Day 1 Punta Arenas, Chile

Day 2 Punta Arenas to King George Island, Antarctica

Days 3-4 Gerlache Strait & Antarctic Peninsula

Overnight the crew will have navigated across the Bransfield Strait and you will wake to the towering peaks of the Antarctic continent laid out before you. For the next few days you will have a varied itinerary exploring the Gerlache coastline. The landscape all along this section of the Antarctic coastline features heavily glaciated mountains permanently covered in ice and snow. The activity program is in full swing by now. Each day you can enjoy guided walks on shore, visits to wildlife colonies and Zodiac cruising among the ice with the expert guides, providing insight and interpretation.

Planned visits could include Paradise Harbour, Orne Harbour or Andvord Bay. Or a cruise through the Errera Channel to visit the penguin rookeries at Cuverville Island. Wilhelmina Bay is another favourite location and one where you can frequently encounter pods of humpback whales feeding. It is somewhere along this stretch of coastline that the plan is to spend a night on shore, camping in Antarctica. You will be provided with all the right gear and equipment and an expert team to make it happen – all you need is an adventurous spirit! If the weather is good and site characteristics suite the requirements, the crew will always go for it. Camping is included in the voyage price and there is no need to pre-book this activity.

Day 5 South Shetland Islands

The ship will now head north towards Antarctic Sound – the gateway into the icy Weddell Sea. Along the way you may visit at Deception Island. If weather conditions permit, the captain will sail the ship right into the middle of a volcanic caldera. This is a very dramatic place and home to several penguin rookeries along the black sand beaches. History is all around us as we explore the old whaling station, with the rusted relics and old wooden structures. At the far end of the beach is an old aircraft hangar. This is where Australian, Sir Hubert Wilkins made the very first flight in Antarctica in 1928. There is an outstanding hike here to a location known as ‘Neptune’s Window’ – high up onto the rim of the crater.

Days 6-8 Antarctic Sound & Weddell Sea

At about 25 nautical miles long and about 10 nautical miles wide, Antarctic Sound separates Joinville Island from the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Navigating into the sound you will witness for the first time the vastness and majesty of the Antarctic icecap. This is an awe-inspiring sight. Heading into the Weddell Sea you will notice a significant increase in the number of huge tabular icebergs and the presence of sea ice. These massive icebergs break from the huge ice shelves to the south and drift north on the currents. This always makes for exciting navigation – and stunning photographic opportunities in the soft Antarctic twilight. This is wild and remote Antarctica and has a distinctly different feel from locations visited thus far.

The Weddell Sea region is home to Adelie penguin rookeries of staggering size – some contain more than 100,000 nesting birds. Such colonies dwarf the penguin rookeries visited so far. Weather permitting, excursions in the Weddell Sea region may include Hope Bay, Paulet Island and Brown Bluff. All eyes will be trained on the ice floes through which dictate the navigation of the ship. The history of exploration in this region is incredibly rich. Remnants of Nordenskjöld’s Swedish expedition of 1901-1904 are found in several locations in this area. The epic century old story of Shackleton and the HMS Endurance expedition has strong links to the region. It was here that he and his men drifted north on the ice after the ship had been lost in the ice pack months earlier. As you head north and out of the Weddell Sea, the lavender pink sunset will make some of us pause to consider the bravery (or foolhardiness) of those early explorers who travelled these waters a hundred years before you.

Day 9 Elephant Island

Cape Lookout, on the southern tip of Elephant island, is home to an impressive chinstrap penguin colony; Macaroni penguins also breed here and are a species you have yet to encounter. Both southern elephant seals and often sizeable numbers of Antarctic fur seals are seen hauled out on the beaches in large numbers. The island’s dramatic ice cliffs come into view marking your arrival at the fabled Point Wild on the north coast. This is a thrilling location and a major highlight for history buffs. It was a place of refuge in 1916 where Shackleton and his crew were encamped under their upturned life boats after their ship was crushed by the pack ice in the Weddell Sea. Realising no-one was going to find them there, he and five men set off on a rescue mission to South Georgia in their tiny lifeboat, the ‘James Caird’. Shore landings at Point Wild are notoriously difficult due to the surging ocean currents and pounding surf on the rocky beach.

Days 10-11 At Sea – Towards the Falkland Islands

While sailing north to the Falkland Islands, your days at sea are never dull – much of your time will be spent on the bridge or outer decks, scanning the horizon in search of whales and other marine mammals. The spectacular seabirds, including several albatross and petrel species, are your constant companions and will test your photographic reflexes as they wheel and soar above the ship. The onboard polar experts will recap on your Weddell Sea adventures and continue their educational program, entertaining you with interactive presentations about the wonders of the South Atlantic Ocean and Antarctic eco-systems and leading lively discussions.

Day 12 West Point Island & Saunders Island, Falklands

Arriving into the Falkland Islands overnight, explore the island of West Point and nearby Saunders Island – in the West Falkland archipelago. West Point is known for its rockhopper penguin rookeries and substantial nesting black-browed albatross colony. The opportunity to observe these spectacular birds in close proximity on the nest is an immense privilege and an experience not easily forgotten. Other potential locations you may visit include New Island and the remote Jason Island group, situated in the far north-west of the archipelago. One final highlight awaits – a visit to the wildlife-rich Saunders Island. Along the white sand beaches and in the surrounding tussock grass you may encounter no less than four penguin species living in close quarters including gentoo, magellanic and rockhopper – and the ultimate goal during the Falkland Island visit, observing the impressive king penguin. Saunders Island is a fitting end to our epic Antarctic adventure. Charting a course for the port of Stanley in early evening, enjoy a special dinner attended by the Captain of the ship and reflect on one of life’s great travel experiences.

Day 13 Port Stanley, Falkland Islands / Punta Arenas

In the early morning, the captain will navigate the ship through the narrows and into the port of Stanley – the capital of the Falkland Islands. Say goodbye to your crew and make your way to the airport for the return private air charter to Santiago (included in the price of your voyage). On arrival in Santiago your journey comes to an end. Onward regional and international flight connections may be possible this evening. Discuss the options with your booking agent. A transfer is provided to the One Ocean Expeditions’ signature hotel located downtown for those choosing to stay and explore Santiago and the delights of Chile.