Throughout this unique expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, guests will explore alongside Ari Friedlaender, founder of the Friedlaender Lab, a highly respected marine mammal research group at the University of California. Friedlaender co-developed this 11-day itinerary that will maximize migratory whale sightings, primarily minke, humpback and fin whales. Throughout the voyage, you will learn from Friedlaender and his team, who focus on new biotelemetry technology to better understand the underwater behavior and ecology of whales. You will also have access to a research associate from Happywhale, the educational platform that engages citizen scientists to identify individual whale species for research and conservation purposes. A specialThe timing of this voyage maximizes opportunities to observe various whale species along the Antarctic Peninsula. After the ice recedes in October and November, the food chain begins to re-establish itself. Whales, seals and other marine mammals are drawn to these rich feeding grounds—especially for the krill. By February and March, these creatures, which have been intensely feeding, are satiated and relaxed, making them more easier to spot. In addition to the Zodiac and paddling excursions, we plan to spend a lot of time on the outer decks and other vantage points on the ship to spot—and photograph—wildlife. component of this trip is the Science Hub, where you can engage with whale experts, contribute to citizen science projects, and ultimately play a vital role in conserving this pristine polar habitat for all marine mammals. Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina Upon arriving in this fascinating South American city, known for its vibrant Argentinian culture, European architecture and cosmopolitan vibe, you will independently transfer to your pre-expedition hotel night, included in the Charter Flight and Hotel Package. Day 2: Fly to Ushuaia and Embark After an early breakfast at the hotel, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to a central downtown location to enjoy time on your own to explore this quaint port town before making your way to the designated meeting spot near the pier, where you will be transferred to the ship for embarkation. After a late afternoon embarkation, we will sail along the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart—the next time you see land, you’ll be in the remote Antarctic wilderness. Days 3 & 4: Crossing the Drake Passage Crossing the 800-km Drake is considered a rite of passage for many travelers. Traversing this legendary waterway means you’ll experience the Antarctic Convergence, where the cold, northward-flowing Antarctic waters meet the warmer, southward-flowing water of the sub-Antarctic. The mixing of cold and warm waters creates a nutrient-rich feeding ground, especially for whales and other marine mammals. Guests are encouraged to keep binoculars close at hand—and to be prepared for Expedition Team members to announce any whale sightings. The team of guest scientists will be introduced early in the voyage. Ari Friedlaender, who co-developed this itinerary, and members of his team from the Friedlaender Lab, are global authorities on the underwater behavior and ecology of marine mammals, particularly whales. Guests will also meet a research associate with the Happywhale platform, which enables citizens to upload their whale photos to help identify species and, possibly, individual whales. The second day of your Drake Passage crossing is an ideal time to attend scheduled polar presentations that will enhance your Antarctic experience. It’s also an excellent opportunity to visit the Science Hub on Deck 4, an instrumental part of your voyage. Spend time on deck watching for whales, which increase in number as we approach the Peninsula—and remember to upload your whale photos to the Happywhale platform. Days 5 to 8: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula The timing of this voyage maximizes opportunities to observe various whale species along the Antarctic Peninsula. After the ice recedes in October and November, the food chain begins to re-establish itself. Whales, seals and other marine mammals are drawn to these rich feeding grounds—especially for the krill. By February and March, these creatures, which have been intensely feeding, are satiated and relaxed, making them more easier to spot. In addition to the Zodiac and paddling excursions, we plan to spend a lot of time on the outer decks and other vantage points on the ship to spot—and photograph—wildlife. We’ll spend our days in key marine mammal habitats of the Gerlache Strait and remote inner glacial bays. Whale hotspots Over the next three days, we aim to explore whale hotspots such as Charlotte Bay, Portal Point, Graham Passage, Errera Channel, Cuverville Island, Andvord Bay, Fournier Bay and Dallmann Bay. Past whale sightings in these areas have included minke, humpback, fin, orca and the elusive, deep-diving Arnoux's beaked whale. This is our only itinerary during which we’ll deploy hydrophones—underwater microphones that detect and record sound below the surface. You will have opportunities—during Zodiac cruises and paddling programs—to accompany Friedlaender Lab scientists as they deploy hydrophones to monitor and study marine mammal behavior, such as the vocalizations of whales. Four scientists will accompany guests in Zodiacs, with one hydrophone shared between two groups. Speakers will enable participants to listen for and, hopefully, hear whale sounds beneath the ocean surface. Engaging with scientists who are actively collecting and collating data that can be shared in real time on the water, and, through digital visual aids, brings marine biology to life in a way that transcends the water line. This activity is also available to World Voyager guests who join the Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) program. In addition to the citizen science programming, this itinerary will also feature the wonders of Antarctica: penguins, seals, immense glaciers, snow-capped mountains, icebergs, shore landings, and the polar plunge. SOUTH SHETLANDS Rounding out our marine mammal experiences, we hope to witness southern elephant seals in the rugged and fabled South Shetland Islands. We’ll also keep our fingers crossed for sightings of fin whales. We'll explore this geological and historic archipelago while prioritizing shore landings, which offer further opportunities for wildlife sightings. Arriving in March allows us the rare opportunity to potentially explore key excursion sites such as Hannah Point, which is deemed a Restricted Area from early to mid-season. Massive populations of elephant seals and southern giant petrels make for awe-inspiring experiences. As with any expedition, shore landings along the coast are dependent on favorable weather. Days 9 & 10: Crossing the Drake Passage Today is the start of the journey back across the Drake Passage. This is an excellent opportunity to spend more time engaging with the Friedlaender Lab scientists, or attend one of the scheduled polar presentations. This is your last opportunity to visit the new Science Hub and contribute to citizen science that will support marine mammal conservation efforts. In the words of Sir David Attenborough: “No one will protect what they don’t care about. And no one will care about what they have never experienced.” Day 11: Disembark in Ushuaia You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. Your Charter Flight & Hotel Package includes a transfer to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires. EXPEDITION SPIRIT Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you may experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife sightings as described are expected, but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not guaranteed.