Realm of Penguins & Icebergs - Antarctic Cruise

Ushuaia is the southernmost town in the world and our starting point for an Antarctic adventure. Our staff will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel that we have arranged and included in your itinerary. You are then free to spend the remainder of the day exploring this exciting port and adventure center.

Museo del Fin del Mundo offers a fascinating introduction to the local wildlife and history. You can arrange a range of activities to fit your interests and level of fitness, including hiking through the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park or wildlife watching in Beagle Channel. Ushuaia has a variety of restaurants that serve Patagonian Lamb and delicious Fuegian Seafood.

You can spend the day in Ushuaia after breakfasting at your hotel. Enjoy the beautiful waterfront while admiring the views of the Martial Range - the southernmost peak of the Andes. You can shop for last-minute items such as winter gear or souvenirs. Remember that you'll soon be receiving your own parka and boots for borrowing on the ship. Avenida San Martin is home to many cafés, gelato stores, and parrillas that will satisfy your appetite for lunch.

You will then be transported to a deluxe expedition ship. Explore the spacious ship and settle into your suite. This will be the home for your extraordinary journey. Your expedition team will provide you with informative presentations and briefings as soon as the ship sets sail. Step out on the decks after the first delicious dinner to enjoy the beautiful evening light and scenery as we sail through the Beagle Channel.

We turn south after passing Tierra del Fuego to start our Drake Passage crossing. On the way, we keep an eye out for fin and humpback whales. These waters are home to the majestic Wandering Albatross, as well as other subantarctic birds. They can be easily viewed on open balconies and decks. The Antarctic Convergence is also crossed, which marks the boundary between the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic Ocean. Stabilizing fins on the ship provide extra comfort during rough seas. Our lecture staff will prepare you with briefings on bio-security and other procedures, as well as presentations. On the second night of our voyage, we hope to reach the South Shetland Islands.

In the coming days we will explore highlights from the South Shetland Islands as well as the Antarctic Peninsula. The scenery in this region is some of the most beautiful and best for wildlife viewing. The sheltered bays, channels and mountains are ablaze with ice. They reflect the peaks of towering mountains covered in snow or encrusted by glaciers. The beauty of the icebergs is unmatched. Marine mammals and seabirds are attracted to the waters rich in krill. This area is home to many penguins, which are active at sea foraging and also forming large colonies on the land. We also have a number of research stations from different countries.

South Shetland Islands is the first place we will explore in Antarctica. The South Shetland Islands are a beautiful, untouched island chain with many historic landings and plenty of wildlife. The Gerlache Strait region of the Antarctic Peninsula is a stunning wilderness with spectacular white landscapes and colossal glaciers, as well as hospitable marine mammals, bustling colonies of penguins, and obliging sea mammal. The famous Lemaire Channel is also called "Kodak Gap", because it reflects the picture of snow-capped mountains.

On the various islands you can find impressive colonies of Adelie, Adelie, and gentoo penguins, often side-by-side.

Active adventure is the best way to enjoy this wild yet accessible area. For a deeper understanding of the untouched polar wilderness, our guides offer hiking or hill climbing. The wildlife-rich waters in Antarctica provide kayakers with many opportunities to paddle alongside seals and penguins on some of the most picturesque waterways. Spend a night in the wild, untamed nature of Antarctica while camping on the White Continent.

It is authentic expedition cruising. The weather and the ice will determine our exact route and explore opportunities. The experienced expedition leader and captain will constantly adjust their plans in order to maximize the benefits of this difficult polar environment.

The adventure has not yet ended. We are always accompanied by seabirds, and in the wild waters there's a possibility that we may encounter whales. The Captain's Farewell Cocktail, and the final slideshow are also part of the festivities. As we sail through the Beagle Channel we will enjoy an evening of calm sailing towards Ushuaia.

We bid you farewell to Ushuaia after another tasty breakfast aboard. If you want to stay longer, we can arrange a transfer for the group to either the airport or the center of the city. You may be already looking forward to the next adventure in the polar regions as you reflect on your Antarctica experience.