South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula

Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. You can explore this lively Patagonian town or take a walk in the nearby forests. Consider a trip into Tierra del Fuego's raw, natural landscape. Tierra del Fuego, the island, is an ideal hiking destination with its rugged mountains and glaciers. It also has flower-filled fields, boggy wetlands, and meadows. We board the vessel that is waiting for us to arrive in port.

Our expedition starts after our safety drill. We navigate the Beagle Channel, named for Charles Darwin’s ship. The steeply-sided Strait that divides Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina and Chile has served as the starting point of thousands of explorations. As we enter the Drake Passage, keep an eye out for dolphins and whales.

We continue sailing and cross the famous Drake Passage, the waterway that separates Patagonia from the Antarctic Peninsula. Drake Passage, also known as the Roaring Fifties for its strong winds and rollicking weather conditions is a famous passage. Although this is a challenging passage, our expedition ships are equipped with powerful engines, stabilizers and highly qualified crews. Drake Passage is a life-long achievement for the most adventurous sailors. You will make it twice.

We will use our days on the Drake Passage to prepare for our trip to Antarctica. Your Expedition Leader will give you a comprehensive briefing on safety and how to minimize your impact in this wilderness. He will also provide you with tips and hints for wildlife viewing, and our exploration plans. The Expedition Team is dedicated to helping you biosecure clothing and equipment, which helps to preserve Antarctica's fragile ecology. They will also share tailored lectures about Antarctic exploration history and wildlife.

On the third day, we will enter the Antarctic Convergence. Watch the temperature plummet while sailing southwards in Antarctic waters. This abrupt cooling marks the intersection between the cold waters of Antarctica and the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. The sea will cool, bringing with it a plethora of wildlife. This is some of the biologically most productive waters on Earth. Expect to see penguins as well as albatrosses, and possibly seals and even whales. We may land on South Shetland Islands, a beautiful archipelago north of Antarctic Peninsula, weather permitting. This will mark the beginning of our journey on The Last Continent.