Antarctic Peninsula: An Explorer’s Expedition
Expeditions / Antarctica • 11 Days / 9 Nights On Board
Day 1: Arrive in & Explore Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina — the southernmost city on Earth. Check in to your hotel and explore this charming port town surrounded by the snow-capped Martial Mountains and the Beagle Channel. Overnight in Ushuaia.
Day 2: Embarkation
Spend the morning at leisure in Ushuaia. In the late afternoon, transfer to the pier and board your luxury expedition vessel. Settle into your cabin, attend safety briefings, meet your Expedition Team, and sail out through the historic Beagle Channel.
Days 3-4: Drake Passage
Cross the legendary Drake Passage, following the path of early polar explorers. Attend informative presentations by onboard marine biologists and glaciologists, and watch for wandering albatrosses and breaching whales from the observation deck.
Day 5: South Shetland Islands
First landfall in the glaciated South Shetland Islands. Board Zodiacs for shore landings to encounter busy colonies of Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, and see elephant seals resting along volcanic pebble beaches.
Day 6-8: Glorious Antarctica
Three magnificent days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. Marvel at colossal tabular icebergs, navigate pristine waterways such as the Lemaire Channel and Neumayer Channel, take guided shore walks, witness calving glaciers, and encounter whales and Weddell seals. Brave the exhilarating Polar Plunge!
Days 9-10: Drake Passage
Head northward across the Drake Passage back toward South America. Enjoy recap lectures, exchange photos with fellow travelers, and celebrate your polar journey at the Captain's Farewell Gala Dinner.
Day 11: Disembarkation
Arrive back in Ushuaia in the early morning. After breakfast onboard, disembark and transfer to Ushuaia Airport for onward flights with lifelong memories of Antarctica.
What We Include:
• 01 Night pre-voyage hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast
• 09 Nights luxury expedition ship cabin accommodation
• All gourmet meals on board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea)
• Daily guided Zodiac excursions and continental shore landings
• Complimentary custom polar expedition parka to keep
• Loan of waterproof insulated muck boots for shore landings
• Comprehensive educational lecture series by polar naturalists & scientists
• All port taxes, embarkation fees, and IAATO passenger sustainability levy
• Group transfers between Ushuaia hotel, pier, and airport
Extra charges apply:
• International airfare to and from Ushuaia
• Mandatory international travel & medical evacuation insurance
• Optional adventure activities (kayaking, camping where available)
• Any items of personal nature like telephone, beverages, laundry etc.
• Gratuities to expedition staff and crew
Day 1: Arrive in & Explore Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina. Transfer to your pre-cruise hotel and enjoy the afternoon exploring the vibrant waterfront, museums, and local Patagonian restaurants. Overnight in Ushuaia.
Day 2: Embarkation
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the port and board your ice-strengthened expedition ship. Settle in, review mandatory safety drills, and sail through the scenic Beagle Channel.
Days 3-4: Drake Passage
Navigate the mythical Drake Passage. Engage with expedition naturalists through interactive polar wildlife seminars and spot seabirds such as giant petrels and albatrosses trailing the ship's wake.
Days 5-6: South Shetland Islands
Two full days exploring the South Shetland archipelago. Land at iconic sites such as Deception Island, an active flooded volcanic caldera, and Half Moon Island, home to chinstrap penguin rookeries and Weddell seals.
Day 7-9: Immersive Antarctica
Three days of in-depth exploration along the Antarctic Peninsula. Step ashore at Neko Harbour or Paradise Bay, cruise past soaring blue icebergs, visit the historic British research base and post office at Port Lockroy, and watch for humpback and orca whales.
Day 10-11: Drake Passage
Turn northward across the Drake Passage. Enjoy retrospective presentations by the polar team, share memories with fellow guests, and celebrate at the Captain's Farewell Dinner.
Day 12: Disembarkation
Early morning arrival in Ushuaia. Following breakfast onboard, disembark and transfer to Ushuaia Airport for your homeward flights.
What We Include:
• 01 Night pre-voyage hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast
• 10 Nights luxury expedition ship cabin accommodation
• All meals on board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Twice-daily Zodiac cruising and guided continental landings
• Complimentary polar expedition parka
• Loan of waterproof expedition boots for all landings
• Full polar educational lecture series by experts
• Port taxes, landing fees, and IAATO levies
• Group transfers between hotel, pier, and airport
Extra charges apply:
• International airfare to and from Ushuaia
• Mandatory travel & medical evacuation insurance
• Items of personal nature (laundry, bar, telecoms)
• Gratuities to expedition team and crew
Day 1: Arrive in & Explore Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina. Transfer to your pre-cruise hotel and enjoy the day exploring the southern tip of the America. Overnight in Ushuaia.
Day 2: Embarkation
Morning at leisure. In the late afternoon, transfer to the pier and board your expedition ship. Sail out into the Beagle Channel as the sun sets over the Andes mountains.
Day 3–4: Drake Passage
Cruise south across the Drake Passage. Attend lectures on Antarctic geology, oceanography, and wildlife identification while watching for whales and seabirds.
Days 5–9: Antarctic Peninsula and Antarctic Circle
Five extraordinary days pushing south into the deep polar wilderness. Cross the legendary Antarctic Circle (66°33′ S) — a rare milestone celebrated with a toast on deck! Explore rarely visited areas such as Crystal Sound and Detaille Island, surrounded by dense pack ice and Adélie penguin colonies.
Day 10: South Shetland Islands
Cruise northward to the wildlife-rich South Shetland Islands. Make landings at Hannah Point or Livingston Island to view nesting colonies of gentoo penguins, giant petrels, and elephant seals.
