On a trip like this, we cannot guarantee the itinerary, it will depend on the weather and the condition of the ice. The final say for routes is with the captain of the ship.

Thursday 17th December – Ushuaia, the end of the world!

• Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world, the largest in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. YPT can advise on the best way to get here and arrange pre-tour accommodation. If you arrive a few days early, we can also advice you on the best way to discover this incredible place.
• In mid-afternoon, we will board the m/v Hondius from Tierra del Fuego
• For the rest of the day we will be sailing through the Beagle Channel, flanked by the southern reaches of the Andes Mountains. Those first hours at sea will be quite busy, as we settle in our cabins, learn about the safety rules on the ship, and attend the traditional welcome cocktail ceremony.
• Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Friday 18th December – Across the Drake Passage

• Today we’ll be sailing the Drake Passage and get our first hint of what it’s like to be out at sea heading towards the Antarctic. We’ll have our mandatory briefings about how to behave in Antarctica. Our cruise follows IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) regulations to help conserve it as a natural reserve dedicated to peace and science. We’ll also receive our boots and clean our clothes to make sure we won’t bring seeds to Antartica!
• Lunch on the ship
• Our ship offers good options for wildlife watching, both outside on the panoramic deck, at the bow or in the comfort of our lounge. Watch out over the seas for several species of marine mammals (whales, orcas, dolphins…) and sea birds. The expedition crew is always on the lookout and will make announcements when they spot interesting wildlife.
• Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Saturday 19th December – the Antarctic Convergence

• We will pass through the Antarctic Convergence, the border into Antarctica proper. Here, the temperature cools considerably within the space of a few hours, and nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water columns. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds near the ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas.
• Lunch on the ship
• The naturalists on the ship will offer a program of lectures about various topics: the geography of Antarctica, penguins, whales, icebergs, the race to the South Pole… Those lectures are not mandatory: you can pick those that interest you most. And if you feel like it, you can even offer to give a lecture yourself!
• In the afternoon, we may see our first icebergs. It’s always a magical moment bringing a lot of excitement on the ship!
• Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Sunday 20th December – Finally in Antarctica

• Today we will arrive at the Antarctic Peninsula and pass the snow-capped Melchior Islands and Schollaert Channel, sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands.
• Our goal during the trip is to be off the vessel as much as possible. While our planned schedule and activities are always subject to change due to local conditions (ice, weather, wildlife spotting opportunities), a typical day involve a zodiac cruise and a landing in the morning, and another cruise and landing in the afternoon.
• On Danco Island, we hope to see the gentoo penguins nesting on the island, in addition to the Weddell and crabeater seals that can be found nearby.
• Lunch on the ship
• The site we’ll visit will depend on the circumstances, but we arranged in advance the possibility to visit the most beautiful landings sites in Antarctica. This is important as the Antarctica Treaty regulations forbid ships to arrive at the same place at the same time, not to disturb the wildlife. There can never be more than 100 people landing on each site.
• One of those beautiful landscape is Neko Harbour, surrounded by mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow. It offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks.
• We also plan to do a Zodiac cruise in the sprawling, ice-flecked waters of Paradise Bay, where there’s a good chance you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales.
• Will you dare plunge into the Antarctic Ocean? Yes, this is on the program – and is of course optional. If you do it, you may get a certificate!
• Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Monday 21st December – The Antarctic Peninsula

• Depending on the ice, we’ll be trying to sail through the Lemaire Channel on the Pléneau & Petermann Islands looking for Adelie penguins and blue-eyed shags, as well as scanning the seas for whales and leopard seals.
• Petermann island hosts one of the northernmost Adélie penguin colonies, as well as one of the southernmost Gentoo penguins colonies. Vibrant green and red algae, known as cryoplankton, colors the snow in bursting clouds, especially when the snow is melting in summer.
• Lunch on the ship
• Once we’ve passed through the Neumayer Channel, today we can hopefully visit Port Lockroy, a former British research station which is now a museum and post office so we can send postcards from the edge of the world!
• You may also be able to partake in activities around Jougla Point, meeting gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags.
• Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Tuesday 22nd December – The Antarctic Peninsula

• Today we’ll try to spot humpback whales in Wilhelmina Bay. Wilhelmina Bay is high in the ranks of must-see Antarctic sights, and for good reason: the bay’s sheer ice cliffs and glacial sculpturing epitomize much of the Antarctic experience. Its waters are also sheltered, usually enabling Zodiac cruises between the islands and icebergs.
• Wilhelmina Bay is sometimes called “Whale-Mania Bay,” as it is one of the best places in Antarctica to spot them, as its waters are filled with krill, the staple food of many whale species. Sadly, however, it also explains why Wilhelmina Bay was once a top whaling location.
• We’ll hop into our Zodiac to cruise around and also see the wreck of the Guvernøren – a whaler ship that caught fire in 1915. This is a fantastic spot for photos of an eerie ghost ship
• Lunch on the ship
• Possible sites for landing and Zodiac cruises include Cuverville Island, but also the lesser known (though equally picturesque) Orne Island and Georges Point on Rongé Island.  About 6,500 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins call Cuverville home, composing the largest rookery on the Antarctic Peninsula.
• Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Wednesday 23rd December – The Antarctic Peninsula

• We’ll continue to explore among giant icebergs that will dwarf our ship. A range of Antarctic wildlife like humpback whales, fur seals, Adélie penguins, and maybe even one or more Ross’ seals may appear.
• We usually visit Brown Station, a small but pleasant research station. There is a nice hill and view behind Brown Station, though it is quite steep (84 meters or 276 feet high), and there are a few lower areas that also offer great scenery. The staff at Brown Station sometimes provide short talks to our guests, but there are no formal tours.
• Lunch on the ship
• As you’ve read, there is a large number of sites to visit in Antarctica, and we’ll do landings and Zodiac cruises until the last minute, before heading North to the South Shetland Islands.

Thursday 24th December – South Shetland

Friday 25th December – the Drake Passage

• Depending on the seas in the Drake Passage, we will be departing frozen Antarctica for the long voyage home
• Lunch on the ship
• Take our last proper Antarctic photos as the Hondius takes us away from the continent
• Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Saturday 26th December – Heading home

• We’ll take the time to look out for seabirds and marine mammals and taking in the views and experience of the Antarctic seas as we head back to terrestrial life
• Lunch on the ship
• Enjoy the final evening on the ship with your newfound friends from the tour
• Dinner and overnight on the Hondius

Sunday 27th December – Ushuaia

• Our ship will arrive back at the end of the world at Tierra del Fuego where we disembark and say our goodbyes
• End of tour, YPT can assist with onward travel plans

Read More