Classic Antarctica

The Trip

Day 1: Ushuaia –  Board and sail along the Beagle Channel
Day 2 – 3: Drake Passage –  Crossing the Drake Passage
Day 4 – 8: Antarctic – Explore the rich wildlife and scenery of the Antarctic
Day 9 – 10: Drake Passage –  Crossing the Drake Passage
Day 11: Ushuaia – Disembark at Ushuaia for onward journey

Day 1

Arrive in Ushuaia and board the Antarctic vessel, the M/V Ushuaia. After some time to settle in you will enjoy lunch and meet the expedition and polar staff. Begin navigation along the famous Beagle Channel and Mackinlay Pass.

Day 2 – 3

Over the next two days you will be crossing the famous Drake Passage, named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16^th century British explorer with sailing through these waters in 1578. You will cross into the Antarctic Convergence where you will notice dramatic changes in the environment including varied wildlife like sea birds and whales. You will also spot your first towering iceberg here.

Along the way the polar guides will be available to ask questions and help you spot the wildlife including albatrosses that follow the wake. There will be a series of lectures and presentations to help you stay informed. On day three if the weather permits you will take your first zodiac adventures to view a penguin colony.

Day 4 – 8

Over the next 5 days you will explore the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. As the weather varies, exact itineraries cannot be determined until you arrive. The Shetlands are a haven for wildlife and here you wills see penguin rookies, fur seals, Southern elephant seals and much more. You will also sail through the narrow passage way to Deception Island.

En route stop at King George Island, the largest on the Shetland archipelago. Here you will see a colony of nesting Adelie and chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls, blue-eyed cormorants, terns and southern giant petrels. On Livingston Island you will see macaroni, chinstrap and Gentoo penguins as well as elephant seals.

More lectures and presentations will help you understand the geology, wildlife and the surprisingly rich human history. Depending on conditions you may sail through the beautiful waterways including Gerlache Straight, the Neumayer Channel and the famous Lemaire Channel.

Each day two landings will be planned including Paradise Bay, Paulet Island, Melchoir Island, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pleneau Island and maybe even Petermann Island. A highlight will be seeing the 100,000 pairs of breeding Adelie penguins. Other wildlife sighting will include Weddel, crabeater and leopard seals and Minke, humpback and orcas whales, sometimes at surprising close range.

Day 9 – 10

Leaving the Antarctic you will spend the next two days crossing the Drake Passage back to Argentina. You can enjoy more lectures by the naturalists and search for sea birds and whales from deck. Take some time to reflect on the amazing adventure you have just had.

Day 11

Arrive back in Ushuaia in the morning where you will disembark after breakfast.

Please note: The above itinerary is a guide only. Our exact route and program will vary to take best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife. Changes will be made by the Captain and/or Expedition Leader to facilitate the best results from the prevailing conditions. A daily program sheet will be issued on board. Flexibility is the key to success.

The Route

2022 – 2023 dates and rates

Prices in US Dollars and are per person. Prices in other currencies on request.

On board the M/V Ushuaia