Spirit of Antarctica

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

At 55 degrees latitude south, Ushuaia (pronounced oo-swy-ah) is closer to the South Pole than to Argentina's northern border with Bolivia. It is the capital and tourism base for Tierra del Fuego, the island at the southernmost tip of Argentina.Although its stark physical beauty is striking, Tierra del Fuego's historical allure is based more on its mythical past than on rugged reality. The island was inhabited for 6,000 years by Yámana, Haush, Selk'nam, and Alakaluf Indians. But in 1902 Argentina, eager to populate Patagonia to bolster its territorial claims, moved to initiate an Ushuaian penal colony, establishing the permanent settlement of its most southern territories and, by implication, everything in between.When the prison closed in 1947, Ushuaia had a population of about 3,000, made up mainly of former inmates and prison staff. Today the Indians of Darwin's "missing link" theory are long gone—wiped out by diseases brought by settlers and by indifference to their plight—and the 60,000 residents of Ushuaia are hitching their star to tourism.The city rightly (if perhaps too loudly) promotes itself as the southernmost city in the world (Puerto Williams, a few miles south on the Chilean side of the Beagle Channel, is a small town). You can make your way to the tourism office to get your clichéd, but oh-so-necessary, "Southernmost City in the World" passport stamp. Ushuaia feels like a frontier boomtown, at heart still a rugged, weather-beaten fishing village, but exhibiting the frayed edges of a city that quadrupled in size in the '70s and '80s and just keeps growing. Unpaved portions of Ruta 3, the last stretch of the Pan-American Highway, which connects Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, are finally being paved. The summer months (December through March) draw more than 120,000 visitors, and dozens of cruise ships. The city is trying to extend those visits with events like March's Marathon at the End of the World and by increasing the gamut of winter activities buoyed by the excellent snow conditions.A terrific trail winds through the town up to the Martial Glacier, where a ski lift can help cut down a steep kilometer of your journey. The chaotic and contradictory urban landscape includes a handful of luxury hotels amid the concrete of public housing projects. Scores of "sled houses" (wooden shacks) sit precariously on upright piers, ready for speedy displacement to a different site. But there are also many small, picturesque homes with tiny, carefully tended gardens. Many of the newer homes are built in a Swiss-chalet style, reinforcing the idea that this is a town into which tourism has breathed new life. At the same time, the weather-worn pastel colors that dominate the town's landscape remind you that Ushuaia was once just a tiny fishing village, snuggled at the end of the Earth.As you stand on the banks of the Canal Beagle (Beagle Channel) near Ushuaia, the spirit of the farthest corner of the world takes hold. What stands out is the light: at sundown the landscape is cast in a subdued, sensual tone; everything feels closer, softer, and more human in dimension despite the vastness of the setting. The snowcapped mountains reflect the setting sun back onto a stream rolling into the channel, as nearby peaks echo their image—on a windless day—in the still waters.Above the city rise the last mountains of the Andean Cordillera, and just south and west of Ushuaia they finally vanish into the often-stormy sea. Snow whitens the peaks well into summer. Nature is the principal attraction here, with trekking, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife spotting, and sailing among the most rewarding activities, especially in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego (Tierra del Fuego National Park).

"This morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out. Please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearlylabelled with your name and cabin number. By 11.00 am please take your cabin luggage to hotel reception, prior to,or at check-out. Your luggage will be stored and transferred directly to the port for clearance, to be placed in yourcabin ahead of your arrival on board. Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day.Your morning is at leisure to explore Ushuaia.Those wishing to join our afternoon catamaran cruise, meet back at the hotel lobby at 12.15 pm ready to transfer tothe port at 12.30 pm. Here we board our catamaran and sail the Beagle Channel, towards the city’s iconic LesEclaireurs Lighthouse. Crossing the Bridges Archipelago we’ll slow down to watch colonies of sea lions and imperialcormorants sun themselves on the rocky outcrops, while gulls, rock cormorants, skuas, petrels, albatrosses andcauquenes are often sighted. Our cruise offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountain range, inaddition to hearing tales of the people and communities of the region.Alternatively, enjoy your day at leisure and meet at your hotel lobby at 3.00 pm, or 3.30 pm from the meeting pointat the parking lot near the pier (details will be given by our ground staff at the hotel), to be transferred to the pier forembarkation.Once onboard, you’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important mandatory briefings. As the ship pullsaway from port, we’ll gather on the deck to commence our adventure with spectacular views over Ushuaia andTierra del Fuego.This evening get to know your fellow expeditioners and friendly expedition team and crew at a welcome dinner tocelebrate the start of a thrilling adventure to Antarctica."

