Antarctic Peninsula and the Weddell Sea

Day 1: Embarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina

Your Antarctic adventure begins in the southernmost city in the world - Ushuaia, Argentina. The Beagle Channel will be your gateway to the south, charming you with an abundance of birdlife which includes Magellanic penguins, cormorants, petrels, and black-browed albatross.

Days 2-3: at sea

The Drake Passage, named after Sir Francis Drake, is the infamous body of water that separates South America and Antarctica. Smooth or rough, the crossing of the Drake is a rite of passage for any true Antarctic adventurer. These two days will give you time to get to know the Expedition Team and your fellow shipmates.

Days 4-10: Antarctic Peninsula & the Weddell Sea

Your time in Antarctica will be divided, subject to conditions, between the eastern and western sides of the Peninsula. Possible landing sites along the west coast include Melchiors, Wilhelmina Bay, Cuverville Island and Orne Harbour. Glaciers, penguin colonies and breaching humpback whales will highlight your days, while friendly seals are plentiful in these waters. You can also expect to encounter what is arguably the most formidable Antarctic predator - the leopard seal.

The Antarctic Sound separates the western side of the Peninsula from the Weddell Sea and is often riddled with huge pieces of ice emanating from the Larsen Ice Shelf. The Antarctic Sound itself offers great places to get ashore and stretch your legs at landing sites that are home to nesting Adelie and gentoo penguins. Snow and pintado petrels as well as kelp gulls also call this area home.

The Weddell Sea is as stunning as it is remote, and is best known as the location where Shackleton's 'Endurance' came to its end, crushed by sea ice. Take a zodiac cruise amongst huge tabular icebergs and perhaps land on Paulet Island. The island is a 350 meter high volcanic cone that juts dramatically out of the sea. Over 100,000 pairs of Adélie penguins breed here, along with blue-eyed shags, snowy sheathbills and kelp gulls. Fur seals and Weddell seals haul out onshore, while leopard seals often hunt offshore.

Days 11-12: at sea

As you cross the Drake on the way back to Ushuaia, keep an eye out for seabirds, attend some final lectures or simply reflect on your experiences of the past few days.

Day 13: disembark in Ushuaia, Argentina

After breakfast aboard the ship, disembark in Ushuaia.

Notes

• All voyage itineraries are intended as a guideline only - embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy of expedition travel. Actual routes and landings will be dependent on weather, sea and ice conditions. A degree of flexibility is essential in the polar regions!
• The above sample itinerary is based on the 13-day voyage on the Akademik Ioffe. Other departures may vary in duration and routing, including alternative embarkation or disembarkation ports. Please contact us for specific details.