Day 1: End of the world begins a journey
Your journey begins where the world ends: Ushuaia, Argentina, known as the southernmost city in the world. During the afternoon you will embark in this small city of Tierra del Fuego and sail the rest of the day through the scenic Beagle Channel flanked by mountains.
Days 2 - 3: The way of the polar explorers
For the next two days in the Drake Passage, you will be able to experience life from the perspective of the polar explorers who first mapped these regions: cool salty breezes, rough seas, perhaps even a snorting fin whale spray. marine.
Days 4 - 7: Entering the Antarctica
You may be sailing to the Weddell Sea through the Antarctic Strait. Here huge tabular icebergs proclaim their arrival in the eastern sector of the Peninsula. During this part of the trip the search will be focused on the Emperor penguin. Using both the boat and the helicopters, there are good chances of finding them. You can also enjoy scenic flights and, conditions permitting, landings at sites that would otherwise be out of reach at this time of year.
Helicopter flights are a real difference on this trip and can include:
The western slopes of the Antarctic Strait - The western side of this sector is rarely seen from the air, although the landscape is well worth the flyby:
multiple layers of sandstone, lava flows, glaciers, icebergs and ice marine as far as the eye can see. There are usually individuals of Emperor penguins and Adélie penguins on the icebergs, as well as gulls, skuas and several species of petrels. Steep mountain peaks cut through the snow cover and massive ice walls lie crumbled on the lower collars.
Duse Bay - A soaring helicopter flight can land you on a rocky hill near an old shelter that looks out over the bay. There is still a lot of snow and ice at this time of year, but much of the hike is done on frozen broken stone covered by lichens of all shapes and colors.
Seymour Island - This is where the Swedish expedition of 1901-04 it wintered in heartbreaking polar conditions. Sedimentary rocks, fossils, and extensive views characterize this location.
Yes conditions allow venturing into the Weddell Sea, Zodiac trips may include:
Devil Island - Home to a large colony of Adélie penguins, this island offers a magnificent starting point for walkers wanting to march to the top of the hill. . The melting ice sometimes gives rise to a small waterfall that falls from the cliffs near the Cabo del Feliz Encuentro.
Brown Farallon - Probably the most scenic site in the entire northern tip of the Antarctic Continent: rugged mountain walls, erratic rocks, beautiful creations volcanic rocks topped with ice. A large colony of Adelie penguins live here alongside Gentoo penguins and snow petrels that also nest here.
Gourdin Island - Chinstrap penguins, Papua and Adelie love this island which is another possible landing site on their Antarctic adventure.
Base Esperanza - This Argentine scientific base, which operates throughout the year and is one of the two civilian establishments in Antarctica, it may become an alternate landing site.
Days 5 - 6: alternative program in case the route to Cerro Nevado Island is free of sea ice for several years (less than 50% probability).
Helicopters represent a great advantage in reaching the Empe penguin colony rador but it is nature that dictates the rules in Antarctica. If conditions are favorable, you will spend the first two days in the penguin colony.
Helicopter operations take a full day and flights are approximately 15 minutes . Each helicopter can carry between 4 and 6 passengers per flight and the landing site is carefully chosen so as not to disturb the penguins. Once landed, it is necessary to take a walk of about 45 minutes to reach the colony.
Day 8: Drake via Deception Island
During the morning we will sail to Deception Island to make the last landing of the trip, either in Caleta Péndulo or in Caleta Balleneros. Conditions in the Drake Passage will determine the exact time of departure.
Days 9 - 10: Known Seas, Known Friends
The return journey is far from lonely. During the crossing of the Drake he is once again greeted by the seabirds that accompanied him during the journey south. But this time they will be more familiar to you, and you to them.
Day 11: Round Trip
Every adventure, no matter how great, must eventually come to an end. It is time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories to accompany you wherever your next adventure may be.