Antarctic Wildlife Adventure

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy free time to continue exploring Ushuaia. Explore the delightful waterfront and savor views of the snowcapped Martial Range, the southernmost peaks of the Andes. Take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some lastminute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship. For lunch, the many cafés, parrillas and gelato shops on Avenida San Martín will be sure to satisfy any appetite.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where you will be warmly welcomed aboard your deluxe expedition vessel. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the scenery and gorgeous evening light as you pass through the Beagle Channel.

After passing the islands of Tierra del Fuego, the ship turns south to begin crossing the Drake Passage. The majestic wandering albatross and other graceful subantarctic seabirds are common in these waters and can readily be viewed from panoramic open decks and balconies. Cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. The ship’s stabilizing fins provide comfort in the event of rough seas. Hope to arrive in the South Shetland Islands on the evening of the second day at sea.

Within the next days, explore the highlights of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. This region contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and the best wildlife viewing in Antarctica. Sheltered bays and channels sparkle with ice and reflect towering mountain peaks coated in permanent snow and immense glaciers. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to huge numbers of marine mammals and seabirds. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large rookeries at special places on land. Here you’ll also find Antarctic research bases of various nationalities, some with gift shops and post offices.

The South Shetland Islands are the northernmost islands in Antarctica and will likely be your first sight of land. This wildly beautiful island chain contains many landing sites with historical significance and abundant wildlife. Among them is Elephant Island, where men from Shackleton’s famous Endurance expedition spent the winter of 1916. You will also explore the supremely picturesque Gerlache Strait area of the Antarctic Peninsula, a pristine wilderness of spectacular white landscapes, colossal icebergs, obliging marine mammals and bustling penguin colonies. Here you have a chance to land on the continent of Antarctica. Throughout this area, you’ll find large colonies of gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, sometimes side by side. This a great time for close encounters with inquisitive penguin chicks, who are now gaining independence as they fledge.

This is also the peak of the whale-watching season. Having gorged themselves on krill all summer, humpback and minke whales become more playful and obliging to Zodiacs and kayakers. Crabeater and Weddell seals are joined by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. The skies are full of newly fledged seabirds. Antarctica is a true wilderness with unpredictable weather and ever-changing ice conditions, which will dictate your route and exploration opportunities. With more than 14 hours of daylight per day, you’ll seize every chance to experience excellent wildlife viewing and amazing scenery via Zodiac cruises and shore excursions.

Proceed northeast through the wildlife-rich waters of the Scotia Sea. Keep a lookout for abundant humpback and fin whales along the way. Briefings, bio-security procedures and presentations by the lecture staff prepare for the ship’s arrival in South Georgia.

The unique and spectacular wilderness of South Georgia is home to some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on the planet. This isolated subantarctic island is said to host upwards of 100 million seabirds, including numerous species of albatross, penguins, prions, petrels, shags, skuas, gulls and terns. Among these is one of the largest flying birds in the world—the wandering albatross. Here you have a rare opportunity to witness part of their remarkable life cycle. While most seabird chicks are already fledging, wandering albatross chicks are only now hatching in grassy nests overlooking the wild Southern Ocean. On South Georgia’s legendary beaches, king penguins are gathered in huge colonies that stretch from sandy shorelines to the foothills of glaciated mountains. Also at this time, hundreds of thousands of macaroni penguin chicks are getting ready to head out to sea. Rare birds such as the endemic South Georgia pipit and yellow-billed pintail round out the list of 78 bird species found across the territory. The successfully completed rat eradication program has made this wilderness even more pristine and rich with birdlife.

South Georgia is also home to staggering numbers of elephant seals and fur seals. At this time, thousands of fat elephant seal pups are lounging around on shore while mobs of rambunctious fur seal pups take to the water. Once hunted nearly to extinction, large whales have returned to the bountiful seas surrounding South Georgia. With the whalers long gone, the historical whaling station of Grytviken is now home to the excellent South Georgia Museum. Here you will also find the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, heroic polar explorer and leader of the Endurance expedition.

In this rugged yet accessible environment, superb wildlife viewing is best complemented by active adventure. There are many opportunities for guided treks through this raw and untamed wilderness, including the legendary Shackleton Walk. For sea kayakers, the wildlife-rich waters of South Georgia offer the chance to paddle with hordes of seals and penguins in some of the world’s most scenic waterways.

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Your precise route and exploration opportunities are dependent on weather in this wild and remote corner of the world. Your experienced captain and expedition leader will continually adjust plans to take maximum advantage of the conditions and circumstances at hand. You can be sure that they will take every safe opportunity to go ashore in this challenging environment.

