Expedition Antarctica: Antarctic Circle (intensive)

Set sail on an intensive Antarctic expedition. Discover the rich birdlife of the Falkland / Malvinas Islands, massive penguin colonies in South Georgia, and venture beyond the Antarctic Circle into Marguerite Bay.


Antarctic Polar Circle
© HLC

Duration: 22 days / 20 nights on board.
Starts: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ends: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Language: English and German 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.

The pre- and post-trip services organised for our programme are available in German.


Included


Set sail for an adventure where the Antarctic is rougher, icier, and whiter. The journey begins by discovering the impressive birdlife of the Falkland / Malvinas Islands before continuing toward the wildlife paradise of South Georgia, where hundreds of thousands of king penguins and elephant seals blanket the coastlines. In addition to witnessing these unique ecosystems through Zodiac rides and landings, the voyage brings polar history to life with a visit to Grytviken and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

The expedition pushes further south into the South Orkney Islands, the South Shetland Islands, and the majestic Antarctic Peninsula, where towering glaciers line the iconic Lemaire Channel. The true highlight of the voyage is the crossing of the Antarctic Circle, forging a path into remote and rarely visited regions such as Marguerite Bay. Surrounded by thick ice fields and steep snow-capped panoramas, guests will experience an authentic pioneering adventure guided by seasoned experts.

Highlights:
Exploration of rich birdlife and penguin colonies in the Falkland / Malvinas Islands.
Visits to the wildlife sanctuary of South Georgia and Ernest Shackleton's grave in Grytviken.
Zodiac rides and landings among icebergs and research stations in the South Orkney Islands.
Crossing the iconic Antarctic Circle toward the remote waters of Marguerite Bay.
Scenic cruising through world-famous passages including the Lemaire Channel, Neko Harbor, and Paradise Bay.

Itinerary

© HLC
© HLC
© HLC

Day 1: Ushuaia/Argentina
Departure
Board the vessel in Ushuaia, Argentina. Departure is scheduled at 18.00 hrs as the voyage south begins.

Day 2: Relaxation at sea
Sailing and orientation
Relaxation at sea. Get acquainted with the ship's amenities, attend introductory lectures, and prepare for upcoming island visits.

Day 3-4: Falkland Islands
Unique ecosystem and birdlife
Explore the Falkland / Malvinas Islands home to around 60 bird species. Join Zodiac landings with experts to observe rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, king cormorants, and albatrosses. Walk past typical tussock grass and explore the capital, Stanley, featuring Victorian houses and the southernmost Anglican church in the world.

Day 5-6: Relaxation at sea
Sailing toward South Georgia
Two days crossing the Southern Ocean toward South Georgia. Attend presentations hosted by experts to learn about the regional flora, fauna, and heroic polar history.

Day 7-9: South Georgia
Wildlife sanctuary
Discover South Georgia, often called the "cold Serengeti," where hundreds of thousands of king penguins blanket the coastlines alongside fighting elephant seals. In Grytviken, visit the former whaling station and Sir Ernest Shackleton's grave.

Day 10: Relaxation at sea
Crossing sub-Antarctic waters
A day of ocean navigation heading toward the polar island groups of the Scotia Sea.

Day 11-19: South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the Antarctic Circle, Marguerite Bay
Deep polar exploration
Discover the glaciated South Orkney Islands and visit the staffed Orcadas research station, weather permitting. Sail into the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands and view historic Elephant Island. Along the Antarctic Peninsula, set foot on mainland Antarctica near Paradise Bay, visit Neko Harbor and Petermann Island, and navigate the Lemaire Channel. Experience the thrill of crossing the Antarctic Circle and forge ahead into rarely visited Marguerite Bay amid thick ice fields and steep mountain panoramas.

Day 20-21: Sailing through the Drake Passage
Northbound ocean crossing
Navigate through the famous Drake Passage returning to South America. Attend final recaps and presentations led by the expedition team.

Day 22: Ushuaia/Argentina
Arrival and disembarkation
Arrival in Ushuaia, Argentina at 06.00 hrs followed by final disembarkation.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia/Argentina
Departure
Board the vessel in Ushuaia, Argentina. Departure is scheduled at 18.00 hrs as the voyage south begins.

Day 2: Relaxation at sea
Sailing and orientation
Relaxation at sea. Get acquainted with the ship's amenities, attend introductory lectures, and prepare for upcoming island visits.

