Ocean Diamond

Upon arrival in Ushuaia, group transfer to your hotel from the airport.

Late in the afternoon embark the Ocean Diamond. During the night you will sail down the Beagle Channel.

Immerse yourself in the lectures and presentations by the Expedition Team. Here you will learn about safety procedures for upcoming Zodiac cruises and shore landings. Head to the panoramic deck for the first sightings of icebergs, whales and identify seabirds that glide along the Ocean Diamond.

You can expect varied shore landings (weather dependant) on South Georgia in terms of historical significance as well as a flourishing sub-Antarctic wildlife.

South Georgia is a birder’s paradise as seabirds, albatross and petrels are abundant in numbers and not to mention the penguins that are blanketed over the beaches. Visit Grytviken which hosts the first whaling station in Antarctica as well the final resting place of the famous polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton.

Consider going kayaking (extra cost) for an authentic experience in the water.

Days at sea are filled with presentations and lectures to prepare you for your upcoming excursions.

You may have your first official stop in Antarctica on the South Orkney Islands depending on weather and sea conditions.

Be awestruck by the sites of carving glaciers in brilliant shades of blue while being up close to the many penguin species that call the Antarctic Peninsula home.

The chinstrap, Adelie and gentoo penguins are curious creatures that inhabit this area, along with Weddell seals and leopard seals can be found throughout the banks of the Antarctic Peninsula. While on a zodiac cruise, keep a lookout for minke and humpback whales.

The journey towards home begins today. Take this time for your final chance to spot whales and seabirds from the deck and reflect on this incredible journey.

Disembark the Ocean Diamond in Ushuaia in the morning.

Begin your journey in Ushuaia, upon arrival transfer from airport to your hotel. Spend the rest of this day exploring this bustling port city.

Late in the afternoon embark the Ocean Diamond. Sail down the Beagle Channel during the night.

While at sea attend lectures and presentations lead by the Expedition Team, here you will learn about the wildlife, geology and the history of upcoming sites and landings. Head to the deck to sight wildlife or enjoy a drink at the bar.

Be captivated by the unique and untouched landscape often leaving travellers speechless when they first arrive Antarctica. Days are spent on Zodiacs to explore local bays, channels and sites rich in history. There’s also an abundance of wildlife to observe and photograph.

There are colonies of different penguin species such as the chinstrap, Adelie and gentoo penguins that waddle along curiously. Watch the Weddell seals, fur and leopard seals that lay lazily on the banks of nearby waters. While on Zodiac’s, keep your eyes open for humpback and minke whales.

Nearing the end of your journey as you head back across the Drake Passage. Take this time to reflect on the highlights of your trip as well as the final chance to spot seabirds and whales from the deck. In the meantime, enjoy presentations by the Expedition team celebrating your experiences during your final days at sea.

Upon arrival in Ushuaia take a group transfer to the airport for your forward flight.

Your journey begins in the bustling port city of Ushuaia. Upon arrival at the airport you will take a group transfer to your hotel. Spend the day exploring this wonderful city or get some supplies for your onward voyage.

From the hotel you will take a group transfer to embark the Ocean Diamond. Get acquainted with the layout of the ship and prepare your sea legs!

While at sea days are filled with lectures and presentations lead by the Expedition Team to prepare for excursions, landings and identifying wildlife.

Spend the next couple of days exploring the rugged landscape of the Falkland Islands. The areas throughout the islands are abundant in wildlife offering plenty of photographic opportunities and close up observations of the unique wildlife. Seabirds such as the black-browed albatross, Magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper penguins are local residents as well as the handsome king penguin.

Visit Stanley, the islands capital, explore the streets to see bright coloured buildings of British style architecture.

Sail towards South Georgia. Keep a lookout for whales, seals and seabirds when crossing the Antarctic Convergence where the Antarctic waters mix with the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

South Georgia is flourished with wildlife offering plenty of historical sites to explore. Visit the remnants of whaling stations as well as abandoned outposts. It is the home of Grytviken a whaling station and the final resting place of the famous polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton.

Wildlife can vary from rookeries, king penguins to fur or elephant seals.

Days at sea filled are with historical and biological presentations lead by the Expedition Team preparing you for your upcoming excursions.

The striking beauty and distance away from civilisation can leave you feeling awestruck or speechless when you first reach the ‘White Continent’. You’ll spend the next couple of days (weather permitting) Zodiac cruising to visit historical sites as well as getting close to the abundant wildlife raging from leopard seals, a variety of penguin species and witnessing the magnificent minke or humpback whales.

Consider going kayaking (extra cost) for an authentic water experience or an Antarctic plunge if you’re feeling particularly adventurous.

As you cross the Antarctic Circle you’ll be one of few travellers who have ever reached this far south.

Spend the next few days going on Zodiacs to visit sites and observing wildlife (weather dependant).

Nearing the end of your journey as you head back across the Drake Passage. Take this time to reflect on the highlights of your trip as well as the final chance to spot seabirds and whales from the deck. In the meantime, enjoy presentations by the Expedition team celebrating your experiences during your final days at sea.

Enjoy your last breakfast on board and say your last farewells to other guests and the Expedition Team. On arrival you will take a group transfer to the airport or to town.