Welcome to Ushuaia – the gateway to Antarctica! You’ll be transferred from the centrally located meeting point to the port to board your ship, the Ocean Victory. When you’ve boarded, you’ll meet your Expedition Team and settle into your cabin. Have a safety and orientation meeting, then sit down with your fellow travellers and the captain for a welcome dinner and toast to the start of your Antarctic adventure!

Over two days, you’ll cross the infamous Drake Passage. This body of water separates the tip of South America and the South Shetland Islands. As you sail, your Expedition Team will share their expert knowledge with you, preparing you for your Antarctic journey that lies just ahead. You can also take part in the Citizen Science program, where you can contribute to the recording and understanding of polar ecosystems and how they’re being impacted by climate change. Join the crew on deck for some wildlife spotting, keeping your binoculars handy for plenty of seabird-watching – albatross, petrels and prions are all likely sights in this passage. Keep an eye out for breaching whales, too! Feel the temperature drop as you cross the Antarctic Convergence, officially making your way into Antarctic waters.

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Explore the diverse landscapes of the South Shetland Islands. Over thousands of years, volcanic activity has shaped the geology of this archipelago, sculpting mountains and glaciers that are home to an array of wildlife. Colonies of chinstrap and gentoo penguins gather on the icy plains, and elephant and fur seals doze on the rocky shoreline. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a whale on the horizon. Traverse the landscape like a true adventurer, exploring the islands on foot and getting out onto the water in Zodiacs and kayaks to wind between icebergs and get better vantage points of the wildlife.

Experience all that the icy wilderness of Antarctica has to offer over three adventure-filled days. Heading out on approximately two excursions per day (depending on conditions), you’ll visit scenic bays and look out for wildlife both at sea and along the rugged coastline. Make your way through iceberg-rich channels and waters teeming with wildlife, looking out for penguins, seals, orcas, humpback whales and seabirds like the Antarctic tern, skua and wandering albatross. You'll also visit active scientific bases and historic landing sites. For a truly unforgettable experience, you can opt in to a night of camping under the stars. Your expert Expedition Team will maximise your opportunities for exploration depending on wind, sea and ice conditions, so embrace the spontaneity – it’s all part of a true Antarctic adventure!

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Leave Antarctica behind and start to make your way back north, crossing the Drake Passage once more. Gather with your fellow travellers and the Expedition Team to celebrate the incredible adventure you’ve shared with a slideshow of moments captured from the trip, a photography contest and one last celebratory meal together. Here’s to the adventure of a lifetime!

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This morning, it’s time to disembark the ship as your Antarctic expedition comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Ushuaia, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.