Classic Antarctica - Expedition
Experience Overview
We leave Ushuaia and navigate the Beagle Channel, heading south across the Drake Passage and the turbulent waters of the Antarctic Convergence. Ice-capped mountains, crevassed glaciers and endless white expanses herald our arrival in Antarctica. Possible landings include Paradise Harbour, Neko Harbour and Wilhelmina Bay and an opportunity to cruise through the Lemaire Channel. Explore the rich diversity of Antarctic wildlife, including Gentoo, Adelie and Chinstrap rookeries and enjoy the varied marine life, witnessing seals hauling out on ice floes and a variety of whales such as Humpback, Minke and Orca, following in our wake. There is plenty to discover on this journey to the bottom of the World, no two voyages are the same, so be prepared to be delighted by the unexpected.
Superb wildlife viewing opportunities - on land and at sea
Enjoy the freedom of Antarctica - enjoy the vast, ice-sculpted, Antarctic wilderness
Join expert naturalist guides - learn about the wildlife and history of the region
Astonishing wildlife - see whales, sea birds and abundance of penguins
Highlights
Join this classic expedition voyage - exploring the Antarctic Peninsula|Superb wildlife viewing opportunities - on land and at sea|Enjoy the freedom of Antarctica - enjoy the vast, ice-sculpted, Antarctic wilderness|Join expert naturalist guides - learn about the wildlife and history of the region|Astonishing wildlife - see whales, sea birds and abundance of penguins
Trip Details
Product Code: 20353
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: ExpeditionZodiac
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Explore Worldwide
Supplier Code: ANK
Starts: Antarctica
Finishes: Antarctica
Duration: 11 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
- Expedition Crew
- Naturalist(s)
Accommodation
- Hotel in Ushuaia to be confirmed
- Expedition
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $12,960 ($1,178 /day)
Itinerary
Arrive in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. The city has 40,000 inhabitants and is a major ski resort area for both alpine and cross-country skiers. You can arrive at any time and an arrival transfer is included if arriving in on day one of the itinerary. Upon arrival into Ushuaia City Airport (USH) please collect your luggage and look for a representative in the Arrivals Hall, holding a sign with your name on it. If you have booked your flights independently, please make sure that you have advised us of your arrival flight details into Ushuaia, so that a transfer is booked for you. Be sure to keep all of your important documents - i.e. passport and travel insurance, and also your medication in your hand luggage, as your main luggage will be transferred separately to the hotel. From our experience we have found that there are significant delays, especially in high season on flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. We highly recommend booking your travel arrangements to arrive into Ushuaia earlier in the day. There are no activities planned today. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to explore the city, visit the Maritime Museum or join a tour to Tierra del Fuego National Park, which offers magnificent hiking opportunities.
Today we will embark on the expedition ship. Embarkation time is set for 4:00 pm. The morning is free to do any last minute shopping, an optional excursion to Tierra Del Fuego National Park or a good hike up to the Marshall Glacier. The evening is spent on board the ship watching the sunset over the Beagle Channel. On the first day onboard, your Expedition Leader will give you an expedition overview. Due to ice and weather conditions, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion, it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations.
Our adventure begins with a 400 mile crossing of the passage that bears the name of the 16th century English explorer Sir Francis Drake. The M Expedition is at home in this part of the Southern Ocean, known for the unimpeded fetch of the winds that encircle the Antarctic. At some point on the second day we cross the Antarctic Convergence, a meeting of cold polar water flowing north and warmer equatorial water moving in the opposite direction. This mixing pushes nutrient rich waters to the surface attracting a variety of seabirds, whales and other species.
As we make the passage, you have time to become acquainted with the ship and frequent the common areas that include the lounge, dining hall, library and lecture hall where we meet our guides, ship's crew and expedition staff. We also begin the lecture and information sessions to learn the extraordinary human and natural history of the Antarctic region.
This is what we've all been waiting for - a chance to step foot on the Great White Continent! Over the next four days we will navigate southwards making stops in the South Shetland Islands then through the Bransfield Strait and to the Antarctic Peninsula. Our goal is to attempt two excursions per day, while we navigate through the area, but our itinerary and daily schedule will be based on the local weather and ice conditions that we encounter.
The Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands abound with wildlife activity. Penguins gather with their fast-growing chicks, whales are seen in great numbers, seals haul out onto ice floes and beaches, and numerous albatross and other seabirds trail in our wake.
