Classic Antarctica 27/28 (9 Nights)

Our Classic Antarctic adventure cruises on board offer the ultimate introduction to the White Continent. Visit the last pristine region of the world. Land at penguin colonies and research stations and observe various different species of whales, seals, penguins and seabirds.


Antarctic Peninsula
© S. Arrebola

Duration: 10 days / 9 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. Your Captain and Expedition Leader will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience.


Included
Optional


ur Classic Antarctic adventure cruises offer the ultimate introduction to the White Continent, visiting the last pristine region of the world. Arriving in Ushuaia, a picturesque community nestled at the foot of the Andes, the journey begins by sailing through the Beagle Channel towards the famous Drake Passage. We will cross the Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence), a natural biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath warmer northern waters, creating a vast amount of nutrients that support the biodiversity of this region and attract an enormous variety of seabirds and majestic wandering albatrosses.

Upon reaching the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, you will discover a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains, and spectacular waterways like the Gerlache Strait, Neumayer Channel, and Lemaire Channel. The region is teeming with wildlife: vast colonies of Adélie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals, as well as crabeater, Weddell, and leopard seals. Through our fleet of zodiac excursions, we plan to make two landings a day at historical sites and research stations, including the flooded caldera of Deception Island, Paradise Bay, and Paulet Island, before heading back to the port of Ushuaia.

Highlights:
Crossing the celebrated Drake Passage while spotting majestic wandering albatrosses and polar seabirds.
Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and navigating through narrow channels with towering rocks and spectacular glaciers.
Twice-daily zodiac shoreside landings to visit thriving penguin colonies and seal-covered beaches.
Astounding navigation through the narrow passage into the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island.
Visiting historical landmarks such as the stone hut ruins built in 1903 by Nordenskjöld’s expedition on Paulet Island.

Itinerary

© S. Arrebola
© S. Arrebola
© S. Arrebola

Day 1: Departure from the city of Ushuaia
Subtítulo
Embarkation in the afternoon and meet your expedition staff and lecturers. After getting settled in your cabin, we will sail through the Beagle Channel towards the famous Drake Passage.

Days 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passage
Subtítulo
Named after the renowned explorer Sir Francis Drake who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage is one of the most tempestuous seas on the Planet. Between the night of the second day and the morning of the third day we will cross the Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence), a natural biological barrier where cold polar waters plunge beneath warmer northern waters. This generates a large amount of nutrients, which support the biodiversity of this region. The Drake Passage also marks the northern limit for many Antarctic seabirds. As we sail through the passage, our staff will be out on deck with you to assist in identifying the enormous variety of seabirds, including the majestic wandering albatrosses. In addition, a full lecture program will be waiting for you. The first icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands, an archipelago of 20 islands and islets discovered in 1819 by Captain William Smith with his brig Williams. If conditions in the Drake Passage are favorable, on the third day our expedition staff will accompany you on your first landing, and you will experience the fascinating encounter with penguins and seals.

Days 4-7: Discovering the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands
Subtítulo
The South Shetland Islands are teeming with wildlife. Vast penguin colonies, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals, make every day in this group of islands unforgettable. Sailing through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island is truly astounding. King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland Islands and is characterized by colonies of Adélie and chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls, imperial shags, Antarctic terns, and southern giant petrels. Scientific research stations from different countries are also located here. Chinstrap penguins, gentoo penguins, as well as elephant seals, await you at Livingston Island. Learning about the remarkable history of the Antarctic Peninsula will thrill you in a way comparable to the first explorers. You will have ample time to explore its incredible landscape, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains, and waterways, and the amazing and wide variety of wildlife. In addition to penguins and seabirds, you can also see up close crabeater, Weddell, and leopard seals, as well as humpback, Minke, and perhaps even killer whales! We hope to sail some of the most beautiful channels, always depending on ice conditions: the Gerlache Strait, Neumayer Channel, and Lemaire Channel are narrow passages between towering rocks and spectacular glaciers. We plan to make at least two shore excursions per day. Sites for these excursions may also include: Paradise Bay, literally the best-named place in the world, is where we will attempt to make a proper landing on the continent. If ice conditions permit, after clearing the iceberg-laden waters of the Antarctic Sound, we hope to visit the active colonies of Adélie penguins (more than 100,000 pairs breed here) and imperial shags on Paulet Island. Nordenskjöld’s expedition built a stone hut here in 1903; ruins that have today been taken over by nesting penguins. Other possible explorations could take us to the Melchior Islands, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island, and if ice conditions allow, to Petermann Island to visit colonies of Adélie and gentoo penguins.

