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The Antarctic, land of extremes, is a destination that enthralls all who participate in the exciting voyage to one of the most remote and fascinating natural reserves of the world. The Antarctic, with its spectacular beauty, amazing colors reflected on the ice, wildlife in full splendor and magnificent sites for visiting, promises to be unforgettable for travelers in search of unique experiences.
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Ushuaia, Argentina
Passengers board the M/V Antarctic Dream where you will be greeted by our Expedition Leader and staff and shown to your cabin. Check-in will begin at 2:30 pm. aprox. on departure day.
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Drake Passage
Wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds will escort the vessel as you sail south across this famous passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English navigator. We will continue towards the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zone. In 1819, the British explorer William Smith described the South Shetland Islands as “barren and covered with snow, with seals in abundance”.
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Aitcho Island
Aitcho Island will give us an early taste of what the Antarctic really is. It is the biggest island of the South Shetlands, where we will disembark in Potter Bay. In the afternoon we will disembark at Aitcho Island which is in between Greenwich and Robert Islands. We will continue with the crossing of the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits to enter Andvord Bay where we find Neko Bay.
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Antarctic Peninsula & Neko Bay
Besides the magnificent scenery of mountains, snow and ice, in Antarctica you can expect to see a wide variety of the native wildlife. Other birds to look out for are blue-eyed shags, gulls, cape petrels, skuas, snowy sheathbills and Antarctic terns. Marine mammals that you are likely to see include Weddell crab-eaters and leopard seals while orcas, humpback and mink whales may be spotted at close range. The program includes your first landing on the White Continent (Neko Bay) and another on Port Lockroy (Gaudier Island). Neko Bay was discovered by Adrian de Gerlache, a Belgian explorer. Port Lockroy is close to Wiencke Island in the Antarctic Peninsula and was the principle base of the 1944 Tabarin Operation – the scientific research included the Antarctic’s first ionosphere measurements and also the first recording of an atmospheric whistle.
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Paradise Bay – Cuverville Island
At this point of our program we will begin our return voyage. During the morning and, stressing again that if weather permits, we will disembark or use our zodiacs in Paradise Bay. In the evening we will visit Cuverville Island. Beside its dramatic scenery it is home to one of the largest colony of Gentoo penguins and skuas. We will continue with the crossing of the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits to enter Andvord Bay where we find Neko Bay.
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Pleneau – Petermann Island
We sail south through the narrow Lemaire Channel who’s high, sheer cliffs suggest that no passage could be found. Once through the channel, known as one of the most beautiful places in the world, and provided climate and ice conditions are good enough, we will be able to visit Petermann Island which is the most southern land point of our expedition. Here we will disembark and will be able to see the most southern colony of Gentoo penguins which nest near our landing spot. On this island we will also be able to see a colony of beautiful Adelei penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. At Pleneau we should have the opportunity to take our zodiacs and visit impressive ice formations. |
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Deception Island – Whaler’s Bay – Pendulum Cove
We continue sailing to Deception Island which is the largest active volcano in the area at the northwest side of the Peninsula. During the morning we will try to disembark in Whaler’s Bay and Pendulum Cove where you can live the unique experience of swimming in this water. In the afternoon we will disembark at Hannah Point (Livingstone Island). This is one of the best places in the Antarctic to see fauna and we should see Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, giant petrels, Wilson petrels, skuas and blue-eyed shags. With luck, we should also see sea elephants.
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Drake Passage
Today, we will leave the Antarctic and head north back across the Drake Passage. Now is the chance to compare and revise notes and dwell on the adventures of the past week, to take in the final lectures and to enjoy the delicious gastronomy on board as you return to Ushuaia.
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Ushuaia - Argentina
After an early breakfast we will land at 9:00 am. aprox. and bid farewell to our guests. Thus ends an incredible and unique expedition.
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 The excursions described in the itineraries can normally be carried out. Notwithstanding the above, Transportes Marítimos Terra Australis S.A., Transportes Marítimos Via Australis S.A., and Transportes Marítimos Geo Australis S.A reserve the right to reschedule, shorten, or alter all or part of the itineraries and/or excursions without previous notice, in order to safeguard the well-being and safety of passengers, preserve the environment, or due to any extraordinary circumstances, acts of god or force majeure. For the same reasons, the hours of departure or arrival of the vessels may be subject to change.
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