Highlights of the Southern Spring

Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina — the world’s southernmost city. Explore this vibrant Patagonian hub or stretch your legs in the surrounding forests. For a taste of raw nature, take a day trip off the beaten path to Tierra del Fuego, an island paradise for hikers. Discover rugged snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows, and rich, boggy wetlands. In the afternoon, board the vessel, ready to welcome you in port.

After completing the mandatory safety drill, the expedition begins as you navigate the calm waters of the legendary Beagle Channel, named after Charles Darwin's ship. This steep-sided strait divides southern Tierra del Fuego between Chile and Argentina and serves as the gateway for countless expeditions into the unknown. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins as you sail off the map's edge into the tempestuous Drake Passage.

Sail onward across the famed Drake Passage — the stretch of water separating Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula. Known for its rollicking conditions and strong westerly winds (the "Roaring Fifties"), the Drake Passage challenges even the most spirited sailors. Rest easy aboard the expedition vessels, designed with stabilizers, powerful engines, and a highly qualified crew to ensure a comfortable crossing. Many consider conquering the Drake Passage a lifetime achievement — and you'll do it twice!

Make the most of your days in the Drake Passage by preparing for your Antarctic adventure. Your Expedition Leader provides comprehensive safety briefings and guidance on minimizing your impact on this pristine wilderness. Get insights into wildlife watching and hear detailed plans for your time on the continent. The dedicated Expedition Team helps biosecure your clothing and equipment — a crucial step to protect Antarctica’s delicate ecology. Enjoy tailored lectures on Antarctic exploration history, wildlife, geology, glaciology, and more.

On the third day, cross into the Antarctic Convergence and feel the temperature drop as you enter Antarctic waters, where cold meets the warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This sudden cooling boosts wildlife activity, making these waters among the most biologically productive on Earth. Keep an eye out for petrels, albatrosses, and possibly penguins, seals, and whales. Weather permitting, make landfall in the South Shetland Islands on the afternoon of your second day in the Drake Passage — a small but spectacular archipelago marking the start of your exploration on the Last Continent.

Over the next few days, enjoy a safe and exciting Antarctic experience that explorers of yesteryear could only dream of.

The Antarctic adventure begins in the South Shetland Islands. This chain of rugged rocks marks the northernmost point of Antarctica, and the most exposed to the fury of the Southern Ocean. Because of this, it is also one of the richest in terms of wildlife, with large Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin colonies, and an abundance of large seabirds such as predatory Giant Petrels. The ice-clad mountains of Livingstone, Greenwich, and King George Islands give you a glimpse of what is to come as you venture further south. Landing sites that may be visited in the South Shetland Islands include the black steaming sands and rusting ruins of Deception Island (an active volcanic crater), the bustling penguin colonies of Aitcho and Half Moon Islands, or the old sealers' anchorage of Yankee Harbour.  

The following days are to be spent exploring further south on the Antarctic Peninsula in the Gerlache Strait region. This region is typically icy, so the exact route is subject to careful planning by the Expedition Leader and Captain - however, you aim to visit a range of sites that showcase the best of this staggeringly beautiful region. Consisting of the 'spine' of the Antarctic Peninsula and a large number of glaciated and mountainous islands, the Gerlache Strait is what comes to mind when most people think of Antarctica.

Visiting Antarctica in the early Spring offers exceptional experiences. Watch penguins come ashore and begin to build their nests and compete for mates. Marvel at the winter sea ice that mantles these frigid seas, stretching as far as the eye can see, and experience the power of an ice-class vessel push through this marine mosaic. Watch miraculous sunsets (which can't be seen in the height of summer) in an alien landscape. With heaps of fresh snow, you expect excellent opportunities for snowshoeing and camping in Antarctica, with springtime offering the best possible conditions. Wherever you go on the Antarctic Peninsula, endemic wildlife, tantalizing history and breathtaking natural beauty abound.

While wind, ice, and sea conditions dictate the precise destinations and timings, the plans are explained to guests during regularly scheduled evening briefings with your Expedition Leader; these nightly sessions are also an excellent opportunity to hear from your knowledgeable Expedition Team, who explain and expand on the experiences to ensure guests get the most from their voyage. 

On Antarctica, all human activity is subject to the whims of Mother Nature. While you make every possible effort to maximize opportunities for exploration of the vessel, the safety of the guests and crew is the top priority. Therefore ask all the guests to join the expedition spirit and be flexible - harsh weather offers the opportunity to expand your knowledge of Antarctica with lectures from the expert Expedition Team, or to enjoy the superlative comfort of the vessels, be it wine-tasting, relaxing in the hot tubs, or recharging with a relaxing massage in the Spa. 

You eventually depart Antarctica, and spend two days at sea on the way northwards back across the infamous Drake Passage towards the more welcoming shores of the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, Argentina. During the time at sea, a variety of activities are to be arranged on board to provide the guests with the chance to reflect on their voyage. Relax with an expertly crafted cocktail in the Nordic Bar in the company of new friends, soak up the knowledge and passion of the Expedition Team during lectures in the Shackleton Lounge, or simply enjoy the flight of the albatross that accompanies you northwards. 

During your last evening onboard, join the Captain and Officers for the Farewell Cocktail Party, followed by a presentation of photos and video by the onboard photographer - the ideal opportunity to re-live your Antarctic adventure. Skål! 

On the morning of the final day of the voyage, you arrive back at the pier of Ushuaia, Argentina. Trees, grass, and a busy city may seem strange to you after the white wilderness of Antarctica! After a hearty breakfast, it is time to bid a fond farewell to the Crew and Albatros Expedition Team, and descend the gangway back to dry land with memories of the voyage of a lifetime.