Experience the magic and wonder of newborn baby harp seals while living amongst them on this 5 day photo safari in Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec with special guest Paul Nicklen, renowned National Geographic photographer.
Whether you’re an amateur or professional photographer, wildlife or nature enthusiast, our Baby Harp Seal Photo Safari is sure to offer innumerable spectacles of wonder and beauty. On this authentic safari on the Magdalen Islands, we’ll sail out to the ice pans aboard an active crab-fishing vessel captained by a local fisherman, to where the harp seals have given birth to their pups. Here, we’ll spend 3 full days on the ice, from sunrise to sunset, photographing the world and lives of the baby harp seal pups.
During our Baby Harp Seal Photo Safari, you’ll be able to admire the stunning natural scenes while capturing heart-warming moments between mothers and pups hours at a time. Watch the rapid transformation of seal pups on the ice and possibly even see them enter the water and learn to swim for the very first time. Within only a few weeks’ time, the harp seals rapidly change from a slim, long-necked shape with a yellowishtinged coat, into a plump, pristine snow-white ball of fur. Feeding regularly on their mother’s milk, these “white coats” gain weight quickly, more than quadrupling their
weight and size within 2 weeks, making them stronger and more coordinated in their movements to better survive the harsh, cold environment.

ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive at Îles-de-la-Madeleine Airport and transfer to Auberge La Salicorne. Explore the Seal Interpretation Centre located at the hotel. Evening welcome cocktail and dinner followed by a trip briefing.
Days 2-4
Board the Jean Mathieu and set sail to navigate the Magdalen Islands in search of harp seals. Spend unhurried time viewing and photographing the baby harp seals and mothers and capturing the impressive scenes.
Day 5
Transfer back to the wharf and on to the airport for your return journey home. 

Witness newborn polar bear cubs emerging from their dens as their mother introduces them to the world. Immerse yourself in the world’s largest polar bear denning area, adjacent to Wapusk National Park, for a sight rarely seen and available to only a few dozen people per year. This lodge-based polar bear expedition offers a unique opportunity to observe polar bear cubs and their mothers in their natural habitat. Our rustic, yet comfortable lodge is a refurbished Navy communications base located on top of an old beach ridge about 60km south of Churchill, MB. Canada. With a rare operating permit from Parks Canada, the lodge provides some of the best polar bear viewing at close proximity. You’ll have a chance to get as close as 100 metres from polar bears, while you learn about various aspects of their dens, habits, and life cycle. Other wildlife viewing opportunities include ptarmigan, Arctic foxes, caribou herds and wolves in addition to nighttime viewing of the legendary aurora borealis.

ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive in Winnipeg and transfer to hotel.
Days 2-4
Fly to Churchill, MB and enjoy lunch at local restaurant upon arrival. Spend the day in Churchill enjoying the town independently. Take a town tour or go dog sledding. Evening train ride to Chesnaye, then transfer to lodge.
Days 3-8
Spend the next few days observing polar bear mothers and newborn cubs as they explore their new world. Enjoy other wildlife viewing, including caribou, ptarmigan, foxes, and wolves.
Day 9
Early morning train back to Churchill, with onwards flight to Winnipeg. 

Experience the dive of your life as you dive under the floe edge and amongst icebergs and drifting ice packs in the enthralling Arctic Ocean. Imagine yourself under the vast and silent skies of the high Arctic with the midnight sun bathing passing icebergs in a warm glow as narwhal pass by. This is the ultimate Arctic diving experience! Enter a world unlike anything you have ever imagined. Icebergs, drifting pack ice, seal holes, ice floe cracks, and the Arctic sea floor offer a variety of exceptional Arctic diving opportunities that never cease to amaze. The intriguing ice formations along with the fascinating wildlife you may encounter both above and below the water will leave you feeling exhilarated and surprised that with each passing day, your dive only gets better. Then, after a full day of excellent diving, retreat to our safari-style ice camp, which rests almost within arm’s reach of the water. Arctic Kingdom has been leading scuba diving trips throughout the Arctic since 1999 and remains the ONLY dive operator in the Arctic. We are committed to making the Arctic an accessible diving destination. We are cold-water experts and even if you are not, we can help you become comfortable in the Arctic waters and truly enjoy some of the most incredible diving you’ll ever experience in your life. The Baffin Island Dive
Safari is based in one of our favourite dive locations due to its variety of dives and the variety of wildlife we can encounter.

