Have questions? We're here.
Kayaking through arctic waters.

Spirit of Antarctica

Example 12 Day Cruise aboard Polar Pioneer
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Antarctica trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Experience the true Spirit of Antarctica as you explore the 7th continent by land and sea on this 12-day polar cruise. As you sail across the Drake Passage, anticipation builds for the first glimpse of icebergs and snow-capped mountains! Aboard Zodiacs, explore penguin rookeries, historic sites, and scientific stations, and cruise near exquisite icebergs. Kayakers glide into secluded bays, while climbers ascend pristine peaks and snorkelers delight in marine discoveries. The possibilities are endless on this Antarctic voyage.
Hiking through through the snow.Zodiac tour through the icebergs.Sleeping in the snow!A Base camp on Antarctica.Kayaking through arctic waters.
Highlights
  • Watch wildlife activity under the midnight sun
  • Explore historic sites and scientific stations
  • Visit penguin highways busy with parents and chicks
  • Sail waterways alive with whales and seals
  • Enjoy camping, alpine climbing, and extended kayaking trips
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: Fly Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams | Embark

Fly from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams. Enjoy a guided tour of the rustic port and beautiful surroundings. Embark the Polar Pioneer in the late afternoon for introductory and safety briefings, then set sail along the Beagle Channel.

Day 2-3: Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Your Drake Passage crossing offers Cape petrels darting about the ship, black-browed and wandering albatross soaring, and Wilson’s storm petrels flitting above the sea. Learn about Antarctica at informative talks by the ship's expert naturalist, and learn about safety and environmental guidelines from your expedition team as you prepare for adventures ahead.

Day 4-9: Antarctic Peninsula

  • Ship
  • 6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners
An overnight passage along Gerlache Strait delivers you to the stunning Antarctic Peninsula, an ethereal wonderland of vast proportions. Aboard Zodiacs, explore penguin rookeries, historic sites, and scientific stations, and cruise near exquisite icebergs. Kayakers glide into secluded bays, while climbers ascend pristine peaks and snorkelers delight in marine discoveries.

Stepping ashore on the continent itself creates an everlasting memory. Make the most of every day and a fair bit of each night. Bubble-netting humpbacks demand a wake-up call, even at midnight! A curious leopard seal cruising amongst spectacular icebergs may mean postponing lunch, and after dinner you can load into Zodiacs for an orca cruise.

Your expedition team makes the most of every day and a fair bit of each night as well. If the weather allows, join a sleep-out on the ice – a must for any Antarctic explorer!

Day 10-11: Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
As the Captain steers the ship north across the Drake Passage, your mind and soul revels in rich Antarctic experiences. There’s time to watch for seabirds, enjoy entertaining talks, discuss what you’ve seen and learned, and exchange photos and stories. With luck, you may make a ceremonial rounding of Cape Horn before sharing a farewell dinner.

Day 12: Ushuaia | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Enjoy a gentle cruise along the Beagle Channel in the early morning. Disembark after breakfast for onward travel or to savor more time in Ushuaia.

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
$10,400
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
  • 11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
  • 11 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
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney

Antarctica Travel Guide

Favorite Antarctica All Trips

More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By