Celebrating Antarctica

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia
After a friendly welcome at the airport and a transfer to the luxurious Arakur Resort & Spa, take some time to unwind or explore the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. (In the unlikely event that you can’t be accommodated at the Arakur, you’ll unwind at another of Ushuaia’s top luxury hotels.) Our optional evening briefing  is your opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers.

Day 2: Embarkation
Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia, before our mid–afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will welcome you on board and get you settled in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and our Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way to Antarctica!

Day 3–4: Drake Passage
Join our Polar Experts as they share their vast knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in our pioneering Citizen Science program or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort our ship as we cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures.

Day 5-6: South Shetland Islands
Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. Here, you can expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins; and it’s not uncommon to share the water’s edge with Elephant and Fur seals. Whales are often spotted as well. So, we’ll settle into our Zodiacs and spend most of our day exploring. And kayakers, it’s time to get your first taste of gliding just inches off the pristine Antarctic water. Whether on land or sea, in zodiac or kayak, be prepared for a fully immersive introduction to this incomparable part of the world.

Day 7 – 9: Antarctica
Welcome to Antarctica in all its awe-inspiring glory. For the next few days, we’ll explore any number of picturesque bays and famed harbors, maneuvering through majestic channels, where glorious icebergs and an array of beguiling wildlife share the highly active waters. Prepare to be amazed as we spot numerous species of penguins, seals, and whales, both along the rugged coastline as well as in the sea. There are great opportunities to stop at several active scientific bases and historic landing sites, and we plan to take full advantage of all the continent offers.

Day 10-11: Drake Passage
We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again crossing the legendary Drake Passage. We have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.

Day 12: Ushuaia Disembarkation
With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.

Please note the itinerary and route map are only tentative outlines of what you may experience. No specific itinerary, routing or landing sites can be guaranteed in advance. Where the ship actually sails will depend on a lot of factors including, but not limited to, the weather & ice conditions and the captain & expedition leader. Every trip is different, which adds to the excitement of expedition cruising in the polar regions.