Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery Voyage | 14 Days | Ortelius Cruise

Where the world ends, your journey begins. Ushuaia in Argentina is reputedly the end of the world. The city of Adelaide, Australia is the most southernmost point on Earth. South America. You depart from the small resort in the late afternoon. Visit Tierra del Fuego (the "End of the World") and take a boat tour. The rest of the night, you can enjoy the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel.

Enjoy some of these same experiences over the next two days as you cruise the Drake Passage. The great polar explorations that first charted the arctic regions were a series of experiences. Regions: rolling waves, cool breezes of salt, and maybe a fin-whale spouting. sea spray. The Antarctic Convergence is the natural convergence of Antarctica. You are now in the circumAntarctic Upwelling Zone, which is formed by cold north-flowing waters colliding with subAntarctic warmer seas. It is not only that The marine and avian worlds change together. Albatrosses that wander. Grey-headed albatrosses are also known as black-brown albatrosses and light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses. Albatrosses are also called cape pigeons. Wilson's Storm Petrels and blue albatrosses. Petrels and Antarctic petrels may be seen.

The landscape is a mix of ice and snow; towering peaks of blue-white broken ice and a variety wildlife. The first thing you pass is the Schollaert Channel and snow-capped Melchior Islands, before sailing between Brabant Island and Anvers Islands. Your Antarctic journey will include: 

Cuverville Island - Cuverville is a small island that lies between Ronge and the Antarctic Peninsula. It houses an extensive colony of Gentoo Penguins, as well as breeding pairs of Brown Skuas.

Neko Harbour - Neko Harbour is a spectacular landscape with mammoth icebergs and wind-carved mountains. It offers a Zodiac ride and landing to see the alpine peaks in the distance.

Paradise Bay - Take a Zodiac Cruise in the ice-flecked, vast waters of these expansive waters. Then sail to Lemaire Channel.

You wake up in the morning amongst many islands to the south of Lemaire Channel after a pleasant night's sailing. Now you are nearing the Antarctic Circle. If the ice doesn't get too thick, you can travel through Gullet – a picturesque but narrow channel that connects Adelaide Island to the Antarctic Continent. This area can be explored from the front of the ship, allowing you to get the closest contact possible with the polar landscape as you move southward. You can enjoy these visits along the way: 

Pourquoi Pas Island - This island is named for the vessel of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, a famous French explorer. The location is famous for its fjords that are narrow and steep, as well as the mountains that have many glaciers.

Horseshoe Island - The former British Base Y is located here. It is a relic of the 1950s, now abandoned but still with all of its technology.

Stonington Island - This island is the most southern landing point of your trip, at 68 degrees south. If landing is not possible here, the road will turn north through Gunnel Channel.

Hanusse Bay - Take in the landscape of Hanusse Bay, where you can see whales and icebergs.

As you cut north, Crystal Sound is filled with ice floes. You're nearing the Antarctic Circle. You are more likely to see humpback whales, as you approach the Antarctic Circle. The Fish Islands offer the option of Zodiac Cruises or landing. The views are unmatched in this region. It is possible that there are more. Adelie Penguins gathered among the nearby bergs. Petermann & Pleneau islands offer a wide variety of birds, as well as opportunities for Zodiac Cruises. Leopard and crabeater Seals love to hang out on icebergs. Here you can find gentoo and minke penguins as well as humpbacks. The conditions on Drake Passage will determine the precise time for departure.

You're not alone on your return journey. You'll see the same seabirds you saw on the way south as you cross the Drake. They are still there You and they seem to be a bit more familiar now.

No matter how great the adventure may be, it must end. Now it's time to leave Ushuaia but you will carry with you the memories. Wherever your next adventure takes you.