Antarctica Springs to Life

After a friendly welcome at the airport and a transfer to the luxurious Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, take some time to unwind or explore the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. (In the unlikely event that you can't be accommodated at the Arakur, you'll unwind at another of Ushuaia's top luxury hotels.)

Our optional evening briefing is your opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers.

Overnight in Ushuaia

Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia, before our mid-afternoon escort to the ship. The Expedition Team and ship staff will welcome you on board and help you get settled in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and our Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way to Antarctica!

Join our Polar Experts as they share their vast knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in our pioneering Citizen Science program, or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort our ship as we cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures.

Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a unique geology. Here, you can expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife, including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins. It's not uncommon to share the water’s edge with Elephant and Fur seals. Whales are often spotted as well. We’ll settle into our Zodiacs and spend most of the day exploring. Kayakers, it’s time to get your first taste of gliding just inches above the pristine Antarctic water. Whether on land or sea, in Zodiac or kayak, be prepared for a fully immersive introduction to this incomparable part of the world.

Welcome to Antarctica in all its just-waking-up-from-winter glory. Untouched. Pristine. Getting busy. For the next couple of days, prepare to be amazed as we observe numerous species of penguins coming ashore and getting acquainted, building nests, and tending their eggs. Marvel at the winter sea ice that mantles these frigid seas, feast your eyes on glorious icebergs beginning the springtime march, and, as always, be on the lookout for seals and whales in the water. At day’s end, take in the miraculous sunsets that are a special treat this time of year. Visits to active scientific bases and historic landing sites may also be on the agenda.

We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again crossing the legendary Drake Passage. We have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.

With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.