Begin your journey at the end of the world, in Ushuaia, Argentina. The southernmost city on the globe, Ushuaia is dramatically flanked by the snow-capped peaks of the Darwin Range. On your agenda:

• Head out on a guided hike deep into the beech forests of stunning Tierra Del Fuego National Park.

• After you’ve worked up an appetite, board a catamaran for a lunchtime cruise around Beagle Channel—stay alert so you can spot sea lions and giant imperial cormorants.

• Embark your home for the next 8 nights, a sleek and nimble expedition ship equipped with all the comforts—and an ice haul to break through the frosty expanses of ice you’ll encounter on your way to Antarctica!

To get to Antarctica, you must first pass through the infamous Drake Passage, an adventure in itself! Here’s what’s in store:

• Use your binoculars to locate giant seabirds, like the wandering albatross, wheeling through the sky.

• Study up on the wondrous creatures and varied land you’ll soon encounter by attending a fascinating talk hosted by the on-board naturalist.

• As you near Antarctica, you’ll sail pass gleaming, island-size icebergs and spy the jagged mountain peaks covered in glaciers that pour into the frigid sea—welcome to the frozen world of the White Continent!

Your journey begins in earnest once you reach your ultimate destination—the wild and wonderous White Continent:

• Hop into a zodiac to sail the short distance to shore, past spotted leopard seals snoozing on ice floes, whales breaching the ice-packed surface, and arched icebergs that jut dramatically out of the sea.

• Whip out your camera to capture one of the greatest wildlife sites on earth: the vast colonies of penguins that call this remote land home.

• End your day back on your warm ship with a gourmet meal—and a gorgeous sunset over the pale-blue frozen ocean!