New Zealand to Argentina/Argentina to New Zealand

Antarctic Ross Sea Crossing:

New Zealand to Argentina/Argentina to New Zealand

Jan - Mar

From £20,000pp

Cruise-only

32-34 Nights

Antarctica Ross Sea Expedition General

Adelie Penguin Antarctica

Itinerary image

The Weddle Sea Antarctica

Seal Quark Expeditions Antarctica

Kayaking Antarctica

Whale Quark Expeditions Antarctica

Landscape Antarctica

Journey across the Ross Sea from New Zealand to Argentina, exploring Antarctica’s most remote wilderness, historic expedition sites, and extraordinary wildlife

Embark on a rare and pioneering Antarctic odyssey from Dunedin, New Zealand, to Ushuaia, Argentina, tracing one of the most remote and storied routes on Earth. Sailing deep into the Ross Sea—often referred to as the “last ocean”—this extraordinary expedition ventures far beyond the typical Antarctic Peninsula, revealing a pristine realm of towering ice shelves, vast glaciers, and seldom-visited landing sites steeped in exploration history.

Aboard a state-of-the-art expedition vessel, encounter immense emperor and Adélie penguin colonies, observe whales and seals in untouched waters, and stand in the footsteps of legendary explorers such as Shackleton and Scott. Navigate through the dramatic Ross Ice Shelf and the wildlife-rich waters of the Southern Ocean, with expert guides offering enriching insights into polar ecosystems, glaciology, and the heroic age of Antarctic exploration.

With immersive Zodiac landings, optional kayaking adventures, and a crossing of the Antarctic Circle, this is a true expedition for those seeking the ultimate in remote discovery, combining raw natural beauty with refined comfort and expert-led exploration.

Itinerary highlights

Epic expedition voyage from Dunedin to Ushuaia via the legendary Ross Sea and Antarctic Circle

Explore one of Antarctica’s most remote and rarely visited regions, rich in history and raw, untouched beauty

Witness vast emperor and Adélie penguin colonies, alongside seals, whales, and diverse seabird life

Stand at historic huts of early explorers, including Shackleton and Scott, preserved in the icy silence

Marvel at the immense Ross Ice Shelf and sculpted glaciers in one of the planet’s last true wildernesses

Daily Zodiac excursions and guided shore landings, with optional kayaking for a deeper connection to the polar environment

Enrich your journey with expert-led lectures on Antarctic wildlife, exploration history, and glaciology

Experience the full breadth of the Southern Ocean, from New Zealand’s subantarctic islands to the dramatic landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula en route to Argentina

Itinerary image

Journey across the Ross Sea from New Zealand to Argentina, exploring Antarctica’s most remote wilderness, historic expedition sites, and extraordinary wildlife

Embark on a rare and pioneering Antarctic odyssey from Dunedin, New Zealand, to Ushuaia, Argentina, tracing one of the most remote and storied routes on Earth. Sailing deep into the Ross Sea—often referred to as the “last ocean”—this extraordinary expedition ventures far beyond the typical Antarctic Peninsula, revealing a pristine realm of towering ice shelves, vast glaciers, and seldom-visited landing sites steeped in exploration history.

Aboard a state-of-the-art expedition vessel, encounter immense emperor and Adélie penguin colonies, observe whales and seals in untouched waters, and stand in the footsteps of legendary explorers such as Shackleton and Scott. Navigate through the dramatic Ross Ice Shelf and the wildlife-rich waters of the Southern Ocean, with expert guides offering enriching insights into polar ecosystems, glaciology, and the heroic age of Antarctic exploration.

With immersive Zodiac landings, optional kayaking adventures, and a crossing of the Antarctic Circle, this is a true expedition for those seeking the ultimate in remote discovery, combining raw natural beauty with refined comfort and expert-led exploration.

