Welcome to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and the starting point of your expedition. Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel, which has been previously arranged and is included in the price of the voyage. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore the city on your own. Take advantage of souvenir shopping and a variety of dining options in the city center.

After transiting the Beagle Channel and passing the islands of Tierra del Fuego, head northeast toward the Falkland Islands. Keep a lookout for dolphins and whales. The ship’s stabilizing fins provide comfort in the event of rough seas. Presentations by the experts prepare you for your arrival in the Falkland Islands.

The remote and sparsely-populated Falkland Islands are a birders’ paradise. Spend two days in the remote outer islands where large colonies of penguins and albatross are easily accessible. The Falklands are also a great place to observe marine mammals. Fur seals and elephant seals can be found on sandy beaches while the waters around the archipelago are home to cetaceans such as Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins. The exact route and exploration opportunities are dependent on weather among these isolated and windswept islands.

You also might visit the port of Stanley, the charmingly British capital of the Falkland Islands. Attractions within pleasant walking distance along the waterfront promenade include the Falkland Islands Museum, the governor’s house, a cathedral with an impressive whalebone arch outside, a war memorial, quality gift shops, pubs, and views of shipwrecks in the harbor.

From the Falkland Islands, head east toward South Georgia, passing the remote, seabird-covered pinnacles known as Shag Rocks on the way. Cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. Briefings, bio-security procedures, and lectures from the experts prepare you for your arrival in South Georgia.

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. The route and exploration opportunities in South Georgia are heavily dependent on weather conditions. The experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. Take every safe opportunity to go ashore in this amazing place.

South Georgia is a scenic wilderness and an unrivaled paradise for subantarctic wildlife viewing. The islands are said to host upwards of 100 million seabirds, including numerous species of albatross, penguins, prions, petrels, and terns. On beaches such as those at Salisbury Plain and St. Andrews Bay, over 100,000 elephant seals and three million fur seals jostle for space among innumerable penguins including stately king penguins and sprightly macaroni penguins. The recently completed rat eradication program is sure to make this wilderness even more pristine and rich with birdlife.

The bountiful waters surrounding South Georgia are also inhabited by an increasing number of whales. The historical whaling station of Grytviken is now home to the excellent South Georgia Museum managed by the South Georgia Heritage Trust. Grytviken is also the final resting place of Ernest Shackleton, the legendary polar explorer.

Your days in South Georgia are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by the experts, and enough incredible scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions.

As the time of the eclipse nears, leave South Georgia and proceed southwest across the Scotia Sea toward Antarctica. The goal now is to get into perfect position for observing a total solar eclipse. To accomplish this remarkable feat, the captain will navigate the ship precisely onto the narrow path of totality—the relatively small area from which one can see the sun’s light become totally obscured by the moon—at the precise time of the predicted eclipse.

Essentially, you will try to meet the center of the moon’s shadow as it moves swiftly across the Scotia Sea during its rare and brief appearance in Antarctica. This may bring you within sight of the Weddell Sea pack ice, adding a great polar ambiance to this amazing celestial event. With the advantage of sophisticated ice charts and meteorological forecasts—and a little luck—gather on deck in the early morning of Friday, December 4th, under clear skies to observe a total eclipse of the Antarctic sun in the most pristine wilderness on Earth.

After the mesmerizing spectacle of the solar eclipse, continue west toward the Antarctic Peninsula. Pelagic seabirds including the majestic albatross are common in these waters and can readily be viewed from panoramic open decks or from exterior stateroom windows and balconies. Also, encounter enormous tabular icebergs drifting north from the Weddell Sea.

The Antarctic Peninsula region contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and some of Antarctica’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Protected bays and narrow channels are surrounded by towering mountain peaks covered in permanent snow and immense glaciers. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to a variety of whale and seal species. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large nesting colonies at special places on land. The area is also home to Antarctic research stations of various nationalities, some with a gift shop and post office.

Farther south, on the Antarctic Peninsula, the gorgeous Gerlache Strait area contains sheltered bays, accessible wildlife, and stunning scenery. Places with names like Paradise Bay are the epitome of everything Antarctic: glaciated mountains, towering icebergs, feeding whales, seals on ice floes, and bustling penguin colonies. At the southern end of Gerlache Strait is the famous Lemaire Channel, also known as “Kodak Gap” because of the photogenic way the mountainous sides of the narrow channel are reflected in calm waters strewn with icebergs.

The wilderness of Antarctica is subject to unpredictable weather and ever-changing ice conditions, which dictate your route and exploration opportunities. This is a real expedition. Exploit every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing, amazing scenery and excursions via Zodiac.

From Antarctica, head north through the Drake Passage toward South America. Presentations and workshops by your expert staff, as well as your range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that these days at sea are not idly spent. This is also the time for the end of voyage ceremonies including a slideshow and farewell dinner.

After breakfast, say farewell to the crew in the city of Ushuaia, where you started. You will be transferred to the airport or to the town center if you wish to spend more time here. As you look back on your wonderful experience in Antarctica, you may already be looking forward to your next incredible adventure to the ice.