Cruise to Antarctica leaving from Ushuaia: 11 days / 10 nights in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands

Cruise to Antarctica leaving from Ushuaia: 11 days / 10 nights in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands

Cancellation Non-refundable, non-modifiable

You would like

An exceptional cruise to the heart of the Antarctic
Encountering the numerous animals that populate this isolated continent
Seeing unique, once-in-a-lifetime landscapes

Essential information *

* All details will be sent to you upon reservation.

Description

Discover one of the most isolated places on the planet: Antarctica! The itinerary for your 11 day / 10 night expedition is as follows:

 

  • Day1: Depart from Ushuaia

In the afternoon you will board the USHUAIA and meet the staff who will accompany you during the expedition. Once in your cabin, you will sail along the famous Beagle Channel and Mackinlay Pass.

 

  • Day 2 and 3: Crossing the Drake Passage

On the 2nd day of your cruise, you will cross the Drake Passage. This place was explored for the very first time by the famous explorer Sir Francis Drake in 1578! It is at the Atlantic convergence, a natural barrier where the cold polar waters mingle with the warmer waters from the North.

Feel free to chat to the sailors, professors and experts on board. They will help you identify the amazing varieties of seabird and learn more about navigation. You will be able to find out everything you want to know.

On the third day, you will begin to spot icebergs and snowcapped mountains, indicating that you have reached the South Shetland Islands. If the conditions are good, the professors and naturalists will accompany you on to land to discover the penguins and wild seals that live there!

 

  • Day 4 to 8: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands

The South Shetland Islands are a true paradise for fauna! During the next part of your expedition, You will see vast colonies of Penguins as well as beaches bursting with sea lions and elephant seals.

You will sail through the narrow passage into Deception Island caldera before visiting King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands. There you will discover colonies of Adélie penguins as well as other penguins, kelp gulls, cormorants and many other animal species. With a bit of luck, you might even be able to find some scientists in the middle of their research!

Once or twice a day, you will climb into a zodiac to explore the land and ice. You will relive the excitement of the very first explorers to discover this isolated continent. You will discover an unspoiled landscape of snow, ice, mountains and rivers. Next you will explore Paradise Bay, a magical place where more than 100,000 couples of Adélie penguins come to mate. It was also here, in 1903, that the explorer Nordenskjöld built a stone shelter, now in ruins and populated by penguins. If you explore further, you will visit sites such as the Melchior Islands, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pleneau Island and Petermann Island.

During your cruise, you are likely to come across numerous animals such as Weddell seals, crabs, penguins, leopard seals, minke whales, killer whales and humpback whales.

You will sail along some of the most beautiful watercourses in the world: the Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel and the Lemaire Channel (depending on the thickness of the ice floe). These narrow passages between rocky walls and immense glaciers will give you a spectacular view!

 

  • Day 9 & 10: Return trip through Drake Passage

On the 9th and 10th days, you will cross the Drake Passage and return to Ushuaia. You will join the professors and naturalists on deck to try to spot some whales as you admire the fabulous icy landscape! These final few days in Antarctica will be a chance to reflect on the wonderful adventures you've had during this unforgettable trip!

 

  • Day 11: Arrival in Ushuaia

You will arrive in the port of Ushuaia in the morning and leave the boat after breakfast. This will be the end of your expedition to the Antarctic peninsula!

Options

When booking, you will be asked to choose the cabin category for your Antarctica cruise: 

  • Category C (the least expensive!)
  • Category B 
  • Category A 
  • Superior Cabin
  • Suite (the most comfortable!) 

Good to know

  • Availability: from November to March - 2 to 3 departures per month. Please click on the booking calendar for the exact departure dates
  • Duration: 11 days / 10 nights or 10 days / 9 nights (depending on the departure date)
  • Departure time(s): boarding on the Ushuaia ship will take place at 4pm with a departure scheduled for around 6pm. You will meet at around 3:30pm in the port of Ushuaia
  • To take part in this activity simply present your voucher to the local tour operator
  • Staff will speak English and Spanish
  • We recommend arriving in Ushuaia 1 to 2 days early in order to avoid any delays to your flight / baggage
  • You must have at least 6 months left on your passport after the date of your planned trip. No visas are required if you are spending less than 3 months in Argentina
  • Certain activities are offered as an extra. We therefore recommend taking at least US$300 (around €250) in cash to spend once you are there
  • A surcharge for petrol costs may be added depending on the price per barrel at the time of your cruise. Please contact us around one month before your cruise to find out if this surcharge will be applicable
  • Lots of practical information is available in our Antarctica Expedition Guide

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