Itinerary image

Itinerary highlights

Epic expedition voyage from Dunedin to Ushuaia via the legendary Ross Sea and Antarctic Circle

Explore one of Antarctica’s most remote and rarely visited regions, rich in history and raw, untouched beauty

Witness vast emperor and Adélie penguin colonies, alongside seals, whales, and diverse seabird life

Stand at historic huts of early explorers, including Shackleton and Scott, preserved in the icy silence

Marvel at the immense Ross Ice Shelf and sculpted glaciers in one of the planet’s last true wildernesses

Daily Zodiac excursions and guided shore landings, with optional kayaking for a deeper connection to the polar environment

Enrich your journey with expert-led lectures on Antarctic wildlife, exploration history, and glaciology

Experience the full breadth of the Southern Ocean, from New Zealand’s subantarctic islands to the dramatic landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula en route to Argentina

Day 1-2

Dunedin, New Zealand

Upon arrival in Dunedin, you will be welcomed and taken to your designated hotel for the night before the voyage. The expedition team will review the plans for embarkation day, address any questions you may have, and offer recommendations on places to eat or pick up any last-minute essentials. Later in the evening, you might choose to dine at one of Dunedin’s well-regarded restaurants or enjoy a relaxing walk along the scenic Otago Harbour. On Day 2 begin with a relaxed morning in Dunedin, enjoying breakfast before checking out of your hotel while your luggage is transferred to the port and delivered to your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. With the rest of the morning free, you can explore the city at your own pace before embarking in the afternoon. Once on the ship, settle into your comfortable cabin and take time to discover the vessel’s amenities. As departure approaches, join the expedition team on deck to watch the lines cast off, then savour a delicious dinner and raise a glass to the adventure that now lies ahead.

Day 3

At Sea - Southern Ocean

Sailing south into the vast Southern Ocean, spend the day watching graceful seabirds such as wandering albatross and petrels gliding effortlessly alongside the ship. Onboard experts begin a series of engaging lectures introducing the wildlife, history, and science of Antarctica as anticipation builds for the remote worlds ahead.

Day 4-6

New Zealands Sub-Antarctic Islands

Your expedition truly begins as you take your first Zodiac rides ashore, exploring the remote Sub‑Antarctic islands south of New Zealand, where rugged coastlines, windswept beaches, and lush megaherb fields create a spectacular introduction to this rarely visited wilderness. Landings may include the Sandy Bay, Carnley Harbour, or Victoria Passage in the Auckland Islands or Campbell Island, each offering encounters with remarkable wildlife including yellow‑eyed penguins, New Zealand sea lions, and vibrant subantarctic forests bursting with megaherbs.

Day 7

At Sea - Enroute to Macquarie Island

As Campbell Island slips over the horizon, keep watch for Campbell, Salvins and white-capped albatross, which may follow the ship to bid us farewell as we continue south. Join your expedition team in the lecture room to hear about the fascinating human history of Macquarie Island, and how to identify the unique and charismatic creatures we hope to see in the coming days.

Day 8-9

Macquarie Island

Over the next two days, you’ll journey to Macquarie Island (affectionately known as Macca) a remote wildlife sanctuary rising from the Southern Ocean. Conditions permitting, your days begin with Zodiac excursions and guided shore landings at sites such as Sandy Bay or Lusitania Bay, where rugged coastlines give way to beaches alive with extraordinary wildlife. Vast colonies of King Penguins and Royal Penguins dominate the shoreline, joined by Gentoo and Eastern Rockhopper Penguins, while elephant seals haul out along the beaches. Overhead, you may spot several albatross species, including Light‑mantled Sooty, Black‑browed, Grey‑headed, and Wandering albatrosses. Each landing offers a rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s most remarkable natural environments up close.

Day 10-12

Southern Ocean - Enroute to the Ross Sea

As Macquarie Island fades from view, you may spot albatross gliding behind the ship as you continue south. As you cross the Antarctic Convergence, the sea subtly shifts in character and the surface temperature drops by around 4°C, marking your entry into Antarctic waters. This nutrient‑rich zone often attracts porpoising penguins, flocks of Antarctic petrels, and the occasional solitary snow petrel, while the appearance of your first iceberg becomes increasingly likely as you near the Antarctic Circle.

