- Day by Day Itinerary - DAY 1 - ARRIVAL USHUAIA, EMBARKATION Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s southernmost city. Explore this vibrant city, or stretch your legs in the surrounding forests. Alternatively, consider a day trip off the beaten path into the raw nature of Patagonia. The island of Tierra del Fuego is a hiker's paradise with rugged snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows and rich boggy wetlands. In the afternoon, we board our vessel, waiting to welcome us in port. After our mandatory safety drill, our expedition begins as we navigate through the calm waters of the famous Beagle Channel (named for Charles Darwin's ship). This steep-sided strait divides southern Tierra del Fuego between Chile and Argentina, and has been the jumping-off point for thousands of expeditions into the unknown. Watch out for whales and dolphins as we sail off the edge of the map into the tempestuous Drake Passage. DAY 2-3 - AT SEA - CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE SOUTHBOUND Sailing onward, we cross the famed Drake Passage - the body of water separating Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula. The Drake Passage is known for rollicking conditions and strong westerly winds, nicknamed the Roaring Fifties. While this passage may be challenging, you can rest comfortably aboard our expedition vessels, which are purpose-built with stabilizers, powerful engines and manned by a highly-qualified crew. The most spirited sailors consider Drake Passage a lifetime achievement - and you will complete the crossing twice! Our days in the Drake Passage will be put to good use preparing for our arrival in Antarctica - your Expedition Leader will brief you comprehensively on how to stay safe and minimise your impact on this precious wilderness, as well as briefing you thoroughly on our plans for our time spent exploring, including hints and tips for wildlife watching. The dedicated Expedition Team will assist you to biosecure your clothing and equipment (a vital process to protect Antarctica's delicate ecology), as well as sharing tailored lectures on Antarctic exploration history, wildlife, geology, glaciology and more! We will cross into the Antarctic Convergence on the third day of our voyage - watch the mercury plummet as we sail southwards into Antarctic waters, an abrupt cooling that marks the intersection of Antarctic waters with the warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. As the sea cools, wildlife multiplies; these are some of the most biologically productive water on Earth, so expect to see petrels, albatrosses and potentially penguins, seals and whales in abundance. Weather permitting, we may be able to make landfall in the South Shetland Islands (a small but spectacular archipelago to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula) on the afternoon of our second day in the Drake Passage, marking the start of our exploration on the Last Continent. DAYS 4-9 - EXPLORING THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA With no set itinerary in Antarctica, this voyage offers adventurous travellers the chance to experience Antarctica as it was meant to be - flowing with the wind, sea and ice, and taking the best opportunities Mother Nature provides. This voyage departs in the first half of the brief Antarctic summer, when sea ice is at its maximum - this offers us ample opportunities to explore in the icy wilderness of the last continent. Our exact route will be subject to careful planning by the Expedition Leader and Captain - however we will aim to visit a range of sites which showcase the best of this staggeringly beautiful region. -- ANTARCTIC ICE SWIM -- During our time in Antarctica the expedition team will look for suitable conditions and location for our Antarctic Ice Swimming adventure. Restricted to experienced, cold-water swimmers*, this will test the resolve and endurance of our brave participants - and is certain to be a thrilling spectator event for all passengers! There will be recognised 250m, 500m, 1 km according to International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) rules. The exact course will depend on local conditions but is planned to be an open-water swim in a protected bay, concluding ashore at a recovery tent. Each swimmer will be accompanied by a Zodiac with expedition and medical staff and will be filmed and timed by expert IISA officials and enter record books. Spectators will be able to observe from the ship, Zodiacs and kayaks, or from ashore. - ANTARCTIC HIGHLIGHTS - Marvel at the massive icebergs and vast glaciers on a complimentary kayak excursion in Paradise Bay. Be moved by penguins tenderly caring for their precious eggs, and fiercely defending their nests on Cuverville Island. Watch cataracts of ice tumble into clear blue ocean on a snowshoe hike over the active glaciers of Neko Harbour. Experience the Antarctica of old at historic huts such as Damoy Point, lovingly restored and open to all. Awake to the icy wind and the bray of penguins during one of this voyage's several camping options. Feel the spray of water from the blow of a humpback whale on a Zodiac safari in Wilhelmina Bay. Wonder at awe-inspiring scenery on a ship cruise through the Lemaire Channel. Watch city-sized tabular icebergs drift silently past the ship in the Antarctic Sound. Wherever we go on the Antarctic Peninsula, endemic wildlife, tantalising history and breathtaking natural beauty abound. - WILDLIFE - This time of year, expect to see penguins carefully constructing their pebble nests and fiercely defending their precious eggs from hungry skuas and Giant Petrels. The start of the Antarctic summer also sees the return of groups of humpback whales - these ocean wanderers come to Antarctica to feed on the abundant krill this time of year. With luck, we may even see the young of these gentle giants. - FLEXIBILITY - There is no set itinerary on this trip, which allows our staff onboard to maximize the experience for all onboard. Aside from the regular landings there are opportunities for kayaking, snow-shoeing, camping ashore and also photography workshops. Whilst our suggestions above are just possible routes and landings, we can be sure that this will be the ultimate, adrenaline-fuelled experience on the White Continent! DAY 10-11 - AT SEA - CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE NORTHBOUND We eventually depart Antarctica, and spend two days at sea on our way northwards back across the infamous Drake Passage towards the more welcoming shores of the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, Argentina. During our time at sea, a variety of activities will be arranged on board to provide our guests with the chance to reflect on their voyage. Relax with an expertly crafted cocktail in the Nordic Bar in the company of new friends, soak up the knowledge and passion of our Expedition Team during lectures in the Shackleton Lounge, or simply enjoy the flight of the albatross which accompany us northwards. An award ceremony will also be held to commemorate the brave achievements of our ice swimmers. During your last evening onboard, join the Captain and Officers for the Farewell Cocktail Party, followed by a presentation of photos and video by our onboard photographer - the ideal opportunity to re-live your Antarctic adventure. Cheers! DAY 12 - ARRIVAL IN USHUAIA AND DISEMBARKATION On the morning of the final day of our voyage, we will arrive back at the pier of Ushuaia, Argentina. Trees, grass and a busy city may seem strange to you after the white wilderness of Antarctica! After a hearty breakfast, it is time to bid a fond farewell to the Crew and Expedition Team, and descend the gangway back to dry land with memories of the voyage of a lifetime. Note about the itinerary and safety: Please keep in mind, the itinerary and outdoor activities during each voyage are solely dependent on weather and operational conditions to ensure the safety and quality of experience of our guests. The route and shore landings will be determined by the captain and expedition leader and communicated to guests through regularly scheduled briefings. The right is reserved to modify the landings and locations visited during a voyage based on weather and local conditions and climate to ensure a safe and delightful experience for all guests and staff. The trip is expeditionary in nature, and thus changes to timings are expected due to the environment we operate in as well as wildlife opportunities and locations. Participants in the Antarctic Ice Swim do so under the strict condition that the expedition team or doctor may end any individual’s swim early or prevent the event entirely if there are any safety concerns or if the weather conditions are deemed unsuitable.