An incredible voyage visiting prime wildlife sites along the Antarctic Peninsula and in the nearby South Shetland islands. The perfect introduction to the Antarctic!
Your journey begins and ends in the southern-most town in the world – Ushuaia, in Terra del Fuego – which nestles between the spectacular snow-capped mountains of the Andes and the Beagle Channel. You will travel across the Drake Passage (an experience in itself), accompanied by albatrosses and other seabirds, watching for whales and dolphins along the way.
Your first stop will normally be the Shetland Islands, where you visit enormous penguin rookeries, land on beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals, and observe wallowing elephant seals. The vessel will then move on to the Antarctic Peninsula where you will have plenty of time to experience the special magic of this awe-inspiring wilderness. Visit huge rookeries of Gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguins, and see blue-eyed shags, kelp gulls and Cape petrels. You are also likely to see Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, while orcas, humpback and minke whales are often encountered at close range.
Finally, you will head back north back across the Drake Passage before rounding Cape Horn and making your way back to Ushuaia.
A typical Classic Antarctica itinerary is shown below, however, we offer a range of itineraries, expedition vessels and cabin types to suit your requirements.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Embark in Ushuaia, Argentina
Embark in Ushuaia and set sail along the Beagle Channel
Days2-3: Cross the Drake Passage
Over the next two days you sail across the Drake Passage – the crossing offers excellent bird watching from the outer decks or the warmth of the bridge.
Days4-8: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
Your first port of call is the South Shetland Islands, a chain of volcanic islands that's home to huge numbers of penguins. You'll board a Zodiac inflatable to go ashore to see the stunning scenery and have your first experience with Antarctic wildlife – the beaches are ruled by Antarctic fur seals and wallowing elephant seals.
One highlight will be sailing into the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island, and perhaps even taking a dip in its geo-thermally heated water. Your on-board team of naturalists and experienced expedition personnel, in coordination with the captain and officers, will attempt an average of two landings each day, though factors such as weather, sea and ice conditions, and not least wildlife behaviour, will influence the programme. They will also keep you entertained with a series of talks and presentations on a range of topics relating to the Antarctic, from its wildlife, to the great explorers, and the future of the Antarctic.
The next item on your agenda is the Antarctic Peninsula - here you'll encounter penguins, seabirds, seals and whales. During the summer months, the peninsula is a playground for birds, a fantastic feeding ground for whales, and a safe haven for seals looking to mate and for penguins to rear their young.
Depending on the conditions en route, your voyage may include visits to:
The Neumayer Channel and the Lemaire Channel, beautiful ice-choked waterways overlooked by towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers
Port Lockroy, with its thriving colonies of penguins and a former British base that now serves as one of the world’s most isolated museums
Petermann Island, with Adelie and gentoo penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags.
Days9-10: Sail back across the Drake Passage
As the vessel travels north across the Drake Passage, there’s time to watch for seabirds, enjoy entertaining talks, discuss what you’ve seen and learned, exchange photos and stories.
Day11: Disembark in Ushuaia
Please note: Exact itinerary and duration will depend on your chosen vessel, departure date and local conditions.
Prices are based on a twin-share cabin and exclude any current offers. Please contact us for special offers.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 11-13 daysfrom £7,700 ppHondius: from £7,700 pp
Ortelius: from £7,880 pp
Plancius: from £8,720 pp
Seaventure: from £10,455 pp
Greg Mortimer: from £10,640 pp
Sylvia Earle: from £11,165 pp
Ocean Explorer: from £11,400 pp
Ultramarine: from £14,600 pp
The Antarctic Peninsula is the most accessible part of the great white continent with some of its best wildlife and scenery. Ice-choked waterways, sculpted icebergs, imposing glaciers and rugged mountains provide the backdrop to an area with more whales and dolphins than anywhere else on earth.
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The South Shetland Islands are situated north of the Antarctic Peninsula. Most of the land is permanently glaciated yet, despite the harsh conditions, the islands do support a large variety of seals, penguins – including Adelie and chinstrap - and seabirds – including Antarctic terns and giant petrels.
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Ideal for viewing: Adélie penguin, elephant seal, chinstrap penguin, gentoo penguin, southern right whale
Paradise Harbour is surrounded by heavily glaciated mountains and ice cliffs, which protect and shield this part of the bay and reflect in the ice-cold waters. Its mind-boggling array of icebergs are a highlight, enhancing the wildlife viewing experience which includes whales and abundant birdlife.
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The Lemaire Channel is an 11 kilometre strait off Antarctica leading to a jigsaw of jewel like islands. Filled with icebergs and hemmed in by steep glacial cliffs, the waters are calm and passing through it makes for an unforgettably scenic journey, upon which orca or humpback whales may be seen.
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The Greg Mortimer introduces an exciting new generation of ship for cruising in the Polar regions. Purpose-built for expedition cruising with a uniquely designed ice-strengthened hull to provide a more comfortable voyage, this small ship can venture into remote areas that larger vessels cannot reach.
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With decades of experience in polar expedition cruising, this vessel is purpose built for enjoying polar wildlife highlights. Every aspect of this innovative ship has been considered to make your polar voyage an incredible experience, from beautiful, comfortable rooms, to the excursions and everything between.
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The Ocean Explorer is modern, elegant, and purpose-built for polar exploration. It features spacious and luxurious cabins, ample outdoor viewing areas, and the latest sustainability technology. The ship offers a luxurious and comfortable sailing experience, allowing you to intimately connect with the polar wilderness.
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The ice-strengthened Ortelius is an excellent vessel for expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic. With the highest ice-class notation, it offers possibilities to travel to remote locations such as the Ross Sea and Franz Josef Land. Flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities.
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The Plancius accommodates a maximum of 108 passengers in cabins ranging from triple to superior, all with outside view and private facilities. She offers a range of itineraries in Antarctica and the Arctic, and the large open deck spaces offer excellent opportunities to watch wildlife.
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MS Seaventure is a spacious cruise ship, which not only meets the highest standards of safety for polar expeditions – 1-A Super Class Ice Vessel - but also offers fine cuisine and comfortable accommodation for its guests, with the option for numerous additional activities during Antarctic voyages.
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Described as ‘a floating ambassador for the conservation of the planet’, the brand new, purpose-built Sylvia Earle combines the latest in cutting-edge technology with maximum comfort for polar exploration, and was named after the world-renowned marine biologist and oceanographer.
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Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters plus 20 quick-release Zodiac boats, Ultramarine offers passengers the next level in polar exploration. The opportunity to view frozen landscapes from above and to take impromptu wildlife viewing excursions speedily and efficiently, set it apart from other polar vessels.
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