Arrive in Ushuaia, where you will be met by a representative of AE Expeditions and transferred with your fellow expeditioners to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Ushuaia, we ask you to make your way to your hotel. Check-in is from 3.00 pm. 

This morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out, ensuring your cabin luggage is clearly labeled with your name and number. Keep valuables with you throughout the day. Those wishing to join the Lake Escondido tour today, please meet in the hotel lobby at 8.45 am.

Alternatively, enjoy your day at leisure and meet at your hotel lobby or from the meeting point at the parking lot near the pier, to be transferred to the pier for embarkation.   

As you commence your trip across the South Atlantic Ocean, settle into the rhythm of the sea. The expedition team will prepare you for your first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures. You can also enjoy the facilities on board the vessel including the gym, wellness centre or the relaxing in one of the observation lounges. 

The Falklands is a stunning archipelago consisting of two large islands, East and West Falkland, and over 700 islands off the coast. These islands are wildlife havens, with windswept coastlines, white sand beaches, and crystal-clear water. On landings you may visit albatross colonies, penguin rookeries and perhaps even have a traditional English ‘tea and scones’ at a local cottage. 

Conditions permitting, the Captain will aim to land in historic Stanley, the capital of the Falklands. This charming town has a distinctly British character, with terraced town houses, pioneer cottages and even an iconic red telephone box! Colourful buildings house cosy cafes, English pubs, souvenir shops, a post office and the fascinating Historic Dockyard Museum, with displays on the maritime history of the Falkland Islands, natural history and links to Antarctica.

Enjoy informative and entertaining lectures from the expedition team and learn about the wildlife, history and culture of the places that you will visit on the voyage. You may want to use the sauna and jacuzzis, stay active in the gym or borrow a book from our well-stocked library and relax in one of the many observation areas on board the vessel. Sea and weather conditions will determine your arrival to South Georgia on day 8.

As you near the rugged island of South Georgia, spare a thought for Captain James Cook, who arrived here in 1775 and believed it to be the northern tip of a great southern continent! In fact, it is a small island only 176 km (110 mi) long, but with a 3,000 m (9,842 ft) snow-capped mountain range, some of the world’s largest congregations of wildlife and a truly fascinating human history, South Georgia is an island of incredible riches. On approach, jagged mountain peaks rise steeply, while seabirds are often spotted soaring around the ship. 

Remember to layer up before joining Zodiac cruises around craggy coves and along the rocky coastline in search of nesting penguins, seal haul-outs and bird cliffs. Remember to keep an eye out for South Georgia’s kelp forests as well - these remarkable underwater ecosystems are quite mesmerising as their fronds sway back and forth on the water’s surface. 

Zodiacs will also shuttle you from ship to shore, where you can visit some of the largest king penguin colonies on the planet, take a guided walk among fur seals and elephant seals (making sure you listen to your guides and keep your distance!) and wander along pebbled streams and grassy glacial outwash plains. We also hope to visit the remnants of South Georgia’s thriving whaling stations and pay our respects to Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose incredible voyage of survival is synonymous with this island. 

Sea and weather conditions will determine your departure from South Georgia on day 13. As the ship sails across the Scotia Sea towards the white continent, there is plenty to keep you occupied on board. The expedition team will share knowledge about wildlife, history, and nature onboard, offering opportunities to observe seabirds, whales, and marine wildlife, while also enjoying the ship's facilities.

Arriving in Antarctica is an unforgettable experience, with 18-24 hours of daylight and a variety of activities available. The experienced expedition team will design your voyage based on weather, ice conditions, and wildlife opportunities. Landings or Zodiac excursions are made twice a day, allowing you to explore ice cliffs, icebergs, and penguin rookeries. Ashore, you can walk along pebbly beaches or up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains and ice-speckled oceans. Optional activities, such as polar plunges, can be chosen at any time during the voyage. In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, you can ship cruise straits, observe whales, and enjoy stunning views of Antarctica.

Your Antarctic experience includes a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before returning to South America via the Drake Passage. Lectures and film presentations provide ample time for reflection and discussion. As you approach the tip of South America, the Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.

During the early morning, cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where you will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as you all continue the onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.   

Upon disembarkation, for those continuing their travels 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. Expeditioners departing on flights prior to 12:30 pm will be directly transferred to Ushuaia Airport, those with flights after 12:30 pm will have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia before an afternoon airport transfer, and the transfer procedures and details will be communicated onboard before disembarkation. 

Secure your space today by calling one of our Travel Specialists on 0203 196 1000