Explorers' Route  Expedition Cruise

Day 1: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Getting to the southernmost city in the world is easy, because the local airport (USH) is served by flights from Buenos Aires, and Santiago, Chile. Don't worry about where you'll stay when you arrive: we've included a night at one of the city's charming hotels.

Day 2: Embarkation Day
Before we transfer you to the ship, you may join the included guided motor coach tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park. We'll make a stop for lunch - a traditional Argentine asado barbecue, which is lamb, chicken and beef grilled over an open fire, and served with chimichuri, Argentina's regional salsa.

Day 3: At Sea
Take advantage of a day at sea to become familiar with the ship and members of the Expedition Team. While sailing, our team of specialists will lead a series of presentations that prepare you for shore landings to come.

Days 4-5: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Two highlights of your exploration of the archipelago will be the warm welcome you receive from the residents and the extraordinary diversity of wildlife. You'll visit Stanley the only city on the islands and the last major urban centre you'll explore on this expedition.

Days 6-7: At Sea
As the ship draws nearer to Antarctica, a sharp drop in water and air temperature may indicate that you have crossed the Antarctic Convergence. This invisible circumpolar, undulating line separates Antarctica from the rest of the globe.

Days 8-11: South Georgia
Renowned as a destination for birders, South Georgia is a breeding ground for many species, such as Wandering Albatross, Southern Giant Petrels, and five penguin species. At a meter tall (3 ft) King Penguins that breed in the thousands on the island are the second tallest penguin.

South Georgia has many connections to the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration. Ernest Shackleton is buried in the churchyard at Grytviken. One of the glaciers that cover the island is named after Otto Nordenskjold the leader of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition which called at the island in 1902-03. Our polar historian will bring the past to life ashore and aboard.

Days 12-13: At Sea
En route to the Peninsula we'll keep you busy identifying seabirds, listening to engaging presentations on everything from the Antarctic food web to the life cycle of the humpback whale. On selected departures, try your hand at painting or photography, under the guidance of our artist-in-residence.

Days 14-17: The Antarctic Peninsula
Shore landings are announced in advance in the daily program delivered to your cabin each evening. To plan the daily activities the Expedition Team takes advantage of the long hours of daylight that occur so near to the Antarctic Circle.

An exploration of the Peninsula may include visits to penguin rookeries, research stations and encounters with marine mammals and iceberg graveyards. Although each voyage is painstakingly planned, it is impossible to provide prior to departure a definitive summary of the journey you will actually experience. The Expedition Leader in cooperation with the ship's Captain adjusts the route as the expedition unfolds to take advantage of the best weather and ice conditions. For this reason, no itinerary is the same.

Days 18-19: The Drake Passage
The notorious Drake Passage can be relatively calm, under the right weather conditions. Have seasickness medicine on hand just in case the Drake lives up to its reputation.

Day 20: Disembarkation, Ushuaia, Argentina
After breakfast aboard the ship, we'll transfer you by bus to the passenger collection point at the end of the quay.