With a population of more than 63,000, Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. Although the city has grown during the past few years, it retains an easygoing and accessible feel. Surrounded by the sea to the south and the mountains to the north, Ushuaia is a spectacular departure point for your Antarctic cruise. Overnight at a hotel in Ushuaia.

After embarkation in the late afternoon, you will cruise down the historic Beagle Channel towards open sea. Stay on deck to keep watch for seabirds, penguins and rainbows.

Prepare for rough water, but do not be disappointed if your crossing is smooth sailing. The Drake is always changing and provides excellent opportunities for spotting seabirds, including many species of albatross and petrels.

Explore the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula. Many factors play a role in shaping the expedition's itinerary, including sea, ice and weather conditions, but the plan is to take Zodiac excursions from the ship at least twice a day. You will have the opportunity to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. Visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the cunning leopard seal.

Perhaps you'll feel salt spray on your face as the Zodiac weaves in and around grounded icebergs in Pleneau Bay. You could scramble to the top of a craggy ridge on Danco Island or visit the remote British post office at Port Lockroy. Listen to the boom of a calving glacier in Neko Harbour or sit quietly on a pebble beach as penguin chicks squabble around you. If you’re feeling brave, take to the icy waters for a memorable Polar Plunge!

Each day will be different, with your Expedition Team on hand throughout to entertain and educate you about this fascinating part of the world.

The Weddell Sea is as stunning as it is remote, and is best known as the location where Shackleton's 'Endurance' came to its end, crushed by sea ice. Take a zodiac cruise amongst huge tabular icebergs and perhaps land on Paulet Island. The island is a 350 meter high volcanic cone that juts dramatically out of the sea. Over 100,000 pairs of Adélie penguins breed here, along with blue-eyed shags, snowy sheathbills and kelp gulls. Fur seals and Weddell seals haul out onshore, while leopard seals often hunt offshore

The coastline of Elephant Island is mostly made up of vertical rocks and ice cliffs highly exposed to the elements. If weather permits, you may have the opportunity to take the zodiacs to Point Wild, where marooned members of Shackleton’s expedition miraculously managed to survive.

En route for South Georgia you will head across the Scotia Sea, following the route that Shackleton and five of his men took in order to find help for the rest of their crew.

As the soaring peaks of South Georgia come into view, keep watch for an abundance of seabirds and marine life. Landing sites on South Georgia are varied, and are largely determined by the weather conditions on each individual voyage. Whichever landing sites you visit, they should provide you with wildlife encounters that cannot be enjoyed anywhere else on earth. This is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches littered with penguins - in particular macaroni and king penguins in their thousands.

Areas of interest here include King Hakkon Bay, the site where Shackleton and his men landed before traversing the island’s harsh interior. You will also visit the island of Grytviken, which was one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters, but is of particular significance as it is also home to the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Return to sea for the voyage back to Ushuaia - there may be a chance to see a variety of seabirds on this final stretch of your journey.

Arrive back in Ushuaia this morning and disembark, ready for your onward adventure.