At 55 degrees latitude south, Ushuaia (pronounced oo-swy-ah) is closer to the South Pole than to Argentina's northern border with Bolivia. It is the capital and tourism base for Tierra del Fuego, the island at the southernmost tip of Argentina.Although its stark physical beauty is striking, Tierra del Fuego's historical allure is based more on its mythical past than on rugged reality. The island was inhabited for 6,000 years by Yámana, Haush, Selk'nam, and Alakaluf Indians. But in 1902 Argentina, eager to populate Patagonia to bolster its territorial claims, moved to initiate an Ushuaian penal colony, establishing the permanent settlement of its most southern territories and, by implication, everything in between.When the prison closed in 1947, Ushuaia had a population of about 3,000, made up mainly of former inmates and prison staff. Today the Indians of Darwin's "missing link" theory are long gone—wiped out by diseases brought by settlers and by indifference to their plight—and the 60,000 residents of Ushuaia are hitching their star to tourism.The city rightly (if perhaps too loudly) promotes itself as the southernmost city in the world (Puerto Williams, a few miles south on the Chilean side of the Beagle Channel, is a small town). You can make your way to the tourism office to get your clichéd, but oh-so-necessary, "Southernmost City in the World" passport stamp. Ushuaia feels like a frontier boomtown, at heart still a rugged, weather-beaten fishing village, but exhibiting the frayed edges of a city that quadrupled in size in the '70s and '80s and just keeps growing. Unpaved portions of Ruta 3, the last stretch of the Pan-American Highway, which connects Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, are finally being paved. The summer months (December through March) draw more than 120,000 visitors, and dozens of cruise ships. The city is trying to extend those visits with events like March's Marathon at the End of the World and by increasing the gamut of winter activities buoyed by the excellent snow conditions.A terrific trail winds through the town up to the Martial Glacier, where a ski lift can help cut down a steep kilometer of your journey. The chaotic and contradictory urban landscape includes a handful of luxury hotels amid the concrete of public housing projects. Scores of "sled houses" (wooden shacks) sit precariously on upright piers, ready for speedy displacement to a different site. But there are also many small, picturesque homes with tiny, carefully tended gardens. Many of the newer homes are built in a Swiss-chalet style, reinforcing the idea that this is a town into which tourism has breathed new life. At the same time, the weather-worn pastel colors that dominate the town's landscape remind you that Ushuaia was once just a tiny fishing village, snuggled at the end of the Earth.As you stand on the banks of the Canal Beagle (Beagle Channel) near Ushuaia, the spirit of the farthest corner of the world takes hold. What stands out is the light: at sundown the landscape is cast in a subdued, sensual tone; everything feels closer, softer, and more human in dimension despite the vastness of the setting. The snowcapped mountains reflect the setting sun back onto a stream rolling into the channel, as nearby peaks echo their image—on a windless day—in the still waters.Above the city rise the last mountains of the Andean Cordillera, and just south and west of Ushuaia they finally vanish into the often-stormy sea. Snow whitens the peaks well into summer. Nature is the principal attraction here, with trekking, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife spotting, and sailing among the most rewarding activities, especially in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego (Tierra del Fuego National Park).

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.

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.

Remote and otherworldly, Antarctic is irresistible for its spectacular iceberg sculptures and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of up-close encounters with marine mammals and the iconic penguins. The Antarctic Peninsula – the main peninsula closest to South America – has a human history of almost 200 years, with explorers, sealers, whalers, and scientists who have come to work, and eventually intrepid visitors coming to enjoy this pristine and remote wilderness. It is a region of protected bays, unscaled snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and a few places where whalers or scientists have worked. Just as irresistible are the many Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin colonies, the seals basking on ice floes, the whales and orcas.

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.

Remote and otherworldly, Antarctic is irresistible for its spectacular iceberg sculptures and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of up-close encounters with marine mammals and the iconic penguins. The Antarctic Peninsula – the main peninsula closest to South America – has a human history of almost 200 years, with explorers, sealers, whalers, and scientists who have come to work, and eventually intrepid visitors coming to enjoy this pristine and remote wilderness. It is a region of protected bays, unscaled snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and a few places where whalers or scientists have worked. Just as irresistible are the many Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin colonies, the seals basking on ice floes, the whales and orcas.

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.