Days 8-9: Crossing the Drake Passage
Subtítulo
We will leave the Antarctic Peninsula and head north, crossing the Drake Passage. Join our lecturers and naturalists on deck in the search for seabirds and whales, and enjoy some of the final lectures. Take time to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the last few days on the way back to Ushuaia.

Day 10: Arrival at the port of Ushuaia
Subtítulo
We arrive in Ushuaia early in the morning, where you will disembark after breakfast.

Itinerary

Day 1: Departure from the city of Ushuaia
Subtítulo
Embarkation in the afternoon and meet your expedition staff and lecturers. After getting settled in your cabin, we will sail through the Beagle Channel towards the famous Drake Passage.

Days 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passage
Subtítulo
Named after the renowned explorer Sir Francis Drake who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage is one of the most tempestuous seas on the Planet. Between the night of the second day and the morning of the third day we will cross the Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence), a natural biological barrier where cold polar waters plunge beneath warmer northern waters. This generates a large amount of nutrients, which support the biodiversity of this region. The Drake Passage also marks the northern limit for many Antarctic seabirds. As we sail through the passage, our staff will be out on deck with you to assist in identifying the enormous variety of seabirds, including the majestic wandering albatrosses. In addition, a full lecture program will be waiting for you. The first icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands, an archipelago of 20 islands and islets discovered in 1819 by Captain William Smith with his brig Williams. If conditions in the Drake Passage are favorable, on the third day our expedition staff will accompany you on your first landing, and you will experience the fascinating encounter with penguins and seals.

Days 4-7: Discovering the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands
Subtítulo
The South Shetland Islands are teeming with wildlife. Vast penguin colonies, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals, make every day in this group of islands unforgettable. Sailing through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island is truly astounding. King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland Islands and is characterized by colonies of Adélie and chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls, imperial shags, Antarctic terns, and southern giant petrels. Scientific research stations from different countries are also located here. Chinstrap penguins, gentoo penguins, as well as elephant seals, await you at Livingston Island. Learning about the remarkable history of the Antarctic Peninsula will thrill you in a way comparable to the first explorers. You will have ample time to explore its incredible landscape, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains, and waterways, and the amazing and wide variety of wildlife. In addition to penguins and seabirds, you can also see up close crabeater, Weddell, and leopard seals, as well as humpback, Minke, and perhaps even killer whales! We hope to sail some of the most beautiful channels, always depending on ice conditions: the Gerlache Strait, Neumayer Channel, and Lemaire Channel are narrow passages between towering rocks and spectacular glaciers. We plan to make at least two shore excursions per day. Sites for these excursions may also include: Paradise Bay, literally the best-named place in the world, is where we will attempt to make a proper landing on the continent. If ice conditions permit, after clearing the iceberg-laden waters of the Antarctic Sound, we hope to visit the active colonies of Adélie penguins (more than 100,000 pairs breed here) and imperial shags on Paulet Island. Nordenskjöld’s expedition built a stone hut here in 1903; ruins that have today been taken over by nesting penguins. Other possible explorations could take us to the Melchior Islands, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island, and if ice conditions allow, to Petermann Island to visit colonies of Adélie and gentoo penguins.

Days 8-9: Crossing the Drake Passage
Subtítulo
We will leave the Antarctic Peninsula and head north, crossing the Drake Passage. Join our lecturers and naturalists on deck in the search for seabirds and whales, and enjoy some of the final lectures. Take time to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the last few days on the way back to Ushuaia.

Day 10: Arrival at the port of Ushuaia
Subtítulo
We arrive in Ushuaia early in the morning, where you will disembark after breakfast.


© S. Arrebola
© S. Arrebola
© S. Arrebola


INCLUSIONS

Cruise and accommodation on board according to the itinerary.
All meals during the voyage.
All zodiac and shore excursions, as well as activities during the voyage.
Lecture program by renowned naturalists and experienced members of the expedition staff.
Port taxes and fees while the program is underway.
Pre-departure information material.
Detailed navigation log.
Complimentary expedition parka and boots.
Starlink WI-FI included.

