: South Shetland Islands

While the South Shetlands’ proximity to Antarctica makes the ice-bound sea impassable during winter (April to October), these are the first islands to see snow melt in spring (November) and the slightly warmer temperature means that the fauna is also different from what you see in Antarctica proper. As we go ashore by Zodiac, notice ferns, grasses, lichens and native flora that have more in common with Patagonia than they do with Antarctica.


Day 10-11: At sea - Crossing the Drake

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.


Day 12: Disembarkation in Ushuaia

Ushuaia is the gateway to the White Continent. Found at the southernmost tip of South America in Argentinian Patagonia, the city is often described as “the End of the World”. The city’s mountain backdrop rises above the harbour and entrance to the Beagle Channel. The town itself is walkable and has a few small museums as well as pubs, restaurants and cafes – a good place to try Patagonian lamb cooked over open fire pits.

 



Length of Travel: 12 Days

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Embarkation
  • Days 2-3: At sea
  • Days 4-6: Exploring the Weddell Sea
  • Days 7-9: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
  • Days 10-11: At sea
  • Day 12: Ushuaia disembarkation

Itinerary Map

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Embarkation

Arriving at the ship in the afternoon, you will be greeted by the Expedition Team and ships officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captains’ welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on our early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies.


Days 2-3: Drake Passage

Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are the Albatrosses, Prions, and Petrels that frequently follow the ship. The Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the Whales and Dolphins that may also be seen in the area. The team will begin presentations with informative and entertaining lectures on the wildlife, history, and geology of Antarctica. Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety will also be held.


Days 4-6: Weddell Sea

The Weddell Sea is known for its abundance of huge tabular icebergs . In some years, the Erebus & Terror Gulf and Weddell Sea are chock-a-block full with ice, making for exciting ice navigation.  Get up at 3:30 in the morning for sunrises unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Huge tabular bergs break from the Larsen, Ronne, and Filchner ice shelves and combine with one-year-old and multi-year sea ice to produce a floating, undulating panorama of rugged ice scenery.  Hope Bay and the Argentine Station Esperanza, located on the western side of the Antarctic Sound, are possible landing sites. The Weddell Sea represents the center of the Peninsulas’ Adelie penguin population. Devil Island and Paulet Island are excellent location to see Adelie penguins.


Days 7-9: Antarctica Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

The remarkable history of the  Antarctic Peninsula will also provide you with a type of excitement often only associated with the early explorers. You will have plenty of time to explore this pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways and a wide variety of wildlife. Apart from Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins and other seabirds you are likely to encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals as well as Minke whales and orcas at close range. Expeditions hope to navigate some of the most beautiful waterways: the Gerlache Strait, Errera Channel and Neumayer Channel. Possible landing sites include: Paradise Bay, an aptly named place with its impressive glacial fronts and mountains, Cuverville Island, home of the biggest Gentoo Penguin colony in the Peninsula surrounded by glaciers and castellated icebergs, and the British Museum and Post office at Port Lockroy. Further exploration will lead you to the South Shetland Islands, where you may visit Deception Island or Half Moon Island.


Days 10-11: Drake Passage

Say goodbye to Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Join lecturers and naturalists on deck as searching for seabirds and whales and enjoy some final lectures. Take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.


Day 12: Disembarkation

Arrive to Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark after breakfast.



Upcoming Trips with this Itinerary:

In search of the Emperor Penguin, Incl. helicopters
Nov 10, 2024 – Nov 20, 2024 (11days)
Price
$12,100.00 – $15,800.00
Adventure Options
In search of the Emperor Penguin, Incl. helicopters
Nov 20, 2024 – Nov 30, 2024 (11days)
Price
$12,100.00 – $15,800.00
Adventure Options
Feb 5, 2025 – Feb 15, 2025 (11days)
Price
$7,990.00 – $15,130.00
Adventure Options
Mar 6, 2025 – Mar 17, 2025 (12days)
Price
$14,295.00 – $29,395.00
Adventure Options
Mar 24, 2025 – Apr 4, 2025 (12days)
Price
$13,395.00 – $27,595.00
Adventure Options
Includes helicopter excursions
Nov 11, 2025 – Nov 21, 2025 (11days)
Price
$12,900.00 – $17,150.00
Adventure Options
Includes helicopter excursions
Nov 21, 2025 – Dec 1, 2025 (11days)
Price
$12,900.00 – $17,150.00
Adventure Options

Book now for early bird discounts on the 2024-25 season

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