Antarctic Circle Voyage

The Cruise Extend our classic Antarctic Peninsula Journey on a quest for the Antarctic Circle. Few people in the world can claim to have crossed this latitude, voyage through spectacular channels and bays of icebergs, seals, penguins and more. Be one of the few to set foot on the continent of Antarctica and beyond to the Polar Circle! Itineraries may vary from 15 days Circle Quest to 12 days Circle Quest.

Day 1 – Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego

Transfer to the pear in late afternoon to join other adventurers on deck as we sail through the Beagle Channel.

Days 2-3 – The Drake Passage

During these two days we will sail across the Drake Passage. The Drake is legendary for its high winds and rolling seas, but you may be lucky and get calm weather. We’ll keep you busy on deck, on the bridge, and in the presentation room with educative yet entertaining informal lectures about the white continent. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we may meet wandering albatrosses and other sea birds. Near the South Shetland Islands, we will glimpse at the first icebergs.

Days 4 – South Shetland Island

If conditions permit we may stop at the South Shetland Islands. We may land at a number of well-known landing sites at the South Shetland archipelago, where we may find a nice variety of gentoo penguins, chinstraps and southern giant petrels, as well as elephant seals hauling out on the beach. Deception Island is one of the most popular sites, with its subducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbor for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of cape petrels, skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and black-bellied storm petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.

Day 5-8 – Antarctic Peninsula

The ultimate objective of this expedition is to cross the Antarctic Circle. En route, the Expedition Team will attempt a number of shore landings in the Peninsula. The Captain and Expedition Leader will make adjustments to the program, taking advantage of local conditions.
While traveling along side the Peninsula, with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we may have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. We shall have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords and bays. We may sail through some of the most spectacular Channels of the Peninsula, offering the best opportunities for wildlife watching and photographing. We also try to land at several penguin rockeries with fair chances to encounter seals and humpback and minke whales.

Days 9-10 – The Antarctic Circle

We may head south along the Argentine Islands to Crystal Sound, south of the polar circle. The landscape is very impressive with very high mountains and huge glaciers. Ice condition permitting, we may land at Fish Islands at one of the southernmost adelie penguin and blue-eyed shag colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula. Celebrate with a well-earned glass of champagne, raising your glass to the intrepid explorers who have gone before.

Days 11-12 – The Drake Passage

The journey continues back across the Drake where we have time to reflect on what we have experienced, looking through our photos and talking with the naturalists about all the wildlife and history of Antarctica.

Day 13 – Ushuaia, Argentina

We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.