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Realm of Penguins & Icebergs (11D)

A remarkable round-trip exploration of the Antarctic realm from Ushuaia with free time in Tierra del Fuego.

Highlights Itinerary Map Dates Extras

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Length

11 Days

Embark

Ushuaia

Disembark

Ushuaia

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Highlights

Explore the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, home to impressive scenery and abundant wildlife.
Partake in active adventure options such as hiking, hill climbing, sea kayaking, and camping ashore.
Nearly 20 hours of daylight per day provides ample opportunities to experience excellent wildlife viewing and amazing scenery on shore and zodiac excursions.

Embark on an 11-day Antarctic expedition starting in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost city. Begin with exploration in Ushuaia, enjoying local attractions and cuisine. On Day 2, board the M/V Sea Spirit, where a series of briefings and scenic views unfold as you cross the Drake Passage. Days 3-9 explore the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, revealing breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and historical sites. Active adventures include hiking, kayaking, and camping, offering an authentic polar experience. The final days involve a return journey across the Drake Passage, and festive onboard activities in celebration of the remarkable discoveries and experiences you’ve had in the Antarctic realm.

Ships

No departures available at this time

Standard Activities

Zodiac Cruises

Photography Workshops

Itinerary Day to Day

Day 1

Arriva in Ushuaia, Argentina

Welcome to ushuaia, the worlds southernmost city and starting point of our antarctic expedition! Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by our staff and transferred to a quality hotel, which has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the itinerary. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore this vibrant port city and adventure hub.

For an introduction to local history and wildlife, the interesting museo del fin del mundo is worth a visit. If you have time to spare, a variety of nature activities can be arranged to suit all interests and fitness levels, from hiking in nearby tierra del fuego national park to wildlife viewing in the beagle channel. For dinner, Ushuaia offers a wide range of restaurants featuring patagonian lamb and delectable fuegian seafood.

Ushuaia

Embarkation Point

Day 2

Welcome aboard!

After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Ushuaia. Explore the delightful waterfront and savor views of the snowcapped martial range, the southernmost peaks of the andes. Take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship. For lunch, the many cafes, parrillas and gelato shops on avenida san martin will be sure to satisfy any appetite.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the luxury expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the scenery and gorgeous evening light as we pass through the beagle channel.

Ushuaia

Beagle Channel

Days 3-4

Across the Drake Passage

After passing the islands of Tierra del Fuego, we turn south to begin our crossing of the drake passage. We watch for humpback and fin whales along the way. The majestic wandering albatross and other graceful subantarctic seabirds are common in these waters and can readily be viewed from panoramic open decks and balconies.We also cross the antarctic convergence, the biological boundary of the southern ocean.

The ships stabilizing fins provide comfort in the event of rough seas. Briefings, bio-security procedures and presentations by our lecture staff prepare you for our arrival in Antarctica. We hope to arrive in the South Shetland Islands on the evening of our second day at sea.

Tierra del Fuego

Drake Passage

Antarctic Convergence

Days 5-8

South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

During the next four days, we explore the highlights of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. This region contains some of the worlds most impressive scenery and the best wildlife viewing in Antarctica. Sheltered bays and channels sparkle with ice and reflect towering mountain peaks coated in permanent snow and immense glaciers. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to huge numbers of marine mammals and seabirds. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large rookeries at special places on land.

The South Shetland Islands are the northernmost islands in Antarctica and will likely be our first area of exploration. This wildly beautiful island chain contains many landing sites with historical significance and abundant wildlife. We will also explore the supremely picturesque Gerlache Strait area of the antarctic peninsula, a pristine wilderness of spectacular white landscapes, colossal icebergs, obliging marine mammals and bustling penguin colonies. We hope to show you the famous Lemaire Channel, also known as kodak gap because of the photogenic way the narrow channel reflects the image of sheer snowy mountains.

Throughout the islands and on the mainland, we find nesting colonies of gentoo, chinstrap and adelie penguins, sometimes side by side. At this time, penguin pairs are taking turns incubating their eggs. This is a good time to observe the importance of pebbles in penguin culture, as prized nesting material to be stolen from rivals and given to mates. Also at this time, a high concentration of sea ice provides opportunities for seals and penguins to congregate on ice floes, a situation that attracts killer whales. Minke whales have started to arrive and leopard seals can be spotted patrolling the coast near penguin colonies. Photographers will appreciate the pristine appearance of undisturbed snow across the landscape in this early summer month.

In this rugged yet accessible environment, superb wildlife viewing is best complemented by active adventure. Our knowledgeable guides will offer hiking and hill climbing for an even greater perspective of this raw polar wilderness. For sea kayakers, the wildlife-rich waters of Antarctica offer many chances to paddle with seals and penguins in some of the worlds most scenic waterways. To make the most of your time on the white continent, you can also spend a night camping ashore, surrounded by untamed antarctic nature.

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Our precise route and exploration opportunities will be shaped by weather and ice. Our experienced captain and expedition leader will continually adjust plans to take maximum advantage of the conditions in this challenging polar environment. With nearly 20 hours of daylight per day, we seize every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing and amazing scenery on shore excursions and zodiac cruises.

South Shetland Islands

Antarctic Peninsula

Gerlache Strait

Lemaire Channel

Days 9-10

Back across the Drake Passage

Day 11

Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina

Route Map

There are 8 main destinations visited

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Cabin Details

Extra Activities

Explore these 2 add on activities

From $ 285 Per Person

Camping

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From $ 795 Per Person

Sea Kayak

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Extra Activities

What's Included

1 pre-voyage night on day 1 in Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa hotel
Group transfer from the airport to the hotel on the day prior to embarkation
Group transfer to the ship for embarkation on day 2
Shipboard accommodation
All meals on board throughout the voyage
Tea and coffee station 24 hours daily
All scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions)
Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced expedition leader & expedition team
Expeditions parka
Rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise
Welcome and farewell cocktails
All port fees
Group transfer to airport or central location right after disembarkation
Pre-departure materials
Digital voyage log
Wi-fi on board.

What's Excluded

Airfare
Transfers from the airport to the hotel if arriving prior to day 1 of the program
Visa and passport fees (if applicable)
Luggage and trip cancellation insurance
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and celebrations
Personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls
Fuel surcharge may be applied for all bookings
Mandatory emergency evacuation insurance to a minimum benefit of us$ 200,000 per person
Staff gratuities
Kayaking, camping
The cost of any applicable medical tests (such as covid-19) or vaccinations required either by a national government or poseidon expeditions before, during or after the cruise
Pre- or post-cruise travel expenses

We’ll carefully listen to your aspirations and curate an impartial shortlist of personalized polar cruise recommendations—and pre- and post-cruise extensions—to match your desired experience.

Next we’ll place a free, no obligation, 24-hour cabin hold on your preferred cruise option whilst we discuss the final details. Book and relax safe in the knowledge you’ll be paying the lowest price guaranteed.

Then we’ll provide you with our expert packing advice, insider travel tips, and more to ensure you are fully prepared for—and maximize your enjoyment of—your once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica expedition.

Realm of Penguins & Icebergs (11D)

Highlights

Ships

Standard Activities