Day 1: Miami, USA - Santiago, Chile
You depart on your flight to Santiago, Chile.

Day 2: Santiago
You arrive in the morning and transfer to your hotel. There is time to relax before meeting for an afternoon city tour.

Day 3: Santiago - Ushuaia, Argentina
Fly to Ushuaia for a sightseeing tour of one of Tierra del Fuego's spectacular wilderness parks. Then enjoy a Patagonian barbeque lunch before embarking your ship this afternoon and settling in for your first night on board.

Day 4: Cruising the Southern Atlantic
The journey begins as you sail Eastward towards the Falkland Islands. Join the Captain on the bridge or spot marine life from the deck--these krill-rich waters area particular favorite with marine mammals and seabirds.

Days 5-6: The Falkland Islands
The Falklands offer a chance to step back in time, in a place where nature is still very much in charge. Spend the day on nature walks to penguin rookeries and other unspoiled wildlife habitats, or perhaps stroll the village streets of Stanley, with its quaint architecture, friendly villagers and picturesque pubs.

Days 7-8: Cruising the South Atlantic
As you sail southward toward South Georgia your lecturers begin their informal series of talks on the history of the wildlife of South Georgia Island.

Days 9-11: South Georgia
South Georgia is actually a largely-submerged continuation of the Andes mountain range. You spend your days exploring the island's many glacier-carved coves and its historic sites, including Grytviken, a former whaling station and site of Shackleton's grave. As always, weather shapes your explorations, but you may visit Salisbury Plain, situated between two glaciers, where a vast colony of stately king penguins stretches as far as the eye can see. A neighboring island is home to nesting wandering albatross, with fur and elephant seals slumbering on the beach and in high tussock grass.

Days 12-13: At Sea
As you sail south toward Antarctica, your lecturers begin their informal series of enlightening discussions on the fauna, birds and history of the exploration of Antarctica.

Days 14-16: Antarctica
As the Antarctic Peninsula and its offshore islands appear on the horizon, a sense of excitement and expectation begins to build. A first Zodiac expedition is swiftly followed by others, all carefully planned by the Captain and Expedition Leader to take full advantage of each day's possibilities. On most days you make two landings, heading out in your swift and versatile Zodiacs, guided by your expert drivers and accompanied by lecturers, to explore islands filled with thousands of penguins, to photograph nesting grounds of seabirds, and to cruise iceberg-strewn passageways of breathtaking beauty. As conditions permit, you plan to land on the Peninsula and on a number of islands, which may include the South Shetland Islands--and Deception Island. You also hope to sail through breathtaking Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel, with other possibilities for exploration including a scientific research station, the remains of early-century whaling and sealing industries, and whale bones on the beach. After each evening's leisurely dinner, there's time to stroll the deck and gaze at the seascapes in the lingering light of an austral summer twilight.

Days 17-18: Drake Passage
Your return to Ushuaia is a time for recap and reflection, as you compare notes with your lecturers, and birdihg or whale-watching from the deck.

Day 19: Ushuaia, Argentina - Santiago, Chile - Miami, USA
After breakfast, we disembark the ship, heading out to explore the busy port city of Ushuaia. Today you hope to have the opportunity to sightsee and shop at your leisure in Ushuaia before you proceed to the airport to board your flight to Miami via Santiago.

Day 20: Miami
Arrive in the morning and connect to homebound flights.

Notes: Included:
Luxury accommodations and state-of-the-art comfort aboard the Explorer II; meals; complimentary parka and backpack; open bar onboard (except premium wines, premium liquors and champagne); fully guided sightseeing as noted in the itinerary (including park and entrance fees); bottled water supplied during sightseeing; services of on-board lecturers; immediate hotel check-in on arrival in Santiago; all gratuities; post-cruise journal of your voyage; transfers to/from hotel/airport, as long as your schedule corresponds with the above itinerary.

Not Included:
Air transportation (int'l and domestic); Land services pre and post cruise; passport or visa expenses; laundry; meals, beverages or sightseeing not included in itinerary; premium wines and champagnes; communication charges; all items of a personal nature; transfers for passengers; travel insurance; excess baggage charges; optional excursions; departure tax of ARS 30 (USD $10, to be paid upon embarkation in Ushuaia in ARS currency); port charges ($315 per person).

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Deck Plan - Explorer II

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