Antarctic Peninsula & Circle Adventure

Your Antarctica adventure begins today as after having arrived independently to Ushuaia in southern Argentina you will meet your new shipmates at a central meeting point and join your transfer to the pier for embarkation. After settling in to your comfortable cabin and familiarising yourself with your expedition ship, you can enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner as your ship departs through the scenic Beagle Channel towards the icy wilderness of Antarctica.

These 2 days will be spent at sea sailing through the famous Drake Passage towards the Antarctic Circle. Your expedition ship’s superior speed and capabilities will allow us to reach the circle faster and more comfortably than most other ships, and as we sail we recommend spending some time on deck searching for sightings of the abundance of seabirds that will be following the ship including Wandering albatross and Giant and Cape petrels. Your onboard photography expert will be on hand to offer tips on how to photograph these magnificent birds and to help you prepare for the multitude of pictures you are likely to take throughout your journey. Your onboard lecture and presentation programme will also begin, covering a wide range of topics including the environment, wildlife and history of Antarctica. As we spot our first icebergs on the horizon, this will signal our arrival into Antarctic waters.

As you awake this morning you will be greeted by the awe-inspiring sight of the magnificent snowy peaks of continental Antarctica and you will likely feel a sense of euphoria as you have reached one of the most remote and spectacular places on earth. Navigating via Matha Strait your ship will sail towards Detaille Island and we will celebrate with a toast as we cross the Antarctic Circle and discover an enchanting world below it. On Detaille we will attempt a landing to visit an abandoned British science station - ‘Base W’ which was established in the 1950s and is in a remarkable state of preservation. For the history buffs this is a fascinating place providing a glimpse into the harsh life of early Antarctic visitors. After an exploration of Detaille we will return northwards towards the Peninsula, focusing our gaze on the spectacular chain of glacier-covered peaks stretching as far as the eye can see.

Having navigated northwards overnight, this morning we will be positioned along the southern Gerlache coastline and plan to make our first landing of the day at the low-lying Yalour Island group to visit a working scientific base to learn about the all-important work the researchers here are carrying out in regards to Antarctica’s changing climate. Later we will take a hike over the snowy saddle of nearby Winter Island to visit the old British Antarctic Survey hut and gain some awe-inspiring views along the way. During our time in this area we will also hope to visit Petermann Island to see a sizable colony of Adelie penguins who nest here alongside Gentoo penguins and Imperial cormorants. The scenery on offer throughout the next few days will be nothing short of breathtaking and one of the highlights of this will be the sight of Mount Shackleton and Mount Scott which mark the southern entrance to the exceptionally scenic Lemaire Channel which we aim to transit through as we continue north.

As we reach the main part of the Peninsula we aim to land at Paradise Harbour and nearby Neko Harbour to enjoy some hikes over the wintery landscapes. This will also be where the best kayaking opportunities are. Orne Harbour is another beautiful location where we hope to enjoy a hike up to a chinstrap penguin rookery and at Cuverville Island we will get up-close to a large Gentoo penguin colony. The best location for whale sighting in Antarctica is Wilhelmina Bay and we will visit here on our way to the South Shetland Islands.

Throughout your time in Antarctica your itinerary will be flexible and dependent on weather and ice conditions, with your experienced crew and captain choosing the very best landing sites for unforgettable wildlife and adventure experiences. Each day will bring something different, with hikes, zodiac cruises, wildlife encounters with penguins, seal and whales, and informative talks bringing this remarkable area to life.

Our last day of exploration in the Antarctica region will bring us to the South Shetland Islands where, if conditions allow, we will sail into the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island. The dramatic scenery on offer here is simply outstanding and we will spend some time here learning about the history that the old whaling station and dilapidated wooden huts offer a sneak peak into. We can enjoy a fantastic hike here, high up onto the rim of the crater, and also see the old aircraft hangar that marks the spot where Sir Hubert Wilkins made the very first flight in Antarctica in 1928.

Later we will cruise along the coast of Livingston Island and your captain will decide the best landing spot for this afternoon’s adventures. Places we could visit include Half Moon Island, Yankee Harbour where we are likely to encounter Weddell seals sunning themselves, or Hannah Point with its elephant seal colony and nesting Antarctic petrels. As we finish our exploration we will get back on board and begin our journey back to South America across the Drake Passage.

As your thrilling Antarctica adventure comes to an end and we make our way back to South America, your mind and camera will be bursting with unforgettable experiences and memories. This is a great time to collate and back-up all of the countless photos you will be likely to have taken and your onboard photography expert will offer tips on editing and making the most of your images. Your educational presentation programme will also continue and we recommend some time on deck looking for the last seabird and whale sightings. As we approach the Beagle Channel, if conditions allow your captain will attempt a rounding of the famous Cape Horn, and on our final evening you can enjoy a special farewell dinner attended by the captain.

Early morning will see us back in the port of Ushuaia and after disembarkation a transfer will be provided to a downtown location or to the airport for your onward or homeward flights. Ushuaia is a fantastic place to explore in its own right and also has great connections to other destinations in South America including Buenos Aires. Should you wish to spend more time here please enquire for details and one of our destination experts will be happy to offer you options for extending your adventure.