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The following itinerary is a guide only. Our exact route and
program will vary to take best advantage of local weather and
ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife. Changes will
be made by the Captain and/or Expedition Leader to facilitate
the best results from the prevailing conditions. A daily program
sheet will be issued on board. Flexibility is the key to
success.
Day 1:
Depart from Ushuaia
Embark the USHUAIA in the
afternoon and meet your expedition and lecture staff.
After you have settled into your cabins we sail along
the famous Beagle Channel on our way to the Falkland
Islands. 
Day 2:
At Sea
The open bridge policy on the USHUAIA allows you to join
our officers on the bridge and learn about navigation,
watch for whales, and enjoy the view. These waters are
also home to countless seabirds, which often ride the
currents created in the wake of the ship. On board, our
extensive lecture program will begin today.
Expeditions’ expert naturalists share their knowledge of
the wildlife and unique ecosystems we will encounter
throughout our voyage. Our lecture team will accompany
us through every step of the journey, offering insight
and ready knowledge on this amazing region.
Day 3 & 4: Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Our exact itinerary will be determined by local
conditions on sea and land. The following destinations
are among those we hope to explore
West Point Island and Carcass Island, Falkland
Islands
We hope to visit West Point Island, where we board the
zodiacs for the trip to shore. A brisk walk to the far
side of the small island takes us to a magnificent
cliff-side colony of Black-browed Albatrosses and
Rockhopper Penguins. Later we hope to call on Carcass
Island, where we join expert naturalists for a nature
walk. Observe the Magellanic Penguin burrows that dot
the landscape, as well as the gaggles of Upland Geese
that nibble on the surrounding greenery. We may also
spot Falkland’s Steamer Ducks, Striated Caracaras, and Gentoo Penguins.
Stanley, East Falkland Island, Falkland
Islands
After breakfast we make our way to shore, where we board
waiting motor coaches for a tour of this charming
Victorian outp ost. A stop at the local museum highlights
the maritime history of the Falklands, the 1982 conflict
with Argentina, and the islands’ natural history. Our
day in Stanley includes leisure time to explore the
charming shops, stroll the picturesque town, or perhaps
enjoy a pint at the British-flavored Upland Goose Pub.
Day 5 & 6:
At Sea
Join Expeditions’ lecturers and naturalists on
deck today as we search for seabirds and other local
wildlife. A full program of lectures will be offered
throughout the day. We will continue on to South
Georgia, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful
and inspiring places on earth with more wildlife than
virtually anywhere else on the planet. Though extremely
isolated, South Georgia has an amazing scenery ranging
from high mountains and mighty glaciers to deep fjords
and low-lying grassland. Our natural history staff will
continue with their ongoing lecture series throughout
the crossing.
Day 7 to 10: South Georgia
Our exact itinerary will be determined by local
conditions on sea and land. The following destinations
are among those we hope to explore:
Grytviken
Once a thriving whaling station, the ruins of Grytviken
stand as a reminder of an era of exploitation that
thankfully grows more distant by the day. Grytviken has
an excellent natural history museum run by a remarkable
couple who live off South Georgia on a 19th century
sloop. A short zodiac ride around King Edward cove
brings us to the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Join
the USHUAIA’s Captain for a graveside toast honoring
this remarkable explorer and venerated mariner.
Salisbury Plain
Sometimes called the “Serengeti of the South” Salisbury
Plain is a wildlife site without parallel. Several large
glaciers provide a dramatic backdrop for the tens of
thousands of King Penguins that nest in the tussock
grass of this remarkable ecosystem. The wide beach makes
for excellent walking as we visit the colonies, where we
are literally surrounded and delightfully outnumbered by
throngs of curious, gentle penguins. Elephant and fur
seals also abound, as well as Southern Giant Petrels and
the occasional wandering Gentoo Penguin. Remember to
bring extra film and prepare for an awe-inspiring
experience.
Bay of Isles
Rising 10,000 feet out of the Scotia Sea and coated in
more than 100 glaciers, South Georgia is the most
dramatic of all of the sub-Antarctic Islands. The
magnificent Bay of Isles is studded with numerous
islets. We hope to visit several of the islands to view
fur seals and nesting Wandering Albatrosses. Other
landing sites will take us to see the handsome King
Penguins that breed on South Georgia in abundance.
Gold Harbor
Gold Harbor offers some of the most spectacular
scenery of the voyage with its alpine landscape and
hanging glaciers. We hope to make a landing on the
beach, where we will enjoy naturalist-led nature walks
and hikes. The surrounding cliffs of Gold Harbor provide
habitat for nesting Light-Mantled Sooty Albatrosses,
which can often be seen soaring above the beach. A large
colony of King Penguins offers a fantastic opportunity
to photograph these dramatic birds, and the sandy beach
is a favorite haul-out spot for massive southern
elephant seals.
Cooper Bay
We hope to explore two sites in Cooper Bay. The first is
a sheltered cove that provides a perfect refuge for
southern fur seals, which gather here in vast numbers
during the Austral summer. We may have the opportunity
to make a landing here and investigate the tussock grass
community, or take part in a zodiac tour around the bay
to a wonderful Macaroni Penguin colony perched on the
rocky cliffs. Southern elephant seals can often be seen
lounging among the large clumps of tussock grass in the
area as well.
Day 11: At Sea
Today we will cross the waters to the South Orkney
Islands offering excellent opportunities to be out on
deck or to catch up on your reading and reflect on the
amazing experience in South Georgia of the past few
days. Lectures and activities will be offered throughout
the day.