Remote and otherworldly, Antarctic is irresistible for its spectacular iceberg sculptures and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of up-close encounters with marine mammals and the iconic penguins. The Antarctic Peninsula – the main peninsula closest to South America – has a human history of almost 200 years, with explorers, sealers, whalers, and scientists who have come to work, and eventually intrepid visitors coming to enjoy this pristine and remote wilderness. It is a region of protected bays, unscaled snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and a few places where whalers or scientists have worked. Just as irresistible are the many Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin colonies, the seals basking on ice floes, the whales and orcas.

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.

Remote and otherworldly, Antarctic is irresistible for its spectacular iceberg sculptures and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of up-close encounters with marine mammals and the iconic penguins. The Antarctic Peninsula – the main peninsula closest to South America – has a human history of almost 200 years, with explorers, sealers, whalers, and scientists who have come to work, and eventually intrepid visitors coming to enjoy this pristine and remote wilderness. It is a region of protected bays, unscaled snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and a few places where whalers or scientists have worked. Just as irresistible are the many Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin colonies, the seals basking on ice floes, the whales and orcas.

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.

Remote and otherworldly, Antarctic is irresistible for its spectacular iceberg sculptures and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of up-close encounters with marine mammals and the iconic penguins. The Antarctic Peninsula – the main peninsula closest to South America – has a human history of almost 200 years, with explorers, sealers, whalers, and scientists who have come to work, and eventually intrepid visitors coming to enjoy this pristine and remote wilderness. It is a region of protected bays, unscaled snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and a few places where whalers or scientists have worked. Just as irresistible are the many Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin colonies, the seals basking on ice floes, the whales and orcas.

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.

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.

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.

At 55 degrees latitude south, Ushuaia (pronounced oo-swy-ah) is closer to the South Pole than to Argentina's northern border with Bolivia. It is the capital and tourism base for Tierra del Fuego, the island at the southernmost tip of Argentina.Although its stark physical beauty is striking, Tierra del Fuego's historical allure is based more on its mythical past than on rugged reality. The island was inhabited for 6,000 years by Yámana, Haush, Selk'nam, and Alakaluf Indians. But in 1902 Argentina, eager to populate Patagonia to bolster its territorial claims, moved to initiate an Ushuaian penal colony, establishing the permanent settlement of its most southern territories and, by implication, everything in between.When the prison closed in 1947, Ushuaia had a population of about 3,000, made up mainly of former inmates and prison staff. Today the Indians of Darwin's "missing link" theory are long gone—wiped out by diseases brought by settlers and by indifference to their plight—and the 60,000 residents of Ushuaia are hitching their star to tourism.The city rightly (if perhaps too loudly) promotes itself as the southernmost city in the world (Puerto Williams, a few miles south on the Chilean side of the Beagle Channel, is a small town). You can make your way to the tourism office to get your clichéd, but oh-so-necessary, "Southernmost City in the World" passport stamp. Ushuaia feels like a frontier boomtown, at heart still a rugged, weather-beaten fishing village, but exhibiting the frayed edges of a city that quadrupled in size in the '70s and '80s and just keeps growing. Unpaved portions of Ruta 3, the last stretch of the Pan-American Highway, which connects Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, are finally being paved. The summer months (December through March) draw more than 120,000 visitors, and dozens of cruise ships. The city is trying to extend those visits with events like March's Marathon at the End of the World and by increasing the gamut of winter activities buoyed by the excellent snow conditions.A terrific trail winds through the town up to the Martial Glacier, where a ski lift can help cut down a steep kilometer of your journey. The chaotic and contradictory urban landscape includes a handful of luxury hotels amid the concrete of public housing projects. Scores of "sled houses" (wooden shacks) sit precariously on upright piers, ready for speedy displacement to a different site. But there are also many small, picturesque homes with tiny, carefully tended gardens. Many of the newer homes are built in a Swiss-chalet style, reinforcing the idea that this is a town into which tourism has breathed new life. At the same time, the weather-worn pastel colors that dominate the town's landscape remind you that Ushuaia was once just a tiny fishing village, snuggled at the end of the Earth.As you stand on the banks of the Canal Beagle (Beagle Channel) near Ushuaia, the spirit of the farthest corner of the world takes hold. What stands out is the light: at sundown the landscape is cast in a subdued, sensual tone; everything feels closer, softer, and more human in dimension despite the vastness of the setting. The snowcapped mountains reflect the setting sun back onto a stream rolling into the channel, as nearby peaks echo their image—on a windless day—in the still waters.Above the city rise the last mountains of the Andean Cordillera, and just south and west of Ushuaia they finally vanish into the often-stormy sea. Snow whitens the peaks well into summer. Nature is the principal attraction here, with trekking, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife spotting, and sailing among the most rewarding activities, especially in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego (Tierra del Fuego National Park).