This expedition transports you to a land that has risen from its winter slumber. Curious penguins are nesting, and majestic whales are returning. Melting sea ice creates highways of water, inviting travelers with a sense of adventure to step off the beaten track and explore the world’s most remote, unspoiled and wildest continent. Sail through landscapes of blue and white hues peppered with icebergs. You might experience an overwhelming silence broken only by the splash of a breaching humpback whale, approach an ice floe as a resting leopard seal raises its head in curiosity, or become surrounded by a bounty of penguins on snow-capped islands. The highlights are endless, the adventure exhilarating, and the memories eternal.
Highlights
Explore bays, channels, and landing sites
Watch glaciers calve giant icebergs into the sea below
Wander ashore each day and explore the polar landscape
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
With a population of more than 63,000 people, Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. The city has grown over the past few years, yet has retained an easy going and accessible feel. With the sea to the south and mountains to the north, Ushuaia is a spectacular departure point for your Antarctic cruise. If you arrive early, you can spend time in the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park, enjoy Argentinean wines and barbecues in the city, or visit the many boutiques and cafés before you leave for your expedition to Antarctica.
Embarkation occurs in the late afternoon, after which your vessel sails down the historic Beagle Channel. This famous channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart—the next time you see land you are in the world’s most southern continent!
Spend your first days at sea getting to know your shipmates, listening to safety briefings and insights into what excitement lies ahead, and watching for wildlife. Prepare yourself for potentially rough waters, but hope for a smooth sailing as the Drake is unpredictable and always changing.
Day 5-8: South Shetland Islands | Antarctic Peninsula
When the Antarctic Convergence is left in your wake, you truly begin your Antarctic adventure. It is perhaps the first sight of land itself that is embraced as the true beginning of any Antarctic expedition. You can begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike.
Take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore remote bays, channels and landing sites each day. Wildlife is present all around you as you visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of the southern seal species.
The majesty of the Peninsula’s mountains amaze you as you trek up snowy pathways to vantage points that offer 360° views of your surroundings. One of these incredible sightseeing opportunities, in Orne Harbor, invites you to visit a chinstrap penguin colony high up on a ridge. Here you have a choice between going for a mountain hike or spending time sitting quietly on a pebbled beach to enjoy the antics of the curious penguins. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, participating in the Polar Plunge swim is about as crazy as it gets!
Amidst the serene silence of Antarctica, noisy interludes become indelible memories, such as penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, or the boom and crack of a calving glacier in Neko Harbour.
Every day is different, having been carefully crafted by your Expedition Team so as to entertain and educate you about this wonderful part of the world.
The journey back across the Drake Passage provides you with some final opportunities to enjoy the crisp Antarctic air. Spend time on the deck watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy a few final presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.
Day 11: Disembarkation in Ushuaia
1 Breakfast
Arrive in Ushuaia after breakfast. After you disembark, take some time to explore Ushuaia before taking the group charter flight back to Buenos Aires (price of flight is part of the additional Buenos Aires flight and transfer package).
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Triple
Lower Deck, 200 sq feet. Two twin beds and an upper bed, two portholes, and private bath with shower.
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Twin Obstructed View
Captains & Upper Decks, 200 sq feet, one double bed or two twin beds, picture window with a partially obstructed view, and private bathroom with shower.
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Twin Window
Upper, Main & Captain´s Decks, 183-200 sq feet. One double bed or two twin beds, picture window, and private bathroom with shower.
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Single with Porthole
Lower Deck, 200 sq feet, one double bed, two portholes, and private bathroom with shower.
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Single Obstructed View
Captain's Deck, 200 sq feet, one double bed, picture window with obstructed view, and private bathroom with shower.
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Suite
Main Deck, 400 sq feet, one double bed or two twin beds, two picture windows and separate sitting area with sofas, two easy chairs, small table and two private bathrooms with shower.
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Balcony Suite
Observation Deck, 325 sq feet, one double bed or two twin beds, window and sliding glass door, private 96 sq ft deck, and private bathroom with shower.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin 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.
- Standard Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the double occupancy rate. The supplement for a Premium Cabin is 2 times the shared rate.
Insurance: Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a maximum benefit of US$500,000 per person is included. Travelers should have a minimum US$50,000 (or equivalent) of emergency medical coverage prior to embarkation. It is recommended that you and all members of your party have comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage, and repatriation. Contact us for details.
Initial deposit is 25% of cruise fare (minimum $1000) plus the cost of kayaking (if applicable), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Bank Transfer, Check, or Credit Card
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.