ITINERARY
Day 1
Depart Ottawa for Pond Inlet.
Days 2-6
Travel to the floe edge and spend the next few days experiencing some of the best diving you’ll ever enjoy. Observe a variety of wildlife, including narwhal, bowhead whales, and polar bears. Other activities include kayaking, glacier hikes, and bird-cliff visits.
Day 7
Return to Pond Inlet.
Day 8
Return flight to Ottawa. Overnight in Ottawa.

Experience the classic spring floe edge while viewing narwhals, polar bears, and icebergs, and enjoy kayaking and snorkelling under the Midnight Sun. Out on the floe edge of Baffin Island, surrounded by rugged mountains and stunning glaciers, relish an Arctic adventure like no other. Dramatic landscapes and the midnight sun welcome you to experience the beauty of the Canadian Arctic, 700 km north of the Arctic Circle, as wildlife returns to this picturesque region and fascinating eco-system where Arctic wildlife thrives.
Travel to the northern reaches of Nunavut when the sea ice is melting back and marine mammals along with other Arctic wildlife can be found travelling north along the floe edge. Pods of narwhal can be spotted resting only metres from the edge while an incredible variety of sea birds, including thick-billed murres, kittiwakes, guillemots, and ivory gulls, fly overhead. Polar bears and seals may also be spotted at times out in the sea water or resting on ice packs. If we are lucky, we may also get to observe bowhead whales and beluga that also frequent the area.

ITINERARY
Day 1
Depart Ottawa for Iqaluit and on to Pond Inlet.
Day 2
Travel by qamutik to our Arctic Safari Camp on the floe edge and settle into camp.
Days 3-6
The next few days will include trips from camp out to the floe edge along with excursions to attractions in the area. Observe a variety of wildlife and spectacular landscapes.
Day 7
Depart camp by qamutik and return to Pond Inlet. Free evening in Pond Inlet to enjoy the town independently.
Day 8
Transfer to the airport for return flight to Iqaluit and on to Ottawa.

Journey with us on the ultimate scenic and wildlife safari to witness the migratory patters of some of the most exceptional animals the Arctic has to offer, including the mystical narwhal and beluga. Relish kayaking amongst pack-ice, admiring glistening glaciers, climbing icebergs, and finding yourself simply mesmerized by the majestic mountain scenes. Stimulate all of your senses and revel in this epic Arctic wildlife safari! From our safari-style base camp along the floe edge of Lancaster Sound, which borders the Northwest Passage, we’ll set off on our daily adventures. This region is world-renowned amongst filmmakers as one of the most prolific areas of wildlife in the Arctic. Much of the best wildlife footage is captured in this region and it is one of the few places where all of the Arctic marine animals co-mingle.
On this Arctic adventure, you’ll witness a sight few people have been privileged with: the migration of beluga and the rarely seen narwhal to their summer feeding grounds. From the floe edge, you will see the whales lingering, sometimes almost within arm’s length. On a windless, sunny spring day, you will be able to see narwhal playfully jousting in the glassy smooth surface of the water. Belugas, in a flash of milky white, crest the surface and take a breath in a large exhale before diving under the ice to continue their feeding. We provide dry suits as well as snorkel equipment so that the adventurous can enter the water and watch as the inquisitive whales swim up to investigate, darting under the snorkeller, only metres away.

