Echoes of the Deep – Wale & Wissenschaft in der Antarktis

Reiseverlauf

Reiseverlauf abhängig von Wetter- und Eislage. Beschriebene Naturerlebnisse/Tiersichtungen sind mögliche Ereignisse auf den Expeditionen und nicht garantiert.

• Day 1: Departing Ushuaia

  Arrive in Ushuaia—the world’s southernmost city and a lively port rich in maritime history. After lunch, join your expedition team and fellow travellers for a short historical walking tour of the town before boarding your expedition vessel.

  Once on board, enjoy a welcome briefing and dinner as we begin our journey down the Beagle Channel. This is your chance to get to know your expedition team, fellow guests, and the historians who will bring Britain’s Antarctic legacy to life throughout the voyage.

• Day 2: Crossing the Drake Passage

  Our journey begins with the crossing of the legendary Drake Passage—one of the great milestones in polar travel. These two days at sea offer time to relax, settle in, and get inspired. 

  Outside on deck, keep watch for cape petrels, giant petrels, and the graceful flight of albatrosses riding the winds.

  During the crossing, we’ll also conduct important safety briefings and biosecurity procedures as we prepare to enter Antarctica’s pristine environment. Keep an eye on the horizon—icebergs on the water mean we’re getting close.

• Day 3: Crossing the Drake Passage

  As the ship finds its rhythm in the open ocean, excitement builds. Our expedition team begins a series of engaging presentations to prepare you for what lies ahead — from Antarctic wildlife and geology to IAATO landing protocols and Zodiac safety briefings. These sessions not only inform but spark curiosity, laying the groundwork for a richer experience on shore.

• Day 5: First Science Day

  Your first day in Antarctic waters focuses on orientation and hands-on research. Guests may join the team on Zodiac excursions to observe whales and record behavior, while researchers begin deploying acoustic equipment. Drone flights could provide unique aerial views of whales and ice formations, and evening sessions offer a chance to review collected footage and data from the day.

• Day 5: Field Research & Whale Observation

  Continuing along the Gerlache Strait, today emphasizes wildlife observation and data collection. Guests may participate in fluke photo-ID sessions or assist researchers with non-invasive tagging and biopsy procedures when conditions allow. Shore landings may complement at-sea work, offering insight into how whale behavior links to the broader Antarctic ecosystem. Evening debriefs provide an opportunity to discuss the day’s findings with the science team.

• Day 6: Active Research & Data Review

  Today is focused on active field operations, including potential Zodiac-based whale monitoring, acoustic equipment work, and drone flights. Guests can engage with the research process firsthand, contributing to behavioral logging and other studies. Evening sessions allow for video and data review, sometimes showing recovered tag footage or drone imagery collected during the day. Flexibility is key, as all activities depend on weather and wildlife conditions.

• Day 7: Whale Science in Action

  Your final core science day in the Gerlache Strait provides another opportunity to participate in ongoing research. Guests may assist with photo-ID, observe tagging or acoustic work, and join excursions that explore nearby shorelines. The focus remains on contributing to meaningful scientific study, with the chance to see how collected data fits into the larger picture of Antarctic whale ecology. Evening discussions wrap up the week’s research insights.

• Day 8: Revisiting Productive Areas

  Today offers flexibility to return to areas where whales were previously observed or explore new sites along the Antarctic Peninsula. Guests may continue participating in Zodiac-based observations, fluke photo-ID, or acoustic monitoring. Optional activities such as kayaking among icebergs or short shore hikes may be offered. The expedition team monitors weather and ice conditions to ensure a safe and engaging experience.

• Day 9: Antarctic Circle Attempt (Conditions Permitting)

  Depending on conditions, today may include an attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle—a highlight for many guests. Whale research and ecosystem exploration continue, with opportunities for drone flights, behavioral logging, and photo-ID sessions. Shore excursions may complement at-sea observations. Evening discussions allow guests to review the day’s data and reflect on the unique Antarctic environment.

• Day 10: Adaptive Research & Exploration

  This day remains flexible to follow productive whale areas or explore new regions, based on research priorities and ice conditions. Guests may take part in field science operations or optional adventure activities such as guided hikes or kayaking. The day focuses on both scientific contribution and immersive Antarctic experiences, with evening sessions summarizing findings and sharing preliminary results.

• Day 11: Crossing the Drake Passage

  Relive your adventures as you cross the Drake Passage, keeping an eye out for seabirds and whales along the way. Take part in final lectures or workshops, and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your fellow travellers as you reflect on the unforgettable journey.

• Day 12: Crossing the Drake Passage

  As we chart our course back across the Drake Passage, there’s a shift in rhythm — a quiet mix of reflection and anticipation. With the landscapes of Antarctica still vivid in our minds, today offers time to absorb what we’ve seen, shared, and discovered. This evening we hope to reach the calm waters of the Beagle once more.

• Day 13: Arrival in Ushuaia

  Arrive back in Ushuaia in the early morning. After breakfast, disembark with cherished memories of an epic Antarctic expedition and new stories to tell.