As the days grow longer, the mountains shed their snowy mantle, king penguins shuffle eggs on their feet, elephant seals pup, and fur seals are rambunctious. Currents of krill sweep up from the Weddell Sea, providing food for one of the greatest wildlife concentrations on the planet. Join this 18-day voyage to immerse yourself in whaling history, visit Shackleton’s grave, and then reverse his route to Elephant Island. Finish off by exploring the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula, photographing penguins, seals, whales and historic sites and hopefully stepping onto the continent itself before crossing Drake Passage to Puerto Williams.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Fly from Santiago or Punta Arenas, Chile, and explore the historic Falkland Islands’ capital, Stanley before embarking Polar Pioneer in the late afternoon.
At sea, albatrosses, giant petrels and tiny Wilson’s storm petrels escort the ship, bound for South Georgia. On-board naturalists and historians enliven the crossing with informative talks. Meanwhile, keep a watchful eye out for seabird-peppered shag rocks.
Spring brings an explosion of life to South Georgia and there is ample time to explore the island’s spectacular northern coast. Visit wildlife havens that include the world’s largest king penguin rookeries, majestic albatross nests, and beaches cluttered with basking elephant seals, feisty fur seals, and penguins. Inspired by Shackleton’s epic, hope to retrace the expedition’s final steps from Fortuna Bay to Stromness.
Crossing the Scotia Sea, watch for seabirds, icebergs, and great whales, including blues, fin and sei. Take some time to reflect on South Georgia and prepare for Antarctica, the next leg of your adventure.
Conditions permitting, approach Cape Wild - a bleak, rocky spit along Elephant Island's dramatic north coast. Join a Zodiac cruise and possibly even step ashore to pay tribute to Shackleton's 22 men who survived 4 months on the island.
Day 12-15: South Shetland Islands / Antarctic Peninsula
Hope to land in the South Shetland Islands before sailing down Gerlache Strait, and awaken to the drama of Antarctica. Encounter pack ice and penguin rookeries which are alive with courtship, mating, and nest-building. Visit historic sites and land on the continent proper.
Return to the realm of the albatross. Enjoy some time to celebrate and reflect as you head north across the Drake Passage.
Day 18: Disembark in Puerto Williams / Fly to Punta Arenas, Chile
1 Breakfast
Dawn greets you in the Beagle Channel. Dock in Puerto Williams before a tour of the town. Board your flight to Punta Arenas to continue your independent homeward journey.
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.
$17,200
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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.
Initial deposit is $2700, 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
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 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.