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Zodiac tour through the icebergs.

Scotia Sea Springtime

Example 18 Day Cruise aboard Polar Pioneer
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As the days grow longer, the mountains shed their snowy mantle, king penguins shuffle eggs on their feet, elephant seals pup, and fur seals are rambunctious. Currents of krill sweep up from the Weddell Sea, providing food for one of the greatest wildlife concentrations on the planet. Join this 18-day voyage to immerse yourself in whaling history, visit Shackleton’s grave, and then reverse his route to Elephant Island. Finish off by exploring the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula, photographing penguins, seals, whales and historic sites and hopefully stepping onto the continent itself before crossing Drake Passage to Puerto Williams.
A woman posing on the snow in front of penguins.A Base camp on Antarctica.The Polar Pioneer sits off a beach that is covered in penguins.Mirrored reflection on our kayak excursionZodiac tour through the icebergs.
Highlights
  • World's largest king penguin rookeries
  • Basking elephant seals and fur seals
  • Albatross courtship
  • Visit Shackleton's grave
  • Land on Antarctica & daily excursions
  • Tour of Puerto Williams & flight to Punta Arenas
  • Included flight to Stanley, Falkland Isl.
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.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Punta Arenas, Chile / Fly to Stanley, Falklands / Embark

Fly from Santiago or Punta Arenas, Chile, and explore the historic Falkland Islands’ capital, Stanley before embarking Polar Pioneer in the late afternoon.

Day 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
At sea, albatrosses, giant petrels and tiny Wilson’s storm petrels escort the ship, bound for South Georgia. On-board naturalists and historians enliven the crossing with informative talks. Meanwhile, keep a watchful eye out for seabird-peppered shag rocks.

Day 4-8: South Georgia

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spring brings an explosion of life to South Georgia and there is ample time to explore the island’s spectacular northern coast. Visit wildlife havens that include the world’s largest king penguin rookeries, majestic albatross nests, and beaches cluttered with basking elephant seals, feisty fur seals, and penguins. Inspired by Shackleton’s epic, hope to retrace the expedition’s final steps from Fortuna Bay to Stromness.

Day 9-10: Crossing the Scotia Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Crossing the Scotia Sea, watch for seabirds, icebergs, and great whales, including blues, fin and sei. Take some time to reflect on South Georgia and prepare for Antarctica, the next leg of your adventure.

Day 11: Elephant Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Conditions permitting, approach Cape Wild - a bleak, rocky spit along Elephant Island's dramatic north coast. Join a Zodiac cruise and possibly even step ashore to pay tribute to Shackleton's 22 men who survived 4 months on the island.

Day 12-15: South Shetland Islands / Antarctic Peninsula

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Hope to land in the South Shetland Islands before sailing down Gerlache Strait, and awaken to the drama of Antarctica. Encounter pack ice and penguin rookeries which are alive with courtship, mating, and nest-building. Visit historic sites and land on the continent proper.

Day 16-17: Crossing the Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Return to the realm of the albatross. Enjoy some time to celebrate and reflect as you head north across the Drake Passage.

Day 18: Disembark in Puerto Williams / Fly to Punta Arenas, Chile

  • 1 Breakfast
Dawn greets you in the Beagle Channel. Dock in Puerto Williams before a tour of the town. Board your flight to Punta Arenas to continue your independent homeward journey.

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
$17,200
Polar Pioneer's Public Twin Cabin.
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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
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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