Wild Antarctica
Why Antarctica? Stunning landscapes. Wildlife: penguins, whales, seals, albatross.
Of course, there are lots of options & permutations... so contact us to discuss the best options for you.
Why an Antarctic Voyage?
Antarctic wildlife - profusion of wildlife. Nine species of penguins, including Chinstrap, Emperor & King penguins. Seals include Antarctic fur seals, Leopard seals, Weddell & Southern Elephant seals. Minke, Fin, Humpback, Southern Right & Sperm whales. Seabirds include albatrosses, a variety of petrel species.
Landscapes - Antarctica's other-worldly landscapes are indescribably beautiful. Desolate, rugged, remote - and spectacular.
Antarctic Islands - Falkland Islands, Deception & South Shetland Islands. Further afield: South Georgia, South Orkney & South Sandwich Islands.
Highlights: Abundant & tame Antarctic widllife. Icebergs, glaciers & high mountains.
Is this for me? For the explorer that wants the biggest diversity of wildlife, with dramatic landscapes.
Day | Location |
Antarctic Peninsula Expeditions range from 10 days to 20+ days when combined with Islands such as South Georgia & the Falkland Islands. Visit our partner companies, Oceanwide Expeditions or SilverSea Antarctic Expeditions for more details | ||||
1 | Ushuaia | |||||
2 | Ushuaia | |||||
3 | Drake Passage | |||||
4 | Drake Passage | |||||
5 | Antarctica | |||||
6 | Antarctica | |||||
7 | Antarctica | |||||
8 | Antarctica | |||||
9 | Antarctica | |||||
10 | Drake Passage | |||||
11 | Drake Passage | |||||
12 | Ushuaia | |||||
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Expedition Cruise Highlights | ||||||
Drake Passage: sailing the high seas, & watching Albatrosses effortlessly cruising the skies. |
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Day | Activities & Highlights | |||
1 | Transfer airport to your hotel in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. This is the world's southernmost city, in the shadow of the Andes. Relax & prepare for the coming days of adventure. |
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2 | Board the ship this afternoon & have an orientation. Sail through this scenic waterway during the evening. (B D) |
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3-4 | Spend two days sailing across the Drake Passage. Cross the Antarctic Convergence, arriving into the circum-Antarctic up-welling zone. Wildlife in this area includes: Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson's Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels & Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, you'll spot the first icebergs. (B L D) |
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5-9 | Sail directly to the "High Antarctic", passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant & Anvers Island. On Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, there is a large colony of Gentoo Penguins & breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. If it's possible to land on Danco Island, you'll see Chinstrap Penguins and possibly Weddell & Crabeater Seals. In Neko Harbour you have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers. Enjoy the landscape during zodiac cruises. Paradise Harbour has many icebergs & deep cut fjords. Cruise in zodiacs between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. Here you have good chances of seeing Humpback & Minke whales. After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, if granted permission, you'll visit the British research station & post office of Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy you may land on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins & Imperial Shags. Sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pleneau & Petermann Island where Adelie Penguins & Blue-eyed Shags are found. There is a good chance of encountering Humpback, Minke & Fin whales. A visit to one of the scientific stations in Antarctica will give you an insight into the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent. Further south you may visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, where you will receive a warm welcome from the station crew. Sailing north through Neumayer Channel you'll arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape with icebergs, where you may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals & whales. (B L D) |
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10-11 | In the Drake Passage you have another chance of seeing many seabirds and taking advantage of the knowledge of the on-board naturalist lecture team. (B L D) | |||
12 | Arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark. Transfer to the airport, for your onward flight home. (B) | |||
Want more Exclusivity or a longer cruise? from $9,760 to $18,000+
Want even more?
You've made it this far south - why not explore more of this enchanted region?Below are some ideas for combining visits of some of the region's islands with your Antarctic Peninsula Tour. Contact us for specific recommendations just for you.
