Extended Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Circle (Ocean Albatros)

Welcome to Ushuaia – the gateway to Antarctica. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your comfortable hotel for the night. This evening, you’ll have a welcome meeting with the other travellers who will be joining you for your journey. If you arrive in Ushuaia with time to spare, why not head out to explore the southernmost city in the world – maybe visit the Maritime Museum, browse the souvenir shops for the perfect keepsake or try an Argentinian snack or two.

Spend the morning either exploring more of Ushuaia or relaxing at the hotel until you board your ship this afternoon. Meet the Expedition Team and settle into your cabin, then have a safety and orientation briefing. Tonight, you’ll join the captain and your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner on board. Raise a glass as you set sail on your Antarctic adventure!

As you sail south, make the most of the program of educational talks given by the Expedition Team. Learn about the wildlife, history and geology of the areas you’ll soon be exploring. You’ll also have an expedition safety briefing to prepare you for your upcoming Zodiac excursions.

Gear up for two days of wildlife spotting in the Falkland Islands. This archipelago is home to the world’s largest black-browed albatross colony and five species of penguin! You’ll do plenty of birdwatching – kelp gulls, dolphin gulls, black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons and turkey vultures all call these islands home. Weather permitting, you’ll explore Saunders Island – the second largest island in the Falklands – and the Neck, a narrow peninsula with beaches overlooked by cliff faces, where the black-browed albatross colonies nest.

Travel east across the Antarctic Convergence, officially entering Antarctic waters. Have your binoculars ready to see if you can spot the largest bird in the world – the wandering albatross. Southern giant petrels and the tiny Wilson’s storm petrel are also likely sights as you traverse these waters. Keep your eyes on the horizon for whale blows and your very first glimpse of an iceberg.

Learn why South Georgia is known as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ as you spend three days exploring this island’s rich biodiversity. See tens of thousands of penguins, seals and seabirds going about their daily lives and witness huge glaciers and icebergs as you travel down the island's coast. You’ll also visit the former Grytviken whaling station and the gravesite of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton – Shackleton is known for leading the ill-fated Endurance expedition which ended with the astounding rescue of all 27 crew members after they were stranded in Antarctica for almost two years.

Continue to sail south, watching as the icebergs become bigger and more plentiful. Join the Expedition Team on deck for wildlife spotting and more educational talks to deepen your understanding of the natural wonders you'll soon encounter.

Embark on Zodiac expeditions twice daily, crossing iceberg-filled channels and encountering an abundance of wildlife as you explore the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Uncover the diverse landscapes of the South Shetlands – you might walk along the black sands of Deception Island, where you can visit the ruins of a Norwegian whaling station and scientific bases from the 1960s, or maybe you’ll sail into the calmer waters of Yankee Harbour, home to a huge colony of 4000 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins. You might also visit active scientific bases, scenic bays and historic landing sites. Watch seals lazing on ice floes, chinstrap and gentoo penguins waddling about and whales breaching.

Get ready to make the crossing of a lifetime. Over these two days, weather permitting, you’ll venture into the Lemaire Channel – an 11-km-long, iceberg-filled channel bordered by towering peaks up to 1000 m high. Then, you’ll hopefully cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33’S. Join your fellow travellers for a toast to celebrate this achievement that’s held by few adventurers and soak in the feeling of being in the vast, unspoiled wilderness of Antarctica.

Return to the South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula for more Zodiac expeditions. Put your new wildlife knowledge to the test as you try to identify fur, leopard and Weddell seals during your excursions. Have your camera handy for plenty of photo ops as you continue to explore new landscapes.

Cross the infamous Drake Passage, making your way back towards Ushuaia. Celebrate the adventure of a lifetime as you join your group for a slideshow of memories from the trip and a photography contest, then sit down for one final celebratory dinner. Raise a glass as you reflect on the memories you’ve made!

Your adventure comes to an end as you disembark in Ushuaia this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.