18 NIGHT ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

Day 1 Depart Chile

Transfer to Puerto Williams in the far south of Chile and board Silver Cloud. Bid farewell to the mainland as you begin your voyage. Acquaint yourself with the ship, your fellow passengers and your expedition team.

Overnight: Silver Cloud

Day 2 Day at Sea

Enjoy a day at sea as you head into the South Atlantic with talks on board to prepare you for your voyage. This evening there will be a special cocktail party hosted by the Captain where you will be introduced to the senior officers and crew.

Overnight: Silver Cloud

Day 3 New Island - Westpoint Islands, Falklands

This morning, arrive in the remote Falkland Islands where you will disembark at New Island. Accompanied by your ship's historian, you will see the remains of an ancient stone structure known as Bernard's Barn, once occupied by early settlers. You will also see the grounded wreck of Protector III, an old minesweeper used for seal hunting. New Island is a protected conservation area where wildlife, and particularly bird life, is prolific. During your hike, you may spot rockhopper penguins and blue-eyed shags as well as upland geese and black-browed albatross.Enjoy lunch back on board and watch out for Commerson's and Peale's dolphin before landing at West Point Island where the welcoming islanders are happy to answer questions about their remote lifestyle.

Overnight: Silver Cloud

Day 4 Stanley, Falkland Islands

Today there is a whole day to explore the Falklands' capital, Stanley. There will be time to explore the local museum and see the 19th century Anglican cathedral as well as see the traditional cottages and pubs. Remnants of the 1986 war between Britain and Argentina remain but Stanley is now a tranquil place where islanders raise sheep.

Overnight: Silver Cloud

Day 5 - 6 Day at Sea

Continue your voyage across the South Atlantic with a day at sea spent spotting marine mammals and seabirds. There will be talks in the theatre about the region's natural environment and its explorers. You may also like to indulge in a spa treatment or take part in one of the photography workshops to improve your skills.

Overnight: Silver Cloud

Day 7 - 9 South Georgia

Arrive in South Georgia where the islands' natural history is as fascinating as its human history. The scenery is stunning: snow mountain peaks tower over huge glaciers and low-lying grasslands, home to diverse flora and fauna including various albatross and penguin species. Look out for the king penguin colony between Gold Harbour and Weddell Glacier as well as seals resting on ice floes. Enjoy a trip out by Zodiac to explore the glaciers and to watch the penguins in Cooper's Bay. You will also visit Salisbury Plain where thousands of king penguins come to breed.Antarctic explorers made their mark here too. Ernest Shackleton landed on the islands in 1916 following the sinking of his ship, Endurance. There will be the opportunity to see his grave. You will also visit the historic whaling station at Grytviken, now a museum describing the ancient industry.

Overnight: Silver Cloud

Day 10 - 11 Day at Sea

Continue southwards towards Antarctica with free time on board to relax and enjoy the on board facilities. There is a terrific library stocked with interesting books on the region and the explorers as well as fascinating lectures by experts.

Overnight: Silver Cloud

Day 12 Elephant Island - South Shetland Islands

Your arrival at Elephant Island is heralded by the sight of vast glaciers, tinged with the pink of algae. As well as incredible numbers of elephant seals which give the island its name, you will also spot chinstrap and macaroni penguins and Weddell seals. Shackleton's crew spent 105 days stranded here in 1916 as Endurance became packed from all sides in ice.NB: The 14th November sailing does not include Elephant Island but sails on to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Overnight: Silver Cloud

Day 13 - 16 Antarctic Peninsula

Continuing south, vast ice sculptures and calving glaciers mark your route. Your course will follow sea and weather conditions with the possibility of close-up encounters with marine mammals such as seals basking on ice floes or Orca, Minke and Humpback whales breaking the ocean's surface. Zodiac excursions will take your through a world of vivid icebergs and to shore to see colonies of noisy penguins. Your expedition Leader and Captain will determine each day's route, which may include:Paradise Bay- Explore this bay on the Antarctic Peninsula from your Zodiac, spotting crabeater seals and possibly even a pod of Minke whales. You will also see Base Brown, one of the Antarctic research stations.Brown Bluff- Brown Bluff, named for the steep sided reddish-brown cliff, is the breeding ground for Gentoo and Adelie penguins, pintado petrels and kelp gulls.Cuverville Island- Discovered in 1897-99 by a Belgian Antarctic expedition, Cuverville Island is the nesting site for Gentoo penguins, as well as snow pestrels and Pintado penguins. You may also spot Weddell and Antarctic fur seals.Port Lockroy- Port Lockroy's history includes a period as a listening station during World War Two before it became a research station in the 1950's. Since 1962 it has served as a museum and gift shop.Paulet Island- Bird life is prolific on Paulet Island, with 80-90,000 Adelie penguins making this their home. You will also spot Kelp gulls, snowy sheathbills and Wilson's storm petrels. You will also see the remnants of the hut of Otto Nordenskjold and his team who wintered here in 1912.Port Foster, Deception Island- This unique volcanic feature is a caldera created by the collapse of a volcano. One section of the volcano wall sank far enough for the sea to enter the crater, creating a narrow entrance now known as Neptune's Bellows. Your resident geologist will explain the volcanic geology of the caldera and the on board historian will detail the island's whaling history. You can still see the remains of ancient boilers on the island once used to make whale oil in the early twentieth century.

Overnight: Silver Cloud

Day 17 - 18 Drake Passage

Experience the rite of passage known as Drake Passage between Antarctica and South America. Where the two oceans converge, nutrients are pushed to the sea's surface attracting a horde of seabirds and whales. Spend time on deck watching as albatross, sooty shearwaters and white-chinned petrels soar in the ship's wake.

Overnight: Silver Cloud

Day 19 Arrive Puerto Williams

After breakfast, disembark at Puerto WIlliams and transfer to the airport for the start of your journey home.