Embark on an extraordinary 10‑night expedition from Ushuaia, Argentina, the storied “End of the World,” as you set sail aboard the ice‑strengthened m/v Ortelius toward the pristine wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula. From the moment you depart through the snow‑fringed Beagle Channel, you’ll feel the pull of true adventure, vast open seas, crisp polar air, and the promise of encounters with majestic wildlife and colossal ice formations.
Crossing the legendary Drake Passage on Days 2 and 3, you’ll follow in the wake of early polar explorers. This stretch of ocean is rich in life: expect swirling congregations of seabirds, from wandering and grey‑headed albatrosses to Wilson’s storm petrels, riding the winds above the rolling swells. Beneath you, the shifting waters mark the transition into the Antarctic Convergence, where bright cold currents bring nutrients that sustain the region’s abundant marine species.
Once you reach the Antarctic Peninsula, Days 4 through 8 are filled with extraordinary landscapes and wildlife experiences. Navigate channels flanked by towering ice cliffs and snow‑capped mountains. Explore landing sites such as Danco Island, where gentoo penguins and seals lounge beside turquoise waters, and Neko Harbor, whose glacier‑etched shores invite Zodiac cruises amid drifting ice. Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel offer dramatic vistas and excellent chances to witness humpback and minke whales breaching among the icebergs. Highlights can also include visits to Port Lockroy, a historic British station turned museum and post office, and Wilhelmina Bay, often alive with humpback whales and the haunting relic of the Guvernøren shipwreck.
Throughout the voyage, your expert expedition team leads daily excursions in durable Zodiacs, offering close‑up encounters with penguin rookeries, inquisitive seals, and the giants of the deep. The emphasis is always on flexibility: ice and weather conditions shape each day’s plan, ensuring you experience the best of what this ever‑changing environment has to offer.
As you retrace your path across the Drake on Days 9 and 10, reflect on the extraordinary sights and sounds of the Antarctic frontier. The seabirds that greeted you southbound become familiar companions, and the memories of crystalline bays, whales on the hunt, and endless horizons will stay with you long after you disembark back in Ushuaia.
Want to extend beyond one journey? Pair this with pre- or post-voyage escapes through Mexico, Panama, or the legendary Cuba. Check out North South Journeys to transform this extraordinary voyage into an epic, multi-leg story.
