Join the Polar Pioneer on an incredible 12-day Antarctic wildlife and photography expedition. Embark in Ushuaia at the southern tip of South America, to cruise through the infamous and often turbulent Drake Passage, destination South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Enter into a world of ice, surrounded by the spellbindingly beautiful landscapes created by the harsh Antarctic climate. Visit penguin rookeries and search for whales, seals, and seabirds. Hike the Antarctic landscape for breathtaking views of your surroundings. As you soak it all in, prepare for your journey back across the Drake Passage. This is a once-in-a-lifetime voyage to the world’s final frontier.
Highlights
Experience the White Continent & encounter an incredible variety of wildlife
Take in the Sub-Antarctic South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula
Watch out for penguins, seals,whales, and Albatross
Admire breathtaking scenery such as icebergs, glaciated mountains & volcanoes
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Welcome to Ushuaia, Argentina, also known by its nickname ‘The End of the World’. In the afternoon, embark on the Polar Pioneer for the expedition of a lifetime. This tough ice-strengthened expedition vessel will be your comfortable home and base for exploring the next 11 nights.
After settling into your cabin, join a full safety briefing and an introduction from the expedition team. Meet the experts, your guides for the duration of your voyage who have extensive knowledge about Antarctica, the history, wildlife, and geology.
In the afternoon, sail through the Beagle channel. It is the perfect time to spend time out on deck wildlife watching and appreciating the magnificent landscapes of Patagonia.
As the expedition team sails South, cross the famed Drake passage that separates Antarctica from the South American continent. It is the ideal time to spend time on deck watching the dozens of wandering albatrosses that circled the ship. During the two days at sea, the experts will get you excited for what lies ahead with a series of lectures on the wildlife, history, and environment of Antarctica. As you cross the Antarctic convergence zone, the air chills, and spend time on deck looking for the first icebergs and keeping a sharp lookout for whales that are frequently sighted. The amazing part of any Antarctica expedition is sighting the land of the 7th continent for the first time.
The focus of this expedition is to spend the maximum amount of time exploring in an unhurried way which is only possible in a small group. Each day the expedition team makes decisions about where to explore based on the weather and sea ice conditions.
The vessel drops anchor in remote bays framed by icy mountains. The plan is to explore key wildlife sites on the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Here you encounter penguin rookeries up close. Gentoo’s, Adleie’s and, Chin Straps are all residents here. The team aims to do shore landings twice a day led by our expedition leaders. Use the Zodiacs for short cruises to explore the icy waters intimately. Keep an eye out for icebergs! There are plenty here.
The nutrient-rich icy seas are home to abundant wildlife, including The leopard, crabeater, Weddell and elephant seals, Orcas, Minke, and Humpback Whales. If the opportunity arises, it is possible to visit a scientific research station or historical site. As with all expeditions, flexibility is a must. The beauty of an Antarctica cruise on Polar Pioneer is that all our guests can Zodiac cruise or visit the shores at the same time. The process of going ashore is much more efficient than a larger ship so, the team can get to spend more time exploring and less time waiting.
After 7-nights of exploring Antarctica, you will sail north towards Ushuaia. The expedition team continues the educational presentations. It’s a good chance to relax, warm up in the sauna and enjoy a drink at the bar. The expedition leader will do a recap of the voyage and, it is an opportunity to share moments and photos with your fellow explorers. As you approach the South American continent, if the conditions allow, there may be a possibility to sight the mystical Cape Horn before making our way into the Beagle channel.
Day 12: Ushuaia | Disembark
1 Breakfast
In the morning, arrive back at the port of Ushuaia. After breakfast, we say our goodbyes after making new friends and sharing a wonderful adventure.
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.
$10,995
Select a Date
Captain’s Suite (Category A)
Cabin Size: 22.5 m2 With double bed and separate lounge area, writing desk, wardrobe, and drawers. Private bathroom, hairdryer. Forward and port windows.
Select a Date
Mini-Suite (Category B)
Cabin Size: 16.8 m2 With double bed and separate lounge area, writing desk, wardrobe, and drawers. Private bathroom, hairdryer. These cabins have a window.
Select a Date
Twin Cabin (Category C)
Cabin Size: 12 m2 With two lower berths, a writing desk, wardrobe, and drawers. Private bathroom, hairdryer. These cabins have a window, private bathroom, 2 lower berths, except #402 and #403 which have upper and lower bunks and a couch.
Select a Date
Twin Cabin (Category D)
Cabin Size: 9.8 m2 With two lower berths and sofa, writing desk, wardrobe, and drawers. Private washbasin, hairdryer. Nearby shower and toilet facilities are shared with other Main Deck cabins. These cabins have a porthole.
Select a Date
Triple Cabin (Category E)
Cabin Size: 10.2 m2 With one bunk (one upper and one lower berth) and one additional lower berth, writing desk, wardrobe, and drawers. Private washbasin. Nearby shower and toilet facilities are shared with other Main Deck cabins. This cabin has a porthole.
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
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
