Embark on a remarkable journey to Snow Hill and see emperor penguins in their natural habitat. Explore the remote Weddell Sea and encounter incredible wildlife in Antarctica’s icy wilderness.
This exclusive expedition aboard the Ortelius takes us into the heart of the Antarctic wilderness, where towering icebergs, expansive ice shelves, and remarkable wildlife await.
If conditions allow, the highlight of this exceptional voyage is the rare opportunity to visit a remote emperor penguin colony south of Snow Hill Island. Accessible only by helicopter, we embark on an unforgettable helicopter journey before continuing on foot across the sea ice to observe these magnificent birds up close in their natural habitat. Witnessing emperor penguins – the largest and most iconic of all penguin species – as they nurture their young amidst the stark beauty of Antarctica is a privilege few will ever experience.
While the ultimate goal of our voyage is to reach Snow Hill, the Weddell Sea teems with an abundance of thriving wildlife. We hope to encounter Adélie penguin, known for their curious nature, gentoos, the fastest swimmers among the penguin species, and chinstrap penguin, easily identified by their distinctive black ‘chinstrap’.
Playful crabeater seals, majestic humpback whales, and Antarctica’s apex predator - the leopard seal - all call these waters home, while the skies are alive with countless seabirds, including Wilson’s storm petrel and the awe-inspiring black-browed albatross.
We travel in comfort aboard the Ortelius, an ice-strengthened vessel designed for polar exploration. Having chartered her for previous voyages, we know this ship well, and she consistently proves to be the perfect base for navigating the polar regions. For our expedition, she'll be equipped with helicopters, enabling us to reach Snow Hill Island, which is otherwise inaccessible.
Accompanied throughout by a leading team of naturalists, photographers and expert guides, you'll benefit from engaging lectures and workshops, providing a fascinating insight into the region's ecology, wildlife, and history.
This exclusive charter offers more than your traditional polar expedition - it’s an incredible journey to one of the most pristine ecosystems on Earth, where you’ll have the rare privilege of observing emperor penguins up close and encountering a wealth of fascinating wildlife.
On this trip, you will be joined by several experts and members of our wildlife team.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart the UK, arriving the next day
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Day 2:
Arrive in Buenos Aires and overnight
We arrive in Buenos Aires and transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore.
Accommodation: Intercontinental Buenos Aires, 1-night
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Day 3:
Fly to Ushuaia and overnight
Today, we fly to Ushuaia ready for embarkation tomorrow.
Accommodation: Hotel Albatros, 1-night
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Day 4:
Embark in Ushuaia and set sail
Our adventure begins this afternoon. We board Ortelius and set sail through the spectacular Beagle Channel.
Accommodation: Ortelius, 10-nights
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Days 5-6
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Sailing south towards Antarctica
Over the next two days, we sail south across the Drake Passage. This stretch of ocean is alive with seabirds, and we may even glimpse whales breaking the surface. A variety of lectures and workshops are available, offering a fascinating insight into Antarctica’s unique ecosystems and wildlife.
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Days 7-9
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Weddell Sea
Day seven should see us arriving on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, home to huge tabular icebergs. During this part of our expedition, the quest is on for emperor penguins. Using both our ice-strengthened vessel and onboard helicopters, there’s a good chance we’ll find them.
The next four days are dedicated to the ultimate goal of our voyage - reaching the emperor penguin colony on Snow Hill Island. This is one of the most remote and elusive wildlife encounters on Earth, and while there are no guarantees, we use every opportunity to make it possible.
Our vessel will navigate through the ice to a position where we can launch the helicopters. We’ll then take small groups and fly towards the colony, landing at a carefully chosen site to ensure minimal disturbance to the penguins. From there, we'll set off on foot to reach the rookery. If we're fortunate, we may find ourselves surrounded by thousands of magnificent emperor penguins.
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Day 10:
Explore the Weddell Sea (or an additional day for emperor penguins)
If conditions are favourable on days seven to nine, and we've successfully visited the emperor penguin colony, today we explore some of the region’s other spectacular landing sites, such as Devil Island, Brown Bluff or Gourdin Island.
Each offers stunning landscapes and opportunities to encounter Antarctic wildlife. However, if weather or ice has prevented us from reaching the emperor penguin colony on previous days, we make another attempt today.
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Day 11:
Deception Island
This morning we sail to Deception Island, a sub-ducted crater with a natural harbour. We plan to land at Pendulum Cove or Whalers Bay, where you can find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, and diverse birdlife, including cape petrels, skuas, Antarctic terns, and storm petrels. Penguins and seals sometimes visit the caldera to bathe in the geothermally warmed water.
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Days 12-13
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Sailing northbound to Ushuaia
As we journey back across the fabled Drake Passage, the ship will once again be accompanied by a dazzling array of seabirds, effortlessly riding the current in our wake. Our expedition team will continue to provide a fascinating programme of lectures and workshops, covering topics such as polar exploration, marine biology, and photography.
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Day 14:
Disembark in Ushuaia and fly to Buenos Aires
We enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking and transferring to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires.
Accommodation: Intercontinental Buenos Aires, 1-night
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Day 15:
Travel back to the UK
Today we transfer to the airport for our journey home.
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Day 16:
Arrive back in the UK
Please note: The above itinerary is for guidance only - programmes may vary depending on sea, ice and weather conditions, as well as wildlife opportunities.
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
To enhance your Antarctic adventure, why not extend your journey and discover more of South America’s natural and cultural wonders? Soak up the vibrant energy of
Buenos Aires, feel the spray of the mighty
Iguazú Falls, or explore the windswept wilderness of Patagonia. You could search for elusive pumas in
Torres del Paine or embark on a self-drive adventure through jaw-dropping Andean landscapes.
Ask us for ideas or more information on how to make the most of your time in the region.
EXPEDITION VESSEL
