DAY 1: ARRIVE IN AND EXPLORE USHUAIA. Arrive and embark in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s southernmost town. After a friendly welcome at the airport and a transfer to the luxurious Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, take some time to unwind or explore the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. (In the unlikely event that you can't be accommodated at the Arakur, you'll unwind at another of Ushuaia's top luxury hotels.)Our optional evening briefing is your opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers DAY 2: EMBARKATION IN USHUAIA - ALL ABOARD! Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia, before our mid-afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will welcome you on board and get you settled in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and our Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way to Antarctica! DAY 3-4: AT SEA. DRAKE PASSAGE Join our Polar Experts as they share their vast knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in the Citizen Science program or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort our ship as we cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures. Drake Passage is known for strong westerly winds, heavy sea, and its nickname ‘The Roaring Fifties’. While this passage may be challenging, you can rest confidently aboard our expedition vessel, Ocean Albatros, which is purpose-built with stabilizers, powerful engines and a highly qualified crew. The most spirited sailors consider Drake Passage a lifetime achievement – and soon you can tick it off on the list yourself! Having crossed the Drake, we will explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we will encounter along the way. Weather permitting, we hope to make our first landfall on King George Island before continuing further south to the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. DAY 5: SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. Here, you can expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins; and it’s not uncommon to share the water’s edge with Elephant and Fur seals. Whales are often spotted as well. So, we’ll settle into our Zodiacs and spend most of our day exploring. And kayakers, it’s time to get your first taste of gliding just inches off the pristine Antarctic water. Whether on land or sea, in Zodiac or kayak, be prepared for a fully immersive introduction to this incomparable part of the world. DAYS 6-8: EXPLORING ANTARCTICA It’s time to slow our ship down, the better to explore the dreamlike world all around us and let the power of this amazing place sink in. This is your opportunity to get more intimately acquainted with Antarctica by Zodiac, kayak, snowshoe, or on a magical night of camping, as you look up at the stars or listen to the ethereal call of a nearby whale. For those engaged in our Citizen Science program, the important work of understanding and documenting this fragile environment continues. Be sure to keep your camera handy, as penguins, seals, and whale sightings are all part of this incredible experience. And a passing iceberg, its magical blue light seeming to glow from within, is something you’ll want to share with friends back home.   DAYS 9-10: DRAKE PASSAGE Time to leave this magical place inspired, exhausted, and most likely changed forever. We make our way north, once again crossing the legendary Drake Passage. We’ll celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and photography awards ceremony, then a final meal together. DAY 11: DISEMBARK IN USHUAIA With huge smiles on weary, content faces, and perhaps some new friends for life, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure