Have questions? We're here.
Glacier trekking

In Shackleton's Footsteps

Example 18 Day Cruise aboard Polar Pioneer
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Antarctica trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
On the 100-year anniversary of Shackleton's famous voyage, follow in the explorer's footsteps on this 18-day cruise. Late summer offers the best chance to chart a course through the Weddell Sea’s shifting pack ice and vast tabular bergs, where Shackleton’s ship Endurance was trapped and crushed. Explore fossil-rich islands, historic huts, and set foot on the continent before retracing Shackleton’s heroic journey to save his men – first to Elephant Island, then on through waters where blue, sei, and fin whales roam. South Georgia offers nesting albatross, mating elephant seals, the world’s largest king penguin rookeries, and a visit to Shackleton’s grave.
King PenguinsA Base camp on Antarctica.Observe beautiful fur sealsZodiac excursion during an Antarctica nature tourGlacier trekking
Highlights
  • Commemorate the 100-year anniversary of Shackleton's South Georgia crossing
  • Sail into ice-filled Weddell Sea to see vast tabular icebergs
  • Visit "The Boss's" grave and Grytviken's whaling museum
  • Cross the Scotia Sea joined by whales, dolphins, and seabirds
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Ushuaia | Embark | Beagle Channel

Step aboard the Polar Pioneer in the late afternoon to a warm welcome, introductory briefing, and an evening departure along the Beagle Channel with your shipmates.

Day 2-3: Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
As the ship crosses the Drake Passage, keep watch for giant petrels, wandering and black-browed albatross, and your first icebergs. Fur seals and penguins pepper the sea surface as the ship approaches its first landing in the South Shetland Islands.

Day 4-6: Into the Weddell Sea

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
An autumn dawn greets you in the spectacular Antarctic Sound where the ship may stop at towering Brown Bluff before pushing on into the Weddell Sea. There’s a strong fossil focus this time of year, as the pack ice movement may allow a continental landing and visits to the world-renowned fossil beds of Seymour, Vega, and James Ross Islands, as well as Nordenskjold’s Hut on Snow Hill Island.

Day 7: Elephant Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Elephant Island's Cape Wild is so exposed that landings are rare, but your capable crew may make an attempt, if only to pay tribute to the man whose leadership kept Shackleton’s men alive for four months while awaiting rescue. If conditions allow hope to take your Zodiacs as close as possible, perhaps even stepping ashore.

Day 8-9: Scotia Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Retracing James Caird’s epic voyage to South Georgia, traverse some of the most productive waters in the world, keeping watch for fin, sei and possibly even blue whales. Have time to reflect on your journey so far, and learn more about Shackleton’s life-saving crossing to South Georgia.

Day 10: South Georgia

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enter King Haakon Bay and attempt a ceremonial landing at Cave Cove, Shackleton’s first landfall, before continuing up past Peggotty Bluff, where Shackleton, Worsley, and Crean set off to cross the island. It is from here where your crossing party alights to tackle the 50km trek.

Day 11-15: South Georgia

  • Ship
  • 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
While negotiating Shackleton’s historic route, immerse yourself in one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles. See king penguin rookeries a half-million strong, chinstrap, gentoo and macaroni penguin colonies, wandering albatross on nests, and beaches thick with elephant and fur seals. Walk the final leg of Shackleton’s epic journey, from Fortuna Bay to Stromness, before visiting “The Boss’s” grave and whaling museum in Grytviken.

Day 16-17: Scotia Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Crossing the Scotia Sea, watch for whales and enjoy entertaining talks by the expedition team as the ship cruises back towards the Falklands Islands/Malvinas. At sea, your final days are a flurry of shared photos, memories and a farewell drink with the Captain.

Day 18: Falkland Islands | Disembark | Fly to Santiago or Punta Arenas

  • 1 Breakfast
Dawn greets you in the Falkland Islands/Maldivas capital: Stanley. Here, bid farewell to the Polar Pioneer. Either spend more time exploring the Falkland Islands or continue on to Santiago or Punta Arenas.

Ship/Hotel

Polar Pioneer

Enjoy a drink at the bar.
Polar Pioneer's dining room.
Polar Pioneer's bar and lounge.

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$17,900
Polar Pioneer's Public Twin Cabin.
Select a Date
Twin Shared
Twin Shared Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.

Notes

Please note that all of Polar Pioneer itineraries are at the mercy of weather conditions and not all landings are guaranteed. These itineraries are flexible and will change voyage to voyage, allowing the best chance to make the most of surprising wildlife displays and unexpected opportunities.

- Rates represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.

- Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate
Included
  • 17 Breakfasts, 16 Lunches, 17 Dinners
  • 17 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information
  • Beer, House Wine, and Soft Drinks with Dinner 
  • Educational Lectures and Guiding Services from Expedition Team 
  • Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
  • Port Surcharges, Permits, and Landing Fees
  • Captain's Welcome and Farewell drinks including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
  • A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
  • Complimentary use of Muck boots during the voyage
  • All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
  • All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
  • On-board accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Airport Departure Tax - Airport arrival or departure taxes
  • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
  • Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
  • Optional activity surcharges
  • Reciprocity and Vaccination Charges
  • Passengers traveling with Aurora Expeditions are required to be covered by a reputable travel insurance policy that includes baggage loss, cancellation & curtailment of the holiday, medical, accident, and repatriation/emergency evacuation coverage worth at least $250,000 USD.

Map

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider

Antarctica Travel Guide

Favorite Antarctica All Trips

More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By