After months of preparation, our Antarctic adventure finally begins! We arrive in Ushuaia - the southernmost city in the world - and travel by private transfer to our hotel. It's a chance to settle in and rest after our travel before venturing outside to get our first glimpse of this remarkable town and gateway to the Antarctic! Surrounded by rugged mountains and icy waterways, we begin to feel the excitement of what lies ahead as we prepare for our journey to the White Continent. Accommodation: Hotel in Ushuaia

Meals:  Nil

After a good night's rest, we wake ready to explore Ushuaia and soak up the atmosphere of this remote frontier town. We wander the waterfront, explore local shops and enjoy time together before boarding our expedition ship tomorrow. It’s a chance to relax, prepare our gear and build excitement for the adventure ahead. Accommodation: Hotel in Ushuaia

Meals:  B

By now we are well recovered from our long flight. After yesterday's day of exploring and preparing, we are better informed and fully ready to begin our boat tour. After a last morning of enjoying Ushaia town, we head to the dock where we are warmly greeted by the crew and expedition staff. We embark our boat - Plancius - and before long find ourselves sailing down the Beagle Channel. As the boat glides along, we get familiar with shipboard life, settle into our rooms, and enjoy our first meal on board. Accommodation: Plancius - Quad share rooms

Meals:  B,D

Over the next two days we cross the legendary Drake Passage on our journey towards Antarctica. As we sail further south, we cross into cold Antarctic waters where wildlife becomes increasingly abundant. From the deck we keep watch for soaring Wandering Albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds gliding effortlessly above the Southern Ocean. Expedition staff help us identify wildlife while teaching us about Antarctic ecosystems, exploration history and conservation. Near the South Shetland Islands, we may catch our first glimpse of icebergs drifting across the horizon — our first real sign that Antarctica is close. Accommodation: Plancius - Quad share rooms

Meals:  B,L,D

Over the next five days we journey deeper into the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the Plancius, exploring one of the most remote and spectacular wilderness regions on Earth. Each day we will use zodiacs - small expedition boats - to travel beyond the ship to weave through icebergs, cruise beneath towering glaciers and land on isolated Antarctic shores. Our route may take us through the Melchior Islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island, surrounded by dramatic snow-covered peaks and floating sea ice. We hope to visit incredible locations including Cuverville Island, home to large colonies of Gentoo Penguins, Danco Island with Chinstrap Penguins and seals, and Neko Harbour where we may step onto the Antarctic continent itself. In Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel, we explore breathtaking fjords and iceberg-filled waterways while searching for humpback and minke whales. If we get permission, we visit Port Lockroy and nearby scientific stations to learn about life and research in Antarctica. Every day brings new wildlife encounters, unforgettable polar scenery and opportunities to experience Antarctica far beyond the view from the ship. Accommodation: Plancius - Quad share rooms

Meals:  B,L,D

After an incredible five days exploring Antarctica, we begin our journey back across the Drake Passage. These final few days at sea give us time to reflect on everything we have experienced while continuing to watch for seabirds, whales and passing icebergs from the deck of the Plancius. Expedition staff continue running presentations and discussions about Antarctic wildlife, climate science, exploration history and conservation, helping us connect our experiences with the bigger environmental importance of the region. It's a wonderful extended debrief phase of the trip where we can unpack all we've experienced, consider our response to what we've learned, and utilise our well-honed photography skills to get our last snaps of this remarkable natural environment. Accommodation: Plancius - Quad share rooms

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we sail back into Ushuaia through the spectacular Beagle Channel, marking the end of our Antarctic expedition aboard the Plancius. After docking, we farewell our expedition guides and crew who have shared this unforgettable journey with us. Before heading to the airport, we stretch our legs with some free time and lunch in Ushuaia, reflecting on the incredible experiences, wildlife and landscapes we have encountered in Antarctica before beginning our journey home.

Meals:  B