ITINERARY
Day 1
Depart Ottawa for Iqaluit and connect with flight to Arctic Bay. Upon arrival, be transferred to the hotel for a brief intro and meet and greet with group.
Day 2
After breakfast, travel by qamutik to our safari-style base camp. After settling in, enjoy independent time taking in the stunning landscapes and beauty of the Arctic.
Days 3-6
Enjoy the wonder and magic of the floe edge. Witness the magnificent wildlife, capture excellent photographs, and relish a variety of activities, including hiking, iceberg exploring, kayaking, and snorkelling.
Day 7
Travel back to Arctic Bay and enjoy leisure time in the afternoon exploring the local community.
Day 8
Depart Arctic Bay for Iqaluit and on to Ottawa.

Journey onto and beyond the ice floe edge to witness the majestic “Kings of the Arctic” – polar bears, whales, and walrus – as they reign over a spectacular kingdom of sea and ice. This is a journey of amazing panoramas and Arctic wildlife in the waters of the Foxe Basin. Here, among the captivating scenes of glistening ice and mirror-smooth waters, we will venture out to the floe edge via snowmobiles and qamutiks, then board our boats to immerse ourselves in the kingdom of polar bears, bowhead whales, and walrus. These “Kings of the Arctic” reign over a spectacular polar environment, brimming with electric blue pack-ice formations. Majestic mountains tower over tranquil waters that are dotted with crystalline icebergs while a midnight sun casts a magical glow both day and night.
As we watch for Arctic wildlife roaming the tundra, we’ll encounter countless unforgettable scenes. We may even be so lucky as to connect with some of these magnificent creatures. Be awed by bowhead whales as they swim past our boat, revel at the sight of hundreds of walrus basking in the sun, or gaze into the eyes of a polar pear on a nearby ice pack.

ITINERARY
Day 1
Early morning departure for Iqaluit, then on to Igloolik, Nunavut.
Days 2-6
Spend the next few days observing a variety of Arctic wildlife, including walrus, bowhead whales, seals, and many bird species. Enjoy picnics on floating ice pans and excursions to ancient and modern-day Inuit settlements.
Day 7
Depart Igloolik to Iqaluit and on to Ottawa for return home. 

Explore the natural habitat of polar bears by land and bowhead whales by sea, while experiencing the true essence of an Arctic summer. Discover the remote and rugged beauty of the Arctic as you explore the awe-inspiring glacier capped and studded coastline of south-eastern Baffin Island on our Polar Bears and Glaciers of Baffin Island safari. Experience the long days of Arctic summer and seemingly endless sunsets, all from the comfort of an Arctic Kingdom safaristyle base camp, located just outside Auyuittuq National Park, one of Canada’s most stunning national parks.
Spend your days roaming the natural habitat of polar bears by land and intriguing bowhead whales by sea. Admire the views of the mirror smooth water speckled with dazzling icebergs that reflect a striking panoramic view of the surrounding mountain peaks and visit ancient Thule dwelling sites. You’ll also delight in picking and sampling wild blueberries and savouring delicious grilled Arctic char, caught fresh from a river near camp.

ITINERARY
Day 1
Depart Ottawa for Iqaluit and connect with flight to Qikiqtarjuaq. Upon arrival, transfer to our waiting boat and head to our Arctic Safari Camp.
Days 2-6
Experience the true essence of Arctic summer. Enjoy hiking, boating or kayaking, visit an ancient Thule site, fish for Arctic char right in camp, and pick wild blueberries nearby. Wildlife viewing includes
bowhead whales and polar bears.
Day 7
Board boat and head back to Qikiqtarjuaq. Transfer to airport for morning flight to Iqaluit and onwards to Ottawa.

Walk and co-exist with grizzly bears in a safe and fun way on this exciting adventure set deep in the remote wilderness of northern BC, in an area accessed only via helicopter.
Experience a face to face encounter with grizzly bears in the wild! Suitable for professional photographers as well as families with children, our grizzly bear adventure provides an exciting experience for all ages. Based in a private and remote location in northern British Columbia, deep in the pristine wilderness of the Taku River drainage basin and accessed only by helicopter, you’ll be in the heart of the action in grizzly bear country, where you can enjoy prime grizzly bear viewing. This private, small group grizzly bear tour, open to only 7 participants, guarantees an intimate experience with the bears in complete wilderness seclusion.
Led by legendary wilderness guide, Phil Timpany, you’ll spend days in an untouched wilderness, surrounded by giant white spruce and cottonwood trees that tower over the clear water of the river, viewing grizzly bears splash in the river, pounce on salmon, or munch on berries. You’ll be on the ground, literally walking and sitting with the bears, or perch yourself on one of the three elevated viewing platforms for a breathtaking panoramic view. Continuous sightings and encounters are experienced each day, right from the deck of the remote, yet comfortable grizzly bear lodge. Completely free of motorized vehicles, you’ll enjoy the sublime serenity of this beautiful setting.

ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive in Whitehorse, Yukon and transfer to hotel. Enjoy an interpretive city tour followed by a group dinner.
Day 2
Depart Whitehorse and shuttle to Atlin, BC. Then, board a helicopter for a 30 minute flight to our remote Grizzly Bear Cabins near the banks of the Nakina River.
Days 3-5
Enjoy daily nature walks to the viewing points to watch the bears in their natural habitat. You’ll also have an option to climb up and perch yourself on the elevated platforms for inspiring panoramic views and incredible photographic opportunities.
Day 6
Board the helicopter for our return to Atlin, followed by a bus ride back to Whitehorse. Overnight in Whitehorse.
Day 7
Transfer to the airport for your return home.

Immerse yourself in the land of the Qamanirjuaq caribou while admiring the blazing autumn colours of the tundra and shimmering northern lights of an evening sky.
Explore the great land of the Qamanirjuaq caribou and witness one of the largest herds in North America from a remote lodge on Ennadai Lake. With a herd of over 350,000, the Qamanirjuaq caribou can be seen roaming the tundra of western Hudson Bay. In late August to early September, the caribou are spread out over the barrenlands of south-western Nunavut against a striking backdrop. Autumn colours paint the tundra with crimson reds, golden yellows, and shimmering oranges, and caribou with full racks can be spotted within mere meters from where we stand.
Flying in from Yellowknife, we’ll land at our remote lodge, which sits on a high ridge on a peninsula, overlooking a dazzling lake. We’ll enjoy day trips from the lodge along the lake to look for opportunities to photograph the Qamanirjuaq caribou swimming in the water as they cross the lake and at other times, we will beach the boats and take short hikes out onto the tundra. We’ll be able to spot mothers with young calves along with males with their full-grown, velvety racks. Other wildlife we may see in the area includes muskox, grizzly bears, and tundra wolves.
In the evening, experience the awe-inspiring scenes of the northern lights that dance across the night sky. Listen to the silence of the tundra broken by the hooves of caribou and delight in every moment of this unforgettable safari.

ITINERARY
Day 1
Depart Yellowknife and fly to remote lodge in Nunavut. After settling in, enjoy a welcome lunch followed by a hike out onto the tundra and a short afternoon boat trip.
Days 2-7
Led by our local guides, we continue heading out onto the tundra for short hikes, along with boat trips on Ennadai Lake to observe the caribou. Admire stunning landscapes while capturing excellent photos of caribou either on their own or in larger herds. Keep your eyes out for other wildlife, including muskox, barren-land grizzly, and tundra wolf. In the evening, sit back and enjoy the magical show of the northern lights.
Day 8
This morning, enjoy one last opportunity for photographs before flying back to Yellowknife.

