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The Ultimate Antarctica Experience

A true Antarctic expedition experience with no set itinerary letting the sea, ice, and wildlife dictate the most thrilling of adventures.

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Length

12 Days

Embark

Ushuaia

Disembark

Ushuaia

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Highlights

Antarctica's untamed beauty is your guide on this itinerary-free journey, where thrilling adventures await at every turn.
Discover the majesty of Antarctica in startling close-up, exploring penguin rookeries, research stations, and breathtaking icy landscapes.
Experience the awe-inspiring Antarctic Peninsula's inlets and bays, encountering towering ice cliffs, rugged peaks, and captivating natural wonders.

Embracing the unpredictable rhythms of nature, the Ultimate Antarctic Experience lets wildlife sightings and weather conditions shape your journey, and allows the expert expedition staff onboard to maximize your enjoyment both on board and on excursion. With no set itinerary and with an extra day compared to most classic Antarctic Peninsula voyages, this itinerary promises greater in-depth exploration and the chance to see the best of Antarctica’s wonders. On a round trip from Ushuaia across the infamous Drake, the jaw-dropping scenery, intimate wildlife encounters, and incredible icescapes of the Antarctic Peninsula beckon.

One day you might be taking in the breathtaking sight of massive icebergs and expansive glaciers as you embark on a Zodiac cruise in Paradise Bay, feeling the refreshing mist of water from the majestic blow of a humpback whale in Wilhelmina Bay, or witnessing the heartwarming scene of penguins delicately tending to their precious eggs on Cuverville Island. You could be hiking across the dynamic glaciers of Neko Harbour, stepping back in time to the Antarctica of yesteryear as you visit historic huts like Damoy Point, or cruising through the enchanting Lemaire Channel. Wherever you end up venturing on the Antarctic Peninsula, you will encounter unique wildlife, captivating history, and awe-inspiring natural beauty that will leave you spellbound.

Note that this Ultimate Antarctica Experience itinerary has early and late season departures, with early season departures sometimes referred to as “The Peninsula in Depth” and late season departures sometimes called the “Quest for the Circle”.

Ships

No departures available at this time

Standard Activities

Lectures

Photography Workshops

Zodiac Cruises

Itinerary Day to Day

Day 1

Arrival Ushuaia, Embarkation

Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina – the world’s southernmost city. Explore this vibrant Patagonian city, or stretch your legs in the surrounding forests. Alternatively, consider a day trip off the beaten path into the raw nature of Tierra del Fuego. The island of Tierra del Fuego is a hiker’s paradise with rugged snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows and rich boggy wetlands. In the afternoon, we board our vessel, waiting to welcome us in port.

After our mandatory safety drill, our expedition begins as we navigate through the calm waters of the famous Beagle Channel (named for Charles Darwin’s ship). This steep-sided strait divides southern Tierra del Fuego between Chile and Argentina, and has been the jumping-off point for thousands of expeditions into the unknown. Watch out for whales and dolphins as we sail off the edge of the map into the tempestuous Drake Passage.

Ushuaia

Embarkation Point

Beagle Channel

Days 2-3

At Sea, crossing Drake Passage Southbound

Sailing onward, we cross the famed Drake Passage – the body of water separating Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula. The Drake Passage is known for rollicking conditions and strong westerly winds, nicknamed the Roaring Fifties. While this passage may be challenging, you can rest comfortably aboard our expedition vessels, which are purpose-built with stabilizers, powerful engines and manned by a highly-qualified crew. The most spirited sailors consider Drake Passage a lifetime achievement – and you will complete the crossing twice!

Our days in the Drake Passage will be put to good use preparing for our arrival in Antarctica – your Expedition Leader will brief you comprehensively on how to stay safe and minimise your impact on this precious wilderness, as well as briefing you thoroughly on our plans for our time spent exploring, including hints and tips for wildlife watching. Our dedicated Expedition Team will assist you to biosecure your clothing and equipment (a vital process to protect Antarctica’s delicate ecology), as well as sharing tailored lectures on Antarctic exploration history, wildlife, geology, glaciology and more!

We will cross into the Antarctic Convergence on the third day of our voyage – watch the mercury plummet as we sail southwards into Antarctic waters, an abrupt cooling that marks the intersection of Antarctic waters with the warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. As the sea cools, wildlife multiplies; these are some of the most biologically productive water on Earth, so expect to see petrels, albatrosses and potentially penguins, seals and whales in abundance. Weather permitting, we may be able to make landfall in the South Shetland Islands (a small but spectacular archipelago to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula) on the afternoon of our second day in the Drake Passage, marking the start of our exploration on the Last Continent.

Drake Passage

Antarctic Convergence

South Shetland Islands

Days 4-9

The Antarctic Peninsula and Adventure Awaits

With no set itinerary in Antarctica, this voyage offers adventurous travellers the chance to experience Antarctica as it was meant to be – flowing with the wind, sea and ice, and taking the best opportunities Mother Nature provides. This voyage departs in the first half of the brief Antarctic summer, when sea ice is at its maximum – this offers us ample opportunities to explore in the icy wilderness of the last continent. Our exact route will be subject to careful planning by the Expedition Leader and Captain – however we will aim to visit a range of sites which showcase the best of this staggeringly beautiful region.

Marvel at the massive icebergs and vast glaciers on a Zodiac cruise in Paradise Bay. Be moved by penguins tenderly caring for their precious eggs, and fiercely defending their nests on Cuverville Island. Watch cataracts of ice tumble into clear blue ocean on a hike over the active glaciers of Neko Harbour. Experience the Antarctica of old at historic huts such as Damoy Point, lovingly restored and open to all. Feel the spray of water from the blow of a humpback whale on a Zodiac safari in Wilhelmina Bay. Wonder at awe-inspiring scenery on a ship cruise through the Lemaire Channel. Watch city-sized tabular icebergs drift silently past the ship in the Antarctic Sound. Wherever we go on the Antarctic Peninsula, endemic wildlife, tantalising history and breathtaking natural beauty abound.

This time of year, expect to see penguins carefully tending their fluffy chicks, while their partners frantically hunt for food at sea. As the snow melts, opportunities for hiking onshore increase. Antarctic fur seals start to arrive in their summer feeding grounds, and humpback whale numbers increase as more of these gentle giants arrive at the end of their long migration. With luck, we may even see the young of these gentle giants.

There is no set itinerary on this trip, which allows our staff onboard to maximize the experience for all onboard. Whilst our suggestions above are just possible routes and landings, we can be sure that this will be the ultimate Antarctic experience.

Paradise Bay

Cuverville Island

Neko Harbour

Damoy Point Hut

Wilhelmina Bay

Lemaire Channel

Antarctic Sound

Days 10-11

At Sea, crossing the Drake Passage Northbound

Day 12

Arrival in Ushuaia and Disembarkation

Route Map

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The Ultimate Antarctica Experience

Highlights

Ships

Standard Activities

About the The Ultimate Antarctica Experience

Itinerary Day to Day

Arrival Ushuaia, Embarkation

At Sea, crossing Drake Passage Southbound

The Antarctic Peninsula and Adventure Awaits

At Sea, crossing the Drake Passage Northbound

Arrival in Ushuaia and Disembarkation

Route Map

Departure Dates