Ship:  Akademik Shokalskiy

Days 1-2 : Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Arrive at our hotel in scenic Ushuaia and spend the rest of the day exploring this colorful port town. Next morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel and spend a leisurely day exploring the town. In the late afternoon, transfer to the ship and join the others on deck as we head out in late afternoon through the scenic Beagle Channel.

Days 3-4 : Drake Passage and South Shetland Islands

Journey across the Drake Passage, named for the 16th-century English admiral and explorer, scanning the skies for Wandering Albatross and other seabirds. As we make the crossing, our naturalists and historians offer presentations on Antarctic wildlife and explorers - and ofcourse there's plenty ofinformal conversation on deck and over drinks in the lounge. On the South Shetland Islands, which we typically reach on Day 4, you can observe several species of penguin, as well as Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. Wevisit with the expert staff at one of the area's many research bases. You can also search for Antarctica's two flowering plants, which only bloom during the short southern summer. Often the Professor Molchanov sails through Neptune Bellows into Deception Island's sunken caldera, a legacy from the explosion or collapse of a volcano's center. If the tide allows, you can soak your feet or even enjoy a dip in the steaming thermal waters of Pendulum Cove.

Days 5-8 : Setting Foot on the Peninsula

Our exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula typically begins with a visit to Paradise Bay or nearby Neko Harbor. As you set foot on the continent, you're surrounded by vistas of crystal-blue waters filled with icebergs and giant glaciers descending from jagged, snowcapped mountains. We plan to visit extensive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins; you can also expect to encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, and humpback and Minke whales. While the western Peninsula offers this diversity of wildlife, our specialists will also draw your attention to the simple yet fascinating plant life - including 100 species of moss, 25 species of liverwort, 20-odd species of macro-fungus and 300 to 400 species of lichen - that somehow manages to grow in this very extreme environment, despite the low temperatures and lack of moisture. If ice conditions allow, the ship will navigate some of the world's most breathtaking waterways - including the narrow Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, which wind between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. The Expedition Team will be pleased to explain the Captain's strategy while you pore over some of the detailed ice charts. Sailing south of the Lemaire Channel, we may visit Petermann Island, where Adélie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to our landing site.

Days 9-10 : Antarctic Circle

As our expedition pushes further southward, the mountains grow higher, the glaciers more precipitous and the sense of remoteness even deeper. Our route should take us near historic Stonington Island, site of the East Base established by the US expedition of 1939-41. It was from here that veteran explorer Admiral Richard Byrd and his colleagues conducted the first systematic ground survey of the Antarctic Peninsula's east coast. The island also served as the base for Norwegian-American Finn Ronne's 1947-48 Antarctic Research Expedition, which mapped a great portion of the continent by air. As always on an expedition of this kind, nature has the last word - but if the pack ice and weather cooperate, we expect to cross the Antarctic Circle (to be precise, at latitude 66 33'38² south), the southernmost point at which the sun can still be seen on the austral winter solstice (and conversely, the northernmost point at which the midnight sun is visible in the southern polar regions). We commemorate our arrival at this furthest point in our journey with a celebration on board.

Days 11-12 : Loubert Coast

During the voyage, your Expedition Team will keep you informed about the fabled history of each area we visit. Every name on the map of the Antarctic has a story to tell, and the Loubert Coast is no exception. The French names that appear are a legacy of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, physician, yachtsman, and explorer. He, like you, lived for adventure.

Days 13-15 : Drake Passage to Ushuaia

We sail north across the Drake Passage, again looking out for seabirds and whales. Recap presentations - and discussions in the lounge on everything from Antarctic conservation to swapping digital photos via e-mail - enliven our voyage back to Ushuaia. After a final breakfast, transfer to the historic town for more exploring or head directly to the airport to catch a flight home.

Ship Description: Akademik Shokalskiy

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  Cruising around icebergs in the Arctic

Akademik Shokalskiy is a terrific expedition ship, sister ship to the Polar Pioneer. Built in Finland in 1983, she is ice-strengthened and has stabilizers for more comfortable travel. In 1998 she was refurbished to provide comfortable accommodation for 46 passengers, an ideal number for expedition cruising. On board are a combined bar/lounge and a dedicated lecture room/library (stocked with a good collection of reference books and videos). All cabins have outside portholes, plus ample storage space. The spacious bridge (always open to us) and the decks are ideal for viewing during your Antarctica travel.

The Russian captain and crew are among the most experienced navigators in the world and their enthusiasm for exploration is legendary. Akademik Shokalskiy is not a luxury vessel. Accommodation is simple yet comfortable and the meals, prepared by European chefs and served by Russian stewardesses, are wholesome and uncomplicated. A small fleet of inflatable Naiads with outboard motors enables us to make landings and explore magnificent places where few others have ever been.

Triple Shared Bath 2 cabins with 2 lower and 1 upper berth, shared facilities, sink in the cabin and porthole window	Twin Shared 8 cabins with shared baths (106-124 sq. ft.) Cabins have two lower berths (except for 315 which has 2 lower, 1 upper), sofa, writing desk, bookshelf, 2 wardrobes, cabinets, and 1 square window/ porthole
Twin Private 12 cabins with private bath with shower (100-125 sq. ft.) Cabins have one lower and one upper berth (Some cabins have 2 lower berths), sofa, drawers, refrigerator, writing desk,bookshelf, 2 wardrobes, and 1 square window/ porthole	Superior 1 cabin (171 sq.ft) with one double bed, 1 sofa bed, private facilities, and 3 opening windows
Suite 1 cabin (250 sq.ft) with one double bed, 1 sofa bed, private facilities, and 5 opening windows