From Nain, Labrador’s northernmost community, we sail north aboard the MV Cape Race into Torngat Mountains National Park, often described as “the most beautiful place in the world”. Towering more than 5,000 ft, the deep fiords reveal dramatic landscapes that are dotted with polar bears and black bears on patrol. Along the coast, icebergs drift lazily south from Greenland. Sailing past the treeline, we cross over to Baffin Island’s striking coast, tucking into fiords and making expedition stops, keeping an eye out for walrus and polar bears as we roam the rugged tundra. We’ll visit the vibrant community of Qikiqtarjuaq and enjoy visits with the local Inuit to learn about their fascinating history and culture.
Crossing Baffin Bay, we arrive in Greenland and sail into Disko Bay, home to picturesque communities with vibrantly-coloured houses and one of the world’s fastest moving glaciers. We’ll revel in exciting Zodiac excursions amongst the icebergs and have a chance to hike down a boardwalk to see the birthplace of most of the North Atlantic’s famous icebergs.

ITINERARY
Day 1: St. John’s, Newfoundland
Day 2: Nain
Day 3: Hebron
Days 4-6: Torngat Mountains National Park, Rose Island, Saglek Fiord, Nachvak Fiord, Iron Strand, Button Islands
Day 7: Lower Salvage Islands
Days 8-9: South-eastern Baffin Island
Day 10: Qikiqtarjuaq
Day 11: Crossing Baffin Bay
Day 12: Aasiaat, Greenland
Day 13: Greenlandic Fiords
Day 14: Ilulissat
Day 15: Ilulissat: Return Home 

Fly and cruise on a unique experience that will take you to one of the most remote and beautiful places on earth – Antarctica. Antarctica is an ecological wonder that bewitches explorers, scientists, and voyagers alike. Getting to know and contemplate this yet unexplored continent has been the goal and dream of many adventurers who are not satisfied with simply imagining what it would feel like to traverse its ice caps and who have made up their minds to visit this wildlife paradise. Antarctica has the singularity of being the only continent remaining hidden from man for the longest period of time; its first visitors arrived at these virgin frozen lands only two hundred years ago. Its beauty contrasts with extreme climate conditions, all of which makes it an exotic destination, truly hypnotizing for those few that reach this far away corner of the universe.

ITINERARY
Day 1: Punta Arenas
Day 2: Punta Arenas to King George Island
Days 3-6: Antarctic Peninsula
Day 7: Return to King George Island and on to Punta Arenas
Day 8: Transfer to Airport for Return Home 

A massive rookery of penguins shuffles across a frozen shore; a pod of whales glides through frigid waters; dramatic landscapes float off in the distance – welcome to Antarctica. Join us on a voyage of discovery to our planet’s last frontier – a mysterious and virtually pristine paradise. Our ice-strengthened expedition ship is ideally suited to cruising this icy wilderness, and her expert staff are on hand to ensure you’ll fully appreciate all the majesty you encounter. Sail the Drake Passage past the South Shetland Islands, then really explore the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Prepare yourself for an adventure like no other – more like a private expedition than a traditional cruise.

Itinerary

Day 1Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia at any time. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the world’s most southerly city.

Day 2Ushuaia/Drake Passage(1B, 1D)
Enjoy a free morning in Ushuaia. Do any last minute shopping, explore the town or the surrounding countryside. Embarkation on the G Expedition begins in the afternoon at the port in Ushuaia. Enjoy the evening sailing through the Beagle Channel.

Days 3–4Drake Passage/South Shetland Islands(2B, 2L, 2D)
The adventure begins with a 800km (497 mi) crossing of the passage named in honour of 16th-century English sea captain and privateer Sir Francis Drake. The ship is at home in this part of the Southern Ocean. Enjoy daily lectures from the expedition team and keep an eye out for sightings of icebergs, whales, and albatross following in the Expedition’s wake.

Days 5–6South Shetland Islands/Antarctic Peninsula(2B, 2L, 2D)
Encounter some of the region’s unique wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery while setting foot on the Antarctic continent. Attempt two shore landings per day (weather permitting) and encounter gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguin rookeries; Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals; and orca, humpback, and minke whales in the cold Antarctic waters.

