Crossing the Antarctic Circle
from £7636 excluding flights
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Highlights
Spot adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins
Explore stunning waterways including the Lemaire Channel
Choose from a range of adventure options
Raise a glass of champagne as you reach 66° 33’S
Encounter a wealth of wildlife including seals, seabirds and whales
Enjoy shore landings and Zodiac cruises past glistening icebergs
Why this trip...
Choice of vessels
We offer a wide choice of small ships from simple budget-conscious options to purpose-built luxury vessels
Expertly guided
In-depth knowledge and expertise will enrich your experience on this trip
Immersive exploration
Immerse yourself in your surroundings on a true exploration of remote and spectacular areas
Overview
Combine unforgettable wildlife encounters and scenic exploring with the rare opportunity to reach 66° 33’S. This extended Polar cruise offers all the highlights of a classic Antarctic expedition, with additional days to allow the chance to push further south and cross the elusive Antarctic Circle.
The Antarctic Peninsula is home to a wealth of wildlife and this voyage offers some truly memorable encounters. Enjoy sightings of Weddell and elephant seals, abundant seabirds as well as gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguins. Cruise past towering icebergs and remote glaciers as you journey south towards the extreme latitudes of the very bottom of the world.
Zodiac cruises and shore landings provide the chance to fully immerse yourself in this extraordinary continent. Take time to watch penguins go about their daily routines, listen to seals grunt at one another while hauled out on beaches and simply marvel at the exquisite beauty and silence of this partially frozen world.
Itinerary
Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina
Begin your journey with an overnight stay in the busy little port town of Ushuaia on the southern tip of Argentina in Tierra del Fuego. Overnight at a hotel in Ushuaia.
Begin your journey with an overnight stay in the busy little port town of Ushuaia on the southern tip of Argentina in Tierra del Fuego. Overnight at a hotel in Ushuaia.
Day 2 embarkation day
After embarkation in the late afternoon, you will sail down the Beagle Channel towards the vast Southern Ocean.
After embarkation in the late afternoon, you will sail down the Beagle Channel towards the vast Southern Ocean.
Days 3-4 crossing the Drake Passage
The Drake is legendary for its high winds and rolling seas, but you may be lucky and get calm weather. Enjoy presentations from your Expedition Team along the way.
The Drake is legendary for its high winds and rolling seas, but you may be lucky and get calm weather. Enjoy presentations from your Expedition Team along the way.
Days 5-7 exploring the Peninsula
All shore landings and Zodiac cruises are subject to weather and sea conditions, but during the voyage you may discover enormous rookeries of gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins. You may also encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, humpback, and minke whales. Ice permitting, the ship will navigate some of the most beautiful waterways in the world, such as the Neumayer and Lemaire Channels - impressive narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. Perhaps visit Petermann Island, where Adélie and gentoo penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags nest close to the landing sites.
All shore landings and Zodiac cruises are subject to weather and sea conditions, but during the voyage you may discover enormous rookeries of gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins. You may also encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, humpback, and minke whales. Ice permitting, the ship will navigate some of the most beautiful waterways in the world, such as the Neumayer and Lemaire Channels - impressive narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. Perhaps visit Petermann Island, where Adélie and gentoo penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags nest close to the landing sites.
Days 8-9 The Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Peninsula do not reach 66° 33’S. Celebrate with a well-earned glass of champagne and raise a toast to the intrepid explorers who have gone before.
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Peninsula do not reach 66° 33’S. Celebrate with a well-earned glass of champagne and raise a toast to the intrepid explorers who have gone before.
Vessel Finder
There are a choice of vessels available for this voyage. Compare the facilities of up to three ships at a glance then talk to our Travel Specialists who will be happy to advise which one is right for you.
Optional Activities
Prices and Departures
Price from £7636 excluding flights
Airfares are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
What's Included
- Shipboard accommodation
- All breakfasts, lunches & dinners on board
- Tea & coffee available around the clock
- All Zodiac transfers, cruising & shore landings
- Presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers
- Loan of rubber boots during voyage
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
- Full financial protection
2020/21 Departures
Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin
| Departure | Duration | Vessel | Activities | Prices from (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Dec 2020 | 14 days | G Expedition | £9,299 | |
| 08 Jan 2021 | 14 days | Ocean Diamond | £10,396 | |
| 25 Jan 2021 | 15 days | Sea Spirit | £12,636 | |
| 29 Jan 2021 | 14 days | G Expedition | £9,399 | |
| 14 Feb 2021 | 12 days | M/V Plancius | £7,636 | |
| 15 Feb 2021 | 14 days | Ocean Adventurer | £9,596 | |
| 25 Feb 2021 | 14 days | Ocean Diamond | £9,996 | |
| 01 Mar 2021 | 14 days | G Expedition | £8,499 | |
| 19 Mar 2021 | 14 days | M/V Ortelius | £7,955 |
2021/22 Departures
Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin
| Departure | Duration | Vessel | Activities | Prices from (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Dec 2021 | 15 days | Greg Mortimer | £14,956 | |
| 21 Dec 2021 | 14 days | G Expedition | £9,599 | |
| 09 Jan 2022 * | 14 days | Ultramarine | £19,192 | |
| 17 Jan 2022 | 14 days | Ocean Endeavour | £10,855 | |
| 17 Jan 2022 | 15 days | MS Seaventure | £12,092 | |
| 27 Jan 2022 | 14 days | Sea Spirit | £11,195 | |
| 08 Feb 2022 | 14 days | G Expedition | £9,299 | |
| 12 Feb 2022 ^ | 12 days | Greg Mortimer | £11,916 | |
| 13 Feb 2022 | 12 days | M/V Plancius | £7,909 | |
| 20 Feb 2022 | 14 days | G Expedition | £8,899 | |
| 22 Feb 2022 | 14 days | Ocean Diamond | £11,996 | |
| 02 Mar 2022 | 12 days | M/V Hondius | £7,909 | |
| 03 Mar 2022 * | 14 days | Ultramarine | £17,592 | |
| 04 Mar 2022 | 14 days | Ocean Endeavour | £10,080 | |
| 04 Mar 2022 | 14 days | Ocean Adventurer | £12,396 | |
| 19 Mar 2022 | 14 days | M/V Ortelius | £8,318 |
* This voyage starts and finishes in Buenos Aires
^ This voyage starts in Ushuaia and finishes in Punta Arenas
2022/23 Departures
Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin
| Departure | Duration | Vessel | Activities | Prices from (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Jan 2023 | 15 days | MS Seaventure | £12,092 |
Activity Icon Key
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Camping
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Diving
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Kayaking
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Mountaineering
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Paddleboarding
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Photography
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Snorkelling
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Snow-shoeing
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Kayak taster session
NOTES
- Two pre-voyage nights in a hotel in Ushuaia are included on voyages aboard the MS Seaventure
- One pre-voyage night in a hotel in Ushuaia is included with all other ships, except for the M/V Ushuaia, M/V Plancius, M/V Ortelius and M/V Hondius
- The inclusions for this cruise are dependent on the vessel chosen, though those shown are applicable to all
Offers
Meet our expert
One of our specialists
Meet Doug2 Polar plunges
6 Penguin species encountered
7 Continents set foot in
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