Crossing the Antarctic Circle Adventure Cruise| MT Sobek

An Epic Voyage from The Drake Passage to Kodak Gap

Journey through Polar straits on this trip of a lifetime. Meet in Ushuaia, "The End of the World," and board your expedition ship. Cross Drake Passage, and arrive at the otherworldly Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, where you'll adventure by Zodiac boats. With custom itineraries maximizing opportunity, our ships may call on remarkable places like Deception Island and Paradise Bay, teeming with wildlife. Travel even further to the Antarctic Circle and arrive at the Kodak Gap. Few places on Earth make a deeper, more lasting impression than this.

Discover the awe-inspiring beauty of Antarctica from the comfort of your luxury expedition ship

Set sail through legendary sights from Drake Passage to the Kodak Gap

Explore the up-close thrill of polar icebergs, glaciers, whales, penguins, and other wildlife

Why take this trip with us?

Reason #01

Experience an explorer's rite of passage and enter Antarctica crossing the iconic Drake's Passage.

Reason #02

In true MT Sobek style, go further and farther than most travelers, venturing south into the Antarctic Circle.

Reason #03

Sail in comfort aboard luxurious and comfortable ships carefully scouted and selected by MT Sobek's Polar team.

Meet your guides

Jeff Reynolds

As a child, Jeff was stung by a jellyfish at summer camp, an event that would inspire his entire future. In that moment, he realized how mysterious the oceans were and couldn't wait to unravel those mysteries. His career as a marine biologist has ranged from classifying the biodiversity of glass sponge reefs off the coast of Canada to conducting fish and marine mammal surveys for Alaska's shoreline. An avid sailor, scuba diver and photographer, Jeff has worked in and on the ocean for over a decade and, no matter what the temperature or weather brings, you'll always see him smiling with camera in hand.

Ruth Peacy

Ruth studied Zoology and Science Communication in college. As a wildlife filmmaker, Ruth has spent more than a decade working on documentaries for BBC, PBS, National Geographic and Discovery, including spending five months in Port Lockroy to film Penguin Post Office and the award winning Planet Earth II. rnrnHer current project has her sailing around the South Sandwich Islands filming a wildlife documentary called Expedition Penguin. A project she looks forward to sharing tales of on board this season!rn

Kurtis Randall

Hailing from a small town outside of Ottawa, Kurtis spent most of his time on the lakes, rivers and forests of beautiful Ontario. After studying Geology in college, Kurtis followed his passion for the natural world by becoming a guide. He has spent the past decade guiding in a sea kayak or canoe around the Antarctica peninsula and Canadian arctic. And in 2014, he had the opportunity to be part of the successful search for the infamous Erebus and Terror in the Northwest Passage, Sir John Franklin's lost vessels. He is looking forward to talking about all of his favorite subjects with you over a cup of tea in the lounge!

Activities

Expert polar interpretation and on-board presentations, professional navigation through Antarctic waters, and up-close wildlife experiences on Zodiac excursions.

Lodging

Stylish and well-appointed polar expedition ships offer a luxurious way to explore Antarctica. The Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa awaits in Ushuaia.

Climate

There may be days of warm sunshine, but be prepared for wind, rain, and possible snow. Daytime temperatures are usually 20°- 40°F.

FAQ

Is insurance required?

Yes, all passengers must carry an insurance policy to cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, evacuation expenses, and pre-existing medical conditions. Additionally, passengers are strongly advised to carry a plan which includes coverage for cancellation, curtailment, trip interruption, and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to or otherwise involving a passenger. As any potential evacuation from Antarctica can cost up to $150,000 we recommend that no policy carry less than this amount of coverage. Our operator will require information from you as to the carrier, policy number, and a 24-hour contact number.

What kind of experience does the Expedition Team have?

Our Antarctica ship operators know your voyage is more than the ship or even the destination, it is the people who bring that experience to life. Staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some are professional adventure guides, some expert academics, others passionate educators. All apply their specific skills in a way to complement each other and collectively deliver truly life-changing trips.

When should I travel to Antarctica?

While there is an abundance of wildlife and natural beauty throughout the seasons, changes in the weather and currents affect the landscape as well as the wildlife.

From October to November the pack ice begins to break up and the landscape is spectacularly pristine with fresh snow all around, epic sunsets and ever changing cloud formations. Keep an eye out for penguin courtship displays and nest building.

December to January mark the peak travel season and the height of the Austral Summer with 18 to 20 hours of daylight a day. Penguin chicks begin to hatch and whale watching is phenomenal along the Antarctic Peninsula.

The late season falls over February and March, and whale watching is at its best! As ice recedes further, ships can travel further south. At this time of year penguin colonies are very active, the chicks begin to molt, the parents begin to abandon the chicks, and most penguins will returned to the sea by the end of March.

Do I need my own waterproof gear?

A waterproof expedition jacket, yours to keep, is included in the cost of your voyage, and will be given to you on board. This jacket is a fully wind- and waterproof outer layer, with a protective collar to help keep body warmth from escaping on windy days. Please note, as this is not an insulated ski parka, we recommend wearing a heavy fleece and/or thermal layers under the jacket for additional warmth in Antarctica.

You will also be loaned a pair of insulated rubber boots for you to use during the voyage. They are great for getting in and out of Zodiacs and are plenty warm with a good pair of thermal or wool socks.

You will need to bring a pair of waterproof pants, as these are not provided.

Are we guaranteed to cross into the Antarctic Circle?

Trips to Antarctica embody the expedition experience. All activities are dependent on the weather, sea conditions, and ice pack. The farther south we go, the more sea ice we are likely to encounter. The ultimate aim of this expedition is to cross the Circle before getting stopped by this ice. Should we arrive at 66°33'S, we will become members of very small band of explorers and adventurous travelers who have made it this far south.

Testimonials

"We have traveled throughout the world, but never experienced a level of service and attention to detail as we did with MT Sobek."

Dennis G.
MT Sobek Guest

"I've taken six MT Sobek trips and they have all exceeded my expectations. The staff, the food, the logistics and the communications have always been exceptional. Thank you for being my "go to" adventure travel company!"

Margaret I.
MT Sobek Guest