Days 11–12: Drake Passage
Sail northward back across the Drake Passage. Recap your milestone crossing with the expedition team and enjoy farewell celebrations with the Captain.
Day 13: Disembarkation
Disembark in Ushuaia after breakfast. Transfer to Ushuaia Airport with your official Antarctic Circle Crossing Certificate in hand.
What We Include:
• 01 Night pre-voyage hotel in Ushuaia with breakfast
• 11 Nights luxury expedition vessel cabin accommodation
• Official Antarctic Circle Crossing certificate and celebratory toast
• All meals on board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Daily Zodiac excursions and guided shore landings
• Polar parka to keep and loan of waterproof muck boots
• Comprehensive polar lecture program
• All port charges and IAATO sustainability fees
• Ushuaia transfers
Extra charges apply:
• International airfare
• Comprehensive travel & medical evacuation insurance
• Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telecommunications)
• Gratuities to ship crew and guides
Day 1: Arrive in & Explore Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia during the festive holiday season. Settle into your hotel and enjoy the festive holiday atmosphere of Tierra del Fuego. Overnight in Ushuaia.
Day 2: Embarkation
Spend a leisurely morning in town. Transfer to the pier in the afternoon and board your expedition ship for this special holiday voyage. Cruise through the Beagle Channel.
Days 3-4: Drake Passage
Sail south across the Drake Passage toward the White Continent. Enjoy festive onboard holiday programs, wildlife lectures, and open-deck seabird watching.
Day 5: Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea
Enter the famed Antarctic Sound, known as "Iceberg Alley," filled with massive tabular icebergs calved from the Larsen Ice Shelf. Explore the pristine Weddell Sea, observing thousands of breeding Adélie penguins and Weddell seals.
Days 6-7: Happy New Year, Antarctica!
Ring in the New Year under the magical 24-hour midnight sun of Antarctica! Enjoy an extraordinary New Year's Eve gala dinner, a midnight champagne toast on deck among colossal icebergs, and unforgettable Zodiac excursions.
Day 8: South Shetland Islands
Explore the South Shetland archipelago. Land at Deception Island or Yankee Harbour, marveling at nesting colonies and listening to the thunder of distant glaciers calving into the icy sea.
Day 9-10: Drake Passage
Journey north across the Drake Passage. Enjoy celebratory recap presentations, exchange holiday photos with fellow guests, and dine at the Captain's New Year Gala dinner.
Day 11: Disembarkation
Arrive back in Ushuaia in the morning. After a farewell breakfast, disembark and transfer to Ushuaia Airport for your journey home.
What We Include:
• 01 Night pre-voyage hotel in Ushuaia with breakfast
• 09 Nights luxury shipboard accommodation
• Gala New Year's Eve banquet and midnight champagne toast on deck
• All gourmet meals, afternoon teas, and snacks on board
• Daily guided Zodiac excursions and shore landings
• Complimentary polar expedition parka
• Loan of waterproof boots for wet landings
• Full educational lecture series by polar specialists
• Port taxes, landing fees, and Ushuaia transfers
Extra charges apply:
• International airfare
• Travel and evacuation insurance
• Personal items and bar beverages
• Gratuities to expedition team and crew
Day 1: Arrive in & Explore Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina. Meet our representative, check into your hotel, and enjoy a relaxed evening exploring the southernmost city on Earth. Overnight in Ushuaia.
Day 2: Embarkation
Enjoy the morning exploring Ushuaia or Tierra del Fuego National Park. In the late afternoon, transfer to the pier and board your ice-strengthened expedition ship. Meet the expedition team and set sail through the Beagle Channel.
Day 3-4: Drake Passage
Navigate the Drake Passage. Engage with polar geologists and marine mammal experts through an extensive lecture series preparing you for deep exploration south of the circle.
Day 5: South Shetland Islands
Make your first landings in the South Shetland Islands. Experience the thunderous sound of thousands of nesting gentoo and chinstrap penguins and watch for colossal elephant seals sunning themselves on shore.
Day 6-9: Antarctic Circle
Four grand days venturing into the rarely explored regions south of 66°33′ S. Sail through pack ice, narrow fjords, and Marguerite Bay. Experience pristine landscapes untouched by human presence and celebrate your circle crossing with a Captain’s ceremony.
Day 10-12: Antarctic Peninsula
Cruise northward along the majestic Antarctic Peninsula. Sail through the breathtaking Lemaire and Gerlache Straits, explore Wilhelmina Bay (a feeding haven for humpback whales), and step ashore for intimate encounters with wildlife and glaciers.
Day 13-14: Drake Passage
Journey north across the Drake Passage, sharing memories and photos of your comprehensive expedition. Attend final presentations, recap your voyage milestones, and enjoy the Captain's Farewell Gala Dinner.
Day 15: Disembarkation
Arrive back in Ushuaia after breakfast. Disembark your vessel and transfer to Ushuaia Airport for onward flights, concluding the ultimate Antarctic journey.
What We Include:
• 01 Night pre-voyage hotel in Ushuaia with breakfast
• 13 Nights luxury expedition vessel cabin accommodation
• In-depth Antarctic Circle crossing itinerary with official certificate
• All gourmet meals onboard prepared by master chefs
• Multiple daily Zodiac excursions and continental shore landings
• Custom heavy-duty polar expedition parka to keep
• Expedition muck boot loan for all landings
• Full educational lecture series by world-class polar team
• Port taxes, landing fees, and group transfers in Ushuaia
Extra charges apply:
• International airfare
• Comprehensive travel & medical evacuation insurance
• Optional activities (kayaking, camping)
• Any items of personal nature (telephone, laundry, bar beverages)
• Gratuities to expedition team and crew