Antarctica - Elephant Island - Weddell Sea - Polar Circle

This is a 15-day expedition to Antarctica, where you will experience stunning scenery and wildlife, including penguins, seals, and whales. You will visit Elephant Island, the Weddell Sea, the Lemaire Channel, Port Charcot, Detaille Island, the Yalour Islands, and the Melchior Islands. Highlights include exploring the Weddell Sea, a relatively unvisited area with pack ice and stunning scenery; visiting Detaille Island, a remote island that was once home to a British research station; and seeing Adélie penguins, gentoo penguins, and some Antarctic vegetation in the Yalour Islands. This is an incredible journey that will create memories that will last a lifetime.

15 Day Antarctica Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia & Beagle Channel

Where the world ends, your journey begins. Ushuaia, Argentina, The city of Faro, a place reputed as the world's southernmost is situated on the far side. Southern tip of South America. You depart in the late afternoon. This small town in Tierra del Fuego is nicknamed the "End of Sail the Beagle Channel, a mountain-fringed channel for "the World" Rest of the evening

Day 2 & 3: Drake Passage & Antarctic Convergence

You will experience some of the experiences that the great explorers had when they first charted the Drake Passage. These regions are characterized by cool breezes and rolling waves. You might even see a fin-whale spraying sea water. The Antarctic Convergence is the last stop before Antarctica. You are now in the circumantarctic upwelling zones, a natural boundary formed by north-flowing cool waters colliding with warmer sub-Antarctic oceans. The avian population changes as well. You might see Wandering Albatrosses. See also:

Day 4: Elephant Island: Point Wild

Arriving early at the Point Wild Elephant Island where Shackleton and his crew landed after losing their shipEndurance. The inhospitable point is one of our most popular destinations. If conditions allow, we can offer an array of activities on the point, before heading to the Weddell sea

Day 5: Weddell Sea & Devil Island

You are now entering the Weddell sea, an area that is relatively unknown and where we plan to conduct activities for Erebus Gulf and Terror Gulf. You may also Visit places like Beak Island or Devil Island to enjoy the stunning landscape and the pack ice that is so famous in the Weddell sea.

Day 6: Erebus Gulf and Terror Gulf & Vega Island

We are always looking for ways to make the most of our time in Erebus Gulf and Terror Gulf. You can also explore Vega Island to experience the wildest parts of Antarctica.

Day 7: Orleans Strait & Mikklesen Harbor

We now enter the Orleans Strait, sailing down the west side of Antarctic Peninsula. We hope to spot humpbacks and orca as we cruise. Afternoon activities at Mikklesen Harbor.

Day 8: Port Charcot & Petermann Island

After passing the Lemaire Channel you arrive at Port Charcot where a Cairn was built by the French Antarctic Expedition. 1903 - 05. We head out to Petermann Island in the late afternoon to observe a wide variety of birds. Zodiac tours among the icebergs are also available. This area is very popular among leopard seals, crabeater seals, and gentoo penguins. Also, minke whales and gentoos penguins are found in this area.

Day 9 & 10: Crystal Sound & Detaille Island

We will visit Crystal Sound today, where we can see the beautiful wildlife and ice formations before arriving at Detaille Island. The island used to be inhabited by a tribe of aborigines. Home to the British Research Station that has been declared a historic site

Day 11: Yalour Islands

The Yalour Islands are next, which is a tiny archipelago made up of mostly isolated rocks with one main island. It's a very rewarding place to land. Yalour is home to Adelie Penguins, some of the southernmost Gentoos, and small patches of crusted and bearded lichen. There are also xanthorias, buellias, caloplacas, and usneas. There are also extensive mossbeds and Antarctic hairgrass (Deschampsia Antarctica).

Day 12: Melchior Island

Melchior Island is our last stop before we head to the Drake Passage.

Day 13 & 14: Familiar seas, familiar friends

You're not alone on your return trip. You'll see the same seabirds you saw on the way south as you cross the Drake. They seem more familiar now to you, as do you.

Day 15: There and back again

No matter how grand an adventure may be, it must come to an ending. Now it's time to leave Ushuaia with the memories you will carry. Wherever your next trip takes you, wherever it may be.

15 Day Antarctica Itinerary Includes

Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.

All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.

All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.

Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.

Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes

Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.

Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.

AECO fees and governmental taxes.

Comprehensive pre-departure material.

15 Day Antarctica Itinerary Does not Include

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post- land arrangements.

Transfers to the vessel in Ushuaia and Ascension and from the vessel in Ascension and Praia; passport and visa expenses.

Government arrival and departure taxes.

Meals ashore.

Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).

Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.

The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

15 Day Antarctica Itinerary Highlights

Landing at Detaille Island, a remote island that was once home to a British research station.

Bidding farewell to Antarctica in the Melchior Islands.

Exploring the Weddell Sea, a relatively unvisited area with pack ice and stunning scenery.

15 Day Antarctica cruise activities

Under full instruction from your sea kayaking guide, experience true tranquillity as you paddle through clinking ice floes and realise the enormity of the surrounding scenery. Look out for breaching whales, lounging seals and penguins zipping alongside your kayak. Some experience is required.

Camp out on the ice and experience the silence which blankets the continent by night. This is your chance to completely connect with this ethereal ice world – wrap up warm and embrace the Antarctic elements.

Get a spring in your step when you slip on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. Enabling you to easily scale gentle slopes, this unique activity allows you to access hard to reach places and seek out the most impressive views.

Learn to capture wildlife and landscape shots in a small group photography program, including critiquing sessions and editing classes. Plus, Explorer Boat excursions with a dedicated photography expert on landings.

Achieve the best views and photographs from a forward facing Explorer Boats. They allow you to sit comfortably and securely while crackling through the ice-strewn waters. Look out for wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales as you cruise.

It doesn’t get more serene than complimentary yoga classes to the tune of glacial scenery. Join the most unique exercise setting in the world after a day of exploration. Classes are regular but are dependent on weather conditions and swell.