The countdown to New Year (and your departure) begins in Ushuaia, a small town at the bottom of Argentina. You’ll meet your fellow revellers – ah, travellers – at your hotel later today, but if you arrive early there are plenty of ways to entertain yourself at Tierra del Fuego (the ‘End of the World). The world-famous national park can be visited on a day trip or, if you’ve only a few hours to kill, take a stroll around the surprisingly busy downtown. Avenida San Martin is the main shopping strip and will have you covered for any last-minute Antarctic essentials, while the Museo Maritimo is worth a visit to learn about Ushuaia’s fascinating history.

Enjoy a slow morning getting your gear together and letting the excitement build. You’ll transfer to the city’s port this afternoon and board the Ocean Endeavour, your home for the next 10 days or so. Once you’ve found your cabin and settled in, the journey proper begins as the ship travels through the famed Beagle Channel that’s named for Charles Darwin’s ship. Wave goodbye to the coast and take a look around – the next landmass you see will be Antarctica.

Spend two days travelling across the legendary Drake Passage, named after the famous English seafarer Sir Frances Drake and notorious for its somewhat rough waters. Should conditions allow, you can enjoy the outer deck space for your first sightings of dolphins, whales and orcas as well as seabirds including the iconic albatross. A comprehensive optional lecture program will also get under way, with Antarctic experts providing some fascinating insights into the region’s history, geology, biology and everything in-between. The ship is scheduled to reach the Antarctic Peninsula by early evening on Day 4 if conditions are favourable, and the first sighting of land always brings great excitement on any expedition south. Welcome to Antarctica!

Whoever said New Year’s is a disappointment obviously hasn’t celebrated it in Antarctica. Our first day of landings will be even more memorable as we see in the New Year at the bottom of the world, and though we can’t speak for the whales, seals and penguins, we can at least guarantee the ship will be in a celebratory mood tonight. Raise your glass with your fellow passengers and toast a New Year’s Eve party that you’ll never forget.

The Antarctic Peninsula is known for a high number of wildlife sightings in front of stunning backdrops of mountains, ice and water. Excursions from the ship are scheduled twice daily and tailored to suit each location. Zodiac rides allow for close encounters with marine life including whales and seals, while onshore exploration may have you checking out penguin rookeries or participating in optional activities designed for the active adventurer, such as snowshoeing, kayaking and overnight camping (these must be booked before departure). The landing sites visited will depend on the ship's location and weather conditions, but for information on potential landing sites please visit: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/antarctica-landing-sites Wildlife encounters are likely to include Weddell, elephant, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as Gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguins. The lecture program continues during your time at the Antarctic Peninsula, with experts sharing knowledge about the wildlife and answering any questions you may have. There’ll also be an opportunity to take a polar plunge, which, as the name suggests, is a jump into the frigid Antarctic waters. Now that’s the right way to kick off your year.

We say goodbye to Antarctica today and return north towards Ushuaia. Now is the time to reflect on the amazing journey – and New Year’s Eve – you’ve just experienced. We’re scheduled to reach the waters of the Beagle Channel by the evening of Day 10, ensuring a restful night’s sleep before disembarking. The last meal together is often a highlight, so live it up and enjoy your final evening as you celebrate the trip with your fellow travellers.

We disembark the ship after breakfast and your Antarctic adventure comes to an end. Transfers to the airport is included for flights departing today, otherwise you can enjoy spending some more time in this rugged area.