Expedition Highlights:

• Follow in the footsteps of the great Antarctic explorers: Amundsen, Byrd, Charcot, Cook, Fiennes, Gerlache, Hillary, Mawson, Ross, Scott, Shackleton, Stromness and Weddell
• See snow-covered mountains, mighty glaciers and spectacular iceberg sculptures
• Encounter Magellanic, rockhopper, gentoo, macaroni, king, Adelie, and chinstrap penguins
• Watch for seals, dolphins, and whales
• Identify seabirds including albatross, shearwaters and petrels
• Visit historic sites of the early explorers and the remains of whaling operations

Day 1 — Ushuaia, Argentina
Departing from Buenos Aires, fly to Ushuaia and transfer to the port. Embark Silver Explorer and bid farewell to Tierra del Fuego, the ‘Land at the End of the World’. Meet some of your fellow explorers as you become acquainted with the luxurious amenities found onboard. This evening, after settling in and setting sail, you will be introduced to your Expedition Team.

Day 2 — At Sea
The welcoming Expedition Team presents talks that will prepare us for the exciting adventures ahead. Tonight, we invite you to attend a special Welcome Aboard cocktail party whereat the Captain will introduce his senior officers and various members of the Silver Explorer crew.

Day 3 — West Point Island, Falkland Islands
                Saunders Island, Falkland Islands
Watch for the distinctive black and white markings of the Commerson’s dolphin as you approach this small island. Upon arrival, photographic opportunities are everywhere as you walk across rolling moorland and admire colonies of black-browed albatrosses that nest side-by-side with feisty rockhopper penguins. Learn about the island’s unique vegetation including the rare Felton plant. The hospitable island owners are always happy to answer your questions and share their stories.

In the afternoon, the Silver Explorer will anchor off Saunders Island – the second largest offshore island within the Falkland Islands archipelago. We plan to land our Zodiacs at The Neck, a narrow part of the island, where we will begin our explorations, hoping to encounter four different types of penguin species: king, gentoo, rockhopper and Magellanic.

Day 4 — Stanley, Falkland Islands
Stanley is the capital of the remote Falkland Islands, and has a distinct British ambience. Stroll through the charming streets of this colourful little town, lined with quaint cottages and a variety of traditional pubs. Visit the 19th-century Anglican cathedral and wander through the small local museum. Some lingering reminders of the 1986 Falklands War between Britain and Argentina may still be seen though the island has settled back to its quiet business of raising sheep.

Days 5–6 — At Sea
Binoculars and camera in hand, head out on deck to watch for seabirds and marine mammals. Gather in The Theatre to hear fascinating tales of adventure or to learn about the region’s endemic wildlife and remarkable nature. Lectures and seminars are presented by knowledgeable experts in a variety of scientific fields. Other onboard diversions may include photography workshops, spa treatments, a workout in the Fitness Centre, and, of course, exquisite dining experiences.

Days 7–9  — South Georgia
This breathtaking destination of towering snow-covered mountains, mighty glaciers, and low-lying grasslands attracts an astounding concentration of wildlife: Southern fur seals, southern elephant seals and a variety of albatross species including black-browed, light-mantled sooty, grey-headed and the spectacular wandering albatross, plus thousands of king and macaroni penguins.

South Georgia is also linked to the early Antarctic explorers. Captain James Cook first stepped ashore in 1775, but perhaps more famous is Ernest Shackleton’s arrival in 1916 following the sinking of his ship, the Endurance. Visit Shackleton’s grave and the whaling museum at Grytviken.

Here are some of the places we may visit:

Cooper’s Bay

• An unforgettable view of huge icebergs can be seen surrounding Cooper’s Bay as we approach.
• Go ashore by Zodiac to see numerous breeds of penguins, such as macaronis and chinstraps, on the rocks and waters surrounding the island.

Gold Harbour

• A large king penguin colony can be found between Weddell Glacier and Gold Harbour.
• Seals can be seen resting on ice floes and sunning on the beaches.
• It is an unforgettable experience to cruise by Zodiac alongside the glaciers.

Grytviken

• An historic whaling station, all that remain are the rusted hulls of long abandoned whalers.
• Now a museum, guests can learn about past whaling techniques and view various exhibits on exploration and discovery.
• At the burial site of the famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, we will toast the great explorer and his many accomplishments.

Salisbury Plain

• A favourite breeding ground for king penguins, it is amazing to see how they completely cover the beaches and hills.

Days 10–11 — At Sea
Participate in onboard activities, relax in one of the lounges, or peruse an array of titles and topics in the well-stocked Library. Tonight, before turning in, take a stroll on deck and enjoy the solitude and splendour of the vast sea and sky.

Day 12 — Elephant Island , South Shetland Islands
Awesome glaciers flecked with pink algae greet us as we approach Elephant Island – so named for its abundance of elephant seals. In 1916 when Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance was crushed in pack ice in the Weddell Sea, the crew was stranded here for 105 days. Elephant Island is home to several chinstrap penguin rookeries, as well as 2,000-year-old moss colonies. Weddell seals and macaroni penguins can also be found on the spit of land Shackleton’s men named ‘Point Wild’.

Days 13–15 — Antarctic Peninsula
While sailing to Antarctica, every turn can be a new and breathtaking adventure. As the pack ice becomes thicker, it’s apparent to everyone that we are moving closer into Antarctica’s vast white wilderness. Guests find this part of the world irresistible for its spectacular iceberg sculptures and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of up-close encounters with marine mammals. Watch for seals sunbathing on slow-moving ice floes and for humpback, Minke, and orca whales to surface from below the frigid waters. Each day we will attempt two Zodiac departures, and, if conditions permit, we will cruise amidst colourful icebergs or step ashore to visit a variety of penguin rookeries and perhaps scientific research stations on complimentary excursions led by our team of natural history experts.

A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favourable ice and weather conditions. In the true spirit of expedition cruising, each day the Expedition Leader and Captain will determine our best course depending on weather, ice conditions and wildlife we may encounter. Here are some of the places we may visit:

Brown Bluff, Tabarin Peninsula (a 2,200-foot-bluff on the Antarctic continent)

• Brown Bluff is an ice-capped, 745-metre-high, flat-topped mountain with a prominent cliff of reddish-brown volcanic rock.
• Adelie and gentoo penguins, kelp gulls, and pintado petrels use this as a breeding area.
• Birds such as the all-white snow petrel and skuas may be seen from a distance. 
• As you explore the area, a Weddell seal may be seen basking in the sunlight.
• Wait long enough and you might see the Adelie penguins standing along the rocks finally make their way into the surf.

Cuverville Island, Errera Channel

• The island was discovered by Gerlache’s Belgian Antarctic expedition of 1897–99, and was named for a vice admiral in the French navy.
• Large, bare rock areas provide nesting sites for gentoo penguins.
• Snow petrels and pintado petrels also may be seen whilst Wilson’s storm-petrels nest in the higher scree of the island.
• During Zodiac tours, hauled-out Weddell and Antarctic fur seals may be seen.

Paradise Bay (on the Antarctic peninsula)

• The bay is well named for its spectacular scenery of mountains, glaciers and icebergs.
• From the ship, observe Argentina’s Base Brown, one of many Antarctic research stations.
• Here, you will actually set foot on the continent of Antarctica.
• View the wildlife from sea level while cruising in your Zodiac with one of our experienced Expedition Team members. There’s a good chance you’ll come across a crabeater seal relaxing on a nearby ice floe, or if you’re very lucky, you may find your Zodiac surrounded by Minke whales.

Paulet Island

• As you arrive, you may well be amazed by the sight of Adelie penguins covering the island. The island is home to the 80-90 thousand Adelies that come here to breed.
• On a nearby hill, view a massive colony of blue eyed shags.
• Kelp gulls and snowy sheathbills are amongst the birds that breed on Paulet Island, and Wilson’s storm-petrels are regularly seen.
• Listen as your Expedition Team guide tells of Otto Nordenskjold and his party that over-wintered on the island in 1912. Remnants of their hut still remain.
• If time permits, take a Zodiac cruise to view impossibly blue icebergs, Crater Lake and the Adelie penguins making themselves at home on the ice floes.

Petermann Island, Wilhelm Archipelago

• The island is named for German geographer August Petermann and was first discovered by a German expedition in 1873-74.
• Our onboard Geologist will take the opportunity to point out various geological features such as the many basaltic dikes along the shoreline, and the more granite composition of the small summit, where rock surfaces show glacial polish and some glacial grooving.
• During our landing, we will be able to observe rookeries of Adelie penguins, gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags.

Port Foster, Whalers Bay (Deception Island)

• Deception Island is home to a collapsed volcano and an excellent example of a ‘caldera’ where it is believed that the volcano’s summit collapsed with one section sinking far enough to allow the sea to flood the interior. We plan to sail inside this breached wall through a narrow entrance called Neptune’s Bellows. 
• Our resident geologist will take the opportunity to explain the unique volcanic features of the area while our historian will introduce you to the whaling history of Deception Island. It is said that it was from here that Nathaniel Palmer allegedly became the first American to sight the Antarctic continent in 1820 when he stood at Neptune’s Window and looked out across Bransfield Strait. 
• Still visible on the island are the boilers used to make whale oil in the early 1900s.

Days 16–17 — Drake Passage
The Drake Passage has a notorious reputation for its turbulent seas due to the Antarctic Convergence, a natural boundary where cold polar water flows northward and warmer equatorial water moves southward. When they meet, nutrients are pushed to the surface, often attracting a multitude of seabirds and whales. Spend some time on deck watching the horizon and the variety of seabirds that glide in the air currents of our ship’s wake such as the black-browed albatross, sooty shearwaters and white-chinned petrels. As we sail towards Ushuaia, take this opportunity to attend additional presentations offered by the onboard lecturers and to swap photos with newfound friends as we journey towards Ushuaia.

Day 18 — Ushuaia, Argentina
After breakfast, disembark the Silver Explorer and transfer to Ushuaia International Airport for your return flight to Buenos Aires.

Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather, wildlife activity and ice conditions. Expedition Team members scheduled for this voyage are subject to change or cancellation.