Antartica - Basecamp

Your journey begins where the world ends. Ushuaia, Argentina, known as the southernmost city in the world, is located at the southern tip of South America. During the afternoon you will embark in this small Tierra del Fuego city - called "At the End of the World" - and sail the rest of the day along the scenic Beagle Channel flanked by mountains.

Over the next two days in the Drake Passage, you will experience life from the perspective of the polar explorers who first mapped these regions: cool salty breezes, rough seas, perhaps even a fin whale snorting sea spray.
Crossing the Antarctic Convergence - the biological boundary of Antarctica formed by the meeting of the warmer waters of the sub-Antarctic seas with the colder Antarctic waters - you will find yourself in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone.
Not only is there a change in marine fauna but also in avifauna. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled albatrosses, checkerboard petrels, storm petrels, blue petrels and Antarctic petrels are some of the bird species that can be seen.

Rocky grey peaks dotted with snow, cracked blue-white ice towers, and completely different wildlife above and below. You will first pass the snow-capped peaks of the Melchior Islands and the Schollaert Channel, sailing between the Brabant Islands and Antwerp.
Some of the sites you can visit include:

Neumayer Channel - It is possible for the boat to position itself here and start the many base camp activities in the sheltered waters around Wiencke Island. You can enjoy the splendour of this alpine environment with the Zodiacs or on kayak trips, or if you are in the mood for walking, inland there are possible snowshoeing or low-difficulty mountaineering options. Of course, favourable weather conditions determine the possible activities.

Port Lockroy - After sailing through the Neumayer Channel you may be able to visit the former British base - now a museum and post office - at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Activities are also possible at neighbouring Jougla Point, where you'll find Gentoo penguins and blue-eyed cormorants. At nearby sites, such as Damoy Point, there may be the opportunity to snowshoe to the old ski slope, this is also one of our favourite places to camp.

Pléneau and Petermann Islands - Ice conditions permitting, it is possible to cruise the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed cormorants. There is also the possibility of seeing humpback and Minke whales as well as leopard seals. Kayaking, glacier walking and more ambitious mountaineering are potential activities here.

Neko Port - An epic landscape of gigantic glaciers and endless snow carved by the wind, Port Neko offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and a landing that will give you a close-up view of the surrounding alpine peaks.

Paradise Bay - Here you will have the opportunity to camp like a true polar explorer, enjoying a supreme adventure during the Antarctic night.

Errera Channel - Possible landing sites in this area include the Danco and Cuverville islands, but also the lesser-known (but equally picturesque) Orne Island and Georges Point on Rongé Island.
Conditions in the Drake Passage will determine the exact time of departure.

The return journey is far from solitary. During the Drake crossing you are once again greeted by the seabirds that accompanied you on the journey south. But this time they will be more familiar to you, and you to them.

Every adventure, no matter how great, must eventually come to an end. It is time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure takes you.

*Remarks: Includes camping, kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering, photography workshop.