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ITINERARY The itinerary is always subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. It is rare that an itinerary is followed exactly as planned. One of the mottos of expedition travel is Flexibility is the Key. Students On Ice takes advantage of all opportunities, while at the same time respecting the power of the Antarctic climate. Here is an outline of the exciting itinerary: December 25/07 – Departure from Home / Flight from Toronto to Miami to Ushuaia, Argentina Our journeys begin today with many of us flying from Toronto to Miami, while others will meet us at the Miami International Airport. This evening we board an overnight flight from Miami to begin our journey south to Ushuaia, Argentina. A great opportunity to catch-up with some last minute Antarctic reading. (*Flight details are still in the process of being finalized, and the exact flights are subject to change.) December 26-27/07 – Arrive to Ushuaia, Argentina - Early this afternoon 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. Upon arrival we will check into our hotel and have a chance to shower, change and rest. This evening we will have our first Expedition Briefing at the hotel and discuss our adventure ahead. Our day concludes with a wonderful dinner together. December 28/07 – Ushuaia, Argentina - This morning we will visit the Tierra del Fuego National Park. In the afternoon we'll have some free time in town for shopping and exploring before we 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 ship’s staff. 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 look for the Southern Cross in the night sky! December 29/07 – 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 30/07 – 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! December 31/07 – 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 Brown Bluff, Paulet Island, Cuverville, Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay. Thousands of Adelie and 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 1/08 – 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 2/08 – Antarctica - Happy Holidays!! 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 3/08 – 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 4/08 – 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 5/08 – 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 6/08 – 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 7/08 – Ushuaia, Argentina - This morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia and disembark our expedition vessel. We board our return flights and begin our homeward journeys. January 8/08 – Miami - Homeward Bound - Early this morning we arrive back to Miami, and then get our connecting flights home!
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