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, is located at the southern tip of South America. During the afternoon you will embark in this small city of Tierra del Fuego - called “Del Fin del Mundo” - and you will sail the rest of the day along the scenic Beagle Channel flanked by mountains.
Days 2 - 3: The Way of the Polar Explorers
During the next two days in the Drake Passage, you will be able to experience the life from the perspective of the polar explorers who first challenged these regions: cool salty breezes, rough seas, perhaps even a fin whale snorting marine spray.
Crossing the Antarctic Convergence - the biological boundary of Antarctica formed from the meeting of the warmest waters of the sub-Antarctic seas with the cold Antarctic waters - you will find yourself in the circumantarctic rising water zone.
No there is only a change in the marine fauna but also in the avifauna. Wandering Albatross, Gray-headed Albatross, Black-browed Albatross, Light-mantled Albatross, Checkerboard Petrels, Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels, and Antarctic Petrels are some of the bird species that can be spotted.
Days 4 - 7: Enter Antarctica
Rocky gray peaks dotted with snow, whitish-blue cracked ice towers, and completely different fauna above and below. You will first pass the snow-capped peaks of the Melchior Islands and the Schollaert Channel, sailing between the Brabant Islands and Antwerp.
Some of the sites you can visit include:
Danco Island - The activity here will focus on the Gentoo penguins that nest on the island, in addition to the Weddell seals and crabeater seals that can be found in the surroundings.
Neko port - An epic landscape of gigantic glaciers and endless snow carved by the wind, Neko Harbor offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and disembarkation that will allow you to see up close the alpine peaks that surround you.
Paradise Bay - It`s possible take a Zodiac cruise in this expanse of water full of icebergs where there are good chances of seeing Humpback and Minke whales.
Port Lockroy - After navigating the Neumayer canal you may be able to visit the former British base - now museum and post office - from Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. It is also possible to carry out activities in the neighboring Jougla Point, where you will find Gentoo penguins and blue-eyed cormorants. There is also excellent kayaking and camping here, and when conditions are right you can even snowshoe along the coast.
Day 8: Scenes from the South Shetland Islands
The volcanic islands of South Shetland are windswept and often shrouded in mist but nonetheless offer subtle pleasures. A great variety of flora (mosses, lichens, flowering grasses) and fauna (Gentoo penguins, chinstrap and Southern giant petrel) inhabit the islands.
On Deception Island the ship passes through Neptune`s 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 - in addition to kelp gulls, common and polar skua and Antarctic terns can also be seen. It is possible to take a good walk in this desolate volcanic landscape.
Alternatively It is possible to carry out activities on the neighboring island Medialuna. Here chinstrap penguins and Weddell seals are often found near the Argentine base Cámara. The meteorology for 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.