Days
Price from
Polar wildlife and icy wilderness in the deep south
Voyage on a spectacular 11-day polar expedition from Ushuaia to the Great White Continent. You’ll be delighted by penguins, seals and whales as they accompany you on your journey to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Be joined by an expert expedition team focused on maximising wildlife sightings and presenting a detailed and comprehensive lecture series on marine biology, glaciology and Antarctic history. With a fully equipped marine expedition vessel and a number of optional activities to enhance your explorations, experiencing the wilds of Antarctica has never been this effortless.
- Start
- Ushuaia, Argentina
- Finish
- Ushuaia, Argentina
- Destinations
- Antarctica, Argentina
- Style
- Peregrine
- Theme
- Polar
- Code
- PPEXIA
- Physical rating
- Ages
- Min 8
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 176
Why you'll love this trip
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Be joined by an expert team of expedition guides and leading scientists who will join you on shore landings and also present a comprehensive lecture series to prepare you for what lies ahead.
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Discover the abundance of wildlife that call this environment home. Scan the seas for whales, cruise alongside seal bobs and spot rare birds while passing through the Beagle Channel.
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Get up close to some of the Antarctic Peninsula’s rugged terrain on a series of Zodiac cruises, and if the weather permits, stroll along the shores in search of penguin colonies.
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Immersive sea kayaking explorations, a freezing polar plunge, a night camping under the Antarctic skies – optional adventures on your polar expedition will take your journey to the next level.
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After days of exploration, retire to a comfortable and spacious polar expedition vessel, fully equipped with dining and lounge facilities, well-appointed staterooms and expansive outer decks.
Is this trip right for you?
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This trip runs on a number of polar expedition vessels, depending on the departure date. Each ship is equipped with well-appointed and comfortable staterooms, spacious common areas and outdoor viewing decks, but the exact layout and features do vary between ships. When booking a polar expedition, ensure that you note the ship name carefully in the ‘Dates & Availability’ section and consult its individual boat page to learn more about your vessel. For further information, speak to a Peregrine booking agent.
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Although our ice strengthened ships are big and sturdy, Antarctic waters can be unpredictable and rough. Some people may experience seasickness, especially through the Drake Passage and other open water crossings. Please be prepared with medications to combat this. There is also a doctor on board should you need further assistance.
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As you’d expect, temperatures in the Antarctic are freezing. A warm parka will be provided along with waterproof boots and unlimited hot drinks, but you should also bring base layers and lots of warm clothing. Please see the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for further details on what to bring.
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Weather depending, you will be making regular excursions in a Zodiac boat to explore the local area and look for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you are dressed appropriately and that you keep your camera safe and dry. Sturdy sea legs are needed as you make wet and dry landings from the boat, and on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Some ships have a lot of stairs, so please hold on to the handrails if seas are rough.
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The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned for. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially to such a remote area. There are nearly 200 recognised sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands; the places mentioned in the itinerary may need to be changed to others (which are equally as interesting). We may also be confined to the ship during rough weather. The onboard library and educational lectures are ideal ways of keeping entertained.
Gallery
Boats
Ocean Diamond
Sail aboard the Ocean Diamond, a modern, stable super-yacht and experience Quark's Antarctica.
- Boat type
- Expedition Ship
- Passengers
- 189
Ocean Adventurer
This sturdy expedition ship was built in 1975 and underwent an $8 million refurbishment in 2017 which included new engines and refurbished cabins...
- Boat type
- Expedition Ship
- Passengers
- 128
World Explorer
Newly built in 2018 and designed specifically with polar cruising in mind, the beautiful World Explorer is one of our newest ships.
- Boat type
- Expedition
- Passengers
- 172
Itinerary
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
If you are arriving today, an arrival transfer will be provided to the joining hotel. Full details will be sent with your final joining instructions. If arriving earlier, please make your own way to the pre-expedition accommodation.Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Meals Included
- Breakfast (2)
- Lunch (2)
- Dinner (2)
Meals Included
- Breakfast (4)
- Lunch (4)
- Dinner (4)
Special Information
The exact destinations you visit (and when you visit them) are dependent on factors such as weather conditions, sea ice and wildlife movement, but you can see a full list of potential landing sites at peregrineadventures.com/antarctica/landing-sites.If you would like to participate in optional activities such as kayaking, camping or cross-country skiing, you must organise this in advance. See the ‘Important Notes’ section for more detail on these options. As space is limited on optional activities, we recommend you speak to a Peregrine booking agent at the time of booking to secure your place.
Meals Included
- Breakfast (2)
- Lunch (2)
- Dinner (2)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Your expedition includes a departure transfer today. If you have booked an onward connection, ensure that this is for 12 pm or later, as you will be transferred to the airport for your flight out of Ushuaia. If you are staying on in Ushuaia or flying out later on in the day, you will be transferred to luggage storage facilities. You can leave your luggage there before making your own way to the airport later on in the day or to your accommodation if you are staying for longer.Meals
10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinnersTransport
Expedition cruise ship, ZodiacAccommodation
Expedition Voyage, HotelDates & availability - 2021 season
Trip departures are unavailable.
There are currently no scheduled departures on our Antarctic Explorer from Ushuaia 11 day trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
Jump to a departure month
Important notes
BOOKING CONDITIONS
Arctic and Antarctic bookings have an increased deposit requirement of 20% of the full voyage cost (before any discount). The balance is due 120 days before departure.
If a booking is cancelled 120 days or more before departure – the cancellation fee is the full loss of the deposit paid.
If a booking is cancelled between 119 days and departure – the cancellation fee is 100% of the total price of the voyage.
Other fees may apply for air tickets and other arrangements booked in conjunction with a Polar voyage.
Many of these voyages will be operated by our polar partner, Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives.
ADVENTURE OPTIONS
The following activities are available on some or all of the departures of this itinerary. These must be booked in advance, space is limited, and additional costs may apply.
KAYAKING – Taken in small groups of maximum 16 people, multiple times per voyage, kayaking adventures are only conducted during calm weather conditions. Kayaking is open to all levels of experience, however kayaking in the polar waters is not suitable for novices. Beginners interested in kayaking should first take an introductory course prior to the voyage which includes how to do a ‘wet exit’. Regardless of your experience, we recommend you take part in some kayaking practise prior to the voyage to ensure that you are comfortable on the water in the icy conditions.
CAMPING – Spend the night under the Antarctic sky with a hardy group of your shipmates. The crew will determine the best location and conditions for your overnight adventure. Dress warmly and eat a hearty meal before you head out as no meals are permitted onshore. Numbers are limited, so you must book this experience early.
There are also some included optional activities offered on some or all departures of this itinerary.
SNOWSHOEING – This is a unique way to experience the beauty of the polar landscape and discover remote alcoves and hidden valleys. The rewards are well worth the effort, as you will be able to visit places that may be inaccessible with just hiking boots.
Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip Information