Day 13-18

Ross Sea Exploration

Arriving in the Ross Sea is a moment of pure awe, where the first breath of crisp Antarctic air signals your entry into one of the planet’s most extraordinary wilderness regions. Here, nutrient‑rich waters sustain remarkable wildlife, from Ross Sea orcas and Weddell seals to vast colonies of Adélie and Emperor penguins protected within the world’s largest marine reserve. As you explore this historic coastline, your expedition team selects each day’s landing based on weather, ice, and wildlife opportunities, guiding you to places such as the towering ice cliffs of the Ross Ice Shelf, the lively Adélie rookery on Franklin Island, the glacier‑framed beauty of McMurdo Sound, and the emperor penguin stronghold at Cape Washington. You may walk among the relics of early explorers at Cape Hallett or Cape Adare, where preserved huts and scattered artefacts tell stories of courage and hardship from Antarctica’s Heroic Age. Every landing blends breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and powerful history, creating an unforgettable chapter of your journey through this legendary polar frontier.

Day 19-26

Crossing the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas

As you reach the midpoint of your voyage, days at sea become a welcome chance to slow down, reflect on the moments that have moved you, and settle into the gentle rhythm of life on the Southern Ocean. You might jot thoughts in a journal, swap stories with new friends, or begin editing the growing collection of incredible photos you’ve captured. Over the coming week, your expedition team offers a full program of lectures, recaps, entertainment, and citizen‑science activities, while shared spaces like the sauna, gym, library, and outer decks invite you to relax as vast West Antarctic ice shelves drift by. Out on deck you may spot Antarctic prions, snow petrels, or even great whales, especially as you gain a day crossing the International Date Line. As you trace the forbidding ice cliffs that once convinced James Cook Antarctica could not possibly exist, you follow the same waters that later drew sealers, whalers, and pioneering scientists after William Smith’s discovery of the South Shetland Islands in 1819. Your journey now carries you westward across the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas, closing in on the remote southern reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Day 27-31

Antarctic Peninsula

Days on the Antarctic Peninsula are filled with adventure, with the aim of making two excursions each day, either stepping ashore or cruising by Zodiac to admire towering ice cliffs, sculptural grounded icebergs, and the whales, seals, and penguins that thrive in these waters. Zodiacs bring you to penguin rookeries, historic sites, and favourite landing spots where you can wander along pebbled beaches or climb gentle snow‑covered ridgelines for sweeping views of mountains and ice‑flecked seas. Optional activities run whenever conditions allow, and those eager for a polar plunge may get the chance to fully immerse themselves in the icy water. Between landings, the ship may cruise through narrow straits or linger in scenic bays, offering perfect moments to enjoy panoramic views from the observation lounge or visit the bridge for uninterrupted vistas of Antarctica’s grandeur. Listen for the deep rumble of calving glaciers and take a quiet moment to absorb the wonder of this remarkable white continent.

Day 32-33

Drake Passage - Enroute to Ushuaia

The South Shetland Islands greet you with a day of exploration among volcanic shores, where you may land or Zodiac cruise through sheltered coves and beaches alive with chinstrap and gentoo penguin colonies, alongside fur and elephant seals and the weathered remnants of the sealing and whaling era. In the afternoon, your ship turns north toward the Drake Passage, marking the beginning of your homeward journey. These final days at sea offer a gentle chance to unwind, organising photos, adding a few last notes to your journal, or simply relaxing with your fellow travellers as you savour the atmosphere on board.

Day 34

Disembark in Ushuaia

Arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, either take a transfer to the airport with for your charter flight or extend your stay so you have time to reflect on the extraordinary experience you just witnessed. Fly back to Buenos Aires, reflecting on your extraordinary Antarctic journey. The city welcomes you back, offering a gentle transition from the icy wilderness to familiar comforts before your journey home.

What's Included

Airport transfers where applicable
Pre-night hotel stay
Full board dining
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included depending on operator
All landings and zodiac cruises
Starlink WiFi included on most with upgrade options available
Muck boot and walking pole use
Port fees and taxes

Quark Expeditions in Antartica with whale and zodiac

What's Included

Airport transfers where applicable
Pre-night hotel stay
Full board dining
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included depending on operator
All landings and zodiac cruises
Starlink WiFi included on most with upgrade options available
Muck boot and walking pole use
Port fees and taxes

Quark Expeditions in Antartica with whale and zodiac

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Every journey I plan starts with a conversation. Tell me what excites you, what you've always dreamed of experiencing, and I'll craft something extraordinary. The best expeditions begin with a single question: What would make this unforgettable for you?

Ashley | Expedition Planner