Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego
Arrive in the southernmost city in the world and make your way to the Hotel Los Nires or similar hotel.

Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands
Journey across the famous Drake Passage, named after the 16th-century English navigator Sir Francis Drake. As the ship sails, our naturalists and historians offer presentations on the marvels ahead. If weather allows, you can spend time on deck spotting for albatrosses - including the magnificent Wandering Albatross - and other seabirds. The South Shetland Islands, which lie to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, are usually sighted in the late afternoon on Day 4.

Here you visit vast penguin rookeries, land on beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals, and observe wallowing southern elephant seals. You may also visit one of the many research bases in the archipelago and look for Antarctica's only two flowering plants, which thrive here during the short southern summer. Often the ship sails through Neptune Bellows, a narrow passage leading into the sunken caldera of Deception Island. Here, if the tide allows, you may dip your toes in the steaming waters of Pendulum Cove.

Antarctic Peninsula
Our exploration of the Antarctic continent may begin with a visit to the aptly named Paradise Bay, or to nearby Neko Harbor. Glaciers fill the calm waters with an amazing vista of icebergs as you set foot on the Antarctic continent itself. During the voyage, expect to see enormous rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins.

You may also encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, humpback, and Minke whales. If pack ice and icebergs allow, the ship navigates some of the most beautiful waterways in the world. Two in particular, the Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, are impressive narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers.

Sailing south of the Lemaire Channel we may visit Petermann Island, where Adélie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to the landing site. The quest for the Antarctic Circle continues as the expedition pushes farther south. You will be in the vicinity of historic Stonington Island, which served briefly as a base for the Byrd's Little America Expedition in 1940. The site also served as the base for Finn Ronne's 1947-48 Antarctic Research Expedition that mapped a great portion of the continent by air. We will mark our arrival at the southernmost location with a celebration on board.

Drake Passage
You bid farewell to Antarctica as you sail north across the Drake Passage. The adventure is not over, as there are more opportunities to watch birds and whales cavorting in the open ocean.

Ushuaia
Disembark after breakfast and transfer by bus to the Antarctic Unit office located at the entrance to the pier. If you are departing on the morning flight, the transfer continues to the airport.