Our ice-strengthened and Icebreaker ships offer an incredible choice of expeditions. We operate all of our Antarctic voyages out of South America.
The ice-strengthened ships concentrate on the Antarctic Peninsula and the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Atlantic. The Antarctic Peninsula is the most accessible, affordable and, arguably, the prettiest part of Antarctica, and has the highest concentration of wildlife on the continent. All voyages begin in the ‘town at the end of the world’, Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Argentina. We sail down the Beagle Channel accompanied by albatrosses and head into the Drake Passage. Once at sea, our informal educational program (consisting of presentations, discussions and other activities) gets under way.
As we continue south towards the Antarctic Peninsula we see our first icebergs and are thrilled at our first glimpse of Antarctica. The western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula is a rugged, mountainous spur flanked by ancient glaciers and massive ice shelves that creep down to the water’s edge. The dozens of islands surrounding the peninsula are home to extraordinary concentrations of wildlife, including Weddell seals, elephant seals, skuas, giant petrels and rookeries of gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguins. We aim to pass legendary Cape Horn on our return to Ushuaia.
Our Falkland Islands and South Georgia itineraries extend the experience to include the overwhelming wildlife and history of the sub-Antarctic. Combining the sub-Antarctic with the Antarctic Peninsula, these voyages are the ultimate Antarctic experience.
Our Icebreaker voyages depart from Ushuaia or Stanley in the Falklands, and compliment our ice-strengthened voyages perfectly. The extra-thick hull of the Kapitan Khlebnikov and the onboard helicopters affording access to Emperor penguins, to the Weddell and Ross Seas, as well as some of the most spectacular and remote places on the continent. On the two longer expeditions we visit historic sites as we start to understand more of the hardships and conditions faced by the likes of Shackleton and Scott.
The Kapitan Khlebnikov is equipped with a fleet of sturdy zodiacs and will use these when conditions permit. On leaving the Peninsula access onto the Antarctica continent will be via helicopter. During our time in Antarctica, we enjoy superb close-up views of towering, and beautifully, sculpted icebergs. We’ll visit Emperor penguin rookeries where the birds number in the thousands, laugh at seal pups playing in the shallows and come to understand the exquisite, fragile wilderness of Antarctica.
When to go
Our Emperor penguin safaris kick off the Antarctic season in October before the sea ice around Snow Hill has retreated. Other voyages to Antarctica depart in the summer months – November to March – after the ice has retreated, wildlife is abundant and the daylight hours are virtually endless. The wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula has a lot to do during this short summer, penguins nest, chicks hatch and seals and whales make the most of abundant food stocks. Whether you visit at the beginning or end of the season there is always something to see.
Earlier in the season – November, December and January – is the time for bird watching. Penguins court and mate in the late spring/early summer and in December and January they are hatching eggs and feeding chicks. This is also when the ice is at its most spectacular. You’ll see massive icebergs and the ship may have to crash through plates of ice on the water’s surface. On South Georgia the bull elephant seals 'beach masters' fight over their harems of females.
Later in the season – February and March – is the best time for mammal-spotting with seals, orcas and humpback and minke whales in abundance. Penguin chicks are beginning to fledge and adult penguins are moulting.
Voyages onboard the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov can operate in sea ice and utilise onboard helicopters to explore remote corners of the Antarctic continent.
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ICE STRENGTHENED EXPEDITIONS TO ANTARCTICA
Onboard the Akademik Ioffe, Akademik Sergey Vavilov, Clipper Adventurer, Lyubov Orlova and Ocean Nova offer the following voyages;
ANTARCTIC EXPLORER - 11 & 12 days
A great introduction to Antarctica – we’ll explore the South Shetland Islands and the bays and islands of the Antarctic Peninsula with as much time off the ship as possible.
CROSSING THE CIRCLE - 15 days
Given good ice conditions, we will travel further than any other Peregrine expedition, and cruise well south of the Antarctic Circle at 66°33S – through regions of striking beauty and abundant wildlife.
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA, FALKLAND ISLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA - 20 days
The 'ultimate' wildlife experience, contrasting the fascinating history and overwhelming wildlife populations of the sub-Antarctic with the awesome beauty of Antarctica. |
ICEBREAKER EXPEDITIONS TO ANTARCTIC
Onboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov
EMPEROR PENGUIN SAFARI – 14 days
The most northerly Emperor penguin colony in Antarctica was only found four years ago. The colony spends the Antarctic winter nestled close to Snow Hill Island on the fast sea ice. We visit in early summer before the chicks have fledged and before the sea ice has broken.
WEDDELL SEA & SOUTH GEORGIA - 30 days
On this amazing voyage we’ll retrace part of Shackleton’s journey onboard the Endurance. Our goal is 70° 34' 23"S, 8° 10' 45"W. We plan to visit three Emperor penguin rookeries as well as the South Shetland Islands and South Georgia.
EPIC ANTARCTICA – 32 days
A real expedition. We’ll experience the wildlife of the Peninsula before heading into the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas. After sailing along the Phantom Coast we’ll enter the Ross Sea and later McMurdo Sound. We plan to visit Cape Royds and Cape Evans. A visit to the Dry Valleys and Enderby and Campbell Islands complete the epic journey.
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