This journey takes us to one of the world’s most awe inspiring destinations. With visits along the way through the South Shetland Islands we arrive on the mainland, on the Antarctic Peninsula and are dazzled by perhaps the most dramatic scenery to be found
anywhere on earth.

Sailing aboard our well-appointed expedition vessel, we see Antarctic nature in all its glory. These areas boast an extraordinary abundance of wildlife, including five seal species and massive penguin rookeries of gentoo, Adelies and chinstraps as well as a profusion of seabirds from albatross to skuas. A wildlife highlight may well be watching a variety of magnificent whale species in close proximity as they crest the surface of the waves.

On the White Continent, we also see remarkable landscapes of ice. At Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay we find many icebergs dotting the waters, including some that are colossal in size, containing natural caves shrouded in an eerie translucent light. On land, there is a sweeping ice sheet, masking mountains and filling trenches binding together an entire continent that is about the size of Africa. We’ll even have the chance to camp ashore on this expanse of ice if conditions are suitable.

Even in the company of our experienced expedition crew, some of whom have traveled to Antarctica over 100 times, it still seems astonishing to think of the early explorers attempting to conquer this beautiful, yet formidable land.

Note: Weather, ice, or other conditions may necessitate changes to our itinerary and alteration to certain shore excursions.
 

Trip Details

Included

• Airport arrival transfer in Ushuaia

• Transfer on day one from Peregrine meeting point to pier and departure transfer on last day of voyage from Ushuaia pier to airport or hotel

• Ship-board accommodation

• Highly experienced expedition leader, crew and lecturers

• All meals, afternoon teas most days

• Access to public viewing areas

• Shore excursions by zodiac boat

• Overnight camping (subject to suitable weather)

• On-board lectures, videos, slide and film shows

• On-board medical officer

• Comprehensive pre-departure booklet and expedition manual

Meals

• 10 Breakfasts

• 9 Lunches

• 10 Dinner

Not Included

• All airfares

• Visa and passport fees, airport departure taxes

• Pre-cruise or post-cruise hotel accommodation

• Laundry, postage, telephone calls, drinks, medical expenses

• Travel insurance, emergency evacuation charges

• Gratuities to staff and crew

Additional accommodation
Extend your holiday by booking some pre or post tour accommodation - ask Peregrine or your travel agent.
 

Day 1: Ushuaia
We board our Peregrine expedition vessel in Ushuaia, on Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America. In the early evening, we set sail charting a course through the Beagle Channel.
Meals included: 1 dinner

Days 2 - 3: Drake Passage
As we cross the Drake Passage, our team of experts will be out on deck to help us spot whales and identify seabirds. We’ll also have the chance to take part in the onboard presentation series preparing us for our adventures on the “White Continent”. Talks on wildlife, ice and polar history will create enormous anticipation that continues to build as we cross the Antarctic Convergence. Here the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean meet the warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We’ll notice a sharp drop in temperature at this point. Huge icebergs loom up against the horizon and seabirds, such as the wandering albatross and petrels, are regularly in view.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Days 4 - 8: South Shetland Islands and Antarctica
We cruise among the volcanic South Shetland Islands and the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, traveling ashore as frequently as possible in inflatable zodiac boats. We’ll hope to make shore excursions to Livingston, Half Moon and King George Islands beginning on day 3 or day 4.

Admiralty Bay, on King George Island, is a favored feeding ground for humpback whales and, with luck, we may see them dining on krill. At crescent-shaped Half Moon Island, we’ll observe a breeding colony of chinstrap penguins that share their territory with fur seals and blue-eyed shags while at Livingston Island, we’ll discover more flourishing wildlife. Here there are Weddell and elephant seals, skuas, giant petrels, Antarctic terns and rookeries of chinstrap, gentoo and macaroni penguins.

Weather permitting, we’ll also hope to enter the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island, a recently active volcano and one of the most perfect crater islands in the world. Steam rises in places along its shores where the cold Antarctic waters mix with the thermal waters of the bay. Here, the very adventuresome may choose to take a dip, if conditions are suitable.

Our journey continues onto Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay, both situated on the mainland. Here we’ll see some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. We’ll observe an impressive array of icebergs in many different shapes and sizes, including those that have eroded into natural ice sculptures as well as city-block sized 'tabular' bergs which break from the thick ice shelves. If the weather is temperate, we’ll have the chance to set foot on the Antarctic continent, and even to spend a night camping out on shore if you wish. The lights of the southern sky bath the landscape in an eerie luminescence, making this camping experience truly remarkable.

The days are long, and the short nights are often preceded by a wonderful twilight. On board, we’ll spend ample time on the bridge or on deck simply marveling at the glory of the passing scenery.
Meals included: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

Days 9 - 10: Drake Passage
We leave the Antarctic Peninsula, heading back across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. The crossing is completed with the rounding of Cape Horn. We celebrate the conclusion of our adventure and last evening together on board, at the Captain’s Dinner as we make our way down the Beagle Channel. Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 11: Ushuaia
In the early morning, we’ll arrive back in Ushuaia where our cruise ends. You’ll be transferred to your hotel, or to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
 

Peregrine Mariner

The ‘Peregrine Mariner’ is a relatively new, well equipped, ice-rated ship that is state of the art in terms of stability, speed, and comfort amongst expedition ships. She can carry up to 110 passengers and is kept in top condition. While this is every bit an expedition product, this ship is ideal if you want that extra stability and comfort.

The large cabins all have an outside view, with portholes or a window, and are comfortably furnished. Most of them have private or semi-private facilities. On-board facilities include a spacious top deck, where you can enjoy spectacular views, and a refreshing sauna - a great place to relax after your shore excursions. There is also a well-stocked library, a comfortable lounge and a friendly bar. Other facilities include a gift shop and laundry. 

Actual cabin layout may not be exactly as shown.

Specifications

Registered Name:	Akademik loffe
Length:	117.04m
Breadth:	18.28m
Draft:	6.09m
Engines:	5,000 kW diesel, twin engine, twin propeller, 600 kW bow and stern thrusters
Ice Class:	KM*L1(1)A2, Canadian Type B
Gross Registered Tonnage:	6450
Crew:	53
Passengers:	110
Registry:	Russia