Weddell Sea & Antarctic Peninsula 2012-13 14 days

On the 'White Continent', we also see remarkable landscapes of ice. At Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay we find many icebergs dotting the waters, including some that are colossal in size, containing natural caves that are shrouded in eerie translucent light. On land there is a sweeping ice sheet, masking mountains, filling trenches and binding together an entire continent that is about the size of Africa. Travelling in the company of our experienced expedition crew, some of whom have travelled to Antarctica over 100 times, it still seems astonishing as we reflect on the exploits of the early explorers as they attempted to conquer this beautiful and yet formidable land.

Having worked our way northwards we will be well situated to begin our passage through the Antarctic Sound. This stretch of water separates the western side of the Peninsula from the Weddell Sea. Have your cameras ready as the waters will be riddled with huge pieces of ice emanating from the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf.

You will not see so much ice, or ice so vast on the western side. It is time to feel dwarfed. The Antarctic Sound itself offers some great places to get ashore and stretch the legs. Brown Bluff takes its name from the towering red-brown tuff cliffs which are embedded with volcanic bombs. Adelie and gentoo penguins nest here, along with snow and pintado petrels and kelp gulls. Hope Bay might offer the chance to visit the Argentine Research Station, Esperanza. Note: Weather, ice and other mitigating factors may result in changes to our itinerary and alteration to certain shore excursions.