Day 1 – Fly from the UK to  Ushuaia, Argentina

You’ll be met at the Airport by an English-speaking guide, for a private transfer to your hotel hotel.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 2 – End of the world, start of a journey

Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 3 – The winged life of the westerlies

Several species of albatross follow the vessel into the westerlies, along with storm petrels,
shearwaters, and diving petrels.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 4 – Finding the Falklands

The Falkland Islands offer an abundance of wildlife that is easily approachable, though
caution is always advised. These islands are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war
between the UK and Argentina. Not only do various species of bird live here, but chances
are great you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding
waters.

During this segment of the voyage, you may visit the following sites:

Carcass Island – Despite its name, this island is pleasantly rodent-free and hence bounteous with birdlife and many endemic species. Anything from breeding Magellanic penguins and gentoos to numerous waders and passerine birds (including Cobb’s wrens
and tussock-birds) live here.
Saunders Island – On Saunders Island you can see the black-browed albatross and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along with breeding imperial shags and rockhopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic penguins, and gentoos are also found here.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 5 –  The seat of Falklands culture

The capital of the Falklands and centre of its culture, Port Stanley has some Victorian-era
charm: colourful houses, well-tended gardens, and English-style pubs are all to be found
here. You can also see several century-old clipper ships nearby, silent witnesses to the
hardships of 19th century sailors. The small but interesting museum is also worth a visit,
covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War. Approximately 2,100 people
live in Port Stanley. Admission to the museum is included.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 6 & 7 – Once more to the sea

En route to South Georgia, you now cross the Antarctic Convergence. 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.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 8 – 11  South Georgia Journey

Today you arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely dictating the programme. Over the next several days, you have a chance to visit the following sites:
Prion Island – This location is closed during the early part of the wandering albatross breeding season (November 20 – January 7). From January on, the breeding adults have found their partners and are sitting on eggs or nursing their chicks. Enjoy witnessing the gentle nature of these animals, which possess the largest wingspan of any bird in the world.

Fortuna Bay – A beautiful outwash plain from Fortuna Glacier is home to a large number of king penguins and seals. Here you may also have the chance to follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across the mountain pass beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the terrain is partly swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams.

Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour – These sites not only house the three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, they’re also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for Antarctic fur seals. Literally millions breed on South Georgia during December and January. Only during the mid-season do they peak in their breeding cycle.
There will be some young adult Elephant seals as well as this seasons ‘Weaner’s; the young
Elephant Seals that have been left to fend for themselves. Watch your step and stay cool when walking the beaches during this time.

Grytviken – In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the streets and
elephant seals lie around like they own the place – because they basically do. Here you
might be able to see the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave. In the
afternoon of day 10 and depending on the conditions, we will start sailing southwards in
the direction of the South Orkney Islands.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Days 12 – Southward bound

There may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south polar skuas and snow
petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the vessel south

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 13 – The scenic vistas of South Orkney

Depending on the conditions, you might visit Orcadas Base, an Argentine scientific station
on Laurie Island in the South Orkney archipelago. The personnel here will happily show
you their facility, where you can enjoy expansive views of the surrounding glaciers. If a
visit isn’t possible, you may instead land in Coronation Island’s Shingle Cove.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Days 14 – Last push to the Antarctic

Enormous icebergs and a fair chance of fin whale sightings ensure there’s never a dull
moment on this last sea voyage south. Also, your best chance to spot Antarctic petrels is
here.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 15 – Awe-inspiring Antarctica

If the ice conditions permit, you now sail into the Weddell Sea. Here colossal tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. You might also visit Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you could get the chance to set foot on the Antarctic Continent itself.

Gray stone peaks sketched with snow, towers of broken blue-white ice, and dramatically
different wildlife below and above. You first pass the snow-capped Melchior Islands and
Schollaert Channel, sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands.
Places you might visit – depending on conditions – include:
Neumayer Channel – The vessel may position itself here, launching its multiple basecamp
activities from the protected waters around Wiencke Island. You can enjoy the splendoors
of this alpine environment at sea with Zodiac trips, or if you’re in the mood for a walk,
there are possible landings options farther inland. Naturally, favourable weather
conditions determine the possible activities.
Port Lockroy – After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, you may get a chance to visit
the former British research station – now a museum and post office – of Port Lockroy on
Goudier Island. You may also be able to partake in activities around Jougla Point, meeting
gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags.
Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If the ice allows it, you can sail through the Lemaire
Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. There’s also a good chance
you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales here, as well as leopard seals
Neko Harbour – An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow,
Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that afford the closest
views of the surrounding alpine peaks.
Errera Channel – Possible sites in this area include Danco Island and Cuverville Island,
but also the lesser known (though equally picturesque) Orne Island and Georges Point on
Rongé Island.
On your last day of near-shore activities, you pass the Melchior Islands toward the open
sea. Keep a sharp lookout for humpback whales in Dallmann Bay. You might also shoot for
Half Moon Island, in the South Shetlands, with further chances for activities.
If conditions aren’t favourable to enter the Weddell Sea from the east, the ship will set
course for Elephant Island and head into the Bransfield Strait, between the South Shetland
Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Here you can attempt to access the Antarctic Sound
from the northwest.

The breath-taking scenery continues in the Bransfield Straight and, if conditions allow
further South in the Gerlache Strait. Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact
time of departure

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Days 18-19 – Familiar seas, familiar friends

Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by
the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more
familiar to you now, and you to them.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 14 –  4 There and back again

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next nadventure lies.

– Disembark the M/V Plancius after breakfast. In the morning upon completion you will disembarkation in Ushuaia. Passengers will receive a complimentary transfer to either the airport or a central location where luggage can be stored.
– For those on morning flights, a transfer will bring them directly to Ushuaia airport (USH). The rest of the passengers will be transferred to the luggage storage point and given time to explore the city. These passengers should then return to retrieve their luggage and board a second transfer to Ushuaia airport in the afternoon, depending on their flight times. Please note that the transfer times are subject to change according to flight schedules. Not ready to leave? We can add mainland activities and onward travel on request.

                                                                  Core Cruise Trip End

Deluxe

Namibia

Desert Lodge – Wolwedans

Set in the heart of the Aberdare National Park, iconic and yes, quirky. The Ark overlooks...

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 15 – Departure

Shared transfer to the airport on Baltra for the flight back to Guayaquil on the mainland.
Flight times to be confirmed
Collect your luggage and check in for your Transatlantic flight home.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast