Day 1 UshuaiaThe most southerly city in the world, Ushuaia is located on the edge of the impressive Beagle Channel, close to beautiful beech forests and the southern tip of the Andes. Days 2-3 At SeaStart the adventure by crossing the passage that bears the name of the 16th-century English explorer, Sir Francis Drake. The Polar Star is at home in the turbulent waters of the Southern Ocean where the Antarctic Convergence sees a meeting of polar and temperate waters. This mixing pushes nutrient-rich waters to the surface attracting a variety of seabirds, whales and other species. While at sea, there is plenty of time to become acquainted with the ship and take part in lectures and information sessions to learn about the extraordinary human and natural history of the region. Days 4-6 AntarcticaSet foot on the Great White Continent! Antarctica is a land of superlatives. It is the coldest, windiest, driest, iciest and highest of all the major landmasses in the world. It is the continent with the longest nights and the longest days, and it is home to one of the world's greatest concentration of wildlife. It is also one of the last true wilderness areas left on earth, largely unchanged since the early explorers and whalers first landed on its inhospitable shores less than two centuries ago. Spend three days exploring its shores on Zodiac cruises and landings at historic and wildlife sites. Keep an eye out for chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins, fur, Weddell and crabeater seals, as well as minke and humpback whales. Day 7 South Shetland IslandsHead north of the peninsula to the South Shetland Islands. Disembark on a number of the islands for some prime penguin spotting, whale watching and hopefully a visit to one of the science research stations. Weather permitting, stop at the collapsed volcanic cone of Deception Island for a chance to visit Whalers Bay and see the rusted remains of boilers and tanks that once processed and held the whale oil. Days 8-9 At SeaBegin the return journey to Ushuaia. Keep your eyes open on the deck for some final whale sightings. Day 10 UshuaiaThe adventure ends on disembarkation in Ushuaia.
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