Day 3-4: Falkland Islands
Unique ecosystem and birdlife
Explore the Falkland / Malvinas Islands home to around 60 bird species. Join Zodiac landings with experts to observe rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, king cormorants, and albatrosses. Walk past typical tussock grass and explore the capital, Stanley, featuring Victorian houses and the southernmost Anglican church in the world.

Day 5-6: Relaxation at sea
Sailing toward South Georgia
Two days crossing the Southern Ocean toward South Georgia. Attend presentations hosted by experts to learn about the regional flora, fauna, and heroic polar history.

Day 7-9: South Georgia
Wildlife sanctuary
Discover South Georgia, often called the "cold Serengeti," where hundreds of thousands of king penguins blanket the coastlines alongside fighting elephant seals. In Grytviken, visit the former whaling station and Sir Ernest Shackleton's grave.

Day 10: Relaxation at sea
Crossing sub-Antarctic waters
A day of ocean navigation heading toward the polar island groups of the Scotia Sea.

Day 11-19: South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the Antarctic Circle, Marguerite Bay
Deep polar exploration
Discover the glaciated South Orkney Islands and visit the staffed Orcadas research station, weather permitting. Sail into the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands and view historic Elephant Island. Along the Antarctic Peninsula, set foot on mainland Antarctica near Paradise Bay, visit Neko Harbor and Petermann Island, and navigate the Lemaire Channel. Experience the thrill of crossing the Antarctic Circle and forge ahead into rarely visited Marguerite Bay amid thick ice fields and steep mountain panoramas.

Day 20-21: Sailing through the Drake Passage
Northbound ocean crossing
Navigate through the famous Drake Passage returning to South America. Attend final recaps and presentations led by the expedition team.

Day 22: Ushuaia/Argentina
Arrival and disembarkation
Arrival in Ushuaia, Argentina at 06.00 hrs followed by final disembarkation.


© HLC
© HLC
© HLC


INCLUSIONS

All landings and rides in the ship’s own Zodiacs (Use of the Zodiacs depends on the destination and on official permits).
Experienced experts from various disciplines accompany every cruise, give presentations and multimedia lectures, provide well-informed answers to questions about the cruising area and take part in the Zodiac landings/rides and hikes from/to ship.
Use of the interactive Ocean Academy with individual knowledge formats.
Comprehensive information before the cruise – for example about the Arctic, Antarctic, the South Seas and the Amazon, as well as expedition maps.
In every cabin: champagne to welcome you, mini bar restocked daily with non-alcoholic beverages (additional selection in Grand Suites and Junior Suites), coffee machine (tea on request), 24-hour cabin service.
Equipment for loan: one pair of binoculars and two sets of Nordic Walking poles in the cabin itself, furthermore warm parkas, rubber boots, snorkelling equipment.
Flat-screen TV with information and entertainment programme, personal email account and Internet access via Wi-Fi (free of charge for one hour per guest and day, satellite-dependent especially in polar areas).
Information about harbours and destinations (where available) in the cabin.
International gourmet cuisine – full board: breakfast (early-bird and late riser breakfast), bouillon, afternoon coffee/tea time, lunch and dinner (three restaurants to choose from in the evening with flexible opening hours).
A complimentary selection of soft drinks.
Harbour and airport fees.
Extensive sports programme: fitness area with ocean view, course programme, additional sports activities on shore depending on the destination (Personal training for an additional charge).
OCEAN SPA with Finnish sauna with an ocean view, steam sauna, indoor and outdoor relaxation area (spa treatments and hairdresser at a surcharge).

EXCLUSIONS

Optional pre- or post-cruise packages or extensions.
Flights unless specified as included charter flights.
Spa treatments, hairdresser, and personal training sessions at a surcharge.
Bar charges outside the complimentary soft drinks selection and daily restocked non-alcoholic minibar.


Dates & Rates


Ship: HANSEATIC Nature/Inspiration/Spirit | Date: 21 Jan 2028 - 11 Feb 2028 (5656)
Outside C1
$22,874
Panoramic C2
$24,116
French Balcony C3
$26,013
French Balcony C5
$28,198
Balcony C4
$28,198
Balcony C6
$29,141
Balcony C7
$30,096
Balcony C8
$31,671
Junior Suite C9
$36,674
Grand Suite C10
$51,141

* 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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