Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands & South Georgia from Ushuaia

Bienvenidos! If you’re flying into Malvinas Argentinas Ushuaia International Airport today, enjoy a complimentary transfer from to your pre-expedition accommodation. There are no activities planned for today, so feel free to strike out on your own if you have time. Ushuaia is a relatively small city and is easy to find your way around. From Avenida San Martin the streets run uphill and you can get a great view of the Beagle Channel from the top.

Today board the ship and embark through the beautiful Beagle Channel in the afternoon, leaving Ushuaia behind you. The channel is rich in wildlife, so rug up and head out on deck. The expedition team may be able to point out penguins, cormorants, petrels and Black-browed Albatross in the sea and air around you.

While out at sea there is plenty to keep you entertained on board. The series of presentations given by the onboard experts will begin during this time, so you can learn about Antarctic marine biology, history, geology and ornithology. Armed with this new knowledge, your Antarctic explorations and interactions with wildlife will be all the richer. You will also be prepped on safety procedures for Zodiac cruises and shore landings.

Spend two days exploring the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), home to incredible history and a treasure-trove of birdlife. Kelp Geese, rockhopper penguins and Magellanic penguins are native to the area. While itineraries in the region are impossible to plan in advance due to weather conditions, you can expect twice-daily Zodiac trips to explore various landing sites around the islands. Land excursions opportunities meeting the residents of Port Stanley, cruising around West Point Island in a Zodiac to search for Commerson’s dolphins or landing on the beaches of Carcass Island to watch gentoo penguins playing on the shore. It’s also possible to pre-book adventure options like kayaking for an entirely different perspective on this history-rich archipelago.

More onboard presentations over the next few days will prepare you for upcoming shore landings and Zodiac cruises along the coast of South Georgia. You'll know you’re in bona fide Antarctic waters when you cross the Antarctic Convergence – the biological boundary dividing Antarctica from the rest of the southern seas.

Your first sight of South Georgia will be of snow-capped mountains. Keep an eye out for wandering albatross and giant petrels, and don’t be surprised if you spot the odd reindeer. Although Antarctica has no native land mammals, reindeer were introduced in the early 20th century by Norwegian whalers. Over the next four days, planned activities include a series of landings at king penguin rookeries, abandoned whaling stations and the lonely gravesite of Sir Ernest Shackleton. As always, potential excursions are determined by weather and ice conditions.

Head south again, spending a few more education-filled days at sea en route to the Antarctic Peninsula. Armed with unlimited hot drinks and a warm parka, enjoy time on deck searching for wildlife. If conditions allow, the ship may attempt landfall on the South Orkney Islands, which are officially in Antarctica.

Changing conditions mean that each expedition is different, but your team will make sure that every one of your four days here are memorable. Venturing out on the Zodiac, you might visit a penguin rookery and the historic harbour of Port Lockroy one day, and watch icebergs calve around Petermann Island the next. Chinstrap, Adelie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Curious whales, such as minkes, are often attracted to Zodiacs, giving you a chance to really get up close. Perhaps take a 'polar plunge' in the freezing waters of Neko Harbour. The options for exploration are as vast as the Peninsula itself.

Journey homeward through the Drake Passage. This legendary waterway, named after Sir Francis Drake, separates the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula from South America. Spend your last days at sea appreciating the vast open waters, looking for wildlife and enjoying some final onboard presentations.

Your expedition comes to an end in Ushuaia after an onboard breakfast. If you’re flying out of Malvinas Argentinas Ushuaia International Airport today, enjoy a complimentary transfer.