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Snow-capped mountains rising from the sea, sweeping glaciers and hundreds of tabular icebergs drifting north from the Weddell Sea will greet you on the South Orkney Islands, a small archipelago lying in the middle of the Southern Ocean and well off the track of most shipping routes. It is truly one of life’s greatest experiences as your ship navigates amongst the bergs with the Southern Ocean swell crashing into them and a soft evening light turning the sea into a lively pastel of colors. The South Orkney Islands are one of Antarctica’s real hidden gems.

And on the Antarctic Peninsula itself, a 700-mile-long finger of land pointing toward the tip of South America, it’s not just the breathtaking scenery that beckons, it’s also the spectacular display of wildlife—millions of penguins, numerous other seabirds, and an abundance of marine mammals.

Aboard the Ioffe, a small, maneuverable polar class expedition ship and in the company of expert guides, we’ll journey south for an unforgettable experience. Antarctica is the last wild, unspoiled place on earth; whatever your expectations of Antarctica are before your visit, we guarantee that this mystical, unearthly land will exceed and overwhelm them!

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• A rare opportunity to visit the South Orkney Islands, surrounded by tabular icebergs and displaying spectacular snowcapped mountains
  
• Explore the Antarctic Peninsula: stunning mountains, glaciers and icebergs, large colonies of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins, numerous seals and whales
• Visit an international research station, explore the Weddell Sea, and—if you wish—spend a night camping on the ice!
  

Our ship features a small fleet of kayaks for paddling options on most voyages (weather and ice conditions permitting). This departure also features an optional night of camping on land (weather permitting). See detailed itinerary for details. Great ways to enhance your adventure to Antarctica!

And please visit our Antarctica Feature to see a slideshow of photographs and stories from past our trips in Antarctica, interesting facts about the continent, and more.

Day 1 - Board your expedition vessel in Ushuaia, Argentina, and begin the journey to Antarctica with a scenic sail through the Beagle Channel. Enter the waters of the Drake Passage, and head south toward the South Orkney Islands.

Days 2-3 - Cruise toward the South Orkney Islands, enjoying lectures, movies, and slide show presentations on what's in store for the next two weeks.

Days 4-5 - Explore the South Orkney Islands, snow-capped mountains rising from the sea. Hundreds of bergs drift north from the Weddell Sea to the South Orkney Islands - it is truly one of life's great experiences as the ship navigates amongst these tabular bergs. We aim to visit a large Adélie penguin colony, as well as one of the science stations and hope to have an opportunity for a good long hike.

Day 6 - Cruise toward the Weddell Sea.

Days 7-10 - Explore the islands, bays, and channels of the Antarctic Peninsula, with plenty of time for shore walks through penguin colonies and "ice cruises" by Zodiac for close-up inspection of towering bergs and creaking glaciers. Our itinerary focuses on scenic areas with large concentrations of wildlife, including Paulet Island, the flooded caldera of Deception Island, Elephant Island of Shackleton fame, Half Moon Island, and Brown Bluff.

Days 11-12 - At sea, crossing the Drake Passage and rounding Cape Horn en route to Ushuaia.

Day 13 - Arrive in Ushuaia in the early morning and depart.

Note - This trip is not an exclusive Mountain Travel Sobek departure, and is operated by One Ocean Expeditions.

Photo Credits
©C. S. Bettencourt (MTS staff)