EXCLUSIONS

No airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; no pre- and/or post-cruise services of any kind; transfers to and from the ship; visa or passport expenses; government arrival and departure fees; meals on land; baggage, personal, and cancellation insurance (highly recommended); excess baggage expenses and all expenses of a personal nature, such as bar and telecommunications, as well as tips at the end of the trip (recommendations will be provided).


Dates & Rates


Ship: Ushuaia | Date: 03 Nov 2027 - 12 Nov 2027 (5353)
Standard Plus Triple
$7,190
Standard Twin
$8,190
Standard Plus Twin
$8,890
Premier Twin
$10,390
Premier Single
$12,490
Superior Twin
$11,290
Suite
$11,990
Ship: Ushuaia | Date: 12 Nov 2027 - 21 Nov 2027 (5354)
Standard Plus Triple
$710
Standard Twin
$8,190
Standard Plus Twin
$8,890
Premier Twin
$10,390
Premier Single
$12,490
Superior Twin
$11,290
Suite
$11,990
Ship: Ushuaia | Date: 01 Dec 2027 - 10 Dec 2027 (5355)
Standard Plus Triple
$8,190
Standard Twin
$8,890
Standard Plus Twin
$10,290
Premier Twin
$11,790
Premier Single
$13,990
Superior Twin
$12,890
Suite
$13,790
Ship: Ushuaia | Date: 10 Dec 2027 - 19 Dec 2027 (5356)
Standard Plus Triple
$7,790
Standard Twin
$8,390
Standard Plus Twin
$8,960
Premier Twin
$10,590
Premier Single
$12,590
Superior Twin
$11,590
Suite
$12,290
Ship: Ushuaia | Date: 19 Dec 2027 - 28 Dec 2027 (5357)
Standard Plus Triple
$9,190
Standard Twin
$9,790
Standard Plus Twin
$11,290
Premier Twin
$12,690
Premier Single
$14,990
Superior Twin
$13,890
Suite
$14,690
Ship: Ushuaia | Date: 28 Dec 2027 - 06 Jan 2028 (5358)
Standard Plus Triple
$9,190
Standard Twin
$9,790
Standard Plus Twin
$11,290
Premier Twin
$12,690
Premier Single
$14,990
Superior Twin
$13,890
Suite
$14,690
Ship: Ushuaia | Date: 06 Jan 2028 - 15 Jan 2028 (5359)
Standard Plus Triple
$9,190
Standard Twin
$9,790
Standard Plus Twin
$11,290
Premier Twin
$12,690
Premier Single
$14,990
Superior Twin
$13,890
Suite
$14,690
Ship: Ushuaia | Date: 15 Jan 2028 - 24 Jan 2028 (5360)
Standard Plus Triple
$9,190
Standard Twin
$9,790
Standard Plus Twin
$11,290
Premier Twin
$12,690
Premier Single
$14,990
Superior Twin
$13,890
Suite
$14,690
Ship: Ushuaia | Date: 25 Feb 2028 - 05 Mar 2028 (5362)
Standard Plus Triple
$10,490
Standard Twin
$11,490
Standard Plus Twin
$13,390
Premier Twin
$15,490
Premier Single
$17,890
Superior Twin
$16,390
Suite
$17,590
Ship: Ushuaia | Date: 05 Mar 2028 - 14 Mar 2028 (5363)
Standard Plus Triple
$7,190
Standard Twin
$8,190
Standard Plus Twin
$8,890
Premier Twin
$10,390
Premier Single
$12,490
Superior Twin
$11,290
Suite
$11,990
Ship: Ushuaia | Date: 14 Mar 2028 - 23 Mar 2028 (5364)
Standard Plus Triple
$7,190
Standard Twin
$8,190
Standard Plus Twin
$8,890
Premier Twin
$10,390
Premier Single
$12,490
Superior Twin
$11,290
Suite
$11,990
Ship: Ushuaia | Date: 23 Mar 2028 - 01 Apr 2028 (5365)
Standard Plus Triple
$7,190
Standard Twin
$8,190
Standard Plus Twin
$8,890
Premier Twin
$10,390
Premier Single
$12,490
Superior Twin
$11,290
Suite
$11,990

* 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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