Crossing the Circle

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia

After a friendly welcome at the airport and a transfer to the luxurious Arakur Resort & Spa, take some time to unwind or explore in the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia.

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

Day 2: All Aboard Seaventure!

Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, or visit a museum or the Argentinean leather markets in Ushuaia, before or just relaxing at the hotel until our
mid-afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will welcome you on board and get you settled in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and our Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way to Antarctica!

Day 3 and 4: Drake Passage

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.

Day 5: South Shetland Islands

Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. Here, you can expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins; and it’s not uncommon to share the water’s edge with Elephant and Fur seals. Whales are often spotted as well. So, we’ll settle into our Zodiacs and kayaks, and spend most of our day exploring. Whether on land or sea, in zodiac or kayak, be prepared for a fully immersive introduction to this incomparable part of the world.

Day 6 to 8: Antarctic Circle

Heading south across the Bransfield Strait, we begin to see the breathtaking outline of the Antarctic Peninsula. Wildlife sightings, including penguins, whales, and fur seals, become more frequent, as do dramatic ice sculptures. Should Antarctica’s unpredictable weather and ice permit, you will be among the lucky few to cross the Antarctic Circle, where the sun remains in the sky for 20 hours a day. Following a tradition first established by sailors crossing the equator, we’ll celebrate the occasion by… (Sorry, you just have to be there), before heading onward toward any number of historic and rarely visited
British Survey bases, after which we turn back north.

Day 9 to 11: Antarctic Peninsula

Heading north, we’ll explore all the Antarctic Peninnsula has to offer, including any number of spectacular bays and famed harbors, maneuvering through dramatic channels as we traverse the wildlife-rich waters, encountering a wide variety of lively penguins, seals, and whales along the rugged coastlines and in the sea. There are always great opportunities to stop at several active scientific bases and historic landing sites along the way, as we leave no opportunity unseized-upon in our quest to explore the very best of this magical place.

Day 12 and 13: Drake Passage

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

Day 14: Ushuaia Disembarkation

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.

• Pre-voyage hotel with breakfast in Ushuaia (see specific itinerary for details)
• Transfer from airport in embarkation city to group hotel if arriving on Day 1 of itinerary, and providing we have your confirmed air itinerary at least 15 days prior to departure
• Transfer from group hotel to ship for embarkation
• Shipboard accommodations
• All meals on board
• Beer/wine/soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Coffee/Tea/Cocoa 24 hours a day
• All scheduled landings and excursions
• Our Citizen Science program: participation in a variety of scientific activities that support important research projects
• Expedition jacket (yours to keep)
• A pair of loaner boots for use during the voyage
• 500 MB WiFi for personal devices
• All port fees
• All landing fees
• Digital Voyage Log

• Any airfare or travel expenses associated with arrival in Ushuaia other than those listed above
• Transfer from airport to group hotel, unless arriving on Day 1 of the itinerary
• Pre- or post-voyage expenses in Argentina
• Travel insurance; medical insurance; evacuation coverage
• Laundry and personal expenses incurred on board
• Onboard communication charges such as outgoing phone calls, WiFi from personal devices in excess of the 500 MB provided
• Staff gratuities