Antarctic Circle Quest

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.

The morning is free to explore Ushuaia and the surrounding area, to do some

last minute shopping, stroll around Ushuaia and down to the port or maybe go

for a walk in the nearby National Park. The transfer to the ship takes place

in the afternoon. Once on board there is a get together for introductions to

the expedition team, to learn about the ship and its layout, talk about the

itinerary for the next 13 days and participate in the obligatory lifeboat

drill. Departure from Ushuaia is normally around 6:00 p.m, and we set sail

through the Beagle Channel in the early evening. The long days mean plenty of

evening light in which to experience the beauty of the channel, and to

perhaps enjoy your first wildlife sightings.

Sea conditions in the Drake Passage can vary from dead calm (known as 'Drake

Lake'), to rough and stormy (known as 'Drake Shake'). As you cross the Drake

Passage our team of experts is out on deck to help you spot whales and

identify seabirds. There is also a programme of talks, covering the wildlife,

the ice, and polar history to prepare you for your adventure to the 'White

Continent'. The excitement intensifies as you cross the Antarctic

Convergence, where the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean meet the warmer

waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. You feel the change as the air

gets cooler. Huge icebergs loom up against the horizon in increasing numbers,

and Wandering albatrosses, petrels and other birds which thrive in this cold,

remote ocean are frequently seen.

The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of

reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as

untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this

region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travellers alike.

Every visit to Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which

means that your expedition will be unlike any other - creating a unique,

personal experience.



Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local

bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of

our minds, you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for Humpback and Minke

whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the

cunning Leopard seal.



Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are

exploring the Antarctic terrain, visiting a research station or consorting

with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and Gentoo penguins are found here,

along with four different species of seals. Zodiac cruising can offer

opportunities to view some of the larger local marine mammals more

intimately, such as Antarctic Minke and Humpback whales. Each day and each

excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep

your camera busy.



Your days will be busy spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the

astounding beauty of Antarctica. Listening to the crackling and crumbling of

icebergs and glaciers and watching penguins waddling on the beach will become

your daily entertainment.

Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most

expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula do not reach this far south —

66°33´S. If conditions allow us to cross this famed line at 66°33´ S, you

and your shipmates will celebrate in style with a well-earned glass of

sparkling wine!



Make a toast 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, Adélie penguins and some of the most awe-inspiring ice

formations you’ll see anywhere on the planet.

By now, your knowledge of Adélie, Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins will be

matched by your ability to differentiate between a Leopard, Fur and Weddell

seal. Terms like ‘bergy bits’ and ‘pancake ice’ will become part of

your vocabulary, yet there are still many tales to be told. As you head

north, Zodiac excursions will fill your days, and your Expedition Team will

continue looking out for species of seabirds, seals and whales that may have

eluded you on your journey south.

Leaving the Antarctic Peninsula behind our ship heads back across the

Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. The crossing is completed with

the rounding of Cape Horn, weather permitting.

In the early morning we arrive back in Ushuaia where your voyage ends. You

will be transferred either to town on to the airport for your onward flight

to Buenos Aires.