Epic Adventure: Antarctica and the Circle, Weddell Sea, South Georgia & Falklands

Arrive and embark in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost town. Explore the quaint city or local countryside. Alternatively, consider a day trip off the beaten path to the raw, natural archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. It's a hiker's paradise with rugged snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows and boggy quagmires. In the afternoon, board your ship, Ocean Atlantic. Your journey begins as the captain navigates through the calms of Beagle Channel, a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.

Sailing onward, we cross the famed Drake Passage - a body of water that marks the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Drake Passage is known for rollicking conditions and strong westerly winds, called the Roaring Fifties. While this passage may be challenging, you can rest confidently aboard our expedition vessel, which is purpose-built with stabilizers, powerful engines, and a highly-qualified crew. The most spirited sailors consider the Drake Passage a lifetime achievement, and you will complete the crossing twice!

In the Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view. Weather permitting, we will catch our first sight of seals and penguins! The area is also well-known for its abundance of birds.

In the first few days, we will begin the exciting Antarctic experience our ancestors only dreamed of. During these days we will explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we will encounter along the way. Weather permitting, our projected landfalls include King George Island; Deception Island, an extinct volcano with waters warm enough for a polar swim; and Half Moon Island with nesting Wilson's storm petrels and chinstrap penguins.

As the white shimmer of Antarctica looms on our horizon, the presence of wildlife multiples by tens of thousands with many species of lively penguins, inquisitive seals, nesting birds and the spray of marine mammals. Wildlife abounds along our projected route along the Antarctic Peninsula: leopard, fur and Weddell seals of Cuverville Island; humpback whales of Gerlache Strait; Paradise Bay; the dramatic Lemaire Channel's orcas and much more. We explore as far south as possible towards the Antarctic Circle at c. 66 deg 33 minutes south of the Equator. Possible landfalls in this wild and seldom visited area could be Pleneau and Petermann Islands, Crystal Sound and Detaille Island. We will also visit research stations if ice conditions allow us.

Then we will continue the exciting Antarctic experience at the very tip of the Continent. During these days in the Antarctic Sound, named in 1902 after the Swedish vessel Antarctic, the captain and the expedition team will keep a watchful eye on the mighty tabular icebergs, born from the floating Larsen Ice Shelf further south. We aim to have both continental and island landings on the shores of Antarctic Sound and the Weddell Sea, always on the lookout for some of the unusually large penguin colonies, which have recently been observed.
 
The itinerary and activities over the next few days depending on weather and ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be determined by the Captain and Expedition Leader and communicated to the guests through regularly scheduled briefings.

From the Weddell Sea, we continue our journey into the open sea, just as Ernest Shackleton and his men did more than a hundred years ago. Having lost their ship Endurance deep south in the Weddell Sea they moved slowly north on ice floes and later in open lifeboats until they reached Elephant Island. From here started one of the most remarkable boat journeys in the polar history, when Shackleton and five of his men for two weeks navigated the 720 nautical miles to South Georgia to call for recovery of the stranded crew on Elephant Island. We on the other hand will reach mighty South Georgia after just a few days at sea!

South Georgia offers stunning wildlife experiences with a wealth of breeding penguins, sea birds, sea lions and seals, all seeking shelter in this oasis amidst the roaring Southern Ocean. Previous whaling history pops up in most of the fjords we will explorer – not least in Grytviken the only inhabited settlement on this mountainous island. Grytviken is also the last resting place for Ernest Shackleton after he died on yet another Antarctica voyage in 1922. We will explorer the fjords of the north coast for 2-3 days and take as many shore landings as time and the swelling sea will allow us.

Days at sea are great for participating in lectures and other activities hosted by the expedition team, reading books in the ship library and watching the ubiquitous storm petrels and albatrosses from the top deck. Or just to relax.

During the morning we approach the Falkland Islands and in the early afternoon, we will cast anchor the sheltered natural harbor of Port Stanley. Utilizing our Zodiacs, we will land in the town center, and take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Stanley.

On the following day, we will make landings – weather permitting – at two of the islands’ many magnificent wildlife spots.

We are now into the last leg of this adventurous voyage, heading back to Ushuaia. During your time at sea, a variety of activities will be arranged onboard and it provides the perfect opportunity to dwell on some of the fantastic moments you have witnessed during your great voyage.

We are now into the last leg of this adventurous voyage, heading to Puerto Madryn. After a hearty farewell to vessel and crew, we disembark in the morning after breakfast.