Our journey begins in Ushuaia where we will overnight in a hotel.

Morning is free to explore Ushuaia and the surrounding area, to do some last minute shopping, stroll around Ushuaia and down to the port or maybe go for a walk in the nearby National Park. The transfer to the ship takes place in the afternoon. Once on board there is a get together for introductions to the expedition team, to learn about the ship and its layout, talk about the itinerary for the next 10 days and participate in the obligatory lifeboat drill. Departure from Ushuaia is normally around 6:00 p.m, and we set sail through the Beagle Channel in the early evening. The long days mean plenty of evening light in which to experience the beauty of the channel, and to perhaps enjoy your first wildlife sightings.

We sail in a north-easterly direction, enjoying a series of presentations that prepare you for the coming adventure. On deck the first sightings of albatross and petrels add to the sense of excitement.

Reaching the Falkland Islands overnight, we then explore the islands of the West Falkland Archipelago on your first shore excursion, perhaps including West Point, Carcass or Saunders Islands, all rich in marine wildlife and bird life. The breathtaking cliffs at West Point are home to busy rookeries of Rockhopper penguins and magnificent Black-browed albatross, which can often be seen with their incongruously shaped chicks upon their nest. Saunders Island will hopefully provide sightings of the beautifully coloured King penguin, and we may be fortunate enough to sight dolphins close to the zodiacs as we make our way to or from shore for our landings.

Carcass Island has many species of birds, including Gentoo and Magellanic penguins and an impressive table of sweets and tea provided by the owners of the island. Our second day in the Falklands includes a visit to the capital, Port Stanley. Wonderful history, culture and wildlife are experienced in this outpost of the Commonwealth. Reaching the Falkland Islands overnight, we then explore the breathtaking cliffs at West Point, which are home to busy rookeries of Rockhopper penguins and magnificent Black-browed albatross.

During these days at sea, we continue our series of presentations, discussing various aspects of conservation and the fascinating history of Antarctic exploration. You also have time to look for marine mammals and seabirds, from the top deck of the ship - whales and dolphins are often sighted. We cross the Antarctic Convergence during this time, and a drop in temperature becomes apparent.

Reaching South Georgia you observe towering, snow-covered mountains and glaciers when conditions are clear. South Georgia is the most mountainous of the many islands of the Southern Ocean and is a spectacular sight. We will cruise the more protected eastern coast of the island, seeking out suitable landing spots as conditions permit. It is hoped to get ashore at Salisbury Plain where colourful King penguins crowd the beaches in numbers that will leave you spellbound. The vast area is covered in a sea of birds: of adults and their young in hundreds of thousands. Another 75,000 pairs of King penguins nest at St Andrews Bay. Everywhere, albatross, skuas and Giant petrels wheel overhead, whilst Fur seals are found in good numbers along the shore or are seen frolicking in the water. At Grytviken, you visit the old whaling station, and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, undoubtedly one of the greatest of the Antarctic explorers.

Crossing the Scotia Sea to the south-west, you head for the South Orkney Islands which are linked to the Antarctic Peninsula by a massive range of sub-marine mountains. Time and weather permitting, you may land at Coronation Island, known for its extensive moss beds, nesting penguins and beautiful Snow petrels, or perhaps visit the Argentinean meteorological station located on Laurie Island in this remote and seldom-visited part of the world.

At sea sailing south to Antarctica.

En route to the South Shetland Islands there is sometimes the chance to visit Elephant Island, depending on the ship's progress and the weather. It is from this island that Sir Ernest Shackleton set out for South Georgia in a small boat in 1916, undertaking one of the most remarkable sailing journeys of all time and returning 132 days later to rescue his men.

We then spend several days cruising among the South Shetlands, an archipelago of around 20 islands, and the bays and channels of the Peninsula. We will enjoy frequent shore excursions by inflatable Zodiac boat, exploring perhaps King George, Half Moon, Aicho or Livingston islands. We will experience superb encounters with Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, and several species of seal, as well as enjoying stunning scenery. Weather permitting, we may enter the flooded caldera of Deception Island to explore the abandoned whaling station or perhaps enjoy a spectacular walk to some of the higher points of the crater rim. At Paradise Bay or Hope Bay on the Antarctic mainland, witness some of the most dramatic scenery the Antarctic has to offer.

Leaving the Antarctic Peninsula overnight our ship heads back across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. The crossing is completed with the rounding of Cape Horn, weather permitting.

In the early morning you arrive back in Ushuaia where your voyage ends. You are transferred either to town on to the airport for your onward flight to Buenos Aires.