Expedition Antarctica 2026

Join an epic 21-day journey to the heart of the polar world. Aboard the intimate Ocean Nova, sail from Ushuaia to the Falkland / Malvinas Islands, the stunning South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula. With a maximum group size of only 78 passengers, this expedition offers deep wildlife immersion, with the chance to sight seven penguin species.


Falkland, South Georgia, Antarctica
© PQS

Duration: 21 days / 20 nights
Starts: Ushuaia, Argentina
Ends: Ushuaia, Argentina
Language: English and Swedish speaking voyage

Small Group
The itinerary is for guidance only. The exact route depends entirely on ice conditions, weather, and wildlife sightings.


Included


Embrace the beauty of Antarctica at your own pace on board the comfortable expedition ship, Ocean Nova, carrying a maximum of only 78 passengers. It is one of the smallest ships to explore Antarctica, offering a sustainable and intimate experience with low environmental impact and more time ashore than conventional ships. We sail from Ushuaia in Argentina to the Falkland / Malvinas Islands, home to charming rockhopper penguins and graceful albatrosses. Our next stop is the remote island of South Georgia, a wildlife haven and reputed "Galapagos of the South," reputed to have more wildlife per square meter than any other place on the planet. Watching the huge elephant seals fight for their harems and being greeted by hundreds of thousands of breeding king penguins are truly unbelievable experiences. We then continue to the most remote and isolated continent – Antarctica. Here, we explore dramatic landscapes with gigantic icebergs, scenic channels and bustling penguin colonies.

We are proud to announce that wildlife director, producer and filmmaker Alastair Fothergill will join us on this trip as a special lecturer. Alastair, a co-founder of Silverback Films, studied zoology at the University of Durham and has been at the forefront of natural history programming for over 30 years. He joined the BBC Natural History Unit in 1983 and was appointed Head of the Unit in 1992, at the age of 32. His collaborations with Sir David Attenborough include "The Blue Planet," "Planet Earth," and "Our Planet" for Netflix. Alastair is behind five of the top ten grossing natural history cinema films ever. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, who awarded him their gold medal in 2012, and was awarded an OBE in 2019 for his services to Film. On board, he will share fascinating insights from his many film projects around the world, particularly from the Polar regions.

Highlights:
Exclusive small group expedition with a maximum of only 78 passengers.
Special guest lectures by acclaimed natural history filmmaker Alastair Fothergill.
Possibility of sighting up to seven different species of penguins.
In-depth visit to South Georgia, the largest wildlife sanctuary in the Southern Ocean.
Sailing the Beagle Channel and the Falkland / Malvinas Islands before exploring bustle penguin colonies in Antarctica.

Itinerary

© PQS
© PQS
© PQS

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Arrival at the End of the World
Start of the expedition in Ushuaia, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Overnight at a central hotel to prepare for the adventure.

Day 2: The Expedition Cruise Begins
Into the Beagle Channel
Free morning in Ushuaia. In the afternoon, embark the Ocean Nova and sail through the Beagle Channel, with chances to spot Magellanic penguins swimming near the ship.

Day 3: At Sea
Experts and Marine Horizons
A day at sea accompanied by albatrosses and petrels. Start of the lecture program by our polar experts and whale watching.

Day 4: West Falkland / Malvinas
Saunders Island
Exploring the western islands, home to the black-browed albatross. Weather permitting, we will visit Saunders Island, where four species of penguins nest side by side.

Day 5: Stanley, East Falkland / Malvinas
History and Victorian Port
Visit the capital, Stanley. Walk through its historic streets and learn about its past as a strategic 19th-century port.

Day 6 - 7: Southern Ocean
Crossing the Antarctic Convergence
Sailing southeast toward South Georgia. The drop in temperature marks the entry into Antarctic waters while onboard lectures continue.

Day 8 - 11: South Georgia
The Wildlife Haven
Arrival at the beginning of the austral summer. Visit massive King penguin colonies at St. Andrew’s Bay and Salisbury Plain. Observe elephant seals and visit Shackleton’s grave at Grytviken.

Day 12 - 14: At Sea
Toward the Remote Continent
Sailing toward Antarctica. Experts share stories of early explorers while we look out for the first icebergs on the horizon.

Day 15 - 18: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Ice and White Wilderness
Flexible route according to ice. Possible visits to Elephant Island (Shackleton’s refuge), Deception Island (volcanic caldera), and continental landings at Hope Bay or Paradise Harbour.

Day 19 - 20: Drake Passage
Reflection and Farewell
Crossing the Drake Passage back to South America. Farewell dinner and time to process the experiences.

Day 21: Ushuaia, Argentina
End of the Expedition
Early morning disembarkation in Ushuaia and time to explore the town before the homebound journey.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Arrival at the End of the World
Start of the expedition in Ushuaia, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Overnight at a central hotel to prepare for the adventure.

Day 2: The Expedition Cruise Begins
Into the Beagle Channel
Free morning in Ushuaia. In the afternoon, embark the Ocean Nova and sail through the Beagle Channel, with chances to spot Magellanic penguins swimming near the ship.

Day 3: At Sea
Experts and Marine Horizons
A day at sea accompanied by albatrosses and petrels. Start of the lecture program by our polar experts and whale watching.

Day 4: West Falkland / Malvinas
Saunders Island
Exploring the western islands, home to the black-browed albatross. Weather permitting, we will visit Saunders Island, where four species of penguins nest side by side.

Day 5: Stanley, East Falkland / Malvinas
History and Victorian Port
Visit the capital, Stanley. Walk through its historic streets and learn about its past as a strategic 19th-century port.

Day 6 - 7: Southern Ocean
Crossing the Antarctic Convergence
Sailing southeast toward South Georgia. The drop in temperature marks the entry into Antarctic waters while onboard lectures continue.

Day 8 - 11: South Georgia
The Wildlife Haven
Arrival at the beginning of the austral summer. Visit massive King penguin colonies at St. Andrew’s Bay and Salisbury Plain. Observe elephant seals and visit Shackleton’s grave at Grytviken.

Day 12 - 14: At Sea
Toward the Remote Continent
Sailing toward Antarctica. Experts share stories of early explorers while we look out for the first icebergs on the horizon.

Day 15 - 18: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Ice and White Wilderness
Flexible route according to ice. Possible visits to Elephant Island (Shackleton’s refuge), Deception Island (volcanic caldera), and continental landings at Hope Bay or Paradise Harbour.

Day 19 - 20: Drake Passage
Reflection and Farewell
Crossing the Drake Passage back to South America. Farewell dinner and time to process the experiences.

Day 21: Ushuaia, Argentina
End of the Expedition
Early morning disembarkation in Ushuaia and time to explore the town before the homebound journey.


© PQS
© PQS
© PQS


INCLUSIONS

19 nights on board the expedition ship Ocean Nova
1 hotel night in Ushuaia before bording the ship
All meals on board
Coffee, tea, chocolate on board the ship
All excursions and activities
8 polar expert guides
Guiding ashore and lectures on board
Use of rubber boots for excursions
Slideshow from the trip

EXCLUSIONS

Airfare to and from Ushuaia, Argentina
Travel and cancellation insurance
Personal expenses on board such as in the bar, the shop or laundry service
Gratuity to the ship’s crew


Dates & Rates


Ship: Ocean Nova | Date: 28 Oct 2026 - 17 Nov 2026 (1611)
C1 - Triple Cabin
$14,590
C3 - Explorer Twin
$16,990
C4 - Explorer Double
$18,290
C6 - Classic Single
$31,490

* 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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