South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

Ushuaia, the most southern city on earth is located in this town. Explore this vibrant Patagonian city or go for a stroll in nearby forests. Consider a trip into Tierra del Fuego's raw, natural landscape. Tierra del Fuego is a great hiking destination because of its glaciers and rugged mountains. There are also flower-filled meadows, boggy wetlands and meadows. The vessel is waiting in the port for our arrival.

After our safety drill, we begin the expedition. The Beagle Channel is named after Charles Darwin's vessel. The steep-sided Strait which divides Tierra del Fuego, in southern Argentina and Chile, has been the beginning of thousands of expeditions. Keep an eye on dolphins and other marine life as we approach the Drake Passage.

Continue sailing to the Drake Passage. This waterway separates Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula. Drake Passage is also called the Roaring Fifties because of its high winds and erratic weather. Our expedition ships have powerful engines and stabilizers, as well as highly-qualified crews, to make this a difficult passage. Drake Passage represents a lifetime achievement to the most daring sailors. It will be twice as good.

We'll use the days we spend on Drake Passage as preparation for our Antarctica trip. You will receive a detailed briefing from your Expedition Leader on how to stay safe and minimize impact. The Expedition Leader will give you tips on how to observe wildlife and about our expedition plans. It is the mission of The Expedition Team to provide you with biosecure equipment and clothing, helping to protect Antarctica's delicate ecology. The Expedition Team will share lectures on Antarctic exploration history, wildlife and other topics.

The third day we enter the Antarctic convergence. As you sail southwards through Antarctic waters, watch the temperatures plummet. The abrupt cooling is the result of the transition between the cold Antarctic waters and the warmer waters of the Atlantic Ocean or Pacific Ocean. As the sea cools, it will bring with it an abundance of wildlife. These are some of the most biologically productive waters in the world. You can expect to see albatrosses and penguins, as well as seals or even whales. Weather permitting, we may be able to land at South Shetland Islands. This is a stunning archipelago located north of Antarctic Peninsula. The Last Continent will be our first stop.