Ultimate New Year's: 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 tonight. This evening, you’ll have a welcome meeting to meet the other travellers who will be joining you for your adventure. If you arrive in Ushuaia with time to spare, maybe search for souvenirs in the local shops or try the local Argentinian cuisine. Otherwise, you can simply relax at the hotel in preparation for the start of your epic adventure!

This morning, you can head out to explore more of Ushuaia – maybe check out the Maritime Museum or browse the knick-knacks sold on the city’s main street. This afternoon, your journey officially kicks off as you board your ship – the Ocean Albatros – and meet your Expedition Team. Settle into your cabin, then have a safety and orientation meeting. Tonight, join your group and the captain for a welcome dinner and raise a glass as you set sail!

As you sail south, the Expedition Team will prepare you for your upcoming expeditions with briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety. Learn about the wildlife, history, geology and geography of the areas you’ll soon be exploring with a program of onboard educational talks from your expert guides.

Gear up for two days of birdwatching as you witness the biodiversity of the Falkland Islands. This South Atlantic archipelago is home to the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world, as well as peregrine falcons, kelp gulls, dolphin gulls, black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks and turkey vultures. Be sure to have your binoculars and camera at the ready! Five species of breeding penguins also reside here. Weather permitting, you’ll visit Saunders Island – the second largest island in the Falklands – and the Neck, a narrow peninsula where the black-browed albatross build their nesting colonies.

Cross the Antarctic Convergence and officially enter Antarctic waters. Keep an eye out for the world’s largest bird – the wandering albatross. This seabird has a wingspan of up to 3.5 m (11.5 ft) and can weigh up to 12 kg (26.4 lb)! A range of other bird species will also be hitching a ride on the updrafts created by ocean swells and waves, including the tiny Wilson's storm petrel and the southern giant petrel. Watch the horizon for your very first iceberg sighting and always be on the lookout for whales during these two days at sea.

Learn why South Georgia is also known as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ when you arrive on this mountainous island that’s teeming with wildlife. See tens of thousands of penguins, seals and seabirds going about their daily lives among the scenery of enormous icebergs, glaciers and mountains. Learn about the history of the island as you travel down its coast. You’ll visit the historic Grytviken whaling station and the graveyard where Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried. Shackleton is known for leading the ill-fated Endurance expedition – he led the rescue of all 27 of his crew members after their ship was crushed by sea ice.

Continue south and watch the icebergs grow bigger and more plentiful as you approach the Antarctic Peninsula. Deepen your knowledge of the natural wonders you’re about to witness firsthand during educational talks, presentations and wildlife spotting sessions with the Expedition Team.

Arrive in the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula and spend four days forging memories that will last a lifetime. Venture out on Zodiac cruises, taking excursions to scenic bays, famed landing sites and channels filled with icebergs. You might also visit active scientific research bases and historic landing sites. These four days will be filled with wildlife encounters – see multiple species of penguin, seals and whales. Soak in the feeling of being in the vast, unspoiled wilderness of Antarctica.

Your adventure reaches its pinnacle as you approach – and hopefully cross – the Antarctic Circle at the famed latitude 66°33’S. Cherish this moment as you pass through the Lemaire Channel on your way to the Circle. This 11-km-long channel is filled with icebergs and surrounded by towering peaks up to 1000 m high. Weather permitting, you’ll cross the Antarctic Circle and celebrate with your fellow adventurers – this crossing is a rare achievement!

Travelling back through the South Shetland Islands, put your newfound knowledge to the test as you try to identify fur, leopard and Weddell seals from each other. Head out on more Zodiac cruises with your camera at the ready for the best photo ops of the peninsula’s diverse wildlife.

Spend these two days at sea, crossing the Drake Passage – the infamous body of water separating the South Shetland Islands and the tip of South America. Celebrate your adventure with your group as you approach Ushuaia once more. You’ll watch a slideshow of memories from the trip, take part in a photography contest with your fellow travellers and enjoy a farewell dinner together. Toast to an unforgettable New Year’s and the adventure of a lifetime!

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