Sail west toward the Falkland Islands. Presentations and workshops by the expert onboard staff, as well as a range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that these days at sea are not idly spent. Pelagic seabirds are constant companions while you keep a vigilant watch for dolphins and whales in these productive waters.

On these days the ship intends to come alongside the wharf at Stanley, the historic capital of the Falkland Islands. Attractions within pleasant walking distance along the waterfront promenade include the Falkland Islands Museum, the governor’s house, various war memorials, quality gift shops and charming pubs. Christ Church Cathedral features an impressive whalebone arch and dramatic views of shipwrecks in the harbor.

Hope to take an excursion to Gypsy Cove, a national nature reserve where white sand beaches are frequented by numerous bird species, including the endemic Falklands flightless steamer duck and Magellanic penguins. There may even be groups of sea lions hauled out on shore. Continue exploration in the isolated outlying islands. These bleakly beautiful isles are havens for wildlife. Large colonies of seabirds, perched on windy bluffs overlooking azure seas, are easily accessible by hiking over lush meadows. At this time, black-browed albatross soar down from above while feisty rockhopper penguins leap up surf-battered cliffs from below to feed their large chicks amongst the tussocks.

On nearby beaches, gentoo penguin chicks are starting to fledge while adult king penguins and chicks of all ages are getting ready to brave the austral winter. Just offshore, there may be Peale’s dolphins and even killer whales patrolling the coasts. A wide range of land birds, including the endemic Cobb’s wren and inquisitive striated caracara, contribute to an abundance of wildlife that will leave nature lovers breathless.

The ocean breezes gradually get warmer as the ship sails north through the South Atlantic Ocean. As the ship enters deeper waters, be on constant lookout for killer whales, blue whales, sei whales and southern right whales. This is also the time for festivities such as the captain’s farewell cocktail and the end-of-voyage slideshow.

After breakfast, say farewell in the city of Buenos Aires. Take a group transfer to the international airport or to the town center to spend more time here. As you look back on your wonderful experience, you may already be looking forward to your next polar adventure!

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and get ready for an exciting day. Today, you set sail towards the Subantarctic islands on your beautiful ship.

As you sail towards the subantarctic islands, make the most of your time! Attend captivating presentations from experts, familiarize yourself with the ship and get ready for your arrival at a wildlife paradise.

The remote and sparsely-populated Falkland Islands are a birders’ paradise. The Falklands are also a great place to observe marine mammals. The waters around the archipelago are home to cetaceans such as Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins. Your exact route and exploration opportunities are dependent on weather among these isolated and windswept islands.

Also hope to visit the port of Stanley, the charmingly British capital of the Falkland Islands. Attractions within pleasant walking distance along the waterfront promenade include the Falkland Islands Museum, the governor’s house, a cathedral with impressive whalebone arch outside, a war memorial, quality gift shops, pubs and views of shipwrecks in the harbor.

From the Falkland Islands head east toward South Georgia. You will cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. Briefings, bio-security procedures and lectures from onboard experts prepare you for your arrival in South Georgia.

Explore South Georgia, home to some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on the planet with upwards of 100 million seabirds, including numerous species of albatross, penguins, prions, petrels, shags, skuas, gulls and terns, plus one of the largest flying birds in the world—the wandering albatross. On beaches such as those at Salisbury Plain and St. Andrews Bay, over 100,000 elephant seals and three million fur seals jostle for space among innumerable penguins including stately king penguins and sprightly macaroni penguins. The recently completed rat eradication program is sure to make this wilderness even more pristine and rich with birdlife.

The bountiful waters surrounding South Georgia are also inhabited by an increasing number of whales. The historical whaling station of Grytviken is now home to the excellent South Georgia Museum managed by the South Georgia Heritage Trust. Grytviken is also the final resting place of Ernest Shackleton, the legendary polar explorer. Your days in South Georgia are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by onboard experts, and enough incredible scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions.

As you sail, immerse yourself in fascinating presentations from the onboard expert staff and bond with fellow travelers. On the open deck, marvel at the sight of birds and marine mammals that grace your journey. South polar skuas, snow petrels and albatrosses may escort your vessel, enhancing your experience with their majestic presence. The encounter with sea ice adds a dramatic backdrop to your adventure. Approaching the Drake Passage, the seabirds you saw at the beginning of your voyage reappear, offering a full-circle experience of natural wonder.

After a final delicious breakfast on board, disembark in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Take the provided group transfer to the airport for flights onward, or to the city center to spend more time in Tierra del Fuego. As you look back on your wonderful experience, you may already be looking forward to your next incredible polar adventure!