Have questions? We're here.
A whale plays near the surface at dusk.

Celebrating Shackleton: Journey from Antarctica to South Georgia

Example 20 Day Cruise aboard Ultramarine
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Antarctica trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Cross the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula, visit the Weddell Sea, then onto Elephant Island and, ultimately, wildlife-rich South Georgia, where, if conditions allow, guests will pay homage to Shackleton at his grave at Grytviken. Celebrate the life of Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose passing in South Georgia on January 5, 1922, marked the end of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. The 20-day itinerary Celebrating Shackleton: Journey from Antarctica to South Georgia honors one of Antarctica’s greatest heroes—and his unwavering spirit of exploration. Throughout the voyage, passengers will enjoy special presentations by polar experts Tim Jarvis (author of “Chasing Shackleton”) and Dr. Ross MacPhee, curator of the ground-breaking museum exhibit “The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition.”
Hiking in AntarcticaRoyal Bay, South GeorgiaKing penguins on South GeorgiaEnjoying a sunset hike in AntarcticaMassive tabular icebergs in the Weddell SeaGrytviken, South GeorgiaA whale plays near the surface at dusk.
Highlights
  • Sail down the historic Beagle Channel
  • Discover Antarctica, a land of extremes, by foot, zodiac and kayak
  • Enjoy one-of-a-kind presentations from the expedition team members
  • Keep a lookout for whales and penguins
  • Take the Polar Plunge onshore, from the gangway or Zodiac
  • Enjoy Flightseeing tours in twin-engine helicopter stationed on Ultramarine
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: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina

You may arrive in Buenos Aires at any time during Day 1 of your itinerary. Upon arriving in this splendid city, known for its architecture and rich European heritage, transfer independently to your group hotel (pre-expedition hotel night included in mandatory transfer package). 

Day 2: Fly to Ushuaia & Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport and board your private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Upon arrival, transfer from the airport to a central downtown location to have some time on your own to explore this quaint port town before making your way to the pier. Embarkation occurs in the late afternoon, after which your vessel sails 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 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Experience the much-anticipated crossing of the Drake Passage, considered by many to be a polar rite of passage, also enjoy one-of-a-kind presentations from the expedition team members—and from two distinguished special guests who have delved deeply into the life of Sir Ernest Shackleton. In 2013, environmental scientist, author and explorer Tim Jarvis—with a crew equipped in era-authentic gear—re-enacted Shackleton’s 800-mile (1,300 km) journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia in a replica of the 23-foot whaler James Caird. In fact, the foreword to Jarvis’ book, “Chasing Shackleton: Re-creating the World’s Greatest Journey of Survival,” was written by Alexandra Shackleton, granddaughter of Sir Ernest. 

Also on board as a guest presenter: mammologist, paleontologist, anthropologist and polar historian Ross MacPhee, a curator at the American Museum of Natural History, which hosted the ground-breaking exhibit “The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition.” MacPhee is the author of “Race to The End: Amundsen, Scott, and the Attainment of the South Pole.”  MacPhee, who has participated in more than 50 scientific expeditions (including both Polar Regions), has also researched the extinction of early mammals who roamed Antarctica 45 million years ago.

Day 5-6: Antarctic Peninsula

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 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. Discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence, and at the next moment 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 takes 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 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 7: Weddell Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Weddell Sea has profound meaning for admirers of Shackleton. This is where the explorer’s ill-fated ship, Endurance, crushed by pack ice, disappeared into the harsh waters in 1915. Despite the extreme harsh environment, the Weddell Sea region is known for its rich wildlife: seals, penguins and baleen wheels. Aboard Ultramarine—with its two twin-engine helicopters and 20 quick-launching Zodiacs—be able to explore by sea and air, an experience never before possible until the launch of this game-changing expedition ship.  

Day 8: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Throughout the voyage, enjoy one-of-a-kind presentations from the expedition team members—and from two distinguished special guests, polar experts Tim Jarvis and Ross MacPhee. Your days at sea are also perfect for experiencing the superb luxury amenities of Ultramarine, which include a spa and a sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow guests to stay connected to the polar environments while enjoying relaxing moments onboard the ship. Ultramarine also has more wildlife viewing stations than any ship of its size, so have plenty of opportunity to stay on the lookout for birds and other wildlife while at sea. 

Day 9: Elephant Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
On April 9, 1916, after spending 165 days drifting through the hostile ice of the Weddell Sea, Shackleton and his crew reached remote Elephant Island, one of the outermost islands of the South Shetland Island chain. Arriving here today, 100 years later, you will see the island exactly as Shackleton and his men first encountered the brutish landscape. Yet to the stranded crew, Elephant Island was a haven, offering vital shelter while they waited anxiously to be rescued.  

You can hope to visit Point Wild, located on the northern shores of the island, where Shackleton and his men were able to come ashore. This was the location where Shackleton launched his epic 650-mile (1,046 km) boat journey aboard the James Caird, and where his men waited for his return. If conditions are ideal, launch Zodiacs to get as close as possible to land, where guests can appreciate the immensity of the Shackleton feat. 

