Antarctic Circle Quest

On this exciting expedition, you have the opportunity to thoroughly explore the South Shetland region and Antarctic Peninsula searching out breathtaking bays and islands, and marvelling at extraordinary natural wonders. You’ll also may travel further into the polar regions, journeying as far as the Antarctic Circle at 66* 33’ south. You will see Antarctic nature in all its glory. The offshore South Shetland group boasts an abundance of wildlife. On the Peninsula, expect to visit Paradise Harbour, dotted with spectacular icebergs, beautiful Hope Bay, and if ice conditions permit, the superb Lemaire Channel, with its glacial walls rising high on both sides.

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia - Tierra del fuego
Board the expedition vessel in Ushuaia on Tierra del Fuego, at the southern tip of South America. Setting sail in the early evening, we travel through the Beagle Channel. The long days mean you’ll have plenty of evening light to take in the beauty of the channel and the wildlife in the area.
Meals included: 1 dinner

Days 2 - 3: Drake Passage
Cross the Drake Passage with the team of experts stationed on deck to help you spot whales and identify seabirds. You’ll also have the chance to take part in the onboard presentation series preparing us for our adventures on the “White Continent”. Talks on wildlife, ice and polar history create enormous anticipation that builds as we cross the Antarctic Convergence. Here the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean meet the warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. You’ll notice a sharp drop in temperature at this point. Huge icebergs loom against the horizon and seabirds such as the wandering albatross and petrels are regularly in view.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Days 4 - 11: South Shetland Islands - Antarctic Peninsula
The itinerary for these days is necessarily flexible and is dependent on ice and weather conditions. The route will be decided by our expedition leader in consultation with the ship’s captain. You may start by sailing as far south as possible, hopefully to the Antarctic Circle, and then working our way back north along the peninsula and finally visiting the off-shore South Shetland Islands group. Otherwise, this order may be reversed meaning we first cruise among the volcanic South Shetland Islands before travelling to the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula. Whatever the case, you’ll make you first landing on day 3 or day 4. The itinerary focuses on the areas with the greatest promise of wildlife.

You cruise among the South Shetland islands and the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, travelling ashore as frequently as possible in inflatable zodiac boats. We’ll hope to make shore excursions to Livingston, Half Moon and King George Islands. Admiralty Bay, on King George Island, is a favoured feeding ground for humpback whales and, with luck, we may see them dining on krill.

At crescent-shaped Half Moon Island, we’ll observe a breeding colony of chinstrap penguins that share their territory with fur seals and blue-eyed shags while at Livingston Island, we’ll discover more flourishing wildlife. Here there are Weddell and elephant seals, skuas, giant petrels, Antarctic terns and rookeries of chinstrap, gentoo and macaroni penguins.

Weather permitting, we’ll also hope to enter the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island, a recently active volcano and one of the most perfect crater islands in the world. Steam rises in places along its shores where the cold Antarctic waters mix with the thermal waters of the bay. Here, the very adventurous may choose to take a dip, if conditions are suitable. We may also observe the island´s large chinstrap penguin colony and enjoy spectacular walks to the higher points on the crater rim.

We then head further south, to Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay, both situated on the Antarctic mainland. Here we’ll be stunned by some of the most dramatic scenery the continent has to offer – a photographers paradise. Ringed with overhanging ice cliffs, the bay is filled with a remarkable assortment of floating icebergs that reflect a stunning array of colours, including the most exquisite blues, turquoises and indigos.

If conditions are favourable, you’ll have an opportunity to spend a night ashore, camping out on the ice, if you wish. This is an unforgettable experience with the lights of the southern sky bathing the landscape in an eerie luminescence.

On one or two occasions we may attempt to go ashore to visit some of the research stations maintained by various countries. On board while we cruise between landing points, we’ll want to spend time on the bridge or on deck just marvelling at the glory of the passing scenery, particularly through the Lemaire Channel. Penguins are often seen “porpoising” in the water, or resting on ice flows in this area. As well, we’ll have the chance to bask in a magnificent twilight that precedes the short nights that last only a couple of hours.

South of the Lemaire Channel, we’ll hope to find clear conditions that will allow us to travel right down to the Antarctic Circle. Here too the scenery is extraordinary, and it’s particularly exciting to realize we’ve crossed the line into this remote stretch of southern sea. It’s a great feeling.

It will likely be with some sadness that we eventually turn the ship back heading north for the final leg of this remarkable journey.
Meals included: 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners

Days 12 - 13: Antarctic Peninsula - Drake Passage
Leaving the Antarctic Peninsula (or the South Shetlands depending on our chosen route), we head back across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. The crossing is completed with the rounding of Cape Horn. We celebrate the conclusion of our adventure and last evening together on board, at the Captain’s Dinner as we make our way down the Beagle Channel.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 14: Fly out from Ushuaia
In the early morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia where our cruise ends. You are transferred to your hotel, or to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals included: 1 breakfast