South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari

An 18-day voyage—the fastest way to reach remote South Georgia Island and the 7th Continent. Walk beaches teeming with king penguins and elephant seals, and explore Antarctica by ship, Zodiac, and foot.


South Georgia and Antarctica
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Starts: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego
Ends: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego
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.


Included
Optional


The 18-day South Georgia and Antarctica: Penguin Safari is the fastest way to reach remote South Georgia Island while also setting foot on the 7th Continent. South Georgia is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife. You will walk beaches teeming with king penguins and elephant seals, and observe four penguin species: Gentoo, Chinstrap, Adélie, and Macaroni. You can also observe albatross soaring above the ship.

Antarctica awaits with its soaring peaks and overwhelming enormity. Your Expedition Team will take you on Zodiac rides to photograph glistening glaciers or witness the rugged peninsula from a sea kayak. The journey follows in the wake of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s perilous voyages to South Georgia, where you can pause for a moment at his grave site in Grytviken. The voyage immerses you in the icy realm, with abundant wildlife and expert presentations on glaciology and history.

Highlights:
See South Georgia’s incredible wildlife, including 30 breeding bird species and four penguin species.
Follow in the wake of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s perilous voyages and pause for a moment at his grave site in Grytviken.
Explore the Antarctic Peninsula by ship, Zodiac, and foot.
Encounter vast beaches blanketed with king penguins and elephant seals, rivaled nowhere else on Earth.
Enjoy presentations on wildlife, history, glaciology & geology by our onboard polar experts.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
Gateway to Patagonia
Arrive in Ushuaia, the ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.

Day 2: Embarkation in Ushuaia
Sailing down the historic Beagle Channel
Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon. Your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart.

Days 3-6: At Sea
Polar Experts, seabirds, and Shag Rocks
Learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety procedures and given instructions for getting the most out of your optional sea kayaking adventures. If conditions are right, you may sight birds and whales around Shag Rocks.

Days 7-9: South Georgia
Wildlife sightings unrivaled anywhere else on Earth
The sites you visit will provide you with wildlife sightings unrivaled anywhere else on Earth. Walk beaches blanketed with penguins and seals. Visit the historic Grytviken whaling station, the site of the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Days 10-11: At Sea
Sailing to Antarctica and final preparations
Say goodbye to the king penguins as you leave for your next destination: Antarctica. Your days at sea are filled with presentations and workshops led by your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife and landscapes that will surround you.

Days 12-15: Antarctic Peninsula
Unforgettable landscape and wildlife encounters
You will discover a land of extremes. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, whether you are Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or observing penguin colonies. Keep a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a Zodiac cruise.

Days 16-17: Crossing the Drake Passage
Rite of passage and reflection
Your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.

Day 18: Disembark in Ushuaia
Departure
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, after which you can continue exploring locally or head to the airport to connect to your onward flight.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
Gateway to Patagonia
Arrive in Ushuaia, the ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.

Day 2: Embarkation in Ushuaia
Sailing down the historic Beagle Channel
Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon. Your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart.

Days 3-6: At Sea
Polar Experts, seabirds, and Shag Rocks
Learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety procedures and given instructions for getting the most out of your optional sea kayaking adventures. If conditions are right, you may sight birds and whales around Shag Rocks.

Days 7-9: South Georgia
Wildlife sightings unrivaled anywhere else on Earth
The sites you visit will provide you with wildlife sightings unrivaled anywhere else on Earth. Walk beaches blanketed with penguins and seals. Visit the historic Grytviken whaling station, the site of the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Days 10-11: At Sea
Sailing to Antarctica and final preparations
Say goodbye to the king penguins as you leave for your next destination: Antarctica. Your days at sea are filled with presentations and workshops led by your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife and landscapes that will surround you.

Days 12-15: Antarctic Peninsula
Unforgettable landscape and wildlife encounters
You will discover a land of extremes. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, whether you are Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or observing penguin colonies. Keep a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a Zodiac cruise.

Days 16-17: Crossing the Drake Passage
Rite of passage and reflection
Your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.

Day 18: Disembark in Ushuaia
Departure
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, after which you can continue exploring locally or head to the airport to connect to your onward flight.


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INCLUSIONS

An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep
Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Team, including shore landings and other activities
All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
All shore landings as per the daily program
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage.
Complimentary select beer, wines and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
A photographic journal documenting your expedition
A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data-intensive applications.) Note: Internet access in the polar regions is subject to geography, climate, and other factors beyond our control.
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
All luggage handling aboard the ship
Group arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast. (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
Group departure transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local airport or to luggage.

EXCLUSIONS

International airfare
Passport and applicable visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
Phone charges may vary by location
Our basic complimentary Wi-Fi service does not include Premium packages which enable more data-intensive applications
Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
Additional overnight accommodation
Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities.


Dates & Rates


Ship: Ocean Explorer | Date: 27 Oct 2027 - 13 Nov 2027 (4668)
Triple Suite
$25,195
$21,416
Deluxe Veranda Forward
$28,095
$23,881
Veranda Stateroom
$29,595
$25,156
Veranda Suite
$31,395
$26,686
Studio Single
$40,695
$34,591
Penthouse Suite
$42,895
$36,461
Studio Veranda Single
$43,995
$37,396
Owners Suite
$45,895
$39,011
Ship: Ocean Explorer | Date: 09 Nov 2028 - 26 Nov 2028 (3040)
Triple Suite
$24,695
$20,426
Deluxe Veranda Forward
$27,595
$23,036
Veranda Stateroom
$28,995
$24,296
Veranda Suite
$30,795
$25,916
Studio Single
$39,895
$34,106
Penthouse Suite
$42,095
$36,086
Studio Veranda Single
$43,095
$36,986
Owners Suite
$44,995
$38,696

* 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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