The Antarctic Peninsula Express by Polar Latitudes

Highlights

Quick Itinerary

Complimentary Pre-Arrival Day
Everyone knows how stressful it can be when you need to book according to your plans. You want to make sure you get enough time in between connections, that no flights get delayed, … Well, we want to give you the opportunity to relax with an optional free pre-arrival night at the stunning Arakur Hotel & Resort. The hotel has great facilities and you could enjoy a session at the spa!

Day 1: Ushuaia exploration
Our first official day is to visit Ushuaia and its surroundings. The city offers great museums, several shopping Centres and Argentinean leather markets. You can also go hiking towards Tierra del Fuego National Park if you have some time to spare.

Day 2: Embarkation and sail through the Beagle Channel
Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and prepare yourself for embarkation mid-afternoon. You are free to explore Ushuaia or unwind at the hotel before transfer to the ship. The expedition team will provide an orientation briefing, following with a welcoming dinner by the Captain and his crew. After the event, the cruise ship will sail through the Beagle Channel and it will be the start of this adventurous journey.

Day 3-4: Cross the Drake Passage
While crossing the Drake Passage, our team will give you presentations on the white continent, from wildlife to history. Our Citizen program is open to everyone who wants to help us in scientific research. You can take part in SeaBird sighting surveys or help collect salinity samples and weather data along the way. This is important work and the on-site data is carried out in partnership with the NASA and the Scripps Institute to understand how climate is changing and is impacting our environment.

Day 5: Expedition in the South Shetland Islands
The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands. Those islands have been part of the British Antarctica Territory since 1962. However, the government of Chile and Argentina have also claimed them, respectively since 1940 and 1943.   
We will travel to the most stunning sceneries, in Zodiac boats but also set foot on land where you could spot colonies of penguins such as Chinstrap penguin, as well as whales or Elephant seal. You can contemplate majestic glaciers along the way and icebergs. Despite the harsh conditions the islands do support vegetation, the tundra. It consists of mosses, lichens and algae in the surrounding waters.

Day 6-8: Sail to the Antarctic Sound
The expedition continues further South across the Bransfield Strait to the Antarctic Sound. This will probably be the highlight of this expedition. This part of the Sound is undoubtedly different from the Western Peninsula as it is challenging and difficult to traverse. In fact, the massive current pushes cold, iced water North and, ultimately, lead your voyage into an adventurous path. Regarding the weather condition, the Captain will decide where to conduct the expedition. The picturesque landscapes, impressive icebergs and stunning views make the location fundamentally different from what you have seen so far. Adelie penguins can be sported in the area as well as Weddel seals.

Day 9-10: Sail back through the Drake Passage
We are sailing back to the Drake Passage. This is a perfect time to share the experience with the rest of the travellers. The team will continue to provide lectures and presentations, and you can still spot the birdlife such as Albatross on your way back as well as whales.

Day 11: Disembarkation in Ushuaia
You will disembark the ship in the morning. You can decide to catch a flight or stay a bit more in Ushuaia and continue exploring the place.