This voyage will take you further south of Antarctica, crossing the Polar Circe. This cruise passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to hike, kayak, and dive in the iceberg-heavy waters.
Itinerary
Day 1: In the afternoon we embark our vessel in Ushuaia – In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.
Days 2 – 3: At sea, en-route to the Antarctic Peninsula where we cross the Antarctic Convergence – During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black- browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Albatrosses, Cape Petrels, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs.
Days 4 – 9: Antarctica! We will see Gentoo Penguins, Chinstraps and southern Giant Petrels, as well as Elephant Seals – We may start our first day in Antarctica with a landing at Hannah Point, where we will find a nice variety of Gentoo Penguins, Chinstraps and southern Giant Petrels, as well as Elephant Seals hauling out on the beach. At Deception Island is a sub ducted crater, which opens into the sea creating a natural harbour for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Petrels and many Kelp Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. On our way further South we call at Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Rongé Island. It contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. In Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. We aim for a for zodiac cruise between the icebergs in the inner parts of the amazing water way of Paradise Bay.We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island offering Adélie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. We also try to land at Pléneau Island with a fair chances to encounter Humpback and Minke Whales. Overnight we head south along the Argentine Islands to Crystal Sound, and cross the Polar Circle in the morning. We aim to make a landing at the abandoned British station on Detaille Island which is likely to be our furthest south. The landscape is very impressive with very high mountains and huge glaciers. We may reach the Fish Islands on the way northwards were we encounter one of the southernmost Adélie Penguin and Blue-eyed Shag colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula. Sailing north again through Neumayer Channel and Gerlache Strait, we arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape with icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales. Throughout this area offers excellent opportunities for kayaking and diving in the pristine Antarctic environment.
Days 10 – 11: At Sea – On our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.
Days 12: The end of our voyage. We disembark in the morning in Ushuaia – We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.