December 26th, 2005 - January 10th, 2006!

Our Antarctic itinerary is always subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. It is rare that we ever follow an itinerary exactly as planned. One of the mottos of expedition travel is Flexibility is the Key. We will take advantage of all our opportunities, while at the same time respecting the power of the Antarctic climate. With that in mind, here is our exciting itinerary:

December 26
Departure from Home

Depending where you are travelling from, this may be the day to begin your journey to meet the Students on Ice group in Toronto or Miami. All students will be met and escorted from these gateway cities by Students on Ice chaperones.

December 27
Flight from Toronto to Miami to Santiago, Chile…onwards to Ushuaia, Argentina

We depart from Toronto to Miami airport, where we rendezvous with other members of our expedition team. The majority of our group will rendezvous in Miami today (at the International Airport) in order to catch our overnight LAN Airlines flight to Santiago, the capital city of Chile. A great opportunity to catch-up with some last minute Antarctic reading. Upon arrival to Santiago, we will then transfer to our LAN Airlines flight to Ushuaia, Argentina.

December 28
Arrive to Ushuaia, Argentina

This morning we arrive to the southernmost town in the world, Ushuaia! Located on the shores of the Beagle Channel, this beautiful region is home to mountains, forests and glaciers. After checking into our hotel, you will have time to shower and relax before our official expedition welcome followed by a group dinner. We will explore the region over the next 24 hours. We also will visit the sailboat SEDNA IV, which is in port for a few days! Students on Ice is a partner in the SEDNA IV which is also heading to Antarctica to make a documentary for CBC's Nature of Things. Visit www.sedna.tv for more information.

December 29
Ushuaia, Argentina

Ushuaia, Argentina - This morning we visit the Tierra Mayor Valley and Natural Reserve for a trekking tour. In the afternoon we'll board our expedition vessel at the dock in Ushuaia. After checking into our cabins, there will be an Introductory Briefing with our Expedition Leaders and the entire Expedition Staff and Team. Then we'll cast off the lines and set sail down the Beagle Channel towards the Drake Passage! Our journey to Antarctica begins!! This evening, we'll also have a mandatory Emergency Drill. Be sure to get up on deck to look for the Southern Cross in the night sky!

December 30
Drake Passage

Drake Passage - We spend the day at sea sailing across the infamous Drake Passage towards Antarctica. Our shipboard lecture and seminar series kicks off and there will be an important briefing on Antarctic Visitor Guidelines. Be sure to get out on deck in search of whales and seabirds, including the mighty Wandering Albatross!

December 31
Drake Passage/South Shetland Islands

Drake Passage/South Shetland Islands - We cross the Antarctic convergence during our second day at sea. Our lecture and seminar series continues and we'll be instructed on Zodiac safety and landing procedures. Depending on weather conditions and the speed of our Drake Passage crossing, we may attempt our first landing in the South Shetland Islands. Tonight we'll celebrate New Year's in Antarctica!!

January 01
Antarctica

Antarctica- Our first full day in Antarctica! Almost 24-hour daylight will allow us take full advantage of our days here. Possible landing sites include Cuverville, Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay. Thousands of Gentoo penguins and their chicks await us at these sites, and we'll be in excellent whale watching territory. At Neko Harbour, we'll be able to hike up onto a small icecap for an incredible view of Andvord Bay. Be on the lookout for calving glaciers as we sail through some spectacular channels!

January 02
Antarctica

Antarctica- A full day for exploring and making landings along the Antarctic Peninsula. If weather conditions permit, we'll attempt Zodiac landings and cruises in the Lemaire Channel, and the Yalour, Petermann and Pleneau Islands. This is Adelie penguin country! Not to mention the home of some of the most spectacular scenery on earth.

January 03
Antarctica

Antarctica- A full day of Zodiac landings, cruises and educational activities. We hope to make visits to Port Lockroy, Gerlache Strait and the Melchior Islands. At Port Lockroy, an old British Antarctic Base, we have the chance to actually send letters and postcards home from Antarctica!

January 04
Antarctica

Antarctica- Today is a full day of landings and activities! By now the beauty and wonder of Antarctica will have cast its spell over us. We hope to try and explore some new areas today at the southernmost point of our expedition, close to the Antarctic Circle.

January 05
Antarctica

Antarctica- Our final full day in Antarctica will be spent inside Deception Island and at Hannah Point. Chinstrap penguins will be our hosts today. This evening we bid farewell to Antarctica and begin our journey back to South America.

January 06
Drake Passage

Drake Passage- We spend the day at sea reflecting on the experiences and adventures behind us. Our lecture series continues and we'll begin the Student Forum activities.

January 07
Drake Passage

Drake Passage- Our education program and lecture series wraps up. Weather conditions permitting, we'll sail around famous Cape Horn! This evening we arrive back to the Beagle Channel. Tonight we celebrate our expedition with a Farewell dinner & special presentations.

January 08
Ushuaia, Argentina

Ushuaia, Argentina- This morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia and disembark our expedition vessel. We have the full day to explore Tierra del Fuego by taking a Land Rover off-road tour!! Tonight we celebrate our expedition with a final dinner at one of the best restaurants in Ushuaia, complete with a live band!

January 09
Ushuaia, Argentina

Ushuaia, Argentina- This morning we have some free time in town, before boarding our return LAN Airlines flights and beginning our homeward journeys via Santiago. From Santiago, we will board a LAN Airlines
connecting flight back to Miami.

January 10
Miami - Homeward Bound

Early this morning we arrive back to Miami, and then get our connecting flights home!