Quest For The Antarctic Circle

Spend the morning at your leisure, exploring the city or enjoying an optional visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park, or a hike to Marshall Glacier.

Embarkation time is set for 4:00pm, once on board your expedition leader will give you a welcome and expedition overview. As the sun sets over the Beagle Channel you'll enjoy your first night on the cruise of a lifetime.

Your adventure begins with an 800km (497 mile) crossing of the passage that bears the name of the 16th century English explorer, Sir Francis Drake. The M/S Expedition is at home in this part of the Southern Ocean, known for the unimpeded fetch of the winds that encircle the Antarctic.

On the second day you'll cross the Antarctic Convergence, a meeting of cold polar water flowing north and warmer equatorial water moving in the opposite direction. This mixing pushes nutrient rich waters to the surface attracting a variety of seabirds, whales and other species.

Crossing the passage, you have time to become acquainted with the ship and its common areas, including the lounge, dining hall, library and lecture hall where you meet your guides, ship’s crew and expedition staff. Also commencing are a series of lectures on the extraordinary human and natural history of the Antarctic region. Keep a look out for sightings of icebergs, whales and albatross following in the ship’s wake.

Navigate southwards, making stops in the South Shetland Islands, through the Bransfield Strait and on to the Antarctic Peninsula. The Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands abound with wildlife. Penguins gather with their fast-growing chicks, whales are seen in great numbers, seals haul out onto ice floes and beaches, and numerous albatross and other seabirds trail in the ship's wake. There is plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of ice-choked waterways, blue and white icebergs, impressive glaciers and rugged snow-capped mountains. The Peninsula also has a remarkable history, and during the voyage you'll learn about some of the most important and dramatic expeditions.

With a close eye on weather conditions, the captain navigates the ship southwards along the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Passing colossal icebergs and countless colonies of penguins you push on – the aim being to cross the Antarctic Polar Circle. Few travellers have ventured this far south, but with the fully equipped ice-strengthened vessel and favourable sea conditions, you'll access many remote locations that other ships cannot reach.

You'll continue your exploration of the Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands as you start to move north again. Keeping a close eye out for wildlife you'll have the opportunity to do some whale watching or even go for a polar plunge in the Southern Ocean!

The ship will plot its return course but the adventure is far from over. Heading back across the Drake Passage you'll enjoy more bird and whale watching and listen to some final lectures by the expedition staff. These final two days are the perfect opportunity to relax, enjoy the ship's facilities and review the highlights of the past week.

And so the expedition comes to a close. You'll say your goodbyes to your crew and new friends as you disembark back in Ushuaia.

Depending on your onward journey you'll be returned to the airport, hotel, or perhaps your onward destination in Patagonia. Speak to a Chimu Adventures advisor to discuss your options!