Ultimate Antarctic Adventure

Experience the ultimate Antarctic adventure on a 20-day odyssey that blends expedition ship comfort with the intimacy of a sailing adventure. Explore pristine landscapes, icebergs, and unique wildlife at the end of the world.


Antartica in a Sail Boat
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Duration: 20 days / 19 nights on board.
Starts: Ushuaia, Argentina
Ends: Ushuaia, Argentina
Language: English speaking voyage

This itinerary is a combined expedition utilizing two distinct vessels.
During the course of the voyage, passengers will transfer between the St. Helena and the Icebird to allow for deeper and more flexible exploration in the remote regions of the Antarctic Peninsula.

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


Experience Antarctica in a way few ever will. This expedition combines the comfort of an expedition vessel with a sailing adventure aboard a specialized yacht, delivering a level of access and intimacy unavailable on standard Antarctic itineraries. With only a few fellow guests aboard the private vessel, exploration becomes more flexible, more personal, and far removed from the crowds. Designed for true explorers who value immersion, this journey blends a comfortable Drake Passage crossing with the quiet magic of Antarctica.

Throughout this journey, passengers will immerse themselves in a world of massive glaciers, sculpted icebergs, and extraordinary wildlife. From penguin colonies and seals to whales gliding between ice floes, each day offers opportunities for spotting unique species. Guided by an expert team, expeditioners can go snowshoeing, kayak through tranquil waters, and explore pristine terrain in an environment where spontaneity and discovery define every day of this voyage.

Highlights:
Enjoy a 5-night exclusive onboard sailing yacht experience with a maximum of 5 fellow guests for unmatched intimacy.
Explore the Antarctic Peninsula's dramatic icebergs, vertical glaciers, and remote ice-choked waterways.
Encounter abundant polar wildlife up close, including feeding whales, seals on ice, and expansive penguin rookeries.
Participate in daily guided shore landings, Zodiac cruises, and pristine kayaking excursions at no extra cost.
Benefit from expert-guided excursions and educational talks covering Antarctica's history, ecology, and wildlife.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Embarkation and initial cruise along the Beagle Channel
Board the St. Helena in the afternoon, where you'll meet your crew and fellow travellers. After settling into your cabin, the ship sets off along the picturesque Beagle Channel. Relish your first evening at sea as the southernmost tip of South America disappears from view.

Day 2–3: Crossing the Drake Passage (southbound)
Expert lectures, ocean wildlife spotting, and the Antarctic Convergence
Start your Antarctic adventure with a crossing of the Drake Passage, a vast stretch of open ocean that marks the Antarctic Convergence, where nutrient-rich waters sustain a vibrant ecosystem. While at sea, attend expert-led talks on Antarctica's history, wildlife, and geology. Head to the open decks or the bridge to spot albatrosses, petrels, and even whales. Adventure activities, including navigation workshops and safety briefings for kayaking and snowshoeing, will also be held. By the end of Day 3, the first sighting of icebergs and snow-capped peaks will signal your arrival at the South Shetland Islands.

Day 4–7: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
Daily landings, penguin colonies, and ice-choked channels
The core of the journey unfolds as you explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with each day offering a blend of landings, zodiac cruises, and optional adventure activities. Paddle through tranquil waters, drifting past seals resting on ice floes and penguins diving in for a swim. Explore pristine trails and reach panoramic viewpoints offering breathtaking vistas of glaciers and peaks. Visit expansive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie Penguins, watching their amusing behaviours as they care for their chicks. Spot Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals on ice, with Minke and humpback whales often seen feeding nearby. With over 500 diverse landing sites along the Antarctic Peninsula, our expert team crafts each expedition based on conditions, weather, and opportunities.

Day 8–13: Onboard Icebird
Intimate yacht sailing through narrow channels and secluded bays
Disembark your ship and join just five other guests aboard Icebird, a sturdy, expedition-equipped sailing yacht built for polar conditions. Your five-night yacht expedition into the Peninsula’s remote waters begins. For the next six days, immerse yourself fully in Antarctica’s wild side: venture into narrow channels, secluded bays, and remote anchorages unreachable by larger vessels. Enjoy daily landings on untouched beaches, explore stunning glaciers, and experience a flexible daily program to follow the best conditions and maximize your exploration, with hearty meals, incredible photography sessions, and the rare camaraderie of a true micro-expedition.

Day 14–17: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
Return to the St. Helena and continued polar excursions
The core of the journey continues as you return to the St. Helena to explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with each day offering a blend of landings, zodiac cruises, and inclusive adventure activities. Kayak among towering icebergs, snowshoe along pristine polar trails to panoramic viewpoints, and visit active penguin colonies and seal habitats, navigating breathtaking ice-choked channels and witnessing towering glaciers in a genuine expedition where spontaneity and discovery define every day.

Day 18: Farewell Landing
Final Zodiac cruises and exploration of historic sites
As the expedition heads back north, there's an opportunity for a final landing or zodiac cruise. Weather and ice conditions permitting, explore destinations like Brown Bluff, where towering cliffs and an Adélie penguin colony await, or Paulet Island, home to historic sites and abundant wildlife.

Day 19: Crossing the Drake Passage (northbound)
Northbound open sea sailing, final workshops, and farewell dinner
Relive your adventures as you cross the Drake Passage, keeping an eye out for seabirds and whales along the way. Take part in final lectures or workshops, and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your fellow travellers as you reflect on the unforgettable journey.

