After an early breakfast, your group will transfer to the airport and board the private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. On arrival, you will be taken from the airport to the central downtown area , where you’ll have free time to explore the charming city of Ushuaia—the world’s southernmost city—before heading to the pier. Following a late afternoon embarkation, sail through the historic Beagle Channel, which traverses the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the southernmost part of South America. Anticipation will build as you depart—the next land you encounter will be Antarctica!

The Drake Passage, known for its unpredictability, offers an adventure all on its own. With expert onboard staff and leaders ensuring your comfort, you’ll have ample time to enjoy the ocean, photograph seabirds flying around the ship, and connect with your Expedition Team and fellow travellers.

Onboard expert presentations will enhance your polar journey, providing insights into the experiences of the courageous explorers who ventured into the unknown a century ago. You will also gain a deeper understanding of the ice-dwelling emperor penguins.

The journey to Snow Hill Island will ignite your explorer spirit as the captain and Expedition Leader keep you informed with weather briefings, meteorological updates, and sea ice condition reports. The thickness of the ice will determine how close Ultramarine can get to Snow Hill Island, after which the twin-engine helicopters will take over.

Much like summiting a mountain from base camp, groups will depart from Ultramarine toward the emperor penguin colony. The adventure begins with an extended helicopter transfer, offering views of snow-capped peaks and massive tabular icebergs. The rookery is located on the sea ice off the south coast of Snow Hill Island, and the landing will be as close to the penguins as possible, while still maintaining a safe distance to avoid disturbing them. Upon landing, you’ll walk across the ice to the emperor penguin colony. The wind, the ice beneath your feet, and the paths in the snow carved by previous penguins create an incredible atmosphere. As you approach, you’ll hear the sounds of thousands of emperor penguins—a rare wildlife sight.

The goal of the expedition is to bring every guest to the remote rookery at least once. The Expedition Team and experts will be nearby to answer questions and ensure you take in all the sights. You’ll observe the emperor penguins’ behavior as a community, how they care for their young, and their unique way of sliding across the ice. This helicopter expedition to the emperor penguin colony promises to be the adventure of a lifetime.

While at base on Ultramarine, the attentive Expedition Team will immerse you daily in the polar experience of the Weddell Sea. Activities include Zodiac cruising among icebergs, exploring and learning on the ice, kayaking, or assisting the team in observing weather forecasting and ship operations up close.

A particularly enriching part of your voyage will be the bespoke educational programs designed specifically for this expedition. These programs offer both traditional lectures and hands-on learning about this fascinating region. Each day, polar experts—including penguin scientists, biologists, and polar historians—will present on various aspects of emperor penguin behavior, ice formations such as tabular icebergs seen from the ship’s deck, and the experiences of polar explorers who braved the Weddell Sea over a century ago. You might also choose to take the polar plunge, test your balance on a stand-up paddleboard, or indulge in some pampering with Ultramarine’s excellent onboard amenities, including the spa, sauna, and fitness room.

The ultimate goal of this expedition is to reach the emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill. However, if weather or ice conditions prevent us from visiting the colony or shorten our stay, alternative sites will be explored. Possible landings in Antarctica will occur on the eastern side of the Peninsula, the northernmost stretch of Antarctic land and an extension of the Transantarctic Mountains.

Brown Bluff

An immense volcanic cliff towering 2,225 feet (678 meters) above the rookeries of Adélie and gentoo penguins, many of which will be incubating their eggs.

Devil Island

Discovered by the Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901-04, this narrow island stretches 1 mile (1.6 km) and features a low summit at each end.

Hope Bay

Three members of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition (1901-04) spent a winter in a hut on the shores of Hope Bay. This historic hut is situated close to the jetty of Esperanza Station, an Argentine research facility.

Paulet Island

Situated in the northwestern Weddell Sea, Paulet Island hosts a significant Adélie penguin rookery. The island’s volcanic cone rises 1,158 feet (353 meters), a reminder of its once active volcanic past. The island also features a historic hut built by members of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901-04 and a cross marking the gravesite of crew member Ole Wennersgaard.

Seymour Island

Northeast of Snow Hill Island lies Seymour Island, initially mistaken for a cape. This island is notable for its fossil finds and the remains of the KT Boundary, which signifies the transition from the Cretaceous Period (dinosaurs and reptiles) to the Tertiary Period (mammals). This period is known for the mass extinction event that wiped out many species, including dinosaurs.

The return journey across the Drake Passage offers a final chance to relish the refreshing Southern Ocean air. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and looking out for whales, enjoy presentations by the Expedition Team, and reflect on the extraordinary experiences you’ve had exploring the remarkable world of Antarctica.

You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. Your transfer includes a tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park for a taste of Patagonia, after which you’ll transfer to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires.