HIGHLIGHTS
Navigate the Drake Passage at the beginning of your Antarctic journey and lay claim to the feat while still enjoying maximum time exploring the Seventh Continent. These remote reaches evoke a feeling of a dream, but every moment aboard our intimate yachts amid these far-away waters is real. Find tranquility as you glide a paddle between ice floes on a possible sea kayaking excursion guided by an expert expedition team. Watch for whales sitting just 30 feet above the sea line at Water’s Edge, keeping your binoculars and camera ready when an expedition team member calls out wildlife sightings. While on a Zodiac safari, curious and friendly Gentoo penguins may hop out of the water near the vessel, welcoming you into their world. At the end of your voyage, fly over the Drake Passage back to mainland Chile.
After an early breakfast at the hotel, your group will transfer to the airport and board the private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. After a late afternoon embarkation, you will sail along the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America.
Navigating the intrepid Drake Passage is made for the boldest of explorers. Petrels and albatrosses that glide across the skies guide the way. To witness its awesome power makes the journey to Antarctica all the more triumphant.
The Drake Passage leads you from the southernmost region of the Americas to the Antarctic Peninsula, the northern point of The White Continent. This waterway where cold southern ocean meets warm northern sea water creates powerful currents that test your mettle.
But the rewards for the journeyer that braves these waters do not compare. The meeting of warm and cold waters creates an environment that attracts extraordinary wildlife. Drake Passage offers the chance to witness the likes of humpback whales and hourglass dolphins that accompany the voyage. The soundtrack of the 48-hour journey through the Drake Passage includes the crash of the ocean against the ship and the cry of petrels, skuas, and gulls.
While the waterway is famous for its challenging navigation, you may still get another side of the Drake Passage. On some occasions, the channel is calm and tranquil, making for a pleasant voyage into Antarctica. That’s one of the more splendid characteristics of the Drake Passage – you never know what you will get.
As you emerge from the Drake Passage, the mammoth, icy peaks of the South Shetland Islands loom ahead, greeting you on your victorious landing. You have completed the rite of passage to explore the seventh continent.
Nicknamed The White Continent for its vast expanse of icebergs, snow and glaciers, Antarctica is often the final frontier for experienced explorers to conquer. As you navigate Antarctic waters, you may set foot on sites like Beak Island, Brown Bluff, Cierva Cove, Hidden Bay and many more. Each landing throughout the continent offers its own unique landscape, from expansive tundra to rugged mountain peaks, all beckoning you to follow the paths that few explorers have trekked before.
CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.
Imagine setting foot on the ethereal landscape of the Antarctic Sound, where the whispers of ancient glaciers echo. It’s a land of stark contrasts, known for tabular icebergs, stunning blue waters and abundant wildlife. It’s a place where the horizon seems endless, and time stands still. Each landing becomes a thrilling chapter in your adventure book. Step ashore onto remote, ice-strewn beaches and feel the crisp Antarctic air invigorate your senses. Greet curious penguins waddling across the snowy expanses, while seals lounge nonchalantly on drifting ice floes. Amid the Antarctic Sound’s possible landings, Paulet Island stands out with its volcanic landscape and some of the largest colonies of Adélie penguins in Antarctica. Remnants of historical expeditions can be found throughout, connecting you to explorers of the past. This is not just a destination; it’s an invitation to the adventure of a lifetime, and a chance to unearth the secrets of this frozen frontier.
Your flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile, brings your adventure to an end. After your group transfer to the hotel, you are free to explore and enjoy an evening on your own, in the city.
INCLUSIONS
