11 Night Across the Circle Cruise sailing from Ushuaia roundtrip aboard Polar Pioneer.

Venturing Across the Antarctic Circle, beyond 66°33" South, takes you to a frozen region of brooding mountain ranges, massive blue icebergs and waterways taut with fast ice. Plentiful krill attracts the continent's greatest variety and concentration of wildlife, including orcas, leopard seals, fur seals, penguins and snow petrels.

We cross the geographical milestone of the Antarctic Circle in the wake of hallowed explorers. It's a moment to celebrate, and we do so with enthusiasm. In this frozen area of extraordinary beauty, the skies fall against a backdrop of bristling mountain ranges and surreal icebergs. Threading our way through an intricate system of icy waterways, we aim for the glorious Crystal Sound at the mouth of The Gullet.

Day 1

Step aboard your home-away-from-home and settle in to your comfortable cabin. There's time to greet fellow passengers, meet the staff and explore the ship before our evening's cruise down the Beagle Channel.

Day 2

We cross Drake Passage, accompanied by albatross, petrels, fulmars and prions. Join our polar experts to learn about Antarctica's unique wildlife and history, talk to fellow passengers, staff and crew, and prepare for landings with environmental and safety briefings. Divers check equipment and procedures.

Day 3

Spirits soar as air and water temperatures fall, marking our crossing of the Antarctic Convergence. All eyes are peeled for the first iceberg, the first penguin and the first glimpse of land. With luck we go ashore this afternoon.

Days 4-9

We explore the Peninsula's west coast, with time to watch the frenzied activities of penguin parents and chicks, to Zodiac cruise amongst icebergs and revel in the unparalleled beauty of vast, Antarctic land and icescapes. Divers immerse themselves in underwater exploration, while kayakers slice through a fascinating labyrinth of waterways. Further south, ice conditions govern our movements. Whether we cross the Circle via the 'inner route' or the Bellingshausen Sea, we celebrate in style. With luck we reach magnificent Crystal Sound, pass through the Gullet and steam on to Marguerite Bay. We may visit historical Stonington, Pourquoi Pas and Detaille islands.

Days 10-11
Time to leave the icy wonderland for warmer climes. With Anvers and Brabant islands astern, we return to Drake Passage, our winged companions soaring and dipping in our wake. As icebergs fade on the horizon, memories hold fast as we reflect on a rich diversity of experiences. We may round Cape Horn if conditions permit, before indulging in a special farewell dinner.

Day 12

Ushuaia greets us in the early morning. Fortified by a hearty breakfast, bid farewell to the ship, her staff, crew and fellow travellers.

Please note that all of our itineraries are at the mercy of weather conditions and not all landings are guaranteed. Our itineraries are flexible and will change voyage to voyage, allowing the best chance to make the most of surprising wildlife displays and unexpected opportunities.