Discover the otherworldly beauty of the White Continent in ultimate luxury accompanied by an on-board team of scientists and experts who will explain the wildlife, geology and marine life encountered. Itineraries are intentionally unstructured allowing for moment-by-moment flexibility.
Cruise through the spectacular wilderness of the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Staying longer at sites of particular interest, or making slight detours whenever weather, nature or curiosity dictate, the Expedition Leader will work closely with the Captain to maximise opportunities for adventure and exploration based on prevailing weather, wildlife activity and sea/ice conditions. Inflatable Zodiac boats allow exploration to places which would otherwise be inaccessible. They are not only incredibly safe and secure, but also provide opportunities for up-close explorations.
SV773 Operated by Silversea
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Luxury Antarctica Expedition Itinerary
Day 1 - Ushuaia
Embark your ship in Ushuaia.
Day 2-3 - Crossing the Drake Passage
Look out for cape petrels, majestic albatross and Wilson's storm petrels soaring above the ship whilst crossing the Drake Passage. Silversea’s Expedition Team will enlighten you about Antarctica, its history, geology and wildlife.
Day 4-8 - Antarctic Sound - Antarctica Peninsula - South Shetland Islands
With five full days in Antarctica, guests will enjoy an unprecedented level of flexibility to discover each destination. Historic sites that may be visited in the Antarctic Sound include Paulet Island, Hope Bay and Brown Bluff where Adelie and Gentoo Penguins breed. Weather permitting there may be the chance to walk onto a nearby glacier and cruise on a Zodiac past the Argentine Station Esperanza to see the penguins, Weddell seals and Blue-eyed Shags. Whilst cruising the Antarctica Peninsula there is the possibility of up-close encounters with marine mammals. Watch for seals sunbathing on slow-moving ice floes and for humpback, minke and orca whales to surface from the waters. Some of the places we may visit include the Aitcho Islands, heavily populated by penguins - gentoos and chinstraps; Brown Bluff, a flat-topped mountain, Paradise Bay which is on the Antarctic peninsula and houses the Base Brown research station; the rock formations of Petermann Island and colonies of blue-eyed shags, the sunken volcano on Deception Island and the WWII listening station at Port Lockroy, now a museum. The South Shetland Islands are made up of nine major islands and the region was the first to be used by sealers in the early 19th century. Chinstrap, Adelie, Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins all breed here. Silversea’s Expedition Team will guide Zodiac tours, shore experiences, kayaking tours, and provide lectures on the region’s fascinating geology, wildlife and history to enrich the journey for guests. In addition to witnessing remarkable tabular icebergs, guests might witness penguin rookeries, herds of seals, pods of whales, and an array of bird species.
Day 9-10 - Drake Passage
Returning to South America through the Drake Passage, the clarity of the air affords spectacular views of the southern night skies. This is the area known as the Antarctic Convergence where the cold polar water meets warmer equatorial water.
Day 11 - Ushuaia (Argentina)
Disembark ship in Ushuaia
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.