Day 12: South Orkney Islands
Remote, rugged, and 85 percent glaciated, early visitors
dubbed the dramatic South Orkneys the “Inaccessible
Islands”. Conditions permitting, we will land on Laurie
Island to visit Orcadas Station, the oldest continuously
manned research station in the Antarctic. We may also
explore delightful Chinstrap Penguin colonies via zodiac
and scan the beaches for Antarctic fur seals. Now a
specially protected species, fur seals have made a
remarkable recovery from near extinction from sealing
activities during the nineteenth century.
Day 13:
Elephant Island
Sir Ernest Shackleton admirers will need no introduction
to this historic isle. In 1916 Shackleton was forced to
leave 22 of his men stranded on these shores, while he
and five others embarked on an unbelievable last-ditch
rescue attempt. What followed is one of the greatest
rescue stories of all time. Every passenger will return
with a greater knowledge of this gripping tale of
adventure in a truly remarkable part of the world.
Day 14 to 17:
Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
Our exact itinerary will be determined by local
conditions on sea and land. The following destinations
are among those we hope to explore:
King George Island, South Shetland Islands
King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland
Islands. Russia, China, Korea, Poland, Brazil, Uruguay,
and Argentina have all built research stations here. We
may have an opportunity to visit one of these stations,
where researchers welcome us with descriptions of their
projects and a firsthand look at life in the Antarctic.
King George Island features colonies of nesting Adélie
and Chinstrap Penguins, as well as Kelp Gulls, Blue-eyed
Cormorants, Antarctic Terns and Southern Giant Petrels.
Southern elephant seals can often be found in muddy
wallows close to the shoreline. The island is also known
for its flora, including luxuriant moss beds, two
species of grass which grows in sheltered areas and
beautiful brightly-colored orange and green lichens
found on coastal rocks. Invertebrates can also be found
in tide pools along the shore.
Deception Island, South Shetland Islands
Long ago, volcanic pressure on Deception Island resulted
in a tremendous eruption that caused the island’s peak
to explode. The resulting
caldera flooded with seawater,
creating the unique landmass we may visit today. Our
Captain will expertly pilot the ship through a narrow
gateway in the icy cliffs of the island, taking the
USHUAIA into the caldera itself. Hundreds of thousands
of Chinstrap Penguins inhabit the outer volcanic slopes
of the island at Baily Head, along with nesting Pintado
Petrels and Antarctic Terns. Brave souls may don their
bathing suits for the unusual opportunity of a swim in
the Antarctic, since the waters around Deception Island
are usually geo-thermally heated!
Paradise Bay
Paradise Bay is perhaps the most aptly named place in
the world. Heavily glaciated mountains and ice cliffs
surround a protected harbor. After a foray by zodiac
into the maze of icebergs and “bergy bits” we may
attempt a landing on the continent proper. If you wish,
join an invigorating hike up the hill behind Almirante
Brown Station, an Argentinean research base, for a
breathtaking panoramic view across the expanse of the
bay.
Torgersen Island and Anvers Island
Torgersen Island is home to thousands of Adélie
Penguins, which were named for the wife of explorer
Dumont D'Urville. Just opposite Torgersen Island on
Anvers Island is the United States’ Palmer Station,
which we may have the opportunity to visit.
Port Lockroy
Port Lockroy is situated on scenic Neumayer Channel and
is home to the recently restored buildings of Britain’s
Base A. The site is now part of the British Antarctic
Heritage Trust, which maintains the station as a museum.
We may have the opportunity to post letters from the
base. Large colonies of Gentoo Penguins as well as a
small group of Blue-eyed Cormorants can be seen in the
area.
Petermann Island
If ice conditions permit, we will sail to Petermann
Island for a visit to the southernmost colony of Gentoo
Penguins. Adélie Penguins and Blue-eyed Cormorants also
make their home on Petermann.
Paulet Island
After negotiating the iceberg-strewn waters of the
Antarctic Sound, we hope to visit the bustling Adélie
Penguin (over 100,000 pairs breed here) and Blue-eyed
Cormorant colonies on Paulet. This important breeding
ground should offer a host of penguin behavior. The
Nordenskjöld expedition built a stone survival hut here
in 1903. Today its ruins have been taken over by nesting
penguins.
Lemaire Channel
Grab your cameras and make for the observation decks as
our Captain deftly nudges aside ice floes with the bow
of the ship as we transit Lemaire Channel,
affectionately known as “Kodak Gap.” This narrow
waterway flows between the 3,000-foot peaks of Booth
Island and the peninsula. Orcas and humpback whales
often accompany the ship as we make our way through some
of the most spectacular scenery on Earth.
Day 18 & 19: At Sea crossing the Drake Passage,
northbound
We leave Antarctica the evening before and head north
across the Drake Passage. Named after the renowned
explorer, Sir Frances Drake, who sailed these waters in
1578, the Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic
Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar water
sinks beneath the warmer northern waters. This creates a
great upwelling of nutrients, which sustains the
biodiversity of this region. The Drake Passage also
marks the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds. As
we sail across the passage, Expeditions’
lecturers will be out with you on deck to help in the
identification of whales and an amazing variety of
seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow in
our wake. Join our lecturers for some final lectures and
take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating
adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.
Day 20:
Arrival at Ushuaia
We arrive at Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark
the USHUAIA after breakfast.
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