Compare Last Discovered Continent by Poseidon Expeditions vs Around Spitsbergen by Oceanwide Expeditions

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina.

Despite its small size, the city of Ushuaia is the world’s southernmost city, the capital of Tierra del Fuego and the main starting point for voyages to Antarctica.

Admire the surrounded views of Beagle Channel and the Andes Mountains. If you arrived early, you may want to visit Tierra del Fuego National Park, the southernmost on the planet. Stroll along the main street of Avenue San Martin, and pause at one of the many cafes, shops or restaurants.

Day 2: Ushuaia, embarkation.

This afternoon, embark the Sea Spirit and set sail down the picturesque Beagle Channel as the sun sets and dinner is served.

The Сaptain and our Expedition Team will welcome you and raise a toast to success of our expedition.

Day 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage.

The Drake Passage spans 600 miles from the top of South America to the South Shetland Islands. The Sea Spirit’s stabilizer fins will help to make the crossing comfortable.

Lectures and presentations by our friendly team of Antarctic experts prepare us for what lies ahead. At the Antarctic Convergence, watch for sea mammals, albatrosses and petrels in these krill-rich waters. If the Drake has behaved, we will approach the sub-Antarctic South Shetlands during the afternoon of Day 4.

Day 5-6: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula.

The Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands provide exceptional opportunities to discover the unique wildlife and awesome landscapes. Depending on weather and ice conditions, the captain and expedition team will direct the Sea Spirit to a variety of secluded bays and harbors to optimize Zodiac landings and wildlife viewing. While we have a plan, flexibility is the key to successful expedition cruising. With the help of our expedition team, look for the four penguins, six seal and several whale species on your Antarctic checklist. We’ll also find a time for our most adventurous travelers to take a polar plunge, perhaps in Neko Harbor or the relatively warm waters of volcanic Deception Island.

Day 7-10: Antarctic Continent.

As we head south along the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ill understand why the imposing, snow-covered Lemaire Channel is called “Kodak Alley.” We’ll also try to visit a research station during the voyage, although the work schedules of the scientists may not always permit this. At the Ukrainian base of Academician Vernadskiy, you might want to sample the throat-burning gorilka, or Ukrainian pepper vodka, distilled on location. A Zodiac cruise of Paradise Bay, with its many glaciers, offers an experience like no other on the globe. Cruise by massive icebergs, with cracks and crevices reflecting an amazing spectrum of blue colors. Conditions permitting, we’ll set foot on the actual Antarctic Continent at Hope Bay or perhaps another site.

Day 11-12: Drake Passage.

As the Sea Spirit heads back to Ushuaia, there are some final opportunities to ask questions of our Antarctic experts, to share photos and experiences with newfound friends, and to enjoy our festive farewell dinner. Wave goodbye to the birds and whales, until you meet again on your next voyage to the White Continent!

Day 13: Ushuaia, disembarkation.

Disembark following breakfast, and transfer to the airport or the city centre.

Day 1: We will embark our vessel in Longyearbyen, in the late afternoon
After arriving in Longyearbyen, the ‘capital’ (actually the administrative centre) of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration. In the evening we sail, setting course for Trygghamna where we will see the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Pomor hunting station, which we will visit the next morning

Day 2: We make a nice walk from Tryghamna to a large seabird cliff, Alkhornet
From Trygghamna we walk to Alkhornet a large seabird cliff. Below the cliff is a den of Arctic Fox which scavenge off fallen eggs and chicks. Reindeer graze on the lush vegetation. In Forlandsundet we visit a haul out the place of Walrus.

Day 3: We visit a 17th-century whaling settlement on Smeerenburg
Today we visit the remains of Smeerenburg, the largest 17th-century whaling settlement on Spitsbergen. We also land on Ytre Norskøya where there are many graves dating from whaling days.

Day 4 - 15: We see Walrus, take excursions and see whale skeletons
Today we start by sailing either to Sorgfjord or to Murchison Bay, on the north side of which there is an extensive dry tundra, home to many reindeer. There is also is a Swedish research station here. The next days we continue through Hinlopen Strait were we are surrounded by icecaps. We will land in Lomfjord, a beautiful fjord surrounded by high mountains. Augustabukta is a lovely open bay close to a glacier which is crevasse-free, allowing us to walk without difficulties. On a nearby cliff the rare and beautiful Ivory Gull nests, together with Black Guillemot. Reindeer, Polar Bear and Walrus are usually seen in this area.

We next sail towards the impressive Bråsvell glacier. We may take an excursion on Svartknausflya, a desolate polar desert almost devoid of vegetation, or visit Wilhelmøya, which has raised beaches littered with sub-fossilised whale skeletons, and where encounters with Polar Bear are likely. Sailing through the narrow Heleysundet between Spitsbergen and Barentsøya can only be done against the current, a very spectacular journey.

As an alternative, if conditions do not favour us, we will sail through Freemansundet. At Kapp Lee, we walk in beautiful Rosenbergdalen to see reindeer. In Diskobukta we visit a large colony of Kittiwake which nest in a canyon. Arctic Fox and Polar Bear with young, often roam through the canyon, scavenging on young, flightless birds which fall from the ledges. On the raised beaches there are many sub fossilised whale skeletons.

Continuing our exploration of southern Spitsbergen, we sail into the labyrinth of side fjords in Hornsund. At Brepollen, a large glacial deposit at the head of the fjord, we will sail along a beautiful glacier front with good chances of seeing Bearded Seal and Polar Bear. The geological formations in this area are very spectacular and colourful. We will also pay a visit to the Polish research station at Isbjørnhamna, where the friendly crew will discuss their scientific programs.

On our way to Longyearbyen, we sail into Bell Sund to reach Ahlstrandhalvøya, with its interesting geological formations and the remains of the 20th century Beluga hunting. It is still a good area for observing Beluga. If time allows we will pay a visit to Barentsburg, the only inhabited Russian settlement in Spitsbergen, or to Colesbukta, an abandoned Russian coal mining settlement.

Day 16: Our final morning, we will disembark the ship in the morning in Longyearbyen
Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo.