DAY 1: USHUAIA, ARGENTINA

Ushuaia, Argentina

You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentine town is an ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.

Daily Summary
Tour: Ushuaia, Argentina

DAY 2: EMBARKATION DAY

Embarkation Day

As the ship sets sail in the late afternoon, you will begin your Antarctic journey, passing through the Beagle Channel. Named after the famed ship on which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents great photo opportunities to capture seabirds hovering overhead.

Daily Summary
Tour: Embarkation Day: Accommodation: Ocean Diamond

DAY 3: AT SEA

At Sea

There are many activities to keep you engaged while we’re at sea. You can take advantage of the library of books available on your ship, chat with your shipmates at the bar, or spend time out on deck, admiring the sea. Your Expedition Team will also conduct a series of presentations to familiarize yourself with how to prepare for Zodiac cruises and shore landings.

Daily Summary
Tour: At Sea Accommodation: Ocean Diamond

DAYS 4 – 5: FALKLAND ISLANDS (ISLAS MALVINAS)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

The Falkland archipelago contains two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, which you will explore thanks to Zodiac excursions and daily landings. These rugged islands have a frontier feel to them. This is especially true of the largest settlement, Stanley, an interesting British outpost–type place, where you could just as easily wander into a pub as you could a church or museum.

Daily Summary
Tour: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Accommodation: Ocean Diamond

Have your camera handy, as your wildlife sightings in the Falklands (Malvinas) should include at least three species of penguins, plus two endemic bird species—Cobb’s wren and the Falkland’s flightless steamer duck.

Your team of lecturers and specialists will be sure to educate you on the local flora and fauna so that you have the

DAYS 6 – 7: AT SEA

At Sea

En route to South Georgia, you’ll cross the Antarctic Convergence, an invisible biological boundary unique to Antarctica. This meeting of oceans is what creates the abundance of krill and marine life that attracts large cetaceans, such as humpback whales, to the area.

Daily Summary
Tour: At Sea Accommodation: Ocean Diamond

DAY 8: SOUTH GEORGIA

South Georgia

Evidence of the old whaling and sealing heyday is still found throughout the island. You’ll be surprised to learn that whale and seal populations were once decimated here. Today, their populations are strong, with massive rookeries to be seen.

One significant and historic site that will be of interest is the grave of the great explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Daily Summary
Tour: South Georgia Accommodation: Ocean Diamond

Since its establishment as a reserve in 1987, Miawpukek’s employment rate has increased from 10% to nearly 100% and Indian and Northern Affairs often references the community as a model for other First Nations. With the help of community leaders, we will receive a formal welcome into Miawpukek and meet the locals.

Your visit to his gravesite at the Grytviken settlement, also home to an old whaling station and a research station, is a day for reflecting on what it must have been like to be one of the first explorers of this unforgiving yet beautiful environment.

Although South Georgia’s history is an important attraction to the island, it is the wildlife that you and your shipmates will likely find most captivating. Often referred to as the Galapagos of the Poles, South Georgia contains an exceptional quantity of wildlife. Each landing you make on the island will open your eyes to a new wonder: one day you may see rookeries with hundreds of thousands of pairs of king penguins waddling on a beach; the next day you may visit another beach dotted with thousands of fur or elephant seals.

The grasses, mountains and beaches of South Georgia all play an important role in the breeding and survival of different bird and animal species. Your Expedition Team will be happy to share its knowledge of how these vulnerable relationships all play out on the island.

AYS 9 – 10: AT SEA

At Sea

The First Nations community of Miawpukek has a mandate for economic self-sufficiency, guided by traditional values. It became a permanent settlement sometime around 1822. Before then, it was one of many semi-permanent camping sites used by the Mi’kmaw people—who, at the time, travelled throughout the east coast.

Daily Summary
Tour: At Sea Accommodation: Ocean Diamond

DAY 11: SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS AND ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

The experience is hard to put into words, but the most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words.

Daily Summary
Tour: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula Accommodation: Ocean Diamond

You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes: at one moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete silence and loneliness, and the next moment you’ll be laughing at the comical antics of a curious penguin.

Glacier hikes, visits to research bases and, of course, communing with seals and penguins are sure to keep you smiling every day. Perhaps you’ll catch sight of the fearless penguin eater, the leopard seal, or maybe you’ll come eye to eye with a curious minke whale while you are cruising in a Zodiac. Each day and each landing will present a new collection of creatures to entertain you and keep your camera busy.

If you find yourself wanting more, then perhaps you’ll treat yourself by booking our kayaking Adventure Option (reserve in advance when booking your trip); if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, a little shock therapy courtesy of a Polar Plunge might be what you need!

DAYS 12 – 13: ANTARCTIC CIRCLE

Antarctic Circle

Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula do not come close to reaching this far south.

If conditions allow us to cross this famed line, we’ll toast the first explorers who ventured here, and you can raise a glass of champagne and take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home of the midnight sun, where there is the potential for fantastic iceberg sightings.

Daily Summary
Tour: Antarctic Circle Accommodation: Ocean Diamond

DAYS 14 – 15: NORTHBOUND ALONG THE PENINSULA

Northbound Along the Peninsula

If you haven’t had your fill of Antarctic wildlife and icebergs by now, you’ll surely be satisfied by the time you return to the Drake Passage. You will continue to journey onto land by Zodiac twice daily as you travel north along the western Antarctic Peninsula.

Your Expedition Team will always be on the lookout for species of penguins, seals and whales that may have eluded you on your journey south.

Daily Summary
Tour: Northbound Along the Peninsula Accommodation: Ocean Diamond

DAYS 16 – 17: CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE

Crossing the Drake Passage

After more than a dozen days of memorable wildlife encounters, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage, putting a final stamp of approval on your Antarctic adventure.

Daily Summary
Tour: Crossing the Drake Passage Accommodation: Ocean Diamond

DAY 18: DISEMBARK IN USHUAIA

Disembark in Ushuaia

Today you’ll say goodbye to your Expedition Team and fellow travellers, disembarking in the morning to catch your homeward flights.

Daily Summary
Tour: Disembark in Ushuaia

DAY 19: PROGRAM OPTIONS

Program options

Optional Activities During Your Cruise:
Add an extra rush of adrenaline to your expedition by choosing from a wide range of optional adventure activities to experience the 7th Continent in a more personal way.

Daily Summary
Tour: Program options (x 2)

Some of the available options are Camping on the Antarctic continent, Cross-Country Skiing, Kayaking, Mountaineering and Stand-Up Paddle-boarding. Ask us for details and prices for the available options on your cruise date.

Pre/Post Cruise Options:
This expedition cruise also offers the option of departing from/returning to Buenos Aires. A Buenos Aires transfer package is offered and will be quoted as an add-on to your cruise program. It includes:

• One night’s hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires, with breakfast
• Group transfer from the hotel to the airport in Buenos Aires
• Charter flight from the Buenos Aires international airport to Ushuaia, and return
• Group transfer from the Ushuaia airport to the ship, and return
• Combined airport transfer and express bus tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park after disembarkation

Pre and Post-Trip Options: Getting to the Antarctic can be just as much fun as being there. There are multiple travel options you can add to your cruising adventure. Some suggestions are Introduction to Buenos Aires; Santiago Head Start; Easter Island – World’s Most Remote Inhabited Island and Experience Igazu Falls. Programs may be combined if schedules allow.