During this crossing of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands you will be immersed in Antarctica's history, environment, and wildlife through a number of informative lectures.

The "White Continent," more than half the size of North America, is an endless wilderness. Weather, wind, and ice conditions will determine the exact program and schedule, with a planned sail crossing the Antarctic Circle at 66°33' south to Marguerite Bay. Rarely visited even by Antarctic standards, the bay is dotted with ice-covered islands and surrounded by pristine mountains. It is also home to the only known breeding colony of Emperor penguins on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula. There are several bases in Marguerite Bay, both old and new. Your journey may also include visits to some of the following places:

• Deception Island—One of the world's best natural harbors, this volcanic land is the home to Whaler's Bay, an abandoned whaling station.
• Half Moon Island—The cliffs house Chinstrap penguins, Antarctic terns, Kelp gulls, and other indigenous birds.
• Yankee Harbour—Home to around 4,000 breeding pairs of Gentoo penguins and rife with seals, photographic opportunities abound.
• Cuverville Island—This island boasts the largest known colony of Gentoos in Antarctica.
• Neko Harbour—This small bay is a favorite Minke whale feeding ground.
• Paradise Harbour—Named for its beauty it is home to Gentoos and Chinstraps as well as Argentine and Chilean bases.
• Lemaire Channel—Nicknamed "Kodak Gap", it is considered one of the most beautiful passages in Antarctica—with Humpback and Killer whales, Elephant seals and all types of penguins.
• Petermann Island—Only one ship at a time is allowed to enter this Island, favored by the southernmost Gentoo colony as well as Blue-eyed shags (Imperial cormorants) and Adelie penguins.

Other highlights of this portion of this Antarctica exploration include:

• Port Lockroy—where you can visit a museum run by the Antarctic Heritage Trust and mail postcards stamped and canceled with rare Antarctic stamps and frank.
• Wilhelmina Bay—scenic resting place of Norwegian whaling ship Guvernoren, which ran aground and burned here in 1915.
• Antarctic Sound—dubbed "Iceberg Alley," it's a startling assortment of floating ice, including mile-long tabular icebergs.
• Brown Bluff— a 2,450-foot-high cliff at the tip of the peninsula that draws Adelie and Gentoo penguins, Kelp gulls and Weddell seals.

This day will be filled with unforgettable images and memorable experiences as you cross the 600-mile-plus Drake Passage back to Ushuaia. During this journey there will be a number of lectures recapping your Antarctic experience.

Disembark at Ushuaia after breakfast. Transfer for your flight to Buenos Aires and enjoy a day of exploration on your own.

Voyage price includes 1 night hotel pre and post cruise as well as a roundtrip charter flight Buenos Aires - Ushuaia.

13-day Polar Circle Quest

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