* Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey
Your journey begins in Ushuaia, the city southernmost on the planet. Starting in the afternoon, you will embark from the small port in Tierra del Fuego and sail through the Beagle Channel, bordered by mountains for the rest of the night.
* Day 2: Winds from the West
The navigation continues, several species of albatrosses follow the boat towards the winds from the west, along with storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels.
* Day 3: Finding the Malvinas
The Malvinas Islands offer a wealth of wildlife to which it is easily accessible, although caution is always advised. These islands are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and Argentina. Not only do several species of birds live here, but it is highly likely that you will see Peale`s dolphins and Commerson`s dolphins in the surrounding waters.
During this part of the trip , you can visit the following places:
- Carcass Island: This island is full of birds and therefore pleasantly rodent-free. Here we will find abundant fauna, from Magellanic penguin hatchlings to numerous waders and passerines (including Cobb kings and tussock birds).
- Saunders Island: There you can see the black-browed albatrosses and their sometimes awkward landings, along with the baby imperial cormorants and rockhopper penguins. Here you can also find king penguins, Magellan penguins and gentoo penguins.
* Day 4: Puerto Argentino
The capital of the Malvinas and the center of its culture, Puerto Argentino, offers a little charm of the Victorian era: here you will find colorful houses, well-kept gardens and English-style pubs. You can also see several hundred-year-old clipper ships nearby, silent witnesses to the difficulties of the sailors of the 19th century.
Approximately 2,100 people live in Puerto Argentino, feel free to walk its streets. It is worth visiting the Museum that traces the history of the islands from the first settlements until the war of 1982. (The entrance to the museum is included)
* Day 5-6: Once more to the sea
On the way to South Georgia, you will cross the Antarctic Convergence. The temperature gradually cools down and the nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to the collision of the water columns. This phenomenon sometimes attracts a multitude of seabirds near the ship, including several species of albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas.
* Day 7-10: Drive to South Georgia
Upon arrival in South Georgia, be aware that the weather conditions in this area can be challenging and largely dictate the program.
the following sites can be visited during the next few days:
- Fortuna Bay: A beautiful plain next to the Fortuna glacier is home to a large number of king penguins and seals. An ideal spot for hiking and following the final stretch of the Shackleton Trail to the abandoned whaling town of Stromness.
< i> - Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbor: These sites are not only home to the three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, but are also three of the largest breeding beaches in the world for southern elephant seals. You can also see a number of Antarctic fur seals during the breeding season (December to January).
- Grytviken: at this station Abandoned whaling ship, king penguins walk the streets and elephant seals lie down as if they own the place. Here you may be able to see the South Georgia Museum and Shackleton`s Tomb.
- Cooper Bay: a Zodiac cruise at Cooper Bay offers a great opportunity to see macaroni penguins underneath a large colony. Numerous fur and seals are found on the beach, while majestic light-mantled albatrosses can be seen gracefully gliding overhead.
* Day 11: heading south
There may be sea ice on this route, and some polar skuas on the edge of the ice and snow petrels could join the other seabirds following the boat south.
* Day 12: Weddell Sea ice and total solar eclipse
(December 4, early morning)
The ship is positioned in the center of the shadow of the moon and, if possible, some distance from the drift ice of the Scottish Sea. The edge of the ice will be about 60 ° S, 41 ° W.
Some coordinates of the path of the moon`s shadow:
7.06 UTC: 58º 47.7 `S - 42º 45.2` W, 1 `39 ", 8 degrees above the horizon
7.08 UTC: 60º 42.4 `S - 40º 59.8` W, 1 `42", 9 degrees above the horizon
7.10 UTC: 62º 22.3 `S - 39º 48.0` W, 1 `44 ", 11 degrees above the horizon
* Day 13-14: Last Push to Antarctica
Huge icebergs and the possibility of fin whale sightings ensure that there is never a dull moment on this final journey through sea to the south. Also, here you have the best opportunity to spot Antarctic petrels.
* Day 15-17: Imposing Antarctica
If the ice conditions allow it, you will sail towards the Weddell Sea. Here, colossal tabular icebergs announce their arrival on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of Adelie penguins, is a possible stop. You can also visit Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Strait, where you might have a chance to set foot on the Antarctic continent.
If the conditions are not favorable for entering the Weddell Sea from the east, the ship will set course for Elephant Island and head for the Bransfield Strait, between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Your last activities before venturing into the Drake Passage are likely to find you around the northern Gerlache Strait. One option is Cierva Cove and the rugged ice-capped mountains of the Davis Coast. The port of Mikkelsen on the south shore of Trinity Island is another alternative. Here you can enjoy a gentoo penguin colony, as well as an excellent scenic cruise.
Drake Passage conditions determine exact departure time.
* Day 18-19: north by sea
Your return journey is far from lonely. As you cross the Drake, you are greeted by a wide variety of seabirds.
* Day 20: Roundtrip
Every adventure, no matter how great, must come to an end. The time has come to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you forever.