Antarctica 2025/26

Days 5-8  Antarctic Peninsula It is almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica.  Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever. Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us.  Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.   Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions, and wildlife opportunities.   We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day.  You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded iceb...

Days 3-4  Drake Passage Crossing (cont'd) The Drake Crossing continues.  We're now south of the Antarctic Convergence and the seas are less rough than yesterday.  The temperature is about 0C.  Low cloud cover.   We had our first "polar photography" lecture this morning.  I learned a few things, but am nowhere near ready to turn pro.  Next up will be our first history lesson; looking forward to that one.  Just had an announcement that we're moving on to Plan B for this afternoon.........  Seems that the winds have become too strong to land at our intended destination.  Also - the ice pack has been blown about in a recent storm and there is no longer a clear path from our intended landing of today to tomorrow's destination.  Instead, we will have to go around the south end of the South Shetland Islands.  Today's proposed landing wasn't really part of the original plan; it would have been a bonus, but the weather has determin...

Days 3-4  Drake Passage Crossing As we commence the Drake Passage Crossing, we make the most of our time getting comfortable with the motions of the sea.  Our expedition team prepare you for our first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures and start our lecture program to help you learn more about Antarctica's history, wildlife, and environment. Our wildlife experiences begin as we enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following our vessel.  On sea days, you can enjoy the facilities on board the vessel including the gym, sauna and jacuzzis or relax in one of the observation lounges.   Nearing the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula on the afternoon of day four, the excitement is palpable with everyone converging on one of the observation decks watching for our first iceberg.  The ocean takes on a while new perspective once we are below the...

Day 2  Embarkation This morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out.  Please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags, clearly labelled with your name and cabin number.  Take your cabin luggage to hotel reception, prior to or at check-out.  Your luggage will be stored and transferred directly to the port for clearance, to be placed in your cabin ahead of your arrival on board.  Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day. Those wishing to join our Lake Escondido tour today, please meet in the hotel lobby at 8:45 am.  This tour offers us an unforgettable panoramic drive through big valleys of glacial origin, evergreen and deciduous forests, waterfall and rivers, in the vastness of the Andes Mountain Range.  We will leave Ushuaia city to the northeast of Tierra del Fuego, driving through peat bog valleys to reach Garibaldi Pass, only accessible by a winding road that will take us to a panoramic point.  From here we ...