Route Description - Bellingshausen Sea / Peter I Island + Ellsworth Land - incl. helicopters
An adventurous expedition offers a unique opportunity to discover very rarely visited places, deep South along the coast of Antarctica to the Bellingshausen Sea, along the coast of Ellsworth Land and even to Peter I Island.
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 at the far southern tip of South America. In the afternoon, guests embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, known as “The End of the World,” and sail through the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
Day 2 - 3 - Path of the polar explorers
Over the next two days in the Drake Passage, guests experience conditions similar to those faced by the great polar explorers who first charted these waters. Expect cool salt breezes, rolling seas, and possible sightings of fin whales. After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, where cold Antarctic waters meet warmer sub-Antarctic seas, the vessel enters the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Here, seabird life becomes especially rich, with 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 commonly seen around the vessel.
Day 4 - 6 - Antarctic Peninsula
Following in the footsteps of early Antarctic explorers such as Adrien de Gerlache, the expedition explores the Antarctic Peninsula with possible landings depending on ice and weather conditions.
Auguste Island may be visited, historically linked to the Belgica expedition of 1898. Hydrurga Rocks offers sightings of Adélie and chinstrap penguins, along with Weddell seals, leopard seals, and southern elephant seals, with occasional humpback and minke whales in surrounding waters.
Further south, exploration may include Charlotte Bay with a possible continental landing at Portal Point, Cuverville Island with its large gentoo penguin colony and nesting skuas, and Danco Island, where gentoo penguins and seals are commonly observed.
Day 7 - Flandres Bay and Renard Island
The vessel arrives in Flandres Bay, with a possible landing at Renard Island. This steep, rugged island is historically significant, named after Alphonse Renard, a supporter of the Belgica expedition. It marks one of the final landing sites of the historic west Antarctic Peninsula journey.
Day 8 - 11 - Crossing the Antarctic Circle
The voyage continues south into Crystal Sound and potentially across the Antarctic Circle, where vast ice fields and dramatic mountain scenery dominate the landscape. Wildlife sightings may include seals and seabirds, alongside the possibility of encountering more elusive species such as the Ross seal.
If conditions allow, landings may include Detaille Island, a preserved historic research station frozen in time, offering insight into early Antarctic scientific exploration.
Further exploration may include Pourquoi-Pas Island, known for penguins, seals, and glacier scenery; Horseshoe Island, home to an abandoned research base and historic dog kennels; and Stonington Island, one of the most historically significant Antarctic research sites used by both British and American expeditions. Red Rock Ridge may also be visited, where striking red cliffs rise above Adélie penguin colonies and nearby seal haul-outs.
Day 12 - 14 - Continuing southward through Marguerite Bay
The vessel continues deeper into Marguerite Bay, maintaining a watch for whales and less commonly seen Antarctic wildlife. This remote region represents true exploration territory, with few vessels ever venturing this far south.
Day 15 - 18 - Entering the Bellingshausen Sea
The journey pushes into the Bellingshausen Sea, potentially reaching the Ronne Entrance, an area first charted by early aerial Antarctic explorers. This is one of the most remote regions of the voyage, where landings are highly dependent on ice and weather conditions.
Exploration along Ellsworth Land may include Zodiac or helicopter-assisted landings where possible, with the final itinerary determined by the Expedition Leader based on conditions.
Day 19 - 20 - A rare glimpse of Peter I Island
The expedition reaches Peter I Island (Peter I Øy), one of the most isolated volcanic islands in the world, located in the Bellingshausen Sea. First discovered in 1821, it is rarely visited due to its extreme remoteness and challenging conditions.
If weather and ice permit, a helicopter landing may allow guests to set foot on this glaciated volcanic island—one of the most exclusive landings in Antarctica.
Day 21 - 24 - Northward bound – crossing the Southern Ocean and Drake Passage
Following the exploration of Peter I Island, the vessel begins its journey northward across the Bellingshausen Sea and into the Southern Ocean. Onboard experts continue lectures on Antarctic exploration, marine ecosystems, and polar history.
Wildlife remains abundant, with wandering albatrosses, storm petrels, and occasional sightings of humpback and possibly blue whales. As the vessel crosses the Antarctic Convergence once more, seabird diversity increases again, including grey-headed, black-browed, and light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels.
The Drake Passage marks the final stretch before reaching South America.
Day 25 - End of the world, last of the journey
Every expedition must eventually come to an end. Guests disembark in Ushuaia, once again arriving at the southernmost city in the world, taking with them memories of one of the most remote and extraordinary journeys on Earth.