Antarctica by Helicopter

Itinerary

DAY 1 | ARRIVE IN BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

Upon arriving in this cosmopolitan city, much celebrated for its architecture
and rich European heritage, you will independently transfer to your group
hotel (pre-expedition hotel night included in mandatory transfer 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 some
time on your own to explore this quaint port town before making your way to the
pier. After a late afternoon embarkation, you 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 | CROSSING THE DRAKE: A POLAR RITE OF PASSAGE

Crossing the legendary 800-km stretch of water is a must-do for many travelers. Prepare yourself for dramatic seascapes as you stand on the deck of Ultramarine and gaze at the water stretching beyond the distant horizon. Be on the lookout for dolphins, whales, and seabirds, especially albatrosses, petrels and skuas as they glide over the sometimes rough waters. As the ship approaches the Antarctic Peninsula, keep your eyes peeled for your first glimpse of towering, multishaped icebergs.

DAYS 4 | AT SEA WITH POLAR EXPERTS

Today we cross the Antarctic Convergence, moving into the biological
Antarctic, where the warmer waters of the sub-Antarctic meet the cold
Antarctic. Your days at sea are filled with presentations led by your Expedition
Team on photography, wildlife, glaciology, and history. In between
presentations, spend time on deck looking for wildlife or chatting with your
shipmates over a drink at the bar.

DAYS 5 – 9 | EXPLORE THE WEDDELL SEA BY WATER,, LAND & AIR

Helicopter operations in Antarctica are acutely weather-dependent. We have
designed this itinerary so we can spend time each day in stunning locations that allow us to enjoy helicopter opportunities if the weather allows and, alternately, to maximize your experience of Antarctic wildlife, ice and landscapes when flying conditions are not favorable. Each day on  the Antarctic Peninsula will showcase the flexibility and technical prowess of our industry-leading expedition team, pilots and crew. 

As Ultramarine gains access to the Antarctic Peninsula, our team will look for opportunities to experience Antarctica beyond the coast and over the expansive  glacial terrain of the last great wilderness.

Together, Antarctic Sound, Erebus and Terror Gulf, northwestern Weddell Sea are the theater of this venture. Initially we plan to sail into Antarctic Sound where we will visit two towering geological features: Madder Cliffs on Joinville Island, and Brown Bluff on the most northerly tip of the Antarctic Continent. Our goal is to visit large Adélie penguin colonies in this area by Zodiac. Gentoo penguins and seals also frequently roam this coast. There will be time to marvel at the impressive topography, namely the 678 meter (2,225- foot) volcanic rock cliffs at Brown Bluff— though, if weather allows, we may pivot from our marine operations and embark on our first flightseeing experience of the voyage. What you will have just seen from sea, you will now experience from the sky as you gaze over the vastness of Antarctica with the perspective of a snow petrel.

Continuing through Antarctic Sound and into Erebus and Terror Gulf, located on the tip of the southeast side of the Antarctic Peninsula, Ultramarine will be positioned to maximize both helicopter and Zodiac excursions. The James Ross Island group, which comprises several Islands, offers myriad opportunities to explore historically relevant sites that were discovered by the Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901-04. Upon landing, we plan to hike to a summit to view an Adélie penguin colony, as well as the northern Weddell Sea. If the tide is low, there may be grounded bergs in the shallow waters—a surreal sight you’re unlikely to encounter on many polar expeditions.

These islands, highly valued for their geological significance, are home to
fossil finds, ventifacts (ancient rocks polished smooth over time by wind
and grains of sand) and the remains of the KT Boundary, which marks the
transition between the Cretaceous Period (dinosaurs and reptiles) and the
Tertiary Period (mammals). Our goal is to provide opportunities for you to see
ventifacts up close, to better appreciate the significance of wind erosion—by
sand or ice particles—over long periods of time. These ventifacts provide
valuable information about the climatic history and prevailing wind patterns of
the region.

As already mentioned, atmospheric conditions influence when and where
we fly—on any day of our voyage—at any of the superb locations in the region.
When not flying, we’ll shift our focus from geology to wildlife. For instance,
we could Zodiac cruise to Devil Island and head out on a hike that will allow
participants to appreciate the twin towering cones of ash and hardened lava
that rises from a bay on the north shore of Vega Island. Alternatively, we may aim for renowned Paulet Island, home to one of the largest Adélie penguin rookeries in the area, as well as the historic hut built by members of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901-04. A cross marks the grave site of Ole Wennersgaard, a member of the crew.

Another potential destination for helicopter operations includes the dramatic headland on the northeastern tip of Joinville island. One of the first features
you’ll see as we approach the island by air is, of course, the distinct rocky headland sticking out of the rugged, icy landscape. This prominent landmark has proven useful for navigation and exploration over the years.

Expect a dramatic finale to the helicopterfocused segment of the expedition as we prepare to return back across the Drake Passage. While our team has devised multiple back-up plans—crucial on any polar expedition—our ultimate goal at this point is a heli flightseeing excursion to Livingston Island, home of the most spectacular mountains of the South Shetland Islands. Among the towering peaks you’ll see from air are the Tangra Mountains (stretching 32 kilometres long by 8.5 kilometres wide), Mount Friesland (rising to 1,700 metres/ 5,578feet) , Bowles Ridge and Pliska Ridge (667 metres/2,188 feet).

Another landing option is Deception Island. Along with waddling penguins
and lounging seals, you can also see the rusting remnants of long-ago whaling
operations on the beach. The landscape of Deception Island often presents
opportunities for longer walks to striking vistas. The stark contrast between
snow and dark volcanic sand, and the geothermic steam along the shoreline
gives this location an atmospheric feel.

DAY 10 | AT SEA DAY: REJUVENATE AND RELAX ON ULTRAMARINE

Take some time, as we journey back across the 800-kilometer Drake Passage,
to relax after your off-ship adventures. Ultramarine is home to Tundra Spa,
where you can book a soothing facial treatment or massage. Additionally,
you can also relax in the sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows that keep you
connected to the polar seas while you rejuvenate indoors.

DAY 11 | AT SEA DAY

Your polar learning isn’t over. Join our on-board experts as they continue
to share their vast polar expertise through scheduled presentations in our
Ambassador Theater. The state-of-theart, high-resolution LED screen wall in
the main theater ensures high-definition viewing of presentations from your
Expedition Team from any angle. This is an excellent opportunity to ask any
lingering questions you have about any aspect of your Antarctic experiences.

DAY 12 | DISEMBARK IN USHUAIA AND FLY TO BUENOS AIRES

You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast.
The mandatory transfer package includes a tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park for a taste of Patagonia, after which you’ll transfer to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires.