Antarctica Wildlife and Photography Expedition

Welcome to Ushuaia, Argentina, also known by its nickname ‘The End of the World’. In the afternoon, embark on the Polar Pioneer for the expedition of a lifetime. This tough ice-strengthened expedition vessel will be your comfortable home and base for exploring the next 11 nights.

After settling into your cabin, join a full safety briefing and an introduction from the expedition team. Meet the experts, your guides for the duration of your voyage who have extensive knowledge about Antarctica, the history, wildlife, and geology. 

In the afternoon, sail through the Beagle channel. It is the perfect time to spend time out on deck wildlife watching and appreciating the magnificent landscapes of Patagonia.

As the expedition team sails South, cross the famed Drake passage that separates Antarctica from the South American continent. It is the ideal time to spend time on deck watching the dozens of wandering albatrosses that circled the ship. During the two days at sea, the experts will get you excited for what lies ahead with a series of lectures on the wildlife, history, and environment of Antarctica. As you cross the Antarctic convergence zone, the air chills, and spend time on deck looking for the first icebergs and keeping a sharp lookout for whales that are frequently sighted. The amazing part of any Antarctica expedition is sighting the land of the 7th continent for the first time.

The focus of this expedition is to spend the maximum amount of time exploring in an unhurried way which is only possible in a small group. Each day the expedition team makes decisions about where to explore based on the weather and sea ice conditions. 

The vessel drops anchor in remote bays framed by icy mountains. The plan is to explore key wildlife sites on the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Here you encounter penguin rookeries up close. Gentoo’s, Adleie’s and, Chin Straps are all residents here. The team aims to do shore landings twice a day led by our expedition leaders. Use the Zodiacs for short cruises to explore the icy waters intimately. Keep an eye out for icebergs! There are plenty here.

The nutrient-rich icy seas are home to abundant wildlife, including The leopard, crabeater, Weddell and elephant seals, Orcas, Minke, and Humpback Whales. If the opportunity arises, it is possible to visit a scientific research station or historical site. As with all expeditions, flexibility is a must. The beauty of an Antarctica cruise on Polar Pioneer is that all our guests can Zodiac cruise or visit the shores at the same time. The process of going ashore is much more efficient than a larger ship so, the team can get to spend more time exploring and less time waiting. 

After 7-nights of exploring Antarctica, you will sail north towards Ushuaia. The expedition team continues the educational presentations. It’s a good chance to relax, warm up in the sauna and enjoy a drink at the bar. The expedition leader will do a recap of the voyage and, it is an opportunity to share moments and photos with your fellow explorers. As you approach the South American continent, if the conditions allow, there may be a possibility to sight the mystical Cape Horn before making our way into the Beagle channel.
 

In the morning, arrive back at the port of Ushuaia. After breakfast, we say our goodbyes after making new friends and sharing a wonderful adventure.