Cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula

Departing from Ushuaia, in southern Argentina, you will head towards Cape Horn and the Drake Passage by ship, accompanied by majestic seabirds. Landing on the Antarctic Peninsula by Zodiac is a memorable moment, as you explore the iconic sites that make the white continent one of the most untouched places on Earth.

You will move from island to island in search of penguins, seals and whales. Danco Island is home to gentoo penguins and Weddell seals. Neko Harbour offers Zodiac landing opportunities with some of the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks. At Paradise Bay, there is a good chance of encountering humpback and minke whales. At Port Lockroy, you may have the opportunity to visit the former British research station, now a museum and post office, on Goudier Island. Around Jougla Point, encounter gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags. And if weather conditions allow, treat yourself to a night under canvas after a good snowshoe outing.

Here, camping offers excellent possibilities, and when conditions permit, you can even go snowshoeing around the shoreline.

Heading on to the volcanic islands of the South Shetlands, you will be offered a fine hike through these volcanic landscapes. On Deception Island, you will find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station and thousands of cape petrels. Near Half Moon Island, you will observe chinstrap penguins and Weddell seals on the beach.

It will then be time to head north back to Ushuaia, heads full of images and a fierce longing to return.   

Plancius was fully refitted in 2009 to sail in polar regions. It can accommodate 114 passengers, complies with SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) regulations, holds an ice-class rating, and is registered with Lloyd's under Dutch flag. An expedition vessel, Plancius is equipped with a double gangway allowing smooth boarding of its fleet of 10 Zodiacs.

Life on board is convivial. The bar and observation lounge are open at all times. The observation lounge and outer decks offer unobstructed views of the surroundings, and access to the bridge is permitted at any time. The ship's small size allows for great flexibility in organising the days. During the voyage, lectures on polar-related subjects (wildlife, ice, history, geology, etc.) are held on board.