Antarctic Discovery Expedition

A 17-day intimate sailing expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, limited to just 8 guests. Discover historic whaling stations, majestic Lemaire Channel, and massive icebergs aboard the motor-sailing vessel S/Y ADMIRAL LAZAREV.


Antartica in a Sail Boat
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Duration: 17 days / 16 nights
Starts: Ushuaia, Argentina
Ends: Ushuaia, Argentina
Language: English speaking voyage

The itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. The Captain and/or Expedition Leader will make necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience.
This expedition is aboard the motor-sailing vessel S/Y ADMIRAL LAZAREV and is limited to 8 guests.


Included


This 17-day Antarctic Discovery Expedition offers a personal, purposeful, and rare experience into the remote edges of the Earth. The journey is aboard the small motor-sailing vessel S/Y ADMIRAL LAZAREV, accommodating just 8 guests, allowing access to hidden corners unreachable by large ships. Your expedition prioritizes depth over speed, moving with the rhythms of the wild without rigid plans.

The journey begins in Ushuaia, crossing the legendary Drake Passage, known as a true test for every adventurer. You will explore the South Shetland Islands, visiting King George Island and the southernmost Orthodox Church. Deep dives into the Peninsula include the infamous Deception Island (a volcanic caldera with geothermal beaches and whaling ruins) and sailing the Lemaire Channel, often called the “Kodak Gap,” one of the most photogenic places on Earth. Wildlife highlights include massive icebergs, seals lounging on icebergs, and humpback whales feeding in Enterprise Bay.

Highlights:
Intimate polar expedition limited to just 8 guests aboard the S/Y ADMIRAL LAZAREV motor-sailing vessel.
Cross the legendary Drake Passage, known as a true test for every adventurer.
Sail through the Lemaire Channel, often called the “Kodak Gap,” one of the most photogenic places on Earth.
Explore Deception Island, an active volcanic caldera featuring geothermal beaches and whaling ruins.
Witness humpback whales feeding in Enterprise Bay and visit the southernmost Orthodox Church at Bellingshausen Station.

Itinerary

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©ADE

Days 1-4: Ushuaia, The Beagle Channel, The Drake Passage
Sailing the legendary passage
The expedition begins in Ushuaia, where all guests gather and prepare for the journey ahead. After setting sail, we pass through the scenic Beagle Channel, leaving South America behind. The journey continues with the legendary Drake Passage crossing, which takes about four days and offers a real taste of exploration.

Days 5-6: King George Island, Bellingshausen Station
Antarctica's gateway and global cooperation
After the Drake Passage, you will arrive at King George Island, a gateway to Antarctica. This remote location is home to international research stations. At the Russian Bellingshausen Station, you'll visit the southernmost Orthodox Church, built to support polar explorers spiritually.

Day 7: Yankee Harbour, Half Moon Island
Seals and chinstrap penguin colonies
Yankee Harbour is renowned for its natural harbour, surrounded by glaciers and rocky outcrops. This serene location provides a haven for seals lounging on icebergs. On Half Moon Island, the crescent-shaped landscape hosts large colonies of chinstrap penguins, which add life to the stunning Antarctic scenery.

Day 8: Deception Island
Active volcano and geothermal beaches
Deception Island is a place where history meets natural wonder. You'll explore the remnants of whaling stations and hike along black sand beaches while marvelling at the island's dramatic volcanic cliffs.

Day 9: Enterprise Bay
Shipwreck Governoren and humpback whales
Enterprise Bay combines history and nature. The calm waters hold the remains of old ships, including the Shipwreck Governoren. The bay is also a feeding ground for humpback whales, offering breathtaking opportunities to observe these majestic creatures.

Day 10: Orne Harbour
Glacier cliffs and nesting gentoo penguins
Orne Harbour is a haven of steep glacier cliffs and deep blue waters. Climbing its hills reveals panoramic views of the surrounding icy expanse. The harbour is home to nesting gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags.

Day 11: Lemaire Channel and Yalour Islands
Kodak Gap and Adélie penguins
The Lemaire Channel, often called “Kodak Gap," is one of the most photogenic places on Earth, with towering cliffs and narrow passages. The Yalour Islands are a peaceful retreat, home to Adélie penguins and a variety of seabirds.

Day 12: On the way home / King George Island
Concluding the Antarctic visit
The journey starts home, passing King George Island, before continuing the navigation.

Days 13-17: Return to Ushuaia
The Drake Passage crossing northbound
The return voyage across the Drake Passage provides a final opportunity to reflect on your expedition and observe marine life.

Itinerary

Days 1-4: Ushuaia, The Beagle Channel, The Drake Passage
Sailing the legendary passage
The expedition begins in Ushuaia, where all guests gather and prepare for the journey ahead. After setting sail, we pass through the scenic Beagle Channel, leaving South America behind. The journey continues with the legendary Drake Passage crossing, which takes about four days and offers a real taste of exploration.

Days 5-6: King George Island, Bellingshausen Station
Antarctica's gateway and global cooperation
After the Drake Passage, you will arrive at King George Island, a gateway to Antarctica. This remote location is home to international research stations. At the Russian Bellingshausen Station, you'll visit the southernmost Orthodox Church, built to support polar explorers spiritually.

Day 7: Yankee Harbour, Half Moon Island
Seals and chinstrap penguin colonies
Yankee Harbour is renowned for its natural harbour, surrounded by glaciers and rocky outcrops. This serene location provides a haven for seals lounging on icebergs. On Half Moon Island, the crescent-shaped landscape hosts large colonies of chinstrap penguins, which add life to the stunning Antarctic scenery.

Day 8: Deception Island
Active volcano and geothermal beaches
Deception Island is a place where history meets natural wonder. You'll explore the remnants of whaling stations and hike along black sand beaches while marvelling at the island's dramatic volcanic cliffs.

Day 9: Enterprise Bay
Shipwreck Governoren and humpback whales
Enterprise Bay combines history and nature. The calm waters hold the remains of old ships, including the Shipwreck Governoren. The bay is also a feeding ground for humpback whales, offering breathtaking opportunities to observe these majestic creatures.

Day 10: Orne Harbour
Glacier cliffs and nesting gentoo penguins
Orne Harbour is a haven of steep glacier cliffs and deep blue waters. Climbing its hills reveals panoramic views of the surrounding icy expanse. The harbour is home to nesting gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags.

Day 11: Lemaire Channel and Yalour Islands
Kodak Gap and Adélie penguins
The Lemaire Channel, often called “Kodak Gap," is one of the most photogenic places on Earth, with towering cliffs and narrow passages. The Yalour Islands are a peaceful retreat, home to Adélie penguins and a variety of seabirds.

Day 12: On the way home / King George Island
Concluding the Antarctic visit
The journey starts home, passing King George Island, before continuing the navigation.

Days 13-17: Return to Ushuaia
The Drake Passage crossing northbound
The return voyage across the Drake Passage provides a final opportunity to reflect on your expedition and observe marine life.


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©ADE


Dates & Rates


Ship: S/Y Admiral Lazarev | Date: 22 Dec 2025 - 08 Jan 2025 (4699)
Double Cabin
$17,000
Ship: S/Y Admiral Lazarev | Date: 12 Jan 2026 - 29 Jan 2026 (4700)
Double Cabin
$15,500

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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