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Heroes and Heroines The Drake Passage
Earn your stripes by crossing the Drake Passage between Cape Horn and the South Shetlands.
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Sail the Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
In this introduction to Antarctica, explore the Peninsula that is one of the Earth’s last pristine wilderness regions and count yourself as one of those who has crossed the renowned Drake Passage – whether you experience the “Drake Lake” or the “Drake Shake” only time will tell.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
1
2Antarctic Experiences
Depending on the vessel and departure, go ice camping, kayaking, skiing or ice climbing.
3Expeditionary Vessels
Choose from a wide range of ice-strengthened vessels, all renowned for excellent guiding.
4Unique Wildlife
Endemic wildlife includes penguins, whales and seals, plus impressive bird species.
Why we like it
Combining the ultimate bragging rights of having crossed the Drake Passage with days spent exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, intrepid travellers sailing this route are able to explore the most accessible chunk of the continent. As much of the route traversed on this itinerary lies north of the Antarctic Circle, an extremely dense population of penguins thrive here. Owing to the milder climate and convenient up-welling of nutrients brought by the Antarctic Convergence, this place is a wildlife-lovers’ paradise.
Day 1
Ushuaia or Puerto Williams
Days 2 - 3
Drake Passage
Days 4 - 9
Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
Days 10 & 11
Crossing the Drake Passage
Day 12
Ushuaia or Puerto Williams
Day 1
Ushuaia or Puerto Williams
The windswept town of Ushuaia is an industrial port and the gateway to Antarctica and is commonly thought of as the southernmost city in the world.
Days 2 - 3
Drake Passage
Earn your stripes by crossing the Drake Passage, the renowned body of water between Cape Horn and the South Shetlands.
Days 4 - 9
Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
Depending on the vessel and specific departures, it is possible to go ice camping, kayaking, skiing or ice climbing.
Days 10 & 11
Crossing the Drake Passage
Day 12
Ushuaia or Puerto Williams
Life Onboard an Antarctic Vessel
Days at Sea
Time spent on the high seas is spent whale-spotting, trying to capture photographs of abundant pelagic birdlife that follow the ship, and simply revelling in the remarkable and seemingly endless scenery. In addition, a variety of informal lectures given by the expert expedition staff cover subjects such as polar exploration, photography, marine biology and environmental issues. After following the path of the great polar explorers through the notorious Drake Passage, you will be able to experience the real thrill of expedition cruising – when not eating or sleeping, venture out for long, adrenaline-packed days on land or in a zodiac.
From Iceberg Alley to Deception Island
Wild Landscapes
Sailing around the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, navigate the Antarctic Sound that is often referred to as ‘iceberg alley’ to see its huge tabular icebergs drift north. Depending on the weather conditions, it is possible to visit Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords or Deception Island with its hot springs. Deception Island is still considered an active volcano, and sailing through the narrow Neptune’s Bellows passage into its huge flooded caldera is a thrilling experience.
Time Off-Ship
Explore the White Continent
Off-ship, days are spent cruising ice-clogged channels by zodiac on the lookout for seals, whales and interesting icebergs. Landings are also a major part of the experience and, for many, setting foot on the white content is the ultimate travel experience in the world. It is also possible to camp out on the ice, kayak to icebergs, see abandoned whaling stations and modern-day research stations. At the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, receive a warm welcome from the station crew. On specific departures, certified divers can join an extraordinary polar diving expedition to witness the secret underwater world of Antarctica.
Seals, Penguins & Whales
Endemic Wildlife
From elephant, leopard and crabeater seals hauled out on beaches to thriving colonies of gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguins, the wildlife in this region is remarkable. When cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords, look out for humpback and minke whales, and while visiting old whaling stations seek out black-bellied storm petrels nesting in the ruins.
Let’s chat
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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