Itinerary

Voyage Options: Our New year voyage begins on Day 1 with a flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, where we board Polar Pioneer. We then spend five days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula before sailing north, spending Days 7-8 on the Drake Passage, disembarking in Ushuaia after breakfast on Day 9. Please note that our New year’s Voyage is a day shorter than our Christmas voyage. We still have time to achieve our aim of crossing the Antarctic Circle, ice and weather willing.

Day 1

We board Polar Pioneer in Ushuaia, at 4 p.m. Friendly staff show us to our cabins, and excitement mounts as we gather on the flying bridge for departure and the pleasure of an evening sail along the Beagle Channel.

Day 2

We wake to the thrum of engines and the thrill of being at sea. There’s time to relax between entertaining talks and important briefings from our highly experienced expedition staff. The bridge and outer decks offer marvelous views of black-browed albatross, giant petrels, majestic wandering albatross and many more. This will be the only Drake Passage crossing on this voyage, so we make the most of it.

Day 3

A drop in water temperature signals our entry into Antarctic waters as we cross the Convergence and approach the South Shetland Islands. Excitement builds as icebergs, then penguins and fur seals appear. With fair winds and a following sea, we may make our first landing this evening.

Days 4-9

Overnight we sail south into Gerlache Strait and awaken to true Antarctica. Surrounded by the mountainous Danco Coast and Anvers Island, the steely waters are smooth, broken only by the blow of whales and splash of penguins.

We make full use of the Antarctic summer’s long daylight hours, sailing during the short twilight and landing or Zodiac cruising by day. We visit penguin rookeries, cruise amongst grounded icebergs and have close encounters with curious leopard and crabeater seals. We aim to pass through Lemaire Channel and, if weather and ice cooperate, enter magical Crystal Sound.

We celebrate Christmas enthusiastically, the atmosphere among fellow expeditioners like that of extended family. It might even snow! Crossing the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33’ South is cause for even more celebration. We may land at the abandoned British base on Detaille Island or on the Antarctic mainland

If thick pack ice prevents us from navigating the “inner route”, the Bellingshausen Sea offers an alternative passage. The secret to a successful crossing of the Circle is flexibility, accompanied by a healthy spirit of adventure. Knowing that we’ve reached the heart of Antarctica is our just reward.

Day 10

Dawn greets us as we anchor at King George Island in the South Shetlands. After an early breakfast we disembark for our flight to Punta Arenas.