Ushuaia - Ushuaia Expedition Antarctica: Weddell Sea

Experience this bird paradise the Falkland Islands, which is home to around 60 species, at close range during your Zodiac landings. Observe rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, who share their habitat with kelp geese, striated caracaras, king cormorants as well as black-browed and wandering albatrosses.

In South Gorgia live Hundreds of thousands of king penguins side by side with elephant seals and fur seals on the coasts and cliffs – overwhelming natural spectacles that you can observe from a respectful distance after landing on one of the black shores. In addition, trace the footsteps of the explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, who found his final resting place here in 1922.

The South Orkney Islands are a lonely, glaciated world of icy wilderness located in the Scotia Sea. They are home to chinstrap and Adelie penguins, which can be spotted here. With luck, you’ll also see icebergs drifting off the rugged coast. Find out how the polar explorers live at the Argentinian Orcadas Station (depending on weather and authorisation). Experience the South Shetland Islands between ice and awe intensively – on deck as well as by Zodiac. You will feel how impressive complete silence can be in the Weddell Sea, where gigantic tabular icebergs and dense pack ice await. The ice cracks and crunches around the ship’s reinforced bow. How far will the ship be able to venture into the depths of the pristine region? In 1903, for instance, the Nordenskjold expedition was forced to wait ten months to be rescued on the volcanic Paulet Island. Today, the island is home to countless penguins and, like Devil Island, makes for a very lively spectacle. Immerse yourself in the unspoilt wilderness of the Weddell Sea on this cruise – and enjoy the glistening ice in the light of the midnight sun and the soothing sound of the ocean. Because time seems to stand still here in the splendour of the icy realms. Off the Antarctic Peninsula, your ship sails into the centre of the flooded caldera of Deception Island. Majestic glaciers and gigantic icebergs shimmer in Paradise Bay. The Lemaire Channel is also impressive, flanked by mighty mountains up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft) high. Icebergs ahead: at the bow and on the open deck areas, you can enjoy the best views of the white wonderland. You may even spot the flukes of blue whales, sperm whales and humpback whales as well as orcas.