DAY 1: Day 1/11 - Arrival in Ushuaia

Check into your pre-cruise hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

DAY 2: Day 2/11 - Embark on ship

Today we will embark on the expedition ship. Embarkation time is set for 4:00 pm. The morning is free to do any last minute shopping, an optional excursion to Tierra Del Fuego National Park or a good hike up to the Marshall Glacier. The evening is spent on board the ship watching the sunset over the Beagle Channel.

DAY 3: Day 3 & 4 /11- Crossing Drake Passage

Our adventure begins with a 400 mile crossing of the passage that bears the name of the 16th century English explorer Sir Francis Drake. The M/S Expedition is at home in this part of the Southern Ocean, known for the unimpeded fetch of the winds that encircle the Antarctic. At some point on the second day we cross the Antarctic Convergence, a meeting of cold polar water flowing north and warmer equatorial water moving in the opposite direction. This mixing pushes nutrient rich waters to the surface attracting a variety of seabirds, whales and other species. As we make the passage you have time to become acquainted with the ship and frequent the common areas that include the lounge, dining hall, library and lecture hall where we meet our guides, ship’s crew and expedition staff. We also begin the lecture and information sessions to learn the extraordinary human and natural history of the Antarctic region.

DAY 5: Day 5 - 8/11- Antarctic Peninsula & S Shetland Is

This is what we've all been waiting for - a chance to step foot on the Great White Continent! Over the next four days we will navigate southwards making stops in the South Shetland Islands then through the Bransfield Strait and to the Antarctic Peninsula. Our goal is to attempt two excursions per day while we navigate through the area but our itinerary and daily schedule will be based on the local weather and ice conditions that we encounter.

DAY 9: Day 9 & 10 /11- Return Drake Passage Crossing

Today we leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. In between bird watching and whale watching and enjoying some final lectures by our expedition staff, this is a chance to relax and review the adventures of the past week before returning to Ushuaia.

DAY 11: Day 11/11 - Disembark in Ushuaia

And so our adventure comes to a close. We'll say our goodbyes as we disembark in Ushuaia in the morning. Transfer to the airport or your hotel.