Crossing the Circle Southern Expedition

Welcome to the Land of Fire

Upon arrival at Ushuaia Airport (USH) make your way to the Arrivals Hall where a smiley WWE host will be anxiously awaiting you for transfer to tonight’s hotel.

Our first night is spent in the humming adventure hub of Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world and the capital of Tierra del Fuego. In this “Land of Fire,” the daunting Andes meet the iconic Beagle Channel, teasing modern day explorers with possibility. The town’s dramatic setting in a pocket of snow-blanketed mountains purrs with travelers ready to embark on their Antarctic dream.

We have a free day to poke around the artisan markets or slide into a café for Alfajores (an irresistible Argentinian dulce de leche cookie). It won’t be your last! There are several museums including one that is housed in a former prison (Museo Marítimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia). Learn about sailing, whaling and natural history in a museum hop with your fellow Wild Women.

Included meals

All on-board meals

accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Explorer

Cafes or Condors

Sleep in or jump start your day in a cozy cafe sipping a cortado—this Argentinian-style coffee is simply a café ‘cut’ with a big glug of warm milk served in an espresso cup.

This morning we are free to explore the city a little deeper or discover the wilds of Tierra del Fuego National Park, the most southerly national park of South America. The park has several hiking trails that wind around peat bogs, lagoons, woodland, rugged coastline, glaciers, pounding waterfalls and still lakes. Birders will go bonkers for the airshow of southern Patagonian species like the austral parakeets, Andean condor, magellanic oystercatchers, kelp geese and torrent ducks. 

Late afternoon, there will be a transfer to the port of Ushuaia to embark on the Ocean Explorer. This evening, we sail along the famed Beagle Channel leaving the pinprick lights of Ushuaia behind in the ship’s frothy wake. The channel eventually opens wide like a yawn to the Southern Ocean and onwards to Antarctica.

Included meals

All on-board meals

accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Explorer

Binocular Time

Named after the legendary English explorer, Sir Frances Drake, the Passage splits the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula from the southernmost tip of South America. The Passage is famously unpredictable—it can be rough and turbulent (dubbed the “Drake Shake”) or as calm as a curled up cat in a sunny spot—so be prepared!

Learn more about geology or whale romance during presentations by the Expedition Team or take the chill off and chill out with newfound gal pals in the outdoor salt water hot tub. There are also yoga classes to lean into.

Sailing towards Antarctica, there is an abrupt dip in temperature as we cross the Antarctic Convergence and enter the bracing waters of the Antarctic Ocean. An increased number of seabirds and whales are magnetically drawn to the nutrient and krill-rich waters. Here, north-flowing colder polar region waters meet warmer south-flowing equatorial waters creating the mercury plunge. This is why polar fleece was invented! Pull on an extra layer and head to the deck to look for the mighty albatross, breaching whales and bobbing icebergs.

Included meals

All on-board meals

accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Explorer

Polar Plunge, Anyone?

The next three days will be spent intimately exploring the South Shetland Islands and dramatic Antarctic Peninsula, a region that was trendy with explorers centuries ago–long before the contemporary version including a gym, dry sauna and vegetarian lunch options!

We explore the area by Zodiac, scouting for humpback and minke whales, giant petrels and the elusive leopard seal. Shore landings will permit us to mingle with penguins like the chinstrap (at a safe distance), visit a historic research base and climb to higher vantage points. Five species of seals (including the crabeater seal) can be found here too!

As we cruise from one landing site to the next, we can sit in on a lecture or digest the scenery from the multiple outer decks of the Ocean Explorer. 

Depending on sea conditions, we may have the opportunity to join the growing league of 100% certified Wild Women who have said “yes” to the polar plunge. It’s time to let your hair down (or put a merino wool toque on it)! This adventure is all about new experiences.

Included meals

All on-board meals

accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Explorer

A Monumental Crossing

Depending on the weather conditions, we will continue southwards in an attempt to reach latitude 66°33’S and cross the famed Antarctic Circle. 

Our voyage south takes us past colossal icebergs, seemingly sculpted by an artist’s intuitive hands and chisels. If the brooding weather allows us to reach this momentous, heart-pounding, goosebumpy goal, we will experience the same rush as the explorers who first ventured this far south. 

This land is home to the mystical midnight sun, shifting ice and krill-rich waters. The trills and low-frequency buzz of Weddell seals and the haunting humpback song will add quiet lyrics to your pounding heart.

Fun fact: Weddell seals are uniquely adapted to this severe environment and use their canines and incisors to rasp open new ice to maintain breathing holes in the ice. These seals also have extremely accurate powers of navigation enabling them to seek out breathing holes when their teeth are worn down from age or injury and unable to maintain or create their own breathing holes.

Included meals

All on-board meals

accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Explorer

Pancake Ice and Penguins

Having crossed the Antarctic Circle (wow!), we set a northbound course to further explore the expansive Antarctic Peninsula on Zodiac excursions and shore landings. 

The Expedition Team will keep us well-versed and educated in Antarctic curricula from pancake ice to bergy bits. We will also become familiar with the differences between leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals; rafts from waddles and how to distinguish Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins like pros.

included meals

All on-board meals

accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Explorer

Coloring in the White Continent

As we leave the Antarctic Peninsula behind with a big sigh, we carry the stimulus and awe with us in huge smiles, full camera cards, tall tales and journal entries. The unbelievable memories will take a while to digest—from the whale and penguin encounters to the fast friendships forged in the shared suspense and thrill of travel in the Antarctic.

We’ll set a course for the Drake Passage. Take in a final lecture or presentation or keep focussed on the wildlife and leeward birds from the observation lounge and outer decks. The Expedition Team will conclude their lecture series and present a slideshow of our voyage’s highlights.

Having crossed the Drake Passage once more, we enter the calmer, welcoming waters of the Beagle Channel bound for Ushuaia’s neon glow.

included meals

All on-board meals

accommodations

Your cabin on the Ocean Explorer

Homeward Bound

We are scheduled to arrive in Ushuaia early this morning and will disembark after a final breakfast aboard the Ocean Explorer.

After saying farewell to the trusty Expedition Team and crew, there will be a group transfer to the airport for homebound flights. We know, waaah! It’s too soon! You may also choose to spend an extra day or two in Ushuaia to linger a little longer in the limelight of the trip’s transformative experience.

Hug your Wild Women crew goodbye and start thinking about where you’ll reunite!

included meals

Breakfast