Day 10-11: New Year's at Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Say goodbye to the Antarctic Peninsula, as your next destination is South Georgia!  You are invited you to join the first-ever New Year celebration on Ultramarine, the first ship purposely built for polar exploration. The inaugural season of Ultramarine, much like Shackleton’s feats in Antarctica, makes for a memorable moment in polar history. In addition to the New Year’s celebrations aboard Ultramarine, your days at sea are filled with presentations led by the two special guests and your Expedition Team, prepares you for the wildlife and landscapes that await you in South Georgia. 

Day 12-15: South Georgia

  • Ship
  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
South Georgia is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins and seals. It won’t take you long to realize that you are in a bird paradise, as burrowing seabirds, albatross and petrels can be seen in abundance. Once a popular base for whalers and sealers, visitors can see abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team helps bring those days to life while you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on the South Georgia of then and now. In re-creating the voyage of the James Caird, Shackleton’s heroic open-boat journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia, the first planned destination on the island will be King Hakkon Bay—the very site where Shackleton and his men landed before traversing the island’s harsh interior. 

South Georgia is particularly significant and, for many guests, a poignant stop on this voyage that celebrates the life of Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose enduring legacy of polar exploration lives on through the team today. After Shackleton’s death on January 5, 1922, the explorer’s widow insisted her husband be buried in South Georgia, which figured so prominently in his life and dreams. If conditions allow, visit Grytviken, one of the first whaling stations established in the sub-Antarctic waters. It’s also the site of the modest cemetery where Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried. Guests traditionally gather at Shackleton’s grave to pay homage and raise a toast to one of history’s greatest polar explorers. In addition to a historical visit to Grytviken and other whaling sites, have the opportunity to visit many of the pristine beaches, coves, and fjords that line the protected northern coast of the island. The wildlife density in South Georgia is unlike anywhere else in the world, and each stop during your journey brings new adventures.

Day 16-19: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
After more than two weeks of unique wildlife encounters and remarkable landscapes, your journey home begins. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, rejuvenate in the sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows, indulge in the luxury amenities of Ultramarine—including its spa-inspired suites and beautifully designed lounges and restaurants—or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences. 

Day 20: Disembark in Ushuaia and Fly to Buenos Aires

  • 1 Breakfast
Arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. The mandatory transfer package includes a little taste of Patagonia with a Tierra del Fuego National Park tour before transferring to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires. 

Ship/Hotel

Ultramarine

Ultramarine
Ultramarine Dining Room
Bistro 487

Buenos Aires - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$29,995
Ultramarine - Solo Panorama Cabin
Select a Date
Solo Panorama
Located on Deck 6, approximately 132 sq. ft. Features a single bed, floor-to-ceiling window, desk, refrigerator, TV, a private bathroom with shower and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Explorer Triple Cabin
Select a Date
Explorer Triple
Located on Deck 3, approximately 285 sq. ft. Features three single beds (two of which can be combined into a double bed), sitting area, picture window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Explorer Suite Cabin
Select a Date
Explorer Suite
Located on Deck 3, approximately 285 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, picture window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Balcony Suite Cabin
Select a Date
Balcony Suite
Located on Decks 4 and 6, with approximately 226 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Deluxe Balcony Suite Cabin
Select a Date
Deluxe Balcony Suite
Located on Decks 4 and 6, with approximately 299 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Terrace Cabin
Select a Date
Terrace Suite
Located on Deck 6, with approximately 350 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private extra-wide balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Penthouse Suite Cabin
Select a Date
Penthouse Suite
Located on Deck 7, with approximately 369 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Owner's Suite Cabin
Select a Date
Owner's Suite
Located on Deck 6, with approximately 446 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds in a private bedroom with walk-in closet, sitting area with sofa bed and additional closet, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors and separate powder room.
Ultramarine - Ultra Suite Cabin
Select a Date
Ultra Suite
Located on Deck 6, with approximately 563 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds in a private bedroom with walk-in closet, sitting area with sofa bed and additional walk-in hallway closet, private balcony, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom.

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.
Included
  • 19 Breakfasts, 17 Lunches, 18 Dinners
  • 19 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Coffee, Tea and Cocoa Available Around the Clock
  • Leadership throughout the expedition by our experienced Expedition Leader
  • Loan of Waterproof Boots for Landings
  • Official Expedition Parka to Keep
  • Select Beer and Wine During Dinner
  • Photographic Journal Documenting the Expedition
  • All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
  • Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
  • All shore landings as per the daily program
  • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
  • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
  • All luggage handling aboard the ship
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Buenos Aires Hotel tax (up to $2 per person/night) - paid at checkout
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Internet & Phone Charges
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Mandatory Waterproof Pants for Zodiac Cruising & Any Other Gear Not Specifically Mentioned
  • Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
  • Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
  • Mandatory Transfer Package fees not included, prices vary by departure
  • Stand-up Paddleboarding Option
     
  • Paddling Excursion Option
  • Kayaking Option

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
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

Antarctica Travel Guide

Favorite Antarctica All Trips

More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By