Day-by-day itinerary

• Day

  01

  Ushuaia, Argentina

  Arrive in Ushuaia, located on Tierra del Fuego archipelago, nicknamed the "End of the World" and the southernmost tip of South America. Perched on a steep hill overlooking Beagle Channel, it is the gateway to Antarctica cruises.
  
  You are met by a representative of one of our Antarctic partners - Aurora Expeditions and escorted to your hotel.
  
  Born Free can arrange pre and post touring of Ushuaia, Punta Arenas and surrounding areas.

  Dinner
• Day

  02

  Ushuaia

  Board Ship

  In the early afternoon, embark on a half day tour of Ushuaia. The unique landscape includes a combination of mountains, sea, glaciers and forests.
  
  Those wishing to join the Lake Escondido tour today, please meet in the hotel lobby at 8.45 am. This tour offers us an unforgettable panoramic drive through big valleys of glacial origin, evergreen and deciduous forests, waterfalls and rivers, in the vastness of the Andes Mountain Range. Leave Ushuaia city to the northeast of Tierra del Fuego, driving through peat bog valleys to reach Garibaldi Pass, only accessible by a winding road that will take us to a panoramic point. From here we will have amazing panoramic views of Lake Escondido and, if weather conditions allow, of Fagnano Lake.
  
  We will start our descent towards the northeast to reach Fagnano Lake’s shore where we will visit a local ranch. After appreciating the landscape, you will have the chance to try the typical Fuegian Lamb barbecue. Enjoy some free time there before returning to Ushuaia for ship embarkation
  
  This evening, get to know your fellow expeditioners and expedition team at a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure to Antarctica.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  03 -04

  Drake Passage Crossing

  Board the ship. The expedition team has set up a series of lectures on Antarctica’s history, wildlife and environment to enrich your experience. Collect your “Muck Boots” and attend the first briefing on biosecurity, Zodiac safety, and preparations for your first landing in Antarctica.
  
  On day four the excitement is palpable as you near the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, with everyone converging on the observation decks to spot their first iceberg. Now that you’re south of the Antarctic Convergence the ocean takes on a whole new character, as you’re surrounded by porpoising penguins and dramatic icebergs. The memory of your first iceberg sighting is likely to remain with you for a lifetime. Time and weather permitting, we may attempt our first Antarctic landing in the late afternoon.
  
  
  
  

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  05-09

  Antarctic Peninsula

  It is almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.
  
  Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.
  
  Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. The expedition team will help you experience a range of activities centred around daytime exploration via Zodiac boat safaris (investigating coves, glaciers and wildlife), guided hikes (exploring pristine beaches and stunning wildernesses) and photography (helping you improve your skills with a camera).
  
  We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.
  
  While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. Speaking of the oceans below, keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting! The polar plunge can take place at any time during the voyage, so listen out for the announcement from the expedition team and get ready for the most exhilarating dip of your life!
  
  In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge (open at the captain’s discretion) for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Listen out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve into sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of the pristine paradise of the splendid white continent.
  
  Join the team in the lecture theatre for presentations covering a broad range of topics to suit every interest. These lectures will cover polar science, wildlife, marine biology, glaciology, ornithology, exploration, history, photography and research including specialist New Scientist talks. Regardless of the topic, they all have one thing in common: they all aim to engage, educate, entertain and turn you into an ambassador for the planet. Plus, both on board and in the Zodiacs, the expedition crew will give you introductions to and commentary on many of the Antarctic phenomena you are experiencing.
  
  You will have the opportunity to participate in the unique citizen science program offered throughout the voyage. It is designed to be a hands-on, immersive and transformative experience that helps you protect the beauty of our planet. Various sampling and data collection projects will be conducted on your voyage and a citizen science coordinator will be on hand to introduce and assist you. This expedition provides a unique platform to help collect high-quality data. With extended access to these remote regions and our expedition teams equipped with scientific backgrounds, we have the potential to participate and engage our passengers in citizen science projects to provide valuable data to the global scientific community. For a greater understanding, visit our world-class Citizen Science Centre. You will be rewarded for your thirst for knowledge with one of the best views on the ship.
  
  Your expedition can be as active or as leisurely as you want it, and no activity or talk is mandatory.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Days

  10-11

  Drakes Passage Crossing

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  12

  uring the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.
  
  Upon disembarkation, for those continuing their travels in the region, transportation to the hotel will be arranged exclusively for guests who have booked their accommodations through Aurora or for those staying in downtown areas near the port. Expeditioners departing on flights prior to 14.30 pm will be directly transferred to Ushuaia Airport, those with flights after 14.30 pm will have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia before an afternoon airport transfer, and the transfer procedures and details will be communicated onboard before disembarkation.
  
  
  

  Breakfast
• Day

  13

  Punta Arenas

  Onward Journey

  Breakfast