There is plenty of time to enjoy the sheer beauty and the breathtaking scenery of ice-choked waterways, blue and white icebergs, impressive glaciers and rugged snow-capped mountains.
The Peninsula also has a remarkable history and, during the voyage, we will learn about some of the most important and dramatic expeditions to this remote corner of the world. Keeping a lookout from the Bridge or the deck of the ship, as we thread our way along the continent, you'll feel the same sense of excitement as many of those early Explorers. The continent itself is roughly circular with a spindly arm, called the Antarctic Peninsula, reaching northwards towards Tierra del Fuego. South America is the nearest landmass, some 600 miles away. Antarctica is a continent of superlatives. It is the coldest, windiest, iciest and highest of all the major landmasses in the world. It is the continent with the longest nights and the longest days and it is home to the world's greatest concentration of wildlife. It is also one of the last true wilderness areas left on earth - largely unchanged since the early Explorers and Whalers first landed on its inhospitable shores less than two centuries ago.
Today we leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage.
In between bird watching and whale watching and enjoying some final lectures by our expedition staff, this is a chance to relax and review the adventures of the past week before returning to Ushuaia.
The trip ends after breakfast on board the ship. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time after 9am. You will receive a complimentary transfer at the end of your trip. For those on morning flights, a transfer will take you directly to Ushuaia City Airport (USH). For those on later flights, you will be transferred to the luggage storage point and given time to explore the city. You will need to return later to retrieve your luggage and board a second transfer to Ushuaia City Airport in the afternoon, depending on flight times.
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Tour Operator
Explore Worldwide
A prominent adventure travel company with over four decades of experience, this business that offers a comprehensive array of unique and thrilling experiences worldwide. Catering to various interests, they provide small group journeys, walking and cycling trips, solo holidays, and family adventures.
In Business Since 1981
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, January 2025
Excellent service Antartica was a trip of a lifetime.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/19/2025
Jane - Traveled, November 2024
I upgraded to a slightly larger cabin. Accommodation excellent. Food and service excellent . Staff brilliant. You are fitted with correct boots and jacket when on board. I thought I would take large size jacket, in fact the small size was perfect fit, and you can take it home with you. I was told to take a hairdryer, but one was supplied in my cabin. The talks were informative, and kept you occupied during the four days total crossing the Drake passage. Two Zodiak trips a day. Evening entertainment was either music or films. Memorable trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/04/2024
Pamela - Traveled, May 2020
The expertise and passion of the crew has changed my views and educated me on Global warming and the fragility of our Earth.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/09/2020
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2019
Amazing from start to finish. Experienced staff throughout trip. It's not a cruise, it's an expedition. Highlights were seeing a group of around 10 Orcas next to the ship and our daily outings on the Zodiacs visiting penguins, seals and historic buildings. Our photos don't do it justice. Staff give fantastic talks on a daily basis and are all very knowledgeable. Food was 5 star as was the service provided by all staff from housekeeping to dining staff. Want to go back?
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/13/2019
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2018
very interesting and well organised.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/18/2018
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2018
Drawing back the curtain at the cabin porthole on the morning we arrived in the Antarctic stays in the mind as the extraordinary sight of the snow covered mountain we were anchored near and the pristine light over the water greeted one. A landscape like no other. The tour took us to a different place every day - all with various degrees of beauty. It was wonderful to stand near the penguins and allow them to walk up to us and very interesting to hear all about them and how we should treat them. A highlight for me was being near the whales and finding them coming so close to our little boat. A really heart-stopping moment as they swam nearby, hearing their great breathing and seeing them dive; to be near such enormous and mysterious creatures was a truly amazing experience and quite unforgettable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/18/2018
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2018
Extremely well organised by expedition staff. Service staff were outstanding, food delicious. Everything had been thought of. A memorable trip. Explore's staff in UK were also excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/14/2018
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2017
Sara was overall in charge, she was professional, organized. fantastic trip, all staff 100%, wildlife amazing, scenery stunning. No complaints at all.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/16/2017
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2017
I have visited many countries before and had been on trips to 4 different continents. I especially enjoy wildlife and wilderness trips. This however was an extraordinary experience, far beyond anything i had imagined. I had completely failed to grasp how utterly different this would be...how utterly beyond anything i had previously experienced this would be. It was also by far the most expensive trip i have ever taken but these experiences cant be measured by money. While the wildlife was magnificent the scenery stole the show. The glaciers & mountains were vast and ice-bergs were varied and beautiful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/14/2017
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