Arrive in Ushuaia and meet your vessel the MV Ushuaia for your 11-day polar adventure. Begin your crossing of the Drake Passage, named after Sir Frances Drake who sailed these waters in 1578. Be sure to keep your eyes open for wildlife such as sea birds, whales, and seals. Icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate your arrival at the South Shetland Islands. From here continue on to the Antarctic peninsula where you finally step foot on the white continent. Explore the surrounding landscape daily with your onboard Naturalist guides.
Highlights
Sail the Drake Passage, the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds
Explore the amazing scenery, ice, and mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula
Navigate some of the most beautiful waterways, such as the Gerlache Strait
Visit Port Lockroy and the British Antarctic Museum
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
In the afternoon, board the MV Ushuaia and meet your expedition team. Once comfortably settled in your cabin, enjoy a welcome cocktail as you cruise through the spectacular Beagle Channel and onward through the picturesque Mackinlay Pass.
You cross the legendary Drake Passage, where polar and temperate waters meet, supporting abundant marine life and seabirds. Along the way, experts can help you spot albatrosses, whales, and icebergs. Conditions permitting, reach the South Shetland Islands by Day 3 for your first landing among penguins and seals.
Day 4-8: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands
Explore the dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. As you sail through spectacular waterways like the Gerlache Strait and the Lemaire Channel, breathtaking views unfold from the ship—towering glaciers, rugged peaks, and drifting icebergs.
Whether aboard the USHUAIA or during zodiac excursions, every moment offers the chance to spot wildlife such as penguins, seals, whales, and seabirds. Landings at remarkable sites like Paradise Bay and Livingston Island bring you up close to pristine nature and historic locations. If conditions permit, you may also visit Deception Island’s volcanic caldera or step foot on the Antarctic continent itself.
King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, features colonies of nesting Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins, Kelp Gulls, Blue-eyed Cormorants, Antarctic Terns and Southern Giant Petrels and is home to scientific bases of many different countries. Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins as well as elephant seals await you at Livingston Island.
The Antarctic Peninsula’s remarkable history provide you with a type of excitement often only associated with the early explorers. You have plenty of time to explore its amazing scenery, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways, and an incredible wide variety of wildlife. Apart from penguins and seabirds you are very likely to see Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals as well as Minke, killer (orca) and humpback whales at close range.
Day 9-10: At Sea crossing the Drake Passage, northbound
Leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Join the lecturers and naturalists on deck as you search for seabirds and whales and enjoy some final lectures.
Take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.
Day 11: Disembark in Ushuaia
1 Breakfast
Arrive at the port of Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark after breakfast.
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.
$6,7902-3 travelers
Standard Plus Triple
2 Standard Plus triple outside cabins with portholes or windows on Deck E, private facilities, 3 lower berths.
Standard Cabin
12 Standard twin outside cabins with portholes on deck E with semi-private facilities, 2 berths (upper/lower).
Standard Plus
11 Standard Plus twin outside cabins with portholes or windows on deck E, private facilities, 2 lower berths. Cabin 640: 1 double bed.
Premier Twin
6 Premier twin outside cabins with windows on upper deck G, private facilities, 2 lower berths.
Premier Single
2 outside Premier single cabins with portholes (view obstructed by lifeboat) on upper Deck G, private facilities, 1 single bed.
Superior
9 Superior twin outside cabins with windows on upper deck G, private facilities, 2 lower berths. Cabin 301: 1 double & 1 single bed.
Suite
4 Suite outside cabins with windows on upper deck G, private facilities, 2 lower berths, lounge, TV, DVD player & fridge. Suite 201: 2 double beds. Suite 202: 1 double bed & sofa bed. Suite 204 & 207: 3 lower single beds.
Notes
- Fuel surcharge may vary: no surcharge if the price of the barrel of crude oil is $100 or lower.
- 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.
- Twin cabins (except suites) are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the share rate. Suites may be reserved at 2 times the share rate. A third berth (sofa bed) in a few suites maybe occupied at 50% of the published twin share rate.
- Special family rates: A child (under 16 years) accompanied by two adults will be free of charge in a triple Superior cabin or triple Suite.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners
10 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
Detailed post-expedition log
All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Boots: Wellingtons, size 35 (US4) up to size 45 (US11), are available for loan on board the USHUAIA free of charge but are not insulated and sizes cannot be reserved in advance.
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
Government arrival and departure taxes
Excess baggage charges
Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
Parkas are not provided on your cruise. Please bring your own windproof, waterproof, insulated parka with you. You will want to make sure it is roomy enough to fit warm layers underneath. Click here for information about parka rentals for Antarctica voyages.
Meals ashore
Transfers to/from the vessel
Baggage, cancellation, and personal insurance (strongly recommended)
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.
