Antarctic Explorer Express

"Arrive in Ushuaia, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred with your fellowexpeditioners to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Ushuaia, we ask you to make your way to yourhotel. Check-in is from 3.00 pm. This afternoon, visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby at LasHayas Ushuaia Resort, Luis Fernando Martial 1650, between 3.00 pm and 7.00 pm, to collect your luggage tags, andconfirm if you wish to join our Beagle Channel and Isla de Los Lobos Cruise (sea lion island) tomorrow. Our team willconfirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information on whereto dine or purchase last minute items.Expeditioners arriving after 7.00 pm will find a welcome pack waiting for them at check-in. We ask you to visit ourhospitality desk tomorrow between 8.00 am – 10.00 am.The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.Assigned accommodation: Las Hayas Ushuaia Resort or Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel"

As we commence the Drake Passage crossing, we make the most of our time getting comfortable with the motionsof the sea. Our expedition team prepare you for our first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurityprocedures and start our lecture program to help you learn more about Antarctica’s history, wildlife andenvironment.Our wildlife experiences begin as we enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majesticalbatrosses and giant petrels following our vessel. On sea days, you can enjoy wethe facilities on board the vesselincluding the gym, sauna and jacuzzis or relax in one of the observation lounges.Nearing the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula on the afternoon of day four, theexcitement is palpable with everyone converging on one of the observation decks watching for our first iceberg. Theocean takes on a whole new perspective once we are below the Antarctic Convergence and are surrounded by thesurreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of your first big iceberg sighting is likely to remain with youfor a lifetime. Time and weather permitting, we may attempt our first landing in Antarctica by late afternoon.

It is almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deepbreath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, andwe have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hoursof daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to designyour voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlifeopportunities.We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruisesalong spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins.Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic hutsand explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines tovantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optionalactivity, you will have the option to do participate in the activity whenever conditions allow, and of course keenpolar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting! The polarplunge can take place at any time during the voyage, so listen out for the announcement from the expedition teamand get ready for the most exhilarating dip of your life!In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straitsseparating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is agreat time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge (open at the captain’s discretion) foruninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Listen out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as theycarve. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of the pristine paradise of the splendid white continent.

As we approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and our amazing adventure beforeboarding our flight (approximately one hour and forty-five minutes) to Punta Arenas, Chile. There is time forreflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors forAntarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for itsconservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky tosee and do here.In Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our group hotel for an overnight stay.Note: King George Island is located at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and isone of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing.We apologise in advance for any possible delays.Accommodation: Hotel Dreams del Estrecho (or similar)

After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers as we continue our onward journeys, hopefully with anewfound sense of the immense power of nature (breakfast included). A transfer to the airport is included in thevoyage fare.Note: Should your flight not proceed due to local conditions; you will remain on the ship until it is deemedachievable to return to Punta Arenas. Refer to our terms and conditions for further details.