Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery voyage

This journey along the Antarctic Peninsula to the Polar Circle takes you through waters inhabited by humpback, minke, and fin whales. At various points during the expedition, there are numerous opportunities for activities such as hiking, kayaking, and even diving in waters filled with icebergs.

The Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery voyage: The itinerary

Day 1: The End of the World, Beginning of a Journey
Your journey begins in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world at the southern tip of South America. In the afternoon, you board your expedition ship and sail through the picturesque, mountain-lined Beagle Channel.

Days 2 - 3: In the Footsteps of the Polar Explorers
During the next two days, you cross the Drake Passage and experience the conditions once faced by the early polar explorers: cool sea breezes, rolling oceans, and perhaps even a fin whale surfacing between the waves. After crossing the Antarctic Convergence — the natural boundary of Antarctica — you enter the circumpolar upwelling zone, where cold northward-flowing waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic waters. This transition affects both marine life and birdlife. Species you may encounter include wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, sooty albatrosses, Cape petrels, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels.

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Days 4 – 10: Insights into Antarctica in Late Summer
Along the Antarctic Peninsula, there are many opportunities for activities. In this region, numerous humpback whales are actively feeding on krill before migrating north. Penguin chicks have already fledged and gather on the beaches, where leopard seals wait for opportunities to hunt. Possible locations for activities include Livingston Island at Hannah Point, where gentoo and chinstrap penguins, southern giant petrels, and elephant seals can be observed. Deception Island, a submerged volcanic crater with an opening to the sea, forms a natural harbor and hosts an abandoned whaling station as well as various bird species such as Cape petrels, Dominican gulls, brown and south polar skuas, and Antarctic terns. Wilson’s storm petrels and black-bellied storm petrels nest within the ruins of the whaling station at Whalers Bay. Cuverville Island lies between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Rongé Island and is home to a large gentoo penguin colony as well as several breeding pairs of brown skuas. Neko Harbour features towering glaciers and wind-sculpted snowfields; during a Zodiac cruise you gain excellent views of the surrounding peaks and may step onto the Antarctic continent itself. In Paradise Bay, Zodiac excursions offer good chances to observe humpback and minke whales. If ice conditions allow, the Pléneau and Petermann Islands may be visited, including a passage through the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. Humpback and minke whales as well as leopard seals are also frequently spotted here. The voyage continues south into Crystal Sound, passing the Argentine Islands and approaching the Polar Circle, which you are expected to cross in the morning. On Detaille Island, a landing near an abandoned British research station may be possible, surrounded by high mountains and imposing glaciers. Further north lie the Fish Islands, home to one of the southernmost colonies of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags on the Antarctic Peninsula. The Melchior Islands offer a landscape filled with icebergs and provide opportunities for kayaking and diving; leopard seals, crabeater seals, and whales are frequently encountered here. The conditions in the Drake Passage determine the exact departure time.

Days 11 - 12: Familiar Seas, Familiar Friends
During the return journey through the Drake Passage, you will once again be accompanied by numerous seabirds that you first encountered on the way south.

Day 13: There and Back Again
Every adventure eventually comes to an end. Today you disembark in Ushuaia, leaving the ship with lasting memories of your expedition through the Antarctic world.

Included Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery voyage

 
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee, and tea
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes
- Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation)
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme
- Comprehensive pre-departure material
- Complimentary Wi-Fi: each guest receives 1.5 GB of data per day, renewed every 24 hours
- Complimentary Dopper water bottle for use during and after your expedition
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