This voyage starts and ends in Ushuaia in southern Argentina. With five full days in Antarctica there will be time to venture further into wildlife-packed waters around the South Shetland Islands.
Highlights
- Explore aboard this formidable ship built for Antarctic waters with its superior icebreaking abilities
- Unlock your explorer’s spirit and feel like an explorer when you lay eyes on Antarctica for the first time
- Immerse yourself in this other worldly landscape and witness the wildlife it sustains
- Learn about the history of the region from resident experts on board
- Scan the horizon through the large picture windows as you look for whales breaching
- Zodiac amongst immense the channels and bays of Antarctica with its glaciers and icebergs
- Enjoy unforgettable wildlife encounters with numerous species of penguins, whales, seals and seabirds.
Day by day
- Arrive into Ushuaia in the far south of Argentine Patagonia. Check in to the luxury Arakur Resort & Spa. Relax or explore.
- Relax at the hotel or explore Ushuaia, visit the museums and leather markets or walk the trails near the hotel. Evening briefing.
- Morning exploring or relaxing. Mid-afternoon transfer to the ship for boarding. Expedition team and ship staff will welcome you on board and get you settled in. Safety and orientation briefing and Captain’s welcome dinner. Leave for Antarctica.
Day 4-5: Join the polar experts as they share their vast knowledge of Antarctica. Watch for wildlife and sea birds as you cross the Drake Passage. Cross the Antarctic convergence into Antarctic waters. Nights on board.
Day 6-7: Experience the magnificence of the South Shetland Islands and its unusual geology with mountains, glaciers and wildlife including chinstrap and gentoo penguins and, possibly, elephant seals, fur seals and whales. Zodiac explorations and landings. Nights on board.
Day 8-10: Welcome to Antarctica in all its glory. Explore picturesque bays and famed harbours navigating through majestic channels where icebergs and an array of beguiling wildlife such as penguins, weals and whales share the abundant waters. Nights on board.
Day 11-12: Time to leave these magical landscapes and journey north crossing the legendary Drake Passage. Special slide show and farewell dinner.
Day 13: Disembark the ship in the morning to continue exploring southern Argentina or with onward travel.
Is this trip for me?
- Join this 13 day (12 night) voyage that sails out to Antarctica via the Drake Passage from Ushuaia in southern Argentina (and back via the same route) with departures in January and February.
- The trip takes place on a ship built for Antarctic waters with the highest ice rating. There is a full wrap-around viewing deck and multiple event spaces with huge viewing windows throughout. With on board facilities such as a gym & sauna, the ship delivers a superior level of comfort and safety even in challenging seas with its state of the art stabilizing system. The service is personal with a focus on laid back luxury with exploration and adventure at its centre. The aim being to get you immersed into this unique and extraordinary landscape.
- Sustainability is at the forefront of the experience, the company has reduced their per passenger emissions by 20%. Onboard, the use of plastic has been reduced by 50% with a goal of zero unrecycled plastic by 2025.
- The crossing of the Drake Passage can be rough and you should be mentally prepared for this.
- There are a mix of cabins to choose from according to your requirements and budget, all cabins have exterior views with a sitting area with chairs (or sofa) and table, complimentary mini-bar, flat screen TV, telephone, safe, independent temperature controls, luxury toiletries and hair dryer.
- Included in the ship’s facilities are two elevators serving all passenger decks, a library with computers, fitness centre and sauna, citizen science laboratory
- The ship sails with a maximum of 138 passengers onboard so no dinner shifts, no waiting for zodiacs and accessibility and availability of onboard crew and staff at all times.
- The trip kicks off with two nights at the luxurious Arakur Resort & Spa in Ushuaia, a chance to unwind after the travel and enjoy relaxing or exploring the trails in the area. This also provides an important buffer in the event of any flight or travel delays.
- The ship has Zodiac boats that are perfect for landings and wildlife spotting
- Medical insurance with aero evacuation is mandatory.
- The trip is available for children aged 12 and older, children aged 7-11 may also be accepted on a case by case basis (with additional screening prior to booking and completion of a waiver). Children must be aged 12 to participate in camping and the polar plunge and aged 16+ to participate in kayaking (no exceptions).
- All participants will be asked to submit basic medical information prior to departure with the option to complete more detailed information as requested.
- Single participants can either pay a single supplement or they will share a hotel room/cabin with an operator-appointed person of the same gender.
- The operator will do everything possible to complete the voyage as outlined in the itinerary however these trips are heavily dependent on weather and ice conditions and occasionally itinerary changes might be necessary.
- Prices start at US$10,785 per person (based on triple share, special rate for 24/25 season). The similar Adventures in Antarctica trip is one day shorter with prices from US$8,995 per person (triple share) for the season 24/25. For the 25/26 season this trip is two days shorter with prices starting at US$8,115.
- Contact us for up to the minute availability, pricing, details and early booking deals.