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Overview

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 to 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

  • Arrive: Ushuaia, Argentina
  • Depart: Ushuaia, Argentina
  • Duration: 13 Days
  • Group Size:
  • Minimum Age: 8 Years Old

Itinerary

  • Day01

    Arrive in "The End of the World"

    Arrive in Ushuaia, or "The End of the World," on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago and check-in to the luxurious Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa inside the Reserva Natural Cerro Alarkén. Bring your bathing suit to take a dip in the hotel's 17-meter lap pool, visit the spa, or simply take a bath. Get over jet lag with good night's sleep.

  • Day02

    Explore the Town of Ushuaia

    Today is all yours to explore Ushuaia's many city sights. At the extreme southern tip of South America, from famous leather markets to its maritime museum. Nestled underneath the Martial mountain range, this explorers' hub is the gateway to Antarctica. Continue to indulge at the lovely Arakur, and attend an optional evening briefing on the days ahead—adventure awaits.

  • Day03

    Set Sail for Antarctica

    Embark on a mid-afternoon transfer to the Island Sky, and board the ship for your Polar expedition, meeting our team of regional experts and the ship's commanding officers onboard. View a concise safety and orientation briefing, and take part in the Captain's welcome dinner. After dinner, take in the scenery on our early evening sail through the Beagle Channel, past Magellanic penguins, rock shags and the large black-browed albatross.

    • Accommodation: Island Sky
    • Transportation: 30-minute van transfer
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day04

    Cross the Drake Passage

    Approach the iconic waterway that is the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. Cross 600 miles over two days, inching closer towards the white continent. Learn about Antarctica's history and its native flora and fauna from our Polar experts. Partake in SeaBird sighting surveys or collecting salinity samples and weather data while enroute, scanning the horizon for icebergs and whale species.

    • Accommodation: Island Sky
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day05

    Dive into Antarctica's History

    Continue onwards through the Drake Passage, named after 16th century English explorer Sir Francis Drake. Feel temperatures plummet once past the Antarctic Convergence, spotting wildlife or delving deeper into the history of this uncharted territory.

    • Accommodation: Island Sky
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day06

    Discover Antarctica for the First Time

    Arrive to the highly volcanic South Shetland Islands in the Antarctic Peninsula and board a Zodiac boat to marvel up close at nature's glory in a custom itinerary created by our expedition leader and captain based on weather, ice and opportunity. Visit the most scenic bays and channels, with stops to penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas.

    • Accommodation: Island Sky
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day07

    Explore the South Shetland Islands

    Spend another day discovering the incredibly diverse and rich terrain of the South Shetland Islands with a custom itinerary. Visit Half Moon Island nestled inside Livingston's eastern shore, or the historic Deception Island, weather permitting. Spot sub-Antarctic species along the way, including chinstrap penguins and southern elephant seals.

    • Accommodation: Island Sky
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day08

    Head South towards the Antarctic Circle

    For three days, adventure across the Bransfield Strait, whose undersea trough was formed by rifting which began 4 million years ago. Sail south through ice-filled channels towards the Antarctic Circle before heading back north, enjoying sightings of spectacular icebergs and enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales.

    • Accommodation: Island Sky
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day09

    Survey the Crystal Sound & Beyond

    Discover the best possible overview of the Antarctic environment-from spectacular waterways such as the Crystal Sound, the living museums of Detaille Island in Lallemand Fjord, or Horseshoe Island along the west coast of Graham Land-with a flexible itinerary created to maximize opportunities to explore.

    • Accommodation: Island Sky
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day10

    Further Explore the Antarctic Circle

    Embrace the pioneering spirit of famous explorers from time past, including James Cook, Sir Ernest Shackleton and beyond, spending another day venturing into the Antarctic Circle. See what surprises are in store in this beautiful, rugged world.

    • Accommodation: Island Sky
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day11

    Head Southwest for the Antarctic Peninsula

    Journey southwest for the next three days, entering Gerlache Strait, which separates the Palmer Archipelago from the Arctic Peninsula, and Trinity Coast. The expedition team sets the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing climate, ensuring an extraordinary experience every time. Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins abound, while Weddell and crabeater seals are often found resting alongside predatory leopard seals and the assertive Antarctic fur Seal. Minke and humpback whales are also frequent visitors in the late season, as are orcas.

    • Accommodation: Island Sky
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day12

    Cross the Legendary "Kodak Gap"

    Continue exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, whether Neko Harbor on Andvord Bay, named for a Scottish whaling boat, the Neko, sheltered Paradise Harbor behind Lemaire and Bryde Islands, home to huge whales and porpoising penguins, or Wilhelmina Bay. Visit the renowned Lemaire Channel or "Kodak Gap," with its steep cliffs and iceberg-laden passage, 11-kilometers long.

    • Accommodation: Island Sky
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day13

    Visit an Active Research Base

    Discover the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel between Anvers Island and Wiencke and Doumer Islands. Stop at an active research base, whether Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station Arctowksi, the Ukranian Vernadsky Research Base, or the U.K.'s Port Lockroy or Wordie House on Winter Island.

    • Accommodation: Island Sky
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day14

    Pass the Antarctic Convergence

    As we begin to leave this magical place and make our way north across the Antarctic Convergence and Drake Passage, share and swap stories of tales with your fellow expeditioners, as we continue our presentation series and wildlife spotting.

    • Accommodation: Island Sky
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day15

    Recross Drake Passage

    Cross Drake Passage for one last time, sailing back to Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel, where it all began. Celebrate the conclusion of our epic expedition with a special slideshow.

  • Day16

    Ushuaia Disembarkation

    Set foot on land, disembarking the Island Sky in the morning upon arriving to Ushuaia. Catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more adventure and sights.

    • Transportation: 20-minute airport transfer
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Want to extend your adventure?
Contact our Regional Specialists for more travel ideas!
From: $14,995.00 What's Included?
13 Days
Request This Trip

Got Questions?
Speak with an expert.

Erick Malver

Erick Malver

MT Sobek Regional Specialist

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Antarctica Crossing the Antarctic Circle Adventure Cruising Map

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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 Our Guides

Our expert guides and trip leaders are truly the key to our trips' success. Many are locals who live in-country year-round; others have made it their second home—all are passionate, enthusiastic and endlessly knowledgeable. Meet a few of the guides that might be on your trip.

What To Expect

  • 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.

Dates & Pricing

Pricing Dates

Flexible Dates

We offer this trip on a private basis with seasonal departure dates that offer great flexibility (pending availability). Click below to request dates and an MT Sobek Regional Specialist will be in touch to help organize your private adventure.

Request This Trip
2021
$14,995.00 Price per person

Price Includes

  • Pricing based on double occupancy in a Port Hole suite
  • Accommodations as noted in the itinerary
  • Expert leadership from experienced adventure guides
  • Meals as noted in the daily itinerary
  • Potable water and snacks throughout
  • All group entrance fees, activities, and ground transportation
  • Arrival and departure day group airport transfers

Price Does Not Include

  • International airfare, any airport taxes, or excess baggage charges
  • Optional tips to your ship staff and expedition team
  • Personal expenses such as medical immunizations, phone calls, laundry, or souvenirs
  • Airport transfers if arriving or departing outside of the group transfers
  • Optional travel protection
Request This Trip

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

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