Itinerary

DAY 1 | ARRIVAL IN BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
You can arrive in Buenos Aires at any time during Day 1 of your itinerary. Upon arrival in this splendid city, known for its architecture and rich European heritage, you will be transferred independently to your group hotel (pre-expedition hotel night included in mandatory transfer package).

DAY 2 | BOARDING DAY
Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will navigate the historic Beagle Channel, which transits the Tierra del Fuego archipelago at the southern tip of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart!

DAYS 3–6 | IN THE SEA
There are plenty of activities to keep you busy while you're out at sea. Learn to identify seabirds hovering alongside the ship, or watch dynamic presentations from your expedition team. You'll be briefed on safety procedures for Zodiac cruises and shore landings, as well as instructed on how to make the most of your optional sea kayaking adventures (additional cost), a truly intimate way to experience Antarctica.
If conditions are right, the first indication that South Georgia is approaching is seeing birds around a group of rocky spiers called Shag Rocks. Have your binoculars and cameras ready to capture these rocks emerging from the icy ocean waters. Cormorants and prions often rest here, and because of the nutrient-rich influxes around the rocks, it can be a good spot for whale watching.

DAYS 7–8 | SOUTH GEORGIES
After enjoying South Georgia from a distance, we'll head down to its myriad beaches to find a bay for your first shore excursion. Landing sites are varied, largely determined by the weather conditions of your journey. Whichever sites we visit, they will provide you with wildlife encounters unmatched anywhere else in the world.
South Georgia is one of the world's most fertile breeding grounds for subantarctic wildlife, with beaches covered in penguins. It will not take you long to realize that you are in a bird paradise, as sea birds, albatrosses and petrels can be seen in abundance.
You'll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, also has scattered abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries past. Your expedition team will help bring those days to life as you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations about South Georgia then and now.
One of the most important sites you will visit on the island is Grytviken. This settlement is one of the first whaling stations established in subantarctic waters. Many travelers find this place to have special appeal as it is home to the remains of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers.

DAYS 9 and 10 | IN THE SEA
Say goodbye to the king penguins, as your next destination is Antarctica! Your days at sea are filled with presentations and workshops led by your expedition team, preparing you for the wildlife and landscapes that will surround you upon arrival.

DAYS 11–13 | ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
The most common reaction upon arrival on the White Continent is a sense of awe and wonder. The experience is hard to express, as few places are as intact and enduring as Antarctica.
You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. One moment you'll be overwhelmed by a sense of complete isolation and silence, and the next moment you'll be inspired by nature as a glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a penguin wanders over to inspect your footwear.
Your expedition team will take care of you on every excursion, whether you're cruising by Zodiac, visiting a historic site or visiting penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and Gentoo Penguins are found here, along with Weddell Seals, Antarctic Fur Seals, Crabeater Seals and Leopard Seals. Keep an eye out for Antarctic whales, such as Minke whales, during a Zodiac cruise. Each day and each excursion will feature a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy.
As exciting as Zodiac excursions and landings are, you may treat yourself to an extra-special Antarctic experience by partaking in an optional paddle excursion (at an additional cost) or lose your mind and jump into Antarctic waters for the polar plunge.

DAYS 14 & 15 | CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE
After more than a dozen days of unique wildlife encounters and remarkable landscapes, your journey home begins. Crossing Drake Passage is your unofficial rite of passage. Spend time on deck watching seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations from your expedition team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.

DAY 16 | DISEMBARKATION IN USHUAIA AND FLIGHT TO BUENOS AIRES
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. The mandatory transfer package includes a small taste of Patagonia with a tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park before transferring to the airport for the group charter flight back to Buenos Aires.

© Pete H.

© Sam Crimmin

© David Merron