Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea
Daily Itinerary 12 Days/ 11 Nights

PS101-10 February 17 -28, 2011

This special program includes the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands where many of the better known historic and wildlife sites are situated. It also delves in to the Weddell Sea area known for its heavily iced waters and tabular icebergs. If the ice allows we will search this remote and less travelled area watching for wildlife such as the Adélie penguin, Pintado and possibly even the elusive Emperor penguin.

DAY 1: Thursday, Feb 17 (Argentina) Embark in Ushuaia.
DAYS 2 & 3: Friday – Saturday, Feb 18 & 19 (At Sea) Leaving the Beagle Channel, begin the Drake Crossing and keep a watch for the first signs of ice and Antarctic wildlife as the ship passes over the Antarctic Convergence. Lectures and other onboard activities are scheduled.
DAYS 4 – 6: Sunday – Tuesday, Feb 20 – 22 (Antarctica) The ship begins exploration of this vast white continent in the coastal and island waters with landings and Zodiac cruising at historic and wildlife sites such as the Gerlache Strait, Port Lockroy, Neumeyer Channel, Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay. Watch for Chinstrap, Adélie and Gentoo penguins, various seal species including Leopard seals, a multitude of seabirds overhead and hopefully whales in the waters we navigate.
DAY 7: Wednesday, Feb 23 (South Shetland Islands) Visit historic Deception Island, with geothermic heated waters from its unique volcanic origin. These islands are home to teeming wildlife, a striking landscape and an abandoned whaling station. A second landing is planned this day at Half Moon Island.
DAY 8 & 9: Thursday – Friday, Feb 24 & 25 (Weddell Sea) The approach to the Weddell Sea area is a spectacular area often nicknamed “iceberg alley”. The wildlife viewing and stunning scenery continues as we explore this area with hopes to land at Paulet Island, Brown Bluff, Devil’s Island and possibly Snow Hill Island.
DAY 10 & 11: Saturday – Sunday, Feb 26 & 27 (At Sea) As the ship heads for Ushuaia, while at sea the program concludes with lectures and presentations and time to reflect on the recent days of adventure.
DAY 12: Monday, Feb 28 (Argentina) Disembark in Ushuaia.

Number of Meals Included
12 Breakfasts
11 Lunches
12 Dinners

Expedition Map