Antarctica Complete

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 the facilities on board the vesselincluding the gym, sauna and jacuzzis or relax in one of the observation lounges.

It’s 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.On this voyage, under favourable conditions, we plan to cross the Antarctic Circle, an imaginary line located atlatitude 66°33' south. This is certainly a special highlight for many expeditioners, and the moment will be celebratedwith a toast on deck (conditions permitting). You have earned some boasting privileges, joining a small group oflucky adventurers who have ventured to this part of the world. As we approach The Circle, you will notice subtleTRIP NOTESchanges in the landscape and in the distribution of wildlife. The waters at this time of year are rich with krill and wehope to see plenty of whales - particularly humpbacks and minkes. We also hope to enjoy the spectacle of penguinsfeeding their ravenous chicks.

A ship is said to be at sea when it is sailing on the ocean away from land. Life at sea can be exciting as sailors travel across vast waters. They may experience calm days, strong winds, and large waves. Ships at sea carry passengers and goods between countries. Being at sea requires skill, teamwork, and careful navigation.

Sea and weather conditions will determine our arrival time into South Georgia today.As you near the rugged island of South Georgia, spare a thought for Captain James Cook, who arrived here in 1775and 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 ofwildlife 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. We willsail down the coast, taking in the spectacular glaciated scenery. This enchanting coastline is yours to explore!If time and weather conditions permit, en route we could pass close to Shag Rocks, a fascinating group of jaggedrocky islets protruding from the sea, in the proximity of South Georgia.

A ship is said to be at sea when it is sailing on the ocean away from land. Life at sea can be exciting as sailors travel across vast waters. They may experience calm days, strong winds, and large waves. Ships at sea carry passengers and goods between countries. Being at sea requires skill, teamwork, and careful navigation.

Sea and weather conditions will determine our arrival time into the Falklands~Malvinas today.The Falklands~Malvinas comprises two large islands (East and West Falkland), with over 700 islands scattered off thecoast. All but seven of these are uninhabited, with windswept coastlines, white sand beaches and crystal-clearwater. These beautifully barren islands are true wildlife havens, sheltering an impressive diversity of birdlife,including the largest black-browed albatross colony on earth. The cold, nutrient-rich waters surrounding the islandsmake this a prime location for spotting marine life.

A ship is said to be at sea when it is sailing on the ocean away from land. Life at sea can be exciting as sailors travel across vast waters. They may experience calm days, strong winds, and large waves. Ships at sea carry passengers and goods between countries. Being at sea requires skill, teamwork, and careful navigation.

During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where wewill be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continueour 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 arrangedexclusively for guests who have booked their accommodations through Aurora or for those staying in downtownareas near the port. Expeditioners departing on flights prior to 12:30 pm will be directly transferred to UshuaiaAirport, those with flights after 12:30 pm will have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia before an afternoon airporttransfer, and the transfer procedures and details will be communicated onboard before disembarkation.Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12.00 pmon the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.