Antarctic Peninsula in Luxury

Embark Silver Explorer in Ushuaia, settle in and attend a mandatory safety drill before leaving port. During the afternoon you will be introduced to some of the important crew members and your Expedition Team. At sail away bid farewell to Tierra del Fuego, the ‘Land at the End of the World’.

As we set sail on our initial transit, familiarise yourself with the elegant Silver Explorer and the Expedition Team members. Partake in wildlife, geography and history discussions hosted by our expert Team Members and naturalists and attend talks by our guest lecturers preparing you for the exciting adventures that lie ahead.

The Drake Passage has a notorious reputation for its turbulent seas due to the westerly winds and the funnelling effect of the passage, but with modern navigational aids and stabilizers Silver Explorer will bring you safely across these southern waters.

Spend some time on deck watching the horizon and the variety of seabirds that glide in the air currents of our ship’s wake -such as the Black-browed Albatross, Cape Petrels, White-chinned Petrels and Sooty Shearwaters.

We will start our Antarctic experiences at the top of the Antarctic Peninsula, venturing into Antarctic Sound and its magnificent array of tabular icebergs, historical sites and Adelie and Gentoo Penguin rookeries. Depending on weather and ice conditions Silver Explorer might visit Brown Bluff, Hope Bay and cruise the Antarctic Sound.

Brown Bluff, (a 2,200-foot bluff on the Antarctic continent) is an ice-capped, 745-metre-high, flat-topped mountain with a prominent cliff of reddish-brown volcanic rock. The coastal area at the base of Brown Bluff is used by Adelie and Gentoo Penguins, Kelp Gulls, and Cape Petrels as a breeding area. Under good climatic conditions a walk onto a nearby glacier might be feasible.

Hope Bay has one of the largest Adelie Penguin colonies in Antarctica and a Zodiac cruise past the Argentine Station “Esperanza” will show some of the penguins, Weddell seals and Blue-eyed Shags.

While sailing in Antarctica, every turn can reveal a new and breathtaking adventure. Sailing as far south as possible the pack ice becomes thicker and thicker as we move into Antarctica’s vast white wilderness. Remote and otherworldly, Antarctica is irresistible for its spectacular icebergs and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of up-close encounters with marine mammals. Watch for seals sunbathing ashore and on slow-moving ice floes and for humpback, Minke, and orca whales to surface.

Each day we will attempt Zodiac departures, and, if conditions permit, we will cruise amidst colourful icebergs or step ashore to visit a variety of penguin rookeries and perhaps scientific research stations led by our team of natural history experts.

A flexible itinerary will allow us to take advantage of favourable sea and weather conditions. In the true spirit of expedition cruising, each day the Expedition Leader and Captain will determine our best course depending on weather, ice conditions and wildlife we may encounter. Apart from attempting to cross the Antarctic Circle here are some of the places we may visit:

Cuverville Island, Errera Channel -Cuverville’s large bare rock areas provide nesting sites for Gentoo Penguins. Snow Petrels and Cape Petrels may also be seen whilst Wilson’s Storm Petrels nest in the higher scree of the island. Conditions permitting we will climb part of the hill for spectacular panoramic views. During Zodiac tours around the many icebergs, hauled-out Weddell seals may be seen.

Paradise Bay - The bay is well named for its spectacular scenery of mountains, glaciers and icebergs. From the ship or Zodiac, observe Argentina’s “Base Brown”, one of many Antarctic research stations. View the wildlife from sea level while cruising by Zodiac. There’s a good chance you will come across a crabeater seal relaxing on an ice floe or locate Minke whales in the bay. Lemaire Channel. To reach Petermann Island and going further south the Lemaire Channel has to be crossed. This is one of the most spectacular channels with steep snow-covered mountains on both sides and icebergs of different sizes at the southern end.

Petermann Island, Wilhelm Archipelago - The island is named for German geographer August Petermann and was first discovered by a German expedition in 1873-74. Rock surfaces show glacial polish, some glacial grooving and nice samples of frost shattering. During our landing, we will be able to observe rookeries of Adelie Penguins, Gentoo Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags.

Pleneau Island, Wilhelm Archipelago - Pleneau Island lies at the south end of the Lemaire Channel, and was first explored during Charcot’s 1903–05 French Antarctic Expedition. The island was named for the expedition’s photographer, Paul Pleneau. Amongst the common breeding birds are Gentoo Penguins, Kelp Gulls and South Polar Skuas. Southern elephant seals are often hauled-out in wallows. Enjoy spectacular glacial and ice scenery from the island during a Zodiac cruise in Pleneau Bay.

Attempting the Antarctic Circle crossing – On our way south we pass Vernadsky, the former British Faraday Station, and will see how far we can sail based on the ice conditions.

We will end our Antarctic sojourn in the South Shetland Islands.

Port Foster, Whalers Bay and Telefon Bay are all located in Deception Island, an excellent example of a caldera that can be reached from the sea. We plan to sail into the caldera through the narrow entrance called Neptune’s Bellows. Ashore Deception Island’s interesting history -from whaling to scientific studies- still shows remains of a former whaling station, including the boilers used to make whale oil in the early 1900s, and houses belonging to a British research base. The unique volcanic features of the area can be seen during hikes.

The Aitcho Islands have Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin colonies. Southern Giant Petrels and skuas are never far from penguin rookeries and elephant seals quite often look for company near the landing site.

Navigating our return through the Drake Passage, we will watch for seabirds and wildlife we may have missed on our initial crossing. There will be opportunities to attend additional presentations offered by the Expedition Team lecturers and to edit the many photos taken as we travel towards Ushuaia. During the last afternoon, our Photographer/Videographer will show the Voyage DVD.

After breakfast, disembark Silver Explorer and transfer to Ushuaia Airport for your return flights.