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Days
16
Price from
20800NZD
Map of South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia including Antarctica, Argentina and South Georgia

Discover wildlife wonderlands and icy oases

Voyage to the depths of the globe as you embark on a once-in-a-lifetime cruising expedition to the remote shores of South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. Leaving from Ushuaia. experience this rugged location in comfort on board a fully equipped expedition vessel and you learn about the area's history and wildlife from your expert team of scientists and researchers. As you cruise in Zodiacs and set foot on land, visit South Georgia’s king penguin rookeries, take polar hikes in Antarctica and spot multiple species of seals, birds and whales along the way. This is untouched wilderness and unforgettable wildlife at its finest.

Start
Ushuaia, Argentina
Finish
Ushuaia, Argentina
Destinations
Antarctica, Argentina, South Georgia
Style
Peregrine
Theme
Polar
Code
PPSGS
Physical rating
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 1, Max 189

Why you'll love this trip

  • With regular Zodiac excursions along the Antarctic and South Georgia coastline, you will be in the best position to spot abundant species of whales, seabirds, seals and penguins.

  • Take to land on multiple shore excursions, where you can walk on beaches teeming with thousands of king penguins in some of the largest rookeries in the world at South Georgia.

  • Participate in a range of lectures and presentations from leading experts on board your vessel to learn more about the wildlife, history, geology and glaciology of the regions you will explore.

  • Test yourself and push your boundaries with the option to take a refreshing polar plunge, experiencing the ultimate immersion into Antarctic waters.

  • Further enhance your polar voyage by opting into one (or more!) optional adventures, including a sea kayaking experience among icebergs and past playful seals.

Is this trip right for you?

  • 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.

  • 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 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information for details.

  • 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.

  • 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 for keeping entertained.

Large group of King Penguins waddling on the shore in Falkland Islands near Antarctica
Large grey and white seal with whiskers lazing horizontal on ice in Antarctica
Group of Antarctic travellers in warm jackets and scarves cruising on a Zodiac boat towards mountains in Antarctica
Wide shot of black Zodiac boat with driver transferring six passengers to land in Antarctica, cruising on sunny day past ice
Traveller sitting on top of rocky hill overlooking deep blue ocean, icy mountains and floating ice on cloudy day in Antarctica

Boats

Ocean Diamond boat in Polar region

Ocean Diamond

Sail aboard the Ocean Diamond, a modern, stable super-yacht and experience Quark's Antarctica.

Boat type
Expedition Ship
Passengers
189
Learn more
World explorer boat on a tour in Polar region

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
Learn more

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 13 Dec 2021 to 28 Dec 2021.
 View the 2021 itinerary

Welcome to Ushuaia, where your Antarctic adventure begins. Arrive into the city any time today and transfer to your pre-expedition accommodation. Spend the day getting to know this quirky little city – the southernmost in the world – before a pre-departure briefing this evening, usually at 6 pm.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
If you are arriving today, an arrival transfer is included from the airport to the joining hotel. We recommend you arrive prior to 6 pm as there will be a pre-departure briefing at this time. If you arrive earlier or wish to extend your stay, we’ll be able to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

After breakfast at the hotel, the morning is yours to explore further. Embarkation will take place later in the afternoon – further details will be given at your pre-departure meeting. After boarding and settling into your cabin, venture out on deck as your ship makes its way into the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. The channel takes its name from the HMS Beagle, which transported Charles Darwin through the region on his around-the-world voyage in 1833.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Your first days at sea will include plenty of time to relax, getting to know your fellow shipmates and learning about more about the opportunities that await. Your expert polar team will begin their educational lecture programme, presenting on wildlife such as seabirds and penguins, and providing an insight into the history of South Georgia Island. These few days also offer an opportunity to get comfortable with the motion of the sea.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (3)
  • Lunch (3)
  • Dinner (3)

If conditions are favourable, you will approach South Georgia this afternoon. Have your camera ready to capture shags, prions and albatross in the water around you, and revel in the excitement on board your vessel as shore landings and wildlife explorations are imminent.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Make your first potential landings this morning in the wildlife-filled South Georgia Island. Your polar team will set a course to maximise wildlife sighting opportunities and take into account the weather and sea conditions. Hopefully, you’ll stop by a protected bay of the island, which is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife. The island’s king penguin rookeries are some of the world’s largest, with populations sometimes numbering into the hundreds of thousands. South Georgia is scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries past. Visit old whaling stations, including the settlement of Grytviken, which is home to the remains of the Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)
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.

As you leave South Georgia in your wake, Antarctica awaits. While at sea, enjoy free time to relax and enjoy the scenery. Your comprehensive lecture series will continue during this time, where you can learn more about the history and geology of Antarctica, plus learn tips on wildlife spotting and photography, to capture the best moments.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)

Enter another world as your ship approaches the mainland of the white continent. Weather permitting, head out on several Zodiac cruises in search for the wildest in wildlife and the most spectacular icy landscapes. Weather permitting, embark on multiple shore landings, which could include glacier hikes, visits to research bases or opportunities to encounter seals and penguins. You may be lucky enough to catch sight of a leopard seal during its hunt for food or meet a curious minke whale while out on a Zodiac cruise. You may also like to take part in an optional sea kayaking adventure or awaken your senses with a polar plunge into the southern oceans.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (3)
  • Lunch (3)
  • Dinner (3)
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 or camping, 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.

Begin your homeward journey as you traverse the renowned Drake Passage, named after the British navigator, Sir Francis Drake. Sail past icebergs and as always, stay on the lookout for new species of birdlife and whales. Weather conditions through the Drake can be temperamental, but your days at sea already will have been ideal preparation for any rough conditions, should they occur. On board your vessel, relive your special moments and continue learning with more presentations scheduled for your northbound voyage.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)

Arrive into Ushuaia in the morning after breakfast. Disembarkation will take place at approximately 9 am, and with no further activities planned today, you are free to leave the port at any time.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
If you are flying out of Ushuaia today, please do not book flights until 12 pm. A departure transfer is included to the airport. If your flight is later in the day, you can be transferred to a luggage storage facility to leave your luggage and enjoy some free time. No transfer is included from the luggage storage facility to the airport.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

15 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners

Transport

Expedition cruise ship, Plane, Zodiac

Accommodation

Expedition Cruise Ship 14 nights, Comfortable hotel 1 night

Dates & availability - 2021 season

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
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.

ADVENTURE OPTIONS
Kayaking is available to book on all Antarctic voyages. Some voyages also offer other activities such as camping, stand up paddle boarding, cross country skiing and mountaineering. All of these activities must be booked prior to departure and incur an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking. For kayaking, previous, recent experience is essential and a good level of fitness is required for cross country skiing and mountaineering.

Your voyage is 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.

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

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