Antarctic semi-circumnavigation

We recommend that you arrive at least one day before departure to allow for any flight irregularities and possible baggage loss.

This morning, enjoy breakfast and check out. Please ensure that your cabin luggage is equipped with cabin tags clearly labeled with your name and cabin number. Bring your cabin luggage to the hotel reception by 11:00 a.m. Your luggage will be stored and taken directly to the port, where it will be stowed in your cabin before you arrive on board. Please keep your valuables and personal items with you throughout the day.

The morning is yours to explore Dunedin at your leisure.

Make yourself comfortable in your cabin, which has been designed with your comfort in mind. The ship is open for you to explore! When the lines are cast off and the sails are set, meet your expedition team on deck before enjoying a delicious dinner and toasting to the journey ahead.

First visited centuries ago by Māori navigators, these islands are of great significance to the Ngāi Tahu, the indigenous peoples of New Zealand's South Island. Their natural beauty and astonishing biodiversity are now recognized worldwide, but few have had the privilege of visiting these remote shores, which you can now explore.

“Penguins could be seen by the thousands on the towering cliffs, and a constant noise emanated from the breeding grounds near and far ... Seabirds of many species warned us not to approach their nests,” wrote Douglas Mawson in 1911.

On their way to Antarctica, Mawson and his men encountered "an exquisite scene." Macquarie Island (affectionately known as Macca) rises steeply from the Southern Ocean with a series of emerald green peaks: a wonderfully wild, pristine landscape teeming with life.

Have your binoculars ready, because this sub-Antarctic refuge is home to 3.5 million breeding seabirds, including no fewer than four species of penguin! In addition to exuberant colonies of king penguins, charming gentoo penguins, robust rockhopper penguins, and endemic chinstrap penguins, you'll also find three species of fur seals and a large portion of the world's elephant seal population. Wrap up warm and head out on deck to experience the sounds and sights as you approach one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in the Southern Ocean.

Don't forget to look out for Maccas seaweed forests—these remarkable underwater ecosystems are fascinating to watch as their fronds sway back and forth on the water's surface.

Macquarie Island is not only a globally recognized and protected nature reserve, but also played an important role in the history of Antarctica. In 1911, five men disembarked from Mawson's Aurora and established a relay station here, enabling the first communication from Antarctica to the outside world.

The Ross Sea is a globally significant wildlife sanctuary. Its nutrient-rich waters are home to an astonishing number of uniquely adapted Antarctic species, including Ross Sea orcas, Antarctic petrels, and Weddell seals. It is also home to the largest Adélie penguin colony in Antarctica and many of the largest emperor penguin colonies. The unique biodiversity of the Ross Sea has been protected since 2016 by the world's largest marine protected area.

The human heritage on the coast of the Ross Sea is equally impressive. Since James Clark Ross discovered the region in 1841, countless expeditions have set up base camps on the scattered ice-free stretches of land and used them as staging posts for their daring forays across the polar plateau. Many of them left in a hurry, leaving behind artifacts, scientific equipment, and sometimes entire huts. Today, these sites are preserved as open-air museums and are protected under the Antarctic Treaty.

Let yourself be infected by the spirit of discovery as your expedition team plans your journey day by day, using their decades of experience to select the ideal locations based on weather and ice conditions as well as wildlife opportunities.

On the peninsula, there are usually two landings or Zodiac excursions per day. Hop aboard and take a Zodiac ride to see spectacular ice cliffs or explore stranded icebergs. Keep an eye out for whales, seals, and penguins, which are often found feeding in these waters. The Zodiacs will take you from the ship to shore, where you can visit penguin colonies, discover historic sites, and explore some of our favorite places on the peninsula.

On land, you can go for a walk, hike along pebble beaches, or climb snow-capped mountain peaks to enjoy views of towering mountains and an ice-speckled ocean below. Once you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the opportunity to do it whenever conditions allow.

In addition to Zodiac rides and shore excursions, you can sail through some of the narrow, dramatic straits that separate the offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in picturesque bays to admire the sculptural icebergs and photograph spectacular landscapes. Enjoy the panoramic view from the observation lounge or head to the bridge (if cleared by the captain) to see Antarctica in all its glory. Listen for the creaking and deep rumbling of the glaciers as they calve and plunge into the sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.

Early in the morning, you will sail up the Beagle Channel and quietly dock in Ushuaia, where you can disembark at around 8:00 a.m. Say goodbye to your expedition team and fellow travelers.

Expedition participants with flights departing before 12:30 p.m. will be taken directly to Ushuaia Airport. Those with flights after 12:30 p.m. will have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia before the afternoon airport transfer.

Note: At the end of the trip, it is recommended not to book flights from Ushuaia before 12:00 noon on the day of disembarkation in case of delays.

The philosophy is: "Get out into nature." When the weather is good, you can go kayaking at any time, as long as the other expedition participants are doing so too. The trips last between 5 and 15 kilometers (2 to 4 hours) per trip and often include a combination of kayaking and landings on shore.

Small groups of kayakers (up to 10 per guide) independently explore small hidden bays and coastal areas that are inaccessible to Zodiacs.

All expert guides are professional kayak guides with extensive experience worldwide, specializing in polar regions and selected for their passion for the sport.

Requirements for participation:

• Basic and current kayaking experience
• Moderate fitness level
• Kayak shoes and suits included
• Participants must be at least 14 years old; participants between the ages of 14 and 18 require the signature of a parent or legal guardian.

Prices are indicative only and may vary depending on travel dates, activity feasibility, and exchange rates.