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11 days / 10 nights
The ideal introduction to the great White Continent, embarking and disembarking in the port of Ushuaia, the trip includes the most exciting sights of the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. The programme concentrates on wildlife viewing, possible visits to scientific bases and the breathtaking scenery of narrow waterways, glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains. No two expeditions are exactly the same and the itinerary outlined here is for your guidance only. The Captain and the expedition leader will assess conditions daily and take full advantage of every opportunity to make landings with zodiacs, making the most of the nearly continuous daylight to maximize time ashore.
Day 1: Ushuaia
Arrival and embarkation. The expedition leader and staff will welcome you on board and show you to your cabin. Departure is scheduled for 7pm.
Days 2-3: Drake Passage
Wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds will escort the vessel as you sail south across this famous passage, named after Sir Francis Drake in the 16th century. We continue towards the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zone.
Day 4: King George Island
King George Island was discovered by British explorer William Smith in 1819 and is the largest island in the South Shetlands. Livingston Island supports huge numbers of nesting penguins, while seabirds nest on the cliffs and elephant seals wallow along the shores. If the weather is good, we offer a brief helicopter flight, we disembark in Potter Bay and visit the Argentinean base Jubany. Here elephant seals are often seen. In the afternoon we disembark at Aitcho Island, between Greenwich and Robert Island, where we see Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins. We continue sailing, crossing the Brainsfield and Gerlache Strait to enter Andvord Bay and we reach Neko Bay.
Day 5: Neko Bay
Besides the magnificent scenery of mountains, snow and ice, you can expect to see a wide variety of native wildlife including Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins, which occupy rookeries ranging from a few pairs to many thousands. Other birds to look out for are blue-eyed shags, gulls, Cape petrels, skuas, snowy sheathbills and Antarctic terns. Marine mammals that we are likely to see include Weddell, crab-eater and leopard seals, while Orcas, humpback and minke whales may be spotted at close range. This area is of substantial historical interest and has been extensively explored by several expeditions of the 19th century. You feel the same sense of excitement, as you keep a lookout from the Bridge, while our vessel threads her way through this dramatic and pristine region. We disembark on the White Continent at Neko Bay and on Gaudier Island. Gaudier Island is where the first ionosphere measurements were carried out in 1944.
Day 6: Planeau, Petermann Island
On some voyages we sail south of the Lemaire Channel. Once in the channel, known as one of the most beautiful places in the world, if the weather and ice conditions are good enough we visit Petermann Island, the southernmost place reached on our expedition. Here we disembark and are able to see the southernmost colony of Gentoo penguins, which nest with other birds near our landing. Here we also see a colony of beautiful Adelie penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. We board our zodiacs to explore this area of impressing ice formations.
Day 7: Paradise Bay, Cuverville Island
Weather permitting, we disembark or travel by zodiac in Paradise Bay. This is one of the most beautiful places of the Antartctic Peninsula. Here, you see the glaciers flowing into the sea and forming icebergs which are then carved by the wind. In the evening we visit Cuverville Island, which has a dramatic location and is home to a large colony of nearly 5,000 pairs of Gentoo Penguins and other breeding birds. This rocky island is on the north side of the Errera Channel, between Ronge Island and the Arctowski Peninsula. Most visitors find the Antarctic scenery as rewarding as its wildlife, and you will be enchanted by such beautiful waterways. These channels contribute to the highlights of a visit to the Peninsula, but they may be choked with icebergs and pack ice.
Day 8: Deception Island, Whaler's Bay, Pendulum Cove
We continue sailing to Deception Island which is at the northwest side of the Peninsula. Deception Island is considered an active volcano, and sailing through the narrow passage into its huge flooded caldera is a thrilling experience. Do not forget to bring your bathing suite, as swimming in this water is a unique experience. In the morning we try to disembark at Whaler's Bay and Pendulum Cove. In the afternoon, depending on weather conditions we disembark at Livingstone Island's Hannah Point. This is one of the best places to see Chinstrap penguins, Gentoo penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. We may also find some elephant seals.
Days 9-10: Drake Passage
Today, we leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Now is the chance to relax and relive the adventures of the past week, as well as enjoy some final lectures delivered by our expedition leaders as we return to Ushuaia.
Day 11: Ushuaia
After breakfast we disembark at 7am, ending this incredible expedition.
Code: ANTATS019
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Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to success for this expedition of the Antarctic Dream.
The ship does not have or operate helicopters. Helicopters service is provided by an external company. The flight is depending on weather conditions on King George Island (day 4 of the programme). The flight will be of 10 minutes approximately and will not have an extra charge for those passengers who have paid full fare. SLA and the Antarctic Dream are not responsible if the service is not fulfilled due to "force majeure" or external factors.