Across the Antarctic Circle

Upon arrival in Ushuaia, you will be greeted by a representative from AE Expeditions and taken to your designated hotel for the pre-voyage stay. If you are already in Ushuaia, please make your way to the hotel. Check-in begins at 3:00 pm. In the afternoon, between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm, stop by the AE Expeditions desk in the hotel lobby to pick up your luggage tags and let us know if you would like to join our Lake Escondido tour tomorrow before embarking on the voyage. Our team will provide details about your embarkation day, answer any questions, and give you recommendations for dining or purchasing any last-minute items.For those arriving after 7:00 pm, a welcome pack will be waiting for you at check-in. We kindly ask that you visit our hospitality desk between 8:00 am and 10:00 am tomorrow.The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. All meals today will be at your own expense.Assigned accommodation: Arakur Resort & Spa.

As we begin our journey across the Drake Passage, we take advantage of the time to get used to the movement of the sea. Our team of experts will prepare you for our first landing by going over important guidelines for interacting with wildlife and following biosecurity procedures. We will also start our lecture program to educate you about the history, wildlife, and environment of Antarctica.Our encounters with wildlife begin as we observe and take photos of the many seabirds, including magnificent albatrosses and giant petrels, that follow our ship. On days at sea, you can enjoy the amenities on board such as the gym, sauna, and jacuzzis, or relax in one of the observation lounges.As we approach the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula on the fourth day, the excitement is palpable as everyone gathers on the observation decks in search of our first iceberg. The ocean takes on a whole new perspective once we cross the Antarctic Convergence and are surrounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of seeing your first large iceberg is sure to stay with you for a lifetime. If time and weather permit, we may attempt our first landing in Antarctica in the late afternoon.

As we begin our journey across the Drake Passage, we take advantage of the time to get used to the movements of the sea. Our team of experts will prepare you for our first landing by going over important guidelines for interacting with wildlife and following biosecurity procedures. We will also start our lecture program to teach you more about the history, wildlife, and environment of Antarctica.Our wildlife encounters begin as we watch and take photos of the many seabirds, including magnificent albatrosses and giant petrels, that follow our ship. On days when we are at sea, you can enjoy the amenities on board such as the gym, sauna, and jacuzzis, or relax in one of the observation lounges.As we approach the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula on the fourth day, the excitement is palpable as everyone gathers on the observation decks to spot our first iceberg. The ocean takes on a whole new perspective once we pass the Antarctic Convergence and are surrounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of seeing your first large iceberg is sure to stay with you for a lifetime. If time and weather permit, we may attempt our first landing in Antarctica in the late afternoon.

The North-West portion of the Antarctic Peninsula is the most frequently visited by expedition cruises and is home to many of the most popular landing sites. The Gerlache Strait is renowned for the stunning scenery with the snow covered mountains, as if covered in icing sugar, with numerous glaciers tumbling down to the sea.

Being the most northerly part of the whole continent, the Peninsula enjoys the mildest Antarctic condition, with temperatures in winter averaging a balmy -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F)! In the summer, things warm up to an average of just above freezing. Large areas of this part of the peninsula are ice-free in the early season, being important breeding and feeding grounds for many iconic Antarctic species.

It's here that many of the historic Antarctic expeditions began, and where early military and scientific bases were first established, some of which you will be able to visit if conditions allow. These remarkable artefacts have been left as time capsules, their contents showing remarkable levels of preservation thanks to the dry and cold climate.

For the hardiest of adventurers only, this is the "deep south"!

Discover the wonders of the South West side of the Antarctic Peninsula, a region that truly embodies the spirit of the "deep south." This extraordinary journey begins just below the Lemaire Channel, extending southward towards the captivating Yalour Islands. If you are lucky you will enjoy remarkable frozen vistas with invigorating Zodiac and ship cruises bringing you up close and personal with the wonderful ice landscapes of places like Crystal Sound.

If conditions are right, you will cross the Antarctic Circle, and get ashore to some remote historical sites - and be able to describe yourself as a true Antarctic explorer.

The North-West portion of the Antarctic Peninsula is the most frequently visited by expedition cruises and is home to many of the most popular landing sites. The Gerlache Strait is renowned for the stunning scenery with the snow covered mountains, as if covered in icing sugar, with numerous glaciers tumbling down to the sea.

Being the most northerly part of the whole continent, the Peninsula enjoys the mildest Antarctic condition, with temperatures in winter averaging a balmy -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F)! In the summer, things warm up to an average of just above freezing. Large areas of this part of the peninsula are ice-free in the early season, being important breeding and feeding grounds for many iconic Antarctic species.

It's here that many of the historic Antarctic expeditions began, and where early military and scientific bases were first established, some of which you will be able to visit if conditions allow. These remarkable artefacts have been left as time capsules, their contents showing remarkable levels of preservation thanks to the dry and cold climate.

The North-West portion of the Antarctic Peninsula is the most frequently visited by expedition cruises and is home to many of the most popular landing sites. The Gerlache Strait is renowned for the stunning scenery with the snow covered mountains, as if covered in icing sugar, with numerous glaciers tumbling down to the sea.

Being the most northerly part of the whole continent, the Peninsula enjoys the mildest Antarctic condition, with temperatures in winter averaging a balmy -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F)! In the summer, things warm up to an average of just above freezing. Large areas of this part of the peninsula are ice-free in the early season, being important breeding and feeding grounds for many iconic Antarctic species.

It's here that many of the historic Antarctic expeditions began, and where early military and scientific bases were first established, some of which you will be able to visit if conditions allow. These remarkable artefacts have been left as time capsules, their contents showing remarkable levels of preservation thanks to the dry and cold climate.

Enjoy one last morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we head back through the Drake Passage on our journey back to South America. We will have lectures and film presentations to wrap up our Antarctic adventure, giving us more time to appreciate the beauty of the Southern Ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. This is also a time for reflection and discussion about all that we have witnessed and experienced. We hope that you will become ambassadors for Antarctica, sharing your stories with your loved ones and colleagues, and advocating for its protection and preservation so that others may have the chance to visit this incredible place. As we near the tip of South America, our Captain may even take us close to the famous Cape Horn, if the weather and time allow.

Enjoy one last morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we head back through the Drake Passage on our journey back to South America. We will have lectures and film presentations to wrap up our Antarctic adventure, giving us more time to appreciate the beauty of the Southern Ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. This is also a chance for us to reflect and discuss our experiences. We hope that you will become advocates for Antarctica, sharing your journey with your loved ones and colleagues and promoting its conservation and preservation. Perhaps one day, they too will have the opportunity to visit this magical place and experience all that you have seen and done here.As we near the tip of South America, our Captain may take us close to the famous Cape Horn, if the weather and time allow.

During the early morning, we will sail up the Beagle Channel and then quietly dock in Ushuaia. We will have the freedom to disembark around 8:00 am. We will say goodbye to our expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our journeys, hopefully with a newfound appreciation for the incredible power of nature.For those who are continuing to travel in the region, transportation to the hotel will be arranged exclusively for guests who have booked their accommodations through Aurora or for those staying in downtown areas near the port. Those who are departing on flights before 12:30 pm will be directly taken to Ushuaia Airport, while those with later flights will have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia before an afternoon airport transfer. The details and procedures for the transfer will be communicated onboard before disembarkation.Note: We do not recommend booking flights departing from Ushuaia before 12:00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case of any delays.