Ancarctica-off The Beaten Tracks

The Cruise We begin this 12-night expedition at the tip of South America in Ushuaia, Argentina. We chart a course through the Drake Passage on our way to the Weddell Sea, that icechoked sea made famous by the saga of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men from the Endurance expedition. Images of massive tabular icebergs, ice-choked waters and human hardship come to mind when contemplating the Weddell Sea, all sights that we hope to see and experience over the course of our 13 days onboard the expedition cruise vessel. We will make our first landfall in the South Shetland Islands, most likely attempting a landing at Point Wild on Elephant Island before testing the limits of the ice in the Weddell Sea.

Day 1 – Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

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 of the Beagle Channel for the rest of the evening.

Day 2 – 3 Drake Passage

During these two days we will 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 meet several species of Petrels and Albatrosses, including the magnificent Wandering Albatross.
During the sea-days the experienced naturalist and lecture staff will educate us in topics such as geology, marine biology, ecology, orthnitology and history of the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean.
Land is usually sighted for the first time late afternoon on Day 3 at the South Shetland Islands, which lie to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula.
These volcanic islands are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins and southern Giant Petrels.

Day 4–10 – Antarctic Peninsula

We will sail into the Weddell Sea through the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound. Huge tabular icebergs will announce our arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. We plan to visit Paulet Island with a million pairs of Adelie Penguins and the remains of the Nordenskiöld expedition, Seymour Island, where many fossils have been found, and Snow Hill Island, where polar expeditions as early as 1902 wintered. We might also visit Brown Bluff and further into the Weddell Sea area we may visit Devil Island and Vega Island with a large colony of Adelie Penguins and a magnificent view for those hikers who can make it to the top of the hill. Melting ice sometimes provides spectacular waterfall from the cliffs close to point ‘Well-Met’.

Back through the Antarctic Sound we may visit the Argentinean station Esperanza on the Antarctic Continent. Watch out for stray Emperor penguins. There might be a chance to see one on an ice-floe.
Onward to the West we’ll sail south to visit the spectacular west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula where we will stop for landings or zodiac cruising, expecting to see rookeries of gentoo, chinstrap and adélie penguins. Blue-eyed shags, kelp gulls, cape petrels, snowy sheathbills and Antarctic terns are also abundant. You may also encounter weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, humpback, and minke whales.
Weather and ice condition permitting, we may reach the southernmost area of our voyage at Neko Harbour or Paradise Bay, where we have again the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback and Minke Whales.

Day 11 -12 Drake Passage

You bid farewell to Antarctica as you sail north across the Drake Passage. The adventure is far from over yet, as there are more opportunities to watch birds and whales cavorting in the open ocean. Final presentations by our expedition staff enhance the voyage en route to Ushuaia.

Day 13 Ushuaia

Disembark after breakfast and transfer by bus to the Antarctic Unit office located at the entrance to the pier.