Be a part of this incredible 16-day adventure aboard Ocean Diamond as it takes you to a roundtrip voyage from Ushuaia. At sea, photograph massive albatross and pintado petrel as they swoop and soar around the ship, guiding you toward South Georgia. Beaches teeming with king penguins and elephant seals greet you on this fabled island, where you can pay your respects to famed explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Antarctica awaits, with its geographic contradictions and overwhelming enormity. Relax on a Zodiac ride, hike glistening glaciers, share comical moments with inquisitive penguins, or witness the rugged peninsula from a sea kayak. Antarctica surprises and delights, and never disappoints.

Highlights

Explore South Georgia’s king penguin rookeries – the largest on earth
Tour abandoned whaling stations and enjoy some stories from inhabitants
Enjoy on-board lectures & educational presentations from polar specialists
Step foot on the icy continent of Antarctica

Activities

Places Visited

Activity Level: Relaxed

Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia

Hotels

Begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port at the tip of South America. It’s the ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.

Day 2: Ushuaia | Embark

Ship
1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart!

Day 3-6: At Sea

Ship
4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners

There are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. Learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety procedures for Zodiac cruises and shore landings, and also be given instructions for getting the most out of your optional kayaking adventures (extra cost), a truly intimate way to experience Antarctica.

If conditions are right, the first indication that you are approaching South Georgia is the sight of birds around a group of rocky spires called Shag Rocks. Have your binoculars and cameras ready to capture these rocky spires rising out of the icy ocean waters. Shags and prions often rest here, and due to nutrient rich upwellings around the rocks it can be a good place to keep a lookout for whales.

Day 7-8: South Georgia

Ship
2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners

After enjoying South Georgia from a distance, head towards its dark sandy beaches to find a protected bay for your first land excursion. Landing sites on South Georgia are varied and are largely determined by the weather conditions of your voyage. Whichever landing sites you visit, they provide you with wildlife encounters that cannot be enjoyed anywhere else on earth.

This is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches littered with penguins - in particular king and macaroni penguins. Many rookeries number into the 100s of thousands! It won’t take you long to realize that South Georgia is a paradise for bird lovers as burrowing seabirds, albatross, and petrels can be seen in abundance.

You’ll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team will help bring those days to life while you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on the South Georgia of then and now.

One of the most significant sites you visit on the island is located on Grytviken. This is one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters. Many travelers find this place of special appeal as it is home to the remains of one of the best known Antarctic explorers, Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Day 9-10: At Sea

Ship
2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners

Say goodbye to the king penguins, as your next destination is Antarctica! Your days at sea are filled with presentations and workshops led by your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife and landscapes that will surround you upon your arrival.

Day 11-13: Antarctic Peninsula

Ship
3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners

The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence, and at the next moment you’ll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a penguin waddles by to inspect your footwear.

Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, whether you are Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Keep a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a Zodiac cruise. Each day and each excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy. As exciting as the Zodiac excursions and landings are, perhaps you’ll treat yourself to an extra-special Antarctic experience by partaking in an optional paddling excursion (at an extra cost) or cast reason aside and jump into Antarctic waters for the Polar Plunge!

Day 14-15: Crossing the Drake Passage

Ship
2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners

After more than a dozen days of memorable wildlife encounters, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage, to spend time on the deck, watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.

Day 16: Disembarkation in Ushuaia

1 Breakfast

Arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows for you to continue your adventure on land or catch your flights home.

Ship/Hotel

Ocean Diamond

Name: Antarctica Cruises & Tours
Brand: Adventure Life
Rating: 4.9 (384 reviews)

Ocean Diamond

Carrying a capacity of 189 passengers, the Ocean Diamond is the latest in polar vessels to explore Antarctica. The Ocean Diamond is the first carbon-neutral ship in the polar adventure industry. Guests can enjoy the many indoor public spaces, spacious cabin arrangements and fine dining aboard the Ocean Diamond.

Ushuaia - Hotels

Hotel Campanilla

Campanilla Hotel invites you to find out all this landscapes secrets, because there is no doubt they will surprise and charm you. The warmness of this hotel will make your experience enjoyable and is a wonderful place to begin your Antarctica tour.

Hotel De Los Andes

In the heart of Ushuaia, Hotel De Los Andes offers all the details to make your stay comfortable. Conveniently located on San Martin Street - the commercial and tourist hub of Ushuaia, as well as only 250 meters from the commercial and tourist port, the hotel offers a central point for exploring all of the city's attractions as well as easy access to voyage embarkation.

Upgrade

Albatros Hotel

The hotel has 77 highly comfortable warmly decorated rooms, 4 executive suites, International Direct Dialing, Cable TV. It is an incredibly comfortable lodge - the perfect place to relax before your Antarctica cruise!

Island of seals & sea lions, Beagle Channel

More Ushuaia Hotels

Ushuaia is a charming port city that is the gateway to Antarctica and lays claim as the southernmost city in the world and is a bustling center for adventure travel.

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

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Deals

Special Offers: Book your Antarctica trip by June 29, 2022, and enjoy special savings
of 15% for Standard cabins and 20% on
Premium. Restrictions may
apply.

Can be combined with up to an additional
10% savings when
paid in full within 30 days of booking on select
voyages only.

15% PROMOP15
20% PROMOP20

Applies to Dec 5, 2022 departure

Per person starting at

$11,795

Select a Date

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

Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that everything can be accomplished. A measure of flexibility is something all must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting.

Rates include:

Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities
All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
All shore landings per the daily program
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
Beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
Formal and informal presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
A photographic journal documenting the expedition
A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings
An official Expedition parka to keep
Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
All luggage handling aboard ship
Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
Group arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
Group departure transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local airport or to luggage storage facility

Rates Exclude:

International airfare
Passport and applicable visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
Meals unless otherwise specified
Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
Excess-baggage fees on international flights
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
Laundry, bar, massage services and other personal charges, unless specified
Phone and Internet charges
Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
Additional overnight accommodation
Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities

Payment Details

Terms & Conditions

Operated by Quark Expeditions

Included

15 Breakfasts, 14 Lunches, 15 Dinners
15 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Excursions and activities as listed
Meals as listed
Zodiac Explorations
Hair Dryer and Bathrobes in Each Cabin

Excluded

Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Kayaking Option: $995 per person
Paddling Excursion Option: $295 per person

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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!

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South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia

Day 2: Ushuaia | Embark

Day 3-6: At Sea

Day 7-8: South Georgia

Day 9-10: At Sea

Day 11-13: Antarctic Peninsula

Day 14-15: Crossing the Drake Passage

Day 16: Disembarkation in Ushuaia

Ship/Hotel

Ocean Diamond

Ushuaia - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Deals

Notes

Map

Inquire

We Love to Talk Travel

Antarctica Travel Guide

Favorite Antarctica All Trips

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