Expedition To Antarctica- Glaciers + Penguins

Guests arrive in Ushuaia today and will be met at the airport and chauffeured to our resort.

After breakfast, guests have this entire day to enjoy the idyllic natural setting of our resort. If you wish, you can explore on your own in nearby Ushuaia, the lively port uniquely situated at the tip of the Continent. Our other travelers will be arriving today.

This morning's guided tour explores Tierra del Fuego National Park. Traveling all the way to Lapataia Bay, you'll have a chance to observe indigenous species as you learn about the region's unique geology, flora and fauna. Return to port and board the mv Ushuaia. Settle into your cabin, meet your expedition staff of leaders, guides and lecturers, and get acquainted with our intimate Polar vessel as you set sail along the Beagle Channel.

Named for Sir Francis Drake, who explored these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage marks the Antarctic Convergence - where Polar waters sink beneath warmer currents. This creates an upwelling of nutrients that sustains a remarkable diversity of marine life. As we sail across this passage, our naturalists will be on deck to identify the many seabirds following in our wake. Shipboard lectures and briefings will also enrich your days at sea. Meals B+L+D

Another fascinating day unfolds at sea as we continue our voyage southward! Enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow guests and the extensive knowledge of our friendly Expedition Team. With our ship’s unique open bridge policy, you can even join the Ushuaia’s officers to learn about navigation – and to watch for Minke, orca and humpback whales. Sightings of icebergs and snow-capped peaks indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands. With good sea conditions, you’ll go ashore later today for your first landing! Meals B+L+D

The South Shetlands are a haven for wildlife, home to vast penguin rookeries, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and large colonies of Southern Elephant seals. Along the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ll have time to explore a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways. Apart from penguins and seabirds, you are also likely to see Weddell, crab-eater and leopard seals as well as Minke, orca and humpback whales at close range. Over the next 4 days, we plan to make at least two landings per day. However, our exact itinerary will be determined by local conditions on both sea and land. Among the destinations we hope to explore are: Deception Island, South Shetland Islands Long ago, a tremendous volcanic eruption caused the islands peak to explode and seawater flooded into the resulting caldera, creating the unique landmass we may visit today. With the right conditions, our Captain will be able to pilot the MV Ushuaia through a narrow gateway in the icy cliffs of the island and take our ship into the caldera itself! Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands This crescent-shaped island offers excellent hiking opportunities and some truly glorious scenery. A short uphill climb over the cobbled beach brings you to a colony of breeding Chinstrap penguins. Brown Bluff This spectacular rust-colored promontory on the Antarctic Peninsula is home to 20,000 Adélie penguins and a smaller group of Gentoo penguins. There is also a large number of Kelp gulls, Snow petrels and Pintado petrels in the skies above. Argentina’s Antarctic Station Another opportunity to actually step onto the Antarctic continent would be a visit to the Argentine Antarctic Station of Esperanza. This is a year-round station along the Antarctic Sound complete with a small school, as some of the personnel come here with their families. Hydrurga Rocks This small group of islets in the Palmer Archipelago is home to Chinstrap penguins, Blue-eyed shags and Kelp gulls. An ascent to the island’s summit is rewarded with spectacular views of the Gerlache Strait and steep ice-covered mountains. Portal Point This gateway for a route to the Peninsula Plateau is distinguished by a steep snow slope that rises from the rocky shore toward the Plateau. There are large glacial tongues, high ice cliffs and a bay that is often iceberg-filled. Meals B,L,D

Today, as conditions permit, we’ll continue to explore landing sites in the South Shetlands and along the Antarctic Peninsula. In addition to the sites noted above for Day 5, our exploration over these memorable days will include some of the most beautiful waterways of the Southern Hemisphere: The Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel, and the Lemaire Channel – a narrow passage between towering rock faces and spectacular conditions. Again, we hope to make at least two landings per day – always joined of course by our expert naturalists. Meals B+L+D

Our navigation through remote Polar regions continues for another unforgettable day. Another site that we might explore on our cruise is Paradise Bay, one of the most aptly named places on Earth! If sea conditions cooperate during our time in these waters, we might negotiate the iceberg-strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound to visit Paulet Island – home to a bustling Adélie penguin colony of 100,000 pairs! The Nordenskjöld Expedition built a stone hut here in 1903; today its ruins have been taken over by nesting penguins! Meals B+L+D

As conditions permit, we’ll continue our exploration of the sites noted above in Days 5 through 7. Another one of the stops we hope to make over these 4 days is Petermann Island – where we’ll discover the southern-most colony of Gentoo penguins. As always, whether you’re onboard or ashore, our Expedition Team is on hand to answer questions and enrich your understanding of these pristine seas and lands. And don’t forget… Our unique open bridge policy offers a great way to learn more about Polar navigation from our experienced officers and crew. Meals B+L+D

Having left the Antarctic Peninsula behind us the night before, today finds the mv Ushuaia heading northward across the Drake Passage. Join our naturalists on deck or head to the bridge with the officers. Either way, keep your senses tuned for seabirds and whales. Meals B+L+D

Take advantage of this full day onboard to enjoy our final lectures and maybe another visit to the bridge. This evening’s congenial dinner offers a chance to share your experiences with your fellow passengers. Meals B+L+D

Step off in Ushuaia for your transfer to the airport for your onward journey. Meals B