Antarctic Peninsula Explorer

Expedition Ship: RCGS Resolute
Length: 10-11 Nights

This new itinerary encompasses two additional days of exploration in Antarctica – without adding to the total length of the voyage. This equals more time on shore, more time in the zodiacs and more time spent in the company of our expert guides for your ultimate wildlife tour.

While travelling along the shorelines of Antarctica, We visit many of the classic landing locations along the Antarctica Peninsula such as Paradise Harbour, Neko Harbour and the Errera Channel. In the company of our expert guides, we spend our days exploring in small groups, by zodiac boat and on shore, enjoying walks and hikes to scenic locations and visiting busy wildlife colonies. Sea kayaking and overnight camping are also popular activities on this itinerary.

Over eleven days, we visit classic landing locations along the Antarctica Peninsula and Gerlache Strait coastline. We spend our days off the ship exploring by Zodiac boat and making shore landings in the company of our expert guides. By breaking into small special interest groups we discover Antarctica and its remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and history through photography, zodiac excursions, hiking, and, for the more adventurous, camping and sea kayaking. Visits to historic huts and working research bases add another dimension to the voyage. To cap off this amazing trip, we spend a day in the South Shetland Islands. Returning to South America we have one final thrill - a rounding of the legendary maritime landmark of Cape Horn.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina

Days 2-3 Drake Passage

Days 4-9 Antarctic Peninsula

Day 10 South Shetland Islands and Deception Island

Day 11 King George Island and Punta Arenas, Chile

Day 12 Punta Arenas, Chile

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina

Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s most southerly city, where you board your expedition ship. In the early evening we set sail along the Beagle Channel and push out into the Drake Passage, direction Antarctica.

Days 2–3 Drake Passage

Giant petrels, albatross and smaller Cape petrels are our companions as we transit the Drake Passage. Join the ship’s Captain on the bridge and learn about the operations of our modern research vessel. Throughout the day our onboard experts educate us with a series of presentations about the environment, wildlife and history.

Days 4–9 Antarctic Peninsula

Take a deep breath – you have arrived. This is Antarctica. The waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula are home to deep bays, pristine coves and inlets and numerous small islands. The Gerlache coastline features heavily glaciated mountains permanently covered in ice and snow. Rocky outcrops are home to gentoo, adelie and chinstrap penguin rookeries and the waters are rich in marine life. We frequently encounter seals, including the powerful leopard seal, usually found hauled out on an ice floe. Curious humpback whales and the smaller minke whales are present much of the time as they feed on the vast schools of krill. Sightings of orca are not uncommon. Our activity program is in full swing and we encourage all guests to choose how their adventure unfolds. Every day we plan an exciting range of activities, including guided hikes on shore (both short and long), visits to wildlife colonies with our expert naturalist guides, as well as Zodiac cruising. The historic huts and science stations located along the Antarctic Peninsula provide a fascinating glimpse into the past and the present. Zodiac cruising among the ice, searching for seals and whales is a memorable activity. Meanwhile, our sea kayakers may range several miles from the ship experiencing Antarctica from an entirely different perspective. Our resident photography guide will be on hand to help you with your camera handling and image composition. Maybe what you really want to do is sit on a rock, simply watching the penguins come and go from the water.

Day 10 South Shetland Islands and Deception Island

After several busy days of exploration along the Antarctic Peninsula, we head for the South Shetland Islands. The adventure is not over and, if the weather conditions allow, we sail the ship into the flooded volcanic caldera at Deception Island. This is a very dramatic location. History is all around us as we explore the old whaling station. On a sunny day, cruising along the pristine coast of Livingston Island is a memorable experience. There are several other landing sites in the vicinity including Half Moon Island, and the broad pebbly beach at Yankee Harbour, where we often encounter Weddell seals sunning themselves. This evening we enjoy a special diner attended by the ship’s Captain, and we spend our final hours cruising towards King George Island. Upon arrival at King George Island, we drop anchor and will be in position for disembarkation in the morning.

Day 11 King George Island and Punta Arenas, Chile

This morning we say goodbye to our expedition team and transfer ashore by Zodiac. We walk from the landing site up towards the airstrip preparing to board our flight. The two-hour journey from King George Island to Punta Arenas, Chile is included in the price of your voyage. Upon arrival into Punta Arenas a transfer from the airport into town is provided.

Day 12 Punta Arenas, Chile

New for 2018 we include a complimentary hotel night in Punta Arenas at the end of the voyage for all guests returning from King George Island (starting in October 2017). This evening is at your leisure. Punta Arenas is home to some cozy restaurants, cafes and bars – including the historic ‘Shackleton Bar’ at the Hotel Jose Nogueira – a fitting location to reflect on your journey to Antarctica.