The early-season departures on the ice-breaker, the huge ship  Kapitan Khlebnikov,  offer a tantalizing opportunity to get up and close to the colony of 4000 pairs of emperor penguins whose rookery is deep within the Weddell Sea, beyond the reach of the other less-resilient ships.  Although sightings cannot be guaranteed, one of the main aims of the voyage is to gain access to the colony, by helicopter. There will be special lectures by the resident ornithologist about the life and times of this illustrious penguin, and advice from respected photographer John Weller on how to get the best images. 

Travelling by sea, to get here - and to all Antarctic destinations - you must cross through the Drake Passage where conditions range from lake-like placid to stormy, and where a multitude of birds are likely to accompany the vessel.

There will also be visits scheduled to the Antarctic Peninsula, the route determined by local conditions, but it is hoped to sail through iceberg Alley where passengers can photograph graceful ice sculptures and monumental tabular icebergs. If possible, there will be visits to Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo colonies under construction: at this time of the year:  these smaller penguins are selecting nesting sites and partners.

Return by ship to Ushuaia.