Day 0: We recommend arriving early to Ushuaia, to make sure you don’t “miss the boat”, so-to-speak! Hotels and other arrangements on this day are not included in cruise cost, but participants can opt to join one of our guided birding excursions for a small fee. These will focus on searching out White-bellied Seedsnipe and Yellow-bridled Finch, and/or coastal species like Fuegian Steamer Duck, Dark-bellied Cinclodes, and Blackish Cinclodes.

Day 1: The voyage begins where the world drops off. Starting in the afternoon, we embark from Ushuaia, “The End of the World”, and sail the mountainous Beagle Channel for the rest of the evening. If we keep our eyes peeled, there is a chance to see Western Rockhopper Penguin in the water.

Day 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passage. After passing the Antarctic Convergence, which is a natural boundary formed when north-flowing cold waters of the Antarctic collide with warmer subantarctic waters, the birdlife changes. Tubenoses become incredibly abundant. Eyes trained not on the horizon, but right beside the ship, we will enjoy the passing throngs of Cape Petrel, Black-bellied Storm-Petrel, and Antarctic Prion, while we work to identify South Georgian Diving Petrel and watch out for spectacular cetaceans like Hourglass Dolphin. Passing by will be the aerial masters of subantarctic: Kerguelen Petrel, Soft-plumaged Petrel, Blue Petrel, Southern Fulmar, Slender-billed Prion, Light-mantled Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross, Southern Royal Albatross, and the ruler of them all, Snowy Albatross (AKA Wandering Albatross).

Day 4-5-6-7: Antarctica. Sailing into the Weddell Sea via the Antarctic Sound, huge tabular icebergs will herald our arrival to the remote eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. The search is on for Emperor Penguin! Using both the vessel and helicopters there is a near-certain chance that we'll find at least one on the sea ice, but of course our ultimate goal is to visit the rookery at Snow Hill on the pack ice. This was possible on cruises in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Warming global temperatures have made access to the colony more reliable in these recent years, but sadly it is a sign of things to come for this imperilled species.

As long as there is sea ice in view, we will be scanning for Emperor. However this regal species is not the only Antarctic specialty to look for. Gleaming white Snow Petrel are abundant in these waters, while the impressive Antarctic Petrel will surely pass by on occasion. We will likely pick up multiple Crabeater Seal and Weddell Seal, with hopefully one or two impressive Leopard Seal if our luck is good. This trio of special Antarctic mammals may be complemented by Orca, Antarctic Minke, or perhaps Fin Whale.

Zodiac landings will vary depending on conditions, but time spent enjoying both Adelie Penguin and Chinstrap Penguin can be expected at or near colonies, along with scavengers like South Polar Skua and Southern Giant Petrel, plus the recently-lumped "Antarctic" Imperial Shag. Multiple scenic helicopter flights will be offered to all participants (depending on conditions of course), sometimes including landings at difficult-to-reach and inspiring locations. These may include Devil Island, Gourdin Island, Seymour Island, Duse Bay, and Brown Bluff.

Day 8-9-10: There and back again. After a short landing on Deception Island, our final footfall in Antarctica, we will return northwards across the Drake Passage. We will have all this time to again enjoy some of the best pelagic birding in the world. 

Day 11: Disembark. The cruise concludes back in Ushuaia this morning.