Antarctica in depth

Antarctica in depth is a world unto itself and this trip, gives you two extra days to explore the majesty of Antarctica. Encounter leopard seals and immense rookeries of a variety of penguins. There are dramatic glaciers to witness and icebergs to gaze at from the open deck.

The M/S Expedition will bring you safely and comfortably through the marvels of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula while its expert guides and lecturers offer knowledge insights that will really bring the natural history to life and create an adventure of a lifetime.

Day 1: Arrive Ushuaia

Arrive into Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, at any time. Make your way to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 2: Embarkation of the expedition ship

Today we will embark on the MS expedition. Embarkation time is set for 4 pm.The morning is free to do any last minute shopping, an optional excursion to the Tierra Del Fuego National Park or a good hike up to the Marshall Glacier.The evening is spent on board the ship watching the sunset over the Beagle Channel.

Day 3-4: The Drake Passage

Our adventure begins with a 400-mile crossing of the passage that bears the name of the 16th-century English explorer Sir Francis Drake. The MS Expedition is at home in this part of the Southern Ocean, known for the unimpeded fetch of the winds that encircle the Antarctic. At some point on the second day we cross the Antarctic Convergence, a meeting of cold polar water flowing north and warmer equatorial water moving in the opposite direction. This mixing pushes nutrient rich waters to the surface attracting a variety of seabirds, whales and other species.
As we make the passage you have time to become acquainted with the ship and frequent the common areas that include the lounge, dining hall, library and lecture hall where we meet our guides, ship’s crew and expedition staff. We also begin the lecture and information sessions to learn the extraordinary human and natural history of the Antarctic region.

Day 5-10: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

Experience some of the most unique wildlife viewing and inspiring scenery in the world as you set foot on the Antarctic continent. Antarctica is a continent of superlatives. It is the coldest, windiest, driest, iciest and highest of all the major landmasses in the world. It is the continent with the longest nights and the longest days and it is home to the world’s greatest concentration of wildlife. It is also one of the last true wilderness areas left on earth – largely unchanged since the early explorers and whalers first landed on its inhospitable shores less than two centuries ago. The lowest temperature ever recorded anywhere on earth, -89.2°C, was recorded on July 21, 1983, at Vostok Station. Winds have been recorded at 200 mph in the interior of the continent and the average annual water precipitation in the interior is only about 50 mm
We will Take two excursions per day (conditions permitting), and encounter Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie penguin rookeries, Weddell, Crabeater and Leopard seals, and Orca, Humpback and Minke whales in the cold Antarctic waters. The Peninsula also has a remarkable human history. During the voyage we will learn about some of the most important and dramatic expeditions to this remote corner of the world.

Day 11-12: Drake Passage

Today we leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. In between bird watching and whale watching and enjoying some final lectures by our expedition staff, this is a chance to relax and review the adventures of the past week before returning to Ushuaia.

Day 13: Depart Ushuaia

And so your Antarctica in depth comes to a close. Say your goodbyes as we disembark in Ushuaia in the morning.