Wild Encounters: Antarctic Peninsular & The Weddell Sea

Day 1:

Touch down in Ushuaia, the windswept capital of Tierra del Fuego, where the world quite literally comes to an end. As you arrive, your transfer awaits to take you to your pre-voyage hotel, setting the stage for your extraordinary Antarctic expedition.

Take this day to explore Ushuaia, playfully known as "the end of the world." Nestled between dramatic mountains and the turbulent Beagle Channel, this vibrant town pulses with the energy of adventure. Wander its charming streets, soak in the anticipation of your upcoming journey, and prepare yourself for the wild encounters that await in the pristine Antarctic wilderness.

This is more than a trip—it's the beginning of an unforgettable exploration to the planet's most remote and breathtaking frontier.

Day 2-12:

Embarkation

Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast before checking out. If joining the Lake Escondido tour, enjoy a panoramic drive through glacial valleys and lush forests to the Garibaldi Pass, offering stunning views of Lake Escondido and Fagnano Lake (weather permitting). Visit a local ranch for a traditional Fuegian Lamb barbecue before returning to Ushuaia for embarkation.

Drake Passage Crossing

Settle into your cabin and make yourself comfortable! The onboard gym, wellbeing centre and well-equipped library are yours to discover, and your expedition team will offer a series of presentations on Antarctica’s history, wildlife and environment to help enrich your experience. You will also be invited to collect your Muck Boots and attend important briefings on biosecurity, wildlife-watching guidelines and Zodiac safety, in preparation for your first landing in Antarctica. 

On day four the excitement is palpable as you near the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, with everyone converging on the observation decks to spot their first iceberg. Now that you’re south of the Antarctic Convergence the ocean takes on a whole new character, as you’re surrounded by porpoising penguins and dramatic icebergs. The memory of your first iceberg sighting is likely to remain with you for a lifetime. Time and weather permitting, we may attempt our first Antarctic landing in the late afternoon. 

The moment your first iceberg emerges from the mist, everything changes. The air—impossibly pure, impossibly crisp—fills your lungs with an elemental magic that transforms travelers into true explorers.

Our expedition unfolds across the Western Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, guided by seasoned polar experts who read the landscape like an ancient map. With nearly 24 hours of ethereal daylight, each day becomes a canvas of adventure tailored to nature's whims.

Zodiac excursions become your portal to another world. Glide between towering ice cliffs, where seals lounge and penguins porpoise through crystalline waters. Step ashore to walk among bustling rookeries, trace historic paths of legendary explorers, and witness landscapes that have remained untouched for millennia.

The Weddell Sea beckons with its legendary drama—an "iceberg alley" where massive frozen sculptures drift like silent sentinels. Here, wildlife thrives in spectacular abundance: Adélie penguins crowd volcanic slopes, blue-eyed shags nest precariously, and whales breach in waters unchanged since Shackleton's historic expedition.

Return Across the Drake Passage

With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here.

As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.

Day 12:

Crusie up the Beagle Channel, docking in Ushuaia around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers, continuing your journey with a newfound sense of nature’s power. Transfer to the prestigious Arakur Hotel for a restful one-night stay. Located against the stunning backdrop of the Patagonian mountains, this luxury retreat offers the perfect haven to unwind before your next adventure. Spend the day at leisure here, enjoying the spa facilities at the hotel. Alternatively, take a tour of the national park, taking in the dramatic scenery of Tierra del Fuego and Argentine Patagonia.