Classic Antarctica
Incredible cruises aboard a choice of comfortable expedition vessels visiting prime wildlife sites along the Antarctic Peninsula and in the nearby South Shetland Islands.
The Antarctic Peninsula offers some of the White Continent's best wildlife and scenery, All our recommended voyages include as much wildlife viewing as possible, while allowing plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of ice-choked waterways, glaciers, huge icebergs and rugged mountains - all from close-up aboard the small, intimate vessels we've selected specially. Sailing in the company of a school of dolphins, following a pod of orcas or watching humpback whales breaching in front of a wilderness of icebergs is a peerless experience!
Your voyage begins and ends in the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. You will travel across the notorious waters of the Drake Passage accompanied by albatrosses, and watching for whales and dolphins along the way.
Your first stop in Antarctica will be the South Shetland Islands, where you'll visit enormous rookeries of penguins, land on beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals, and see wallowing elephant seals.
You then sail on to the Antarctic Peninsula, where you'll have plenty of time to experience its magic. You are likely to see Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, while orcas, humpback and minke whales are often encountered at close range.
Your expedition team will attempt to arrange two landings each day, although many factors will influence the daily programme, particularly wildlife behaviour.
- Itinerary
- Most voyages are 10 or 11 days* in duration; a typical itinerary is illustrated below.
- Day 1
- Embark in Ushuaia and set sail along the Beagle Channel
- Days 2-3
- Sail across the Drake Passage.
- Days 4-8
- In Antarctica. Your first port of call is the South Shetland Islands, a chain of volcanic islands that's home to huge numbers of penguins. You'll board a Zodiac inflatable to go ashore to see the stunning scenery and have your first experience with Antarctic wildlife. The next item on your agenda is the Antarctic Peninsula - here you'll encounter penguins, seabirds, seals and whales. During the summer months, the peninsula is a playground for birds, a fantastic feeding ground for whales, and a safe haven for seals looking to mate and for penguins to rear their young.
- Days 9-10
- Sail back across the Drake Passage.
- Day 11
- Arrive in Ushuaia and disembark.
- * We offer some departures that avoid the Drake Passage crossing by flying in one or both directions - please ask for details.
- Note: the itinerary will vary according to the vessel, departure date, local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife.
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Dates & Prices:
Aboard Akademik Ioffe - Click here
Aboard Plancius - Click here
Aboard Polar Pioneer - Click here
Aboard Ushuaia - Click here
Aboard Akademik Sergey Vavilov - Click here
Aboard Antarctic Dream - Click here - Embark : Ushuaia, Argentina
- Disembark : Ushuaia, Argentina
- Voyage duration: 10 or 11 days
- Departures: Regular departures from November to March
- Single supplement : Please ask about our cabin share programme which enables solo travellers to share a cabin with another solo traveller.
- What's included: Voyage based on twin-share cabin; all meals on board; guided shore and Zodiac excursions; transfers; expedition parka on selected ships.
- Flight & accommodation package: Please check with us for the latest flight prices to Ushuaia via Buenos Aires and accommodation before and/or after the cruise. 1 night pre-cruise in Ushuaia is essential, and you may wish to add extra nights in Buenos Aires or Ushuaia.
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