Classic Antarctic Peninsula Expedition
Classic Antarctic Peninsula Expedition
This eleven-day expedition offers a first encounter with the Antarctic Peninsula, the most accessible reach of the white continent and one of the most rewarding. You begin in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, before sailing the Beagle Channel and crossing the Drake Passage towards a landscape of immense scale: glaciers, ice-filled bays and mountains rising straight from the sea. Aboard a small expedition ship in the company of an experienced team, your days are spent going ashore by Zodiac to stand among penguin colonies, watching for whales and seals from the deck, and learning the region’s natural history through talks on board. It is an unhurried introduction to Antarctica, shaped by the conditions and the wildlife rather than a fixed schedule, and a genuine expedition without the longer commitment of more remote voyages.
Itinerary highlights
Sail round-trip from Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, with a scenic passage along the Beagle Channel as your expedition begins.
Cross the legendary Drake Passage, the stretch of open ocean between Cape Horn and Antarctica, with albatross and petrels following the ship.
Spend four days exploring the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, with up to two shore landings a day, conditions permitting.
Walk among gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguin colonies, and watch for Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals along the ice.
Look out for humpback, minke and orca whales from the deck and on Zodiac cruises through glaciated bays.
Travel with an expert expedition team whose daily talks on wildlife, ice and polar history bring the landscape into focus.
Add optional camping ashore or guided kayaking to bring you closer still to the Antarctic wilderness.
Classic Antarctic Peninsula Expedition
This eleven-day expedition offers a first encounter with the Antarctic Peninsula, the most accessible reach of the white continent and one of the most rewarding. You begin in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, before sailing the Beagle Channel and crossing the Drake Passage towards a landscape of immense scale: glaciers, ice-filled bays and mountains rising straight from the sea. Aboard a small expedition ship in the company of an experienced team, your days are spent going ashore by Zodiac to stand among penguin colonies, watching for whales and seals from the deck, and learning the region’s natural history through talks on board. It is an unhurried introduction to Antarctica, shaped by the conditions and the wildlife rather than a fixed schedule, and a genuine expedition without the longer commitment of more remote voyages.
Itinerary highlights
Sail round-trip from Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, with a scenic passage along the Beagle Channel as your expedition begins.
Cross the legendary Drake Passage, the stretch of open ocean between Cape Horn and Antarctica, with albatross and petrels following the ship.
Spend four days exploring the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, with up to two shore landings a day, conditions permitting.
Walk among gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguin colonies, and watch for Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals along the ice.
Look out for humpback, minke and orca whales from the deck and on Zodiac cruises through glaciated bays.
Travel with an expert expedition team whose daily talks on wildlife, ice and polar history bring the landscape into focus.
Add optional camping ashore or guided kayaking to bring you closer still to the Antarctic wilderness.
What's Included
- One night's hotel accommodation in Ushuaia before embarkation
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All shipboard accommodation aboard a small expedition vessel
- All meals on board throughout the voyage
- Zodiac excursions and shore landings with an expert expedition team
- Daily lectures and the onboard educational programme
- Loan of expedition boots for shore landings
- An expedition parka to keep
- Port taxes and fees
What's Included
- One night's hotel accommodation in Ushuaia before embarkation
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All shipboard accommodation aboard a small expedition vessel
- All meals on board throughout the voyage
- Zodiac excursions and shore landings with an expert expedition team
- Daily lectures and the onboard educational programme
- Loan of expedition boots for shore landings
- An expedition parka to keep
- Port taxes and fees
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FAQs
On this eleven-day itinerary you cross the Drake Passage over days three and four heading south, and again on days nine and ten on the return. Each crossing takes around two days, and conditions can range from calm to lively. The expedition team prepares you for whatever the passage brings.
This itinerary gives you four full days exploring the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, days five to eight, with the aim of up to two shore landings each day, weather permitting. The remaining days cover the sea crossings and embarkation.
Yes. The classic Peninsula route is the most accessible introduction to Antarctica, and the daily activities are guided throughout. Shore landings involve stepping in and out of Zodiacs and walking on uneven ground, so a reasonable level of mobility helps, but no previous expedition experience is needed.
This classic voyage centres on the wildlife and landscape with Zodiac cruising and shore landings included. More adventure-focused itineraries place activities such as sea kayaking, paddleboarding and camping at the heart of the experience. On this expedition, kayaking and camping are available as optional extras.