Days 7–8Antarctic Peninsula/Antarctic Circle(2B, 2L, 2D)
With a close eye on weather conditions, set off southward along the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Passing colossal icebergs and countless colonies of penguins, push on with the goal in mind – crossing the Antarctic Polar Circle. Few travelers have ventured this far south, but with our fully equipped ice-strengthened vessel and favourable sea conditions, the Expedition can access many remote locations other ships just can’t reach.

Days 9–11Antarctic Circle/Drake Passage(3B, 3L, 3D)
Turn north for the first time to continue exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.

Day 12Drake Passage(1B, 1L, 1D)
Leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. In between bird watching and whale watching and enjoying some final lectures by the expedition staff, this is a chance to relax and review the adventures of the past week before returning to Ushuaia.

Day 13Drake Passage/Ushuaia(1B, 1L, 1D)
Begin your journey to your home port of Ushuaia. Review the highlights of your Antarctic experience with our lecturers and staff, and keep your eyes open on the observation deck for some last-minute whale sightings.

Day 14Ushuaia(1B)
Disembark the Expedition after breakfast.

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 icebergs.
• Encounter Rockhopper, Gentoo, Macaroni, King, Adelie, Magellanic 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
Arrive in Ushuaia by specially chartered flight from Buenos Aires. Time permitting, you will be taken to a local restaurant for lunch before transferring to 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 on board. This evening, after settling in and setting sail, you will be introduced to your Expedition Team.

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

Day 3 — New Island, Falkland Islands | West Point Island, Falkland Islands
Today’s adventure introduces you to the remarkable beauty of the remote Falkland Islands. New Island is a wildlife and nature reserve, and an environmental conservation group protects its many birds and animals. Once ashore, we will hike into the rocky cliffs to a rookery where rockhopper penguins and blue-eyed shags share the same nesting area. We will observe black-browed albatross going about their daily routines and may even spot upland geese. Our onboard historian will tell us about ‘Barnard’s barn’ – a stone structure once belonging to an early settler, as well as the wreck of the Protector III – an old minesweeper used for seal hunting, now grounded just off the shore.
In the afternoon, watch for Peale’s dolphins and the distinctive black and white markings of the Commerson’s dolphin as Silver Explorer approaches West Point 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.

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. Knowledgeable experts in a variety of scientific fields present lectures and seminars. 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 breath-taking 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.
Enjoy a Zodiac cruise 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.

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 hundreds of thousands of 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 13–16 — Antarctic Peninsula
While sailing to Antarctica, every turn can reveal a new and breath-taking adventure. As the pack ice becomes thicker, it’s apparent to everyone that we are moving closer into Antarctica’s vast white wilderness. Remote and otherworldly, Antarctica is 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 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 sea 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 making 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 may be seen, and Wilson’s storm petrels nest in the higher scree of the island.
During Zodiac tours, we hope to see hauled-out Weddell and Antarctic fur seals

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 crab eater seal relaxing on a nearby ice floe, or if you’re very lucky, your Zodiac driver may locate a pod of Minke whales.

Port Lockroy, Goudier Island
The British built a listening station here during WWII, which was then used as a research station in the 1950s, and since 1962 as a museum and gift shop.
Snowy sheathbills and gentoo penguins roam outside the museum.
Perhaps sight a whale or two during a Zodiac cruise.

Paulet Island
As you arrive, the sight of Adelie penguins covering the entire island may well amaze you. The island is home to 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 Crater Lake, impossibly blue icebergs, and Adelie penguins making themselves at home on the ice floes.

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.
Still visible on the island are the boilers used to make whale oil in the early 1900s.

Days 17–18 — 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. Take this opportunity to attend additional presentations offered by the Expedition Team lecturers and to swap photos with new friends as we travel towards Ushuaia.

Day 19 — Ushuaia, Argentina
After breakfast, disembark Silver Explorer and transfer to Ushuaia International Airport for your charter 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.