Antarctica Expedition

• Day 1/2 - Days 1-2

  Arrive in Puerto Williams and transfer to the port to board Hanse Explorer. You will meet your Expedition Team and shipmates. Settle in and transit southward through the picturesque Beagle Channel enroute to the famed Drake Passage. This infamous body of water stretches between the southern tip of South America and the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula. This is the realm of the albatross, majestic wanderers of the Southern Ocean, who will accompany you on the approximately 590- nautical-mile journey over the next two days. Crossing the Antarctic Convergence, there is a noticeable change as currents and upwellings provide plentiful food for the birds and whales that thrive in these waters — this is one of the most abundant and pristine wildlife areas on the planet.

• Day 3/9 - Days 3-9

  Depending on the route the voyage takes, some highlights to anticipate:

  SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
  These wildlife-rich islands are on the edge of the Drake Passage at the northern extent of Antarctica. Numerous penguin colonies, seals and seabirds inhabit the islands and the South Shetlands have a deep and intriguing history from the sealing and whaling eras.

  DECEPTION ISLAND
  Deception Island is the flooded caldera of a volcano that last erupted in the 1970s. In addition to its fascinating geology and history of shore-based whaling, the island is home to one of the region's largest chinstrap penguin colonies.

  ANTARCTIC SOUND & THE WEDDELL SEA
  Known as Iceberg Alley, Antarctic Sound is at the very north-eastern point of the Antarctic Peninsula, where large tabular icebergs drift in the Weddell Sea. We may land and visit Adelie penguin colonies at Paulet Island, Brown Bluff, Devil Island, or elsewhere in the area. Exploring the fringes of the Weddell Sea on the eastern side of the Peninsula, we’ll search the ice floes for emperor penguins. The largest of the penguins, the magnificent adults are hard to find during austral summer when their winter breeding colony on Snow Hill Island disperses. There is the chance, however, of finding a newlyfledged juvenile or two resting on the ice.

  THE DANCO COAST & GERLACHE STRAIT
  We plan to spend time in this breathtakingly scenic area on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, where you’ll explore numerous islands andchannels, filling your camera’s memory card. Visit gentoo penguin colonies and cruise with the yacht and tenders past immense glaciers among mesmerizing icebergs in Paradise Bay, Errera Channel, Neko Harbour, Port Lockroy, Lemaire Channel, Petermann Island and Booth Island. Humpback, minke and orca whales can often be found in these tranquil waters.

• Day 10 - Day 10

  Begin the journey back to Puerto Williams. Spend time on deck watching for the whales that frequent these waters, or enjoying the acrobatic maneuvers of black-browed albatross, Wilson’s storm petrels, and sooty shearwaters as they crisscross the sky. Preparing to say farewell to your shipmates, there is time to visit over a refreshing drink and download photos for sharing.

• Day 11 - Day 11

  Arrive Puerto Williams. Transfer to the airport and return flights home.

Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your Captain and Expedition Leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.