Antarctica – Unchartered Islands of the Deep South

Voyage Overview

Cruise south of the Antarctic Circle on a small, authentic expedition ship.

On this extraordinary journey, we navigate the unexplored waters around Lazarev Bay and the mysterious Glinka Islands, a region where old aerial photographs (1939–1941) serve as reference for existing charts. Ice and daylight permitting, we will be aiming to push further south toward these mysterious uncharted islands.

Ice and daylight permitting, we will sail among icebergs in the “iceberg graveyard” of Lazarev Bay, aiming to push further south toward these mysterious uncharted islands. Two of them are of significant size and may, in fact, be entirely new to the world. With an extended itinerary of 14 days, we create time for real exploration: time to embrace the unknown.

An expedition in the truest sense of the word, a chance to rediscover the White Continent. Perhaps together, we’ll write a new chapter in the history of Antarctica.

Trip Details

Duration: 15 Days

Ship: Ortelius, Expedition Ship, 108 Guests

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

End: Ushuaia, Argentina

Itinerary

Day 1: Embarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.

Day 2 – 3: Sailing the Drake Passage
Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.

Day 4: Through the Pendleton Strait 
Arriving at the Antarctic Peninsula near the Antarctic Circle. If sea ice conditions permit, you may continue through Pendleton Strait and attempt a landing at the rarely visited southern tip of Renaud Island. Here, you have the opportunity to encounter the first Adélie penguins of the voyage and enjoy spectacular views of icebergs in this surreal, snow-swept environment.

Later in the afternoon, we will continue our journey towards Adelaide Island and Marguerite Bay, crossing the Polar Circle. We will spend the night in the area of Crystal Sound, where the scenery is so captivating it may keep you awake into the early hours. This region also offers the chance to spot orcas, humpback whales, and minke whales.

Day 5 – 9: Into Marguerite Bay and sailing toward Lazarov Bay
We sail into the majestic Marguerite Bay, surrounded by ice-cloaked islands and soaring peaks. Wildlife sightings may include humpbacks, leopard seals, and possibly Adélie penguins. If ice allows, we may land at Pourquoi Pas or Horseshoe Island before continuing toward Lazarov Bay.

We navigate into Lazarov Bay and will explore this a remote area with its icebergs of all shapes and sizes dominate the landscape. Navigation is challenging, and if conditions are favorable, we’ll launch Zodiacs for a stunning ice cruise and prepare for deeper exploration. This is true expedition territory, raw, remote, and rarely visited.

Weather and ice permitting, we head even further south, aiming to reach islands never visited before. With every mile, we step deeper into the unknown, a voyage of discovery in the purest sense. In the evening, we begin repositioning northward, leaving behind the uncharted edges of Antarctica.

Day 10 – 11: The Gullet and Detaille Island
If conditions allow, we then sail through The Gullet, one of the most impressive narrow channels in Antarctic, with towering mountains either side, birds following the ship and playful penguins and seals frolicking in the water as we sail through this very special part of the journey. If ice conditions allow we will also carry out a landing or cruise in the afternoon. We may make a landing at an abandoned British research station here, taking in the island’s lofty position and imposing glaciers scenery.

Day 12 – 14: Sailing the Drake Passage
Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.

Day 15: Disembarkation in Ushuaia 
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

PLEASE NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per IAATO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with IAATO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed for our vessel is 10.5 knots.