Falkland Islands - combined, from 18+ days Want to visit more Islands with wildlife and a human element? Made up of 800 islands, this makes an easy & interesting addition to your Antarctic Peninsula Journey. Wildlife here includes elephant seals and a variety of bird species, such as black-browed albatrosses & 5 species of penguins. You'll also have a chance to visit the capital, Stanley. |
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South Georgia Island - combined, from 18+ days Want to explore further afield & head to the remotest islands? So remote it takes 2 days just to get to South Georgia; there are no airports here. So why come? For the spectacular vistas of its glaciated peaks, and for the wildlife that breeds on its beaches. Time & weather dependent, you'll also get to visit the South Orkneys & Shag Rocks on the way there or back. |
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South Shetland Islands - combined, from 9+ days |
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Kayaking, Polar Diving, Camping, Hiking Want more adventure on your Antarctic Expedition? Special departures cater for the more adventurous guests who want to get the most out of their Antarctic Voyage. The special Base Camp Plancius is set up on-shore to allow for these activities. |
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Choose your itinerary from our partner companies, Oceanwide Expeditions or SilverSea Antarctic Expeditions and receive up to $300 off advertised prices. We also make all your land arrangements, including hotel in Ushuaia, transfers, and any additional excursions.
Cruises start at US$ 8,950 and go upwards of US$ 28,000 for month long voyages that include helicopter landings. |
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Q: How much does it cost?
A: The short answer: It depends....
The long answer: The World's wildlife & wilderness destinations are often expensive because of strict government controls, high park fees & complex logistics. Amongst other things, it also depends on accommodation quality, location & exclusivity; what type of vehicles are used; whether you're flying around a lot; and how many days you spend in-country.
Whatever your budget, we will recommend the best possible adventure to suit you.
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Prices based on 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The cheapest options are for quad share rooms - enquire for more details.
Choose your own Antarctic Tour - contact us to recommend an adventure for you!
Or choose your itinerary from one of our partners, Oceanwide Expeditions, or SilverSea Antarctic Expeditions. We also make all your land arrangements, including hotel in Ushuaia, transfers, and any additional excursions.
No hidden costs - Guaranteed!
We include everything possible to make your adventure as easy as possible.
We clearly explain what's included & what's not:
Inclusions: All your accommodation, most meals, wildlife viewing, hiking, snorkelling & dingy-based activities from your Cruise boat/ yacht, all internal flights, all airport transfers.
All government taxes, fuel surcharges, Park & Conservancy entrance fees are included and correct as at date of quote. However they are subject to government & local authority imposed changes, often without notice (!) and therefore beyond our control. We will always endeavour to minimise their impact and inform you if a supplement is required.
Exclusions: International airfares to & from your chosen destination. Visa fees, personal & travel insurance, excursions not specified, drinks unless specified, laundry, telephone or internet costs, gratuities, and all other personal expenses. Some Airports now charge safety fees, which are payable directly at each airport upon departure.
Additional things to consider: Busy times of the year normally have a supplement added by the accommodation providers - Easter, Xmas & New Year holidays. These will be included in our costs - so no surprises when you get there!
Q: When is the best time to go to Antarctica?
A: It depends on what you want to see & experience.
The Antarctic season for tourism is only 5 months long, from November to March. The rest of the year, the climate is too harsh, temperatures too cold, daylight hours too short (or non-existent!), and wildlife has left for warmer climes.
If you're constrained to travelling at a particular time, don't worry: we'll recommend the best options for you for that time.
If you have specific interests - such as penguins courting, mating, or chick hatchings - then you do need to travel at the right time of year, AND to the right area.
Guide to the Antarctic Tour seasons & the best time to go to Antarctica
November Early summer & spring pack-ice is breaking up. Penguins & other birds are courting & mating. |
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December - January Height of summer - warmer temperatures & up to 20 hours of daylight. Penguin chicks are hatching - watch parents feeding their chicks. |
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February - March Late summer - days get shorter, temperatures start dropping slowly. As winter approaches, penguin chicks begin to fledge, & adults are molting ashore. Wildlife starts leaving and heading out to sea for the winter. This is the best time for whale-watching. |
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April - October Winter - extreme cold, winter storms & short days - not the time to visit! |
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Whatever time of year you choose to travel within the summer months, rest assured that when you choose to travel with us, we will advise you of the best Antarctic locations, Antarctic seasons and cruise dates for your particular interests.