Route Description - Antartica - Weddell Sea Explorer Basecamp
A true expedition, the Weddell Sea cruise sets out to explore the range of the Emperor Penguins near Snow Hill Island. Travellers will visit the area via helicopter, offering an unparalleled view of the landscape. In addition to the majestic Emperor Penguins, they will also encounter a variety of other birds and penguins, including Adélies and Gentoos.
Day 1: End of the World, Start of a Journey
The 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, 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.
Day 2 - 3: Path of the polar explorers
Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, travelers experience some of the same sensations felt by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, and perhaps even the sight of a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence—Antarctica’s natural boundary formed when cold north-flowing waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas—they enter the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. This marks a shift in both marine and avian life. Here, travelers might spot a variety of seabirds, including wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels.
Day 4 - 7: Entering Antarctica
Travellers may sail into the Weddell Sea via the Antarctic Sound, where colossal tabular icebergs mark their arrival on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. This segment of the voyage focuses on the search for emperor penguins. With the use of both the expedition vessel and helicopters, there is a promising chance of encountering these elusive creatures. In addition to wildlife spotting, scenic flights and potential helicopter landings—conditions permitting—offer access to otherwise unreachable locations during this time of year.
Helicopter flights, which truly elevate the expedition, may include:
The west slopes of the Antarctic Sound – Rarely viewed from the air, this side reveals a dramatic landscape of layered sandstones, lava flows, glaciers, drifting icebergs, and sprawling pack ice. Sightings of individual emperor and Adélie penguins on ice floes are possible, along with kelp gulls, skuas, and various petrel species. Jagged mountain peaks pierce the snow cover, while fractured ice walls cascade down the slopes.
Duse Bay – A helicopter may land travellers on a rocky hillock near an old refuge hut overlooking the bay. Although snow and ice still dominate the area this time of year, the ground offers frost-shattered rock adorned with lichens of various shapes and hues.
Seymour Island – Known for its ties to the harrowing Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901–1904, Seymour Island features sedimentary rock, ancient fossils, and sweeping views that highlight its stark polar beauty.
If weather and ice conditions permit deeper exploration into the Weddell Sea, Zodiac excursions might include:
Devil Island – Home to a thriving colony of Adélie penguins, this island also rewards hikers with stunning panoramic views from its highest point. Occasionally, melting ice creates a cascading waterfall along the cliffs near Cape Well-met.
Brown Bluff – Often considered the most scenic spot on the northern edge of the Antarctic continent, this location showcases sheer canyon walls, scattered boulders, and dramatic volcanic formations topped with glistening ice. It is also home to a bustling Adélie penguin rookery, along with gentoo penguins and nesting snow petrels.
Gourdin Island – A popular haunt for chinstrap, gentoo, and Adélie penguins, this island offers yet another captivating landing option on the Antarctic journey.
Esperanza Base – One of only two year-round civilian settlements in Antarctica, this Argentine research station provides a possible alternative stop for an insightful glimpse into life at the bottom of the world.
Day 8: Drake via Deception Island
In the morning, travellers will sail to Deception Island for the last landing of the voyage, either at Pendulum Cove or Whalers Bay. Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
Day 9 - 10: Familiar seas, familiar friends
The 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.
Day 11: 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 adventure lies.
Day 5 - 6: (Alternate program if the route to Snow Hill Island is free of multi-year pack ice – less than 50 % probability)
Helicopters provide an advantage in reaching the emperor penguin colony, but our ability to use them depends entirely on ice, sea, and weather conditions.
If conditions are favorable, we will visit the colony. If conditions are exceptionally favorable, we will attempt to visit more than once. Helicopter operations take a full day, and flight duration depends on local conditions.
Each helicopter can accommodate 4 – 5 passengers per flight. The landing site is carefully chosen so that the penguins are not disturbed.
Upon arrival to the site, we will walk to the colony. This may take up to 45 minutes and can be challenging in places. Please keep in mind that you are in the world’s most remote region, so there are no guarantees: conditions may change rapidly, which can impact on helicopter operations. It is important to understand and respect this fact. Safety is our greatest concern, so no compromises can be made.
We aim for all groups to spend an equal amount of time at the colony. The time at the colony (and the time to get there from landing site) will often vary, however, due to local conditions and flight times.