Day 20: Return to Ushuaia
Morning arrival and final disembarkation
Arrive back in Ushuaia in the early morning. After breakfast, disembark with cherished memories of an epic Antarctic expedition and new stories to tell.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Embarkation and initial cruise along the Beagle Channel
Board the St. Helena in the afternoon, where you'll meet your crew and fellow travellers. After settling into your cabin, the ship sets off along the picturesque Beagle Channel. Relish your first evening at sea as the southernmost tip of South America disappears from view.

Day 2–3: Crossing the Drake Passage (southbound)
Expert lectures, ocean wildlife spotting, and the Antarctic Convergence
Start your Antarctic adventure with a crossing of the Drake Passage, a vast stretch of open ocean that marks the Antarctic Convergence, where nutrient-rich waters sustain a vibrant ecosystem. While at sea, attend expert-led talks on Antarctica's history, wildlife, and geology. Head to the open decks or the bridge to spot albatrosses, petrels, and even whales. Adventure activities, including navigation workshops and safety briefings for kayaking and snowshoeing, will also be held. By the end of Day 3, the first sighting of icebergs and snow-capped peaks will signal your arrival at the South Shetland Islands.

Day 4–7: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
Daily landings, penguin colonies, and ice-choked channels
The core of the journey unfolds as you explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with each day offering a blend of landings, zodiac cruises, and optional adventure activities. Paddle through tranquil waters, drifting past seals resting on ice floes and penguins diving in for a swim. Explore pristine trails and reach panoramic viewpoints offering breathtaking vistas of glaciers and peaks. Visit expansive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie Penguins, watching their amusing behaviours as they care for their chicks. Spot Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals on ice, with Minke and humpback whales often seen feeding nearby. With over 500 diverse landing sites along the Antarctic Peninsula, our expert team crafts each expedition based on conditions, weather, and opportunities.

Day 8–13: Onboard Icebird
Intimate yacht sailing through narrow channels and secluded bays
Disembark your ship and join just five other guests aboard Icebird, a sturdy, expedition-equipped sailing yacht built for polar conditions. Your five-night yacht expedition into the Peninsula’s remote waters begins. For the next six days, immerse yourself fully in Antarctica’s wild side: venture into narrow channels, secluded bays, and remote anchorages unreachable by larger vessels. Enjoy daily landings on untouched beaches, explore stunning glaciers, and experience a flexible daily program to follow the best conditions and maximize your exploration, with hearty meals, incredible photography sessions, and the rare camaraderie of a true micro-expedition.

Day 14–17: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
Return to the St. Helena and continued polar excursions
The core of the journey continues as you return to the St. Helena to explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with each day offering a blend of landings, zodiac cruises, and inclusive adventure activities. Kayak among towering icebergs, snowshoe along pristine polar trails to panoramic viewpoints, and visit active penguin colonies and seal habitats, navigating breathtaking ice-choked channels and witnessing towering glaciers in a genuine expedition where spontaneity and discovery define every day.

Day 18: Farewell Landing
Final Zodiac cruises and exploration of historic sites
As the expedition heads back north, there's an opportunity for a final landing or zodiac cruise. Weather and ice conditions permitting, explore destinations like Brown Bluff, where towering cliffs and an Adélie penguin colony await, or Paulet Island, home to historic sites and abundant wildlife.

Day 19: Crossing the Drake Passage (northbound)
Northbound open sea sailing, final workshops, and farewell dinner
Relive your adventures as you cross the Drake Passage, keeping an eye out for seabirds and whales along the way. Take part in final lectures or workshops, and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your fellow travellers as you reflect on the unforgettable journey.

Day 20: Return to Ushuaia
Morning arrival and final disembarkation
Arrive back in Ushuaia in the early morning. After breakfast, disembark with cherished memories of an epic Antarctic expedition and new stories to tell.


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INCLUSIONS

Accommodation in a fully serviced cabin throughout the voyage
Three meals, all-day snacks, tea, coffee, and house beer, soda, and wine during dinner hours
All shore excursions — guided walks, Zodiac cruises, and standard adventure activities including polar plunge, yoga, kayaking, camping and snowshoeing
Expert expedition team of 12–14 guides, naturalists, and lecturers
Expedition parka/shell for you to keep, plus rubber muck boots on loan
Port fees, landing permits
Gratuities for crew
Basic Wi-Fi — upgrades available for a fee

EXCLUSIONS

flights, pre- and post-departure accommodations
Personal onboard bar charges
Boutique purchases
Wi-Fi upgrades
Any optional activities not listed in the inclusions


Dates & Rates


Ship: St Helena + Icebird | Date: 28 Dec 2026 - 16 Jan 2027 (5318)
Double Private
$21,080
Quad Share
$25,380
Ship: St Helena + Icebird | Date: 06 Jan 2027 - 25 Jan 2027 (5319)
Double Private
$21,080
Quad Share
$25,380
Ship: St Helena + Icebird | Date: 16 Jan 2027 - 04 Feb 2027 (5320)
Double Private
$21,080
Quad Share
$25,380
Ship: St Helena + Icebird | Date: 25 Jan 2027 - 14 Feb 2027 (5321)
Double Private
$21,080
Quad Share
$25,380

* 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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