- Day 1: Sandy Argentine beaches
The trip begins in Puerto Madryn, north of Patagonia Argentina, its coasts are on the bay of the Golfo Nuevo, home of the famous Southern Right Whale that between May and December choose these waters to mate. During the afternoon you will embark, bow towards the Malvinas Islands and surely while sailing towards the open sea you will be able to spot a large number of whales.
- Days 2 - 3: Marine life, seabirds
Once on the high seas, it will be impossible to feel alone, several species of birds follow the wake of the boat to the southeast, such as albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels. It will be an ideal moment to capture the best images from the boat, the sea and the birds on the horizon accompanying you on your journey through the south.
- Day 4: Discovering the Malvinas
The The Malvinas Islands are a largely unknown gem, they were the scene of the war between Argentina and Great Britain in 1982. They offer a great abundance of wildlife that is easy to access, always with caution; Not only do several species of birds inhabit but there are also great possibilities of spotting the dolphin and the southern dolphin.
During this part of the trip the following places may be visited:
Wild West Island (Steeple Jason), is a rarely visited island as it is frequently hit by wind and waves. It is home to the largest colony of black-browed albatrosses in the world, approximately 113,000. Weather conditions and swell will determine activity at this point.
Rosario Island (Carcass Island), recognized for the large number of endemic species, on this island you will find from the Magellanic and Papuan penguins, to shorebirds and passerines, including the Malvinas mouse and the black whirlpool, which for years have nested in this southern area. h
Trinidad Island (Saunders Island), on this island it will be possible to visit the nests of the black-browed albatrosses and appreciate their sometimes awkward and fun landings. Imperial cormorants and rockhopper penguins also nest here, and if you`re lucky you might spot the King penguin.
- Day 5: The seat of the Malvinas culture
After enjoying the wildlife that surrounds the Malvinas Islands, it is time to know a little about the history and its capital, El Puerto Argentino, seat of the Malvinas Islands culture and surrounded by a typical charm of the Victorian era: you can see colorful houses, well-kept gardens, and English-style bars. You can also see several clippers from more than a century, silent witnesses to the adversities faced by sailors in the 19th century.
Approximately 2,100 people live in Puerto Argentino, feel free to wander its streets. It is worth visiting the Museum that traces the history of the islands from the first settlements to the war of 1982. (The entrance to the museum is included)
- Days 6 - 7: Once more towards the open sea
Road towards the South Georgia Islands will cross the Antarctic Convergence. The temperature drops considerably in only a few hours and the waters rich in nutrients rise to the surface as a result of the meeting of different columns of water. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds around the ship, including several species of albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, prions and skuas.
- Days 8 - 11: Trip to South Georgia
This day you will arrive at the South Georgia Islands where you will disembark for activities. Please note that the weather in this area of the world can be challenging and will determine the program to a large extent.
The sites that can be visited are:
Prion Island, this site is closed during the beginning of the reproductive period of the wandering albatrosses (November 20 to January 7). The chicks from the previous summer are almost ready to fledge and the adults are looking for their previous mates after spending a year and a half at sea.
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrew`s Bay, Gold Harbor, these sites are home to the 3 largest colonies of King penguins in the world and the 3 most extensive beaches of elephant seals, it will be possible to see dozens of alpha males that they guard the territory and protect the females that have given birth.
Fortuna Bay, a beautiful glacier drainage plain Fortuna is home to a large number of king penguins and seals. Here you can also have the opportunity to follow the final leg of the Shackleton route to the abandoned whaling town of Stromness. This path goes through the mountain pass beyond Shackleton Falls, and as the terrain is partly swampy, you will surely cross some small streams.
Grytviken, in this abandoned whaling station, it is possible to visit the South Georgia museum and Shackleton`s tomb. At this point on the map, the owners of the place are the King penguins that roam the streets and the sea elephants that lie in their surroundings.
In the afternoon of the day 11 and depending on weather conditions, navigation will resume heading south towards the South Orkney Islands.
- Day 12: Heading south
It will be possible to find sea ice on this route and in its vicinity some polar skuas and snow petrels can join the other birds they accompany by following the ship`s wake.
- Days 13: The scenic views of the South Orkney Islands
Depending on the conditions it will be possible to visit the Argentine Orcadas base on the Laurie island of the archipelago of the South Orkney. Base staff will guide you through the facility, where you can enjoy views of the surrounding glaciers. If the visit is not possible, you may be able to disembark at Signy Cove on Signy Island.
- Day 14: Last leg to Antarctica
There will be no dull moments in this last stretch of sea to the south, the huge icebergs and the fin whale watching will ensure an unforgettable journey, it will also be possible to find some Antarctic petrels.
- Days 15 - 18: Imposing Antarctica
If the ice conditions allow it, you will be sailing towards the sea of Weddell. Here the huge tabular icebergs proclaim their arrival east of the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its huge colony of Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. At this point you will be able to set foot on the Antarctic continent proper and visit the Brown Farallion.
If the conditions to enter the Weddell Sea were not favorable, the ship will head towards Elephant Island towards the Bransfield Strait, between the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
The South Shetland Islands are windswept and often shrouded in mist, but they still offer subtle pleasures. A wide variety of flora (mosses, lichens, flowering grasses) and fauna (gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins and southern giant petrel) inhabit the islands. Chinstrap penguins and Weddell seals often visit the beaches near the Argentina Cámara base on Medialuna Island.
On Deception Island the ship passes through the Neptune bellows to enter the flooded caldera of the volcano. Here it is possible to find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station and thousands of checkerboard petrels. Alternatively, activities can also be carried out in Caleta Telephone, further into the caldera.
- Days 19 - 20: 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 to the south.
- Day 21: The southernmost city in the world
Arrival and disembarkation in Ushuaia, known as the southernmost city in the world. It is located in the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego and is known as “The End of the World”.
Although it reached the end of the route, the great The many memories you have accumulated during your Antarctic experience will accompany you wherever your next adventure may be.