HIGHLIGHTS
- See
South Georgia’s incredible wildlife, including 30 breeding
bird species and four penguin species
- Follow
in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s perilous voyages
to South Georgia and pause for a moment at his gravesite
- Explore
the Antarctic Peninsula by ship, Zodiac and foot
- Learn
about Antarctica’s unique geology, history and wildlife with
our on-board lecturers
- Immerse
yourself in the icy realm of the Antarctic, with an optional paddling
excursion
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Jan 06, 2025 | Jan 23, 2025 | 18,225 |
19,656 |
Feb 01, 2026 | Feb 18, 2026 | 17,546 |
18,923 |
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Jan 06, 2025 | Jan 23, 2025 | 18,225 |
19,656 |
Feb 01, 2026 | Feb 18, 2026 | 17,546 |
18,923 |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
You
will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port at the
tip of South America. It’s the ideal gateway for you to
explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your
adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted
chocolate at a café in town.
Day
2: Embarkation Day
Embarkation
will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail
down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego
archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of
anticipation as you depart!
Days
3-6: At Sea
There
are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. Learn to
identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend dynamic
presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety
procedures for Zodiac cruises and shore landings, and also be given
instructions for getting the most out of your optional kayaking
adventures (extra cost), a truly intimate way to experience Antarctica.
Days
7-8: South Georgia
The
first indication that you are approaching South Georgia is the sight of
birds around a group of rocky spires called Shag Rocks. Have your
binoculars and cameras ready to photograph these rocks rising out of
the icy ocean waters. Shags and prions often rest here.
After
enjoying South Georgia from a distance, we’ll head toward its
numerable beaches to find a protected bay for your first land
excursion. Landing sites on South Georgia are varied, largely
determined by the weather conditions of your voyage. Whichever sites we
visit, they’ll provide you with wildlife encounters unrivaled
anywhere else on earth. This is one of the most fertile breeding
grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed
with penguins. It won’t take you long to realize that South
Georgia is a paradise for bird lovers, as burrowing seabirds, albatross
and petrels can be seen in abundance. You’ll find that South
Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered
with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries
gone by. Your Expedition Team will help bring those days to life while
you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on the South
Georgia of then and now. One of the most significant sites you will
visit on the island is Grytviken. This settlement is one of the first
whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters. Many travelers
find that this place has a special appeal, as it is home to the remains
of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers.
Days
9-10: At Sea
Say
goodbye to the king penguins, as your next destination is Antarctica!
Your days at sea are filled with presentations and lectures led by your
Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife that will greet
you upon your arrival. In between activities, spend time chatting with
your shipmates over a drink at the bar. If conditions allow, we may
attempt landfall on the South Orkney Islands, our first official stop
in Antarctica.
Days
11-13: Antarctic Peninsula
The
most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of
reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, since few
places are as untouched, unique and enduring as Antarctica. You will
discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment
you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete desolation and
silence, and at the next moment you’ll be inspired by nature
as a calving glacier crashes into brilliant blue sea or a penguin
waddles by to inspect your footwear.
Your
Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are
Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or consorting with penguin
colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and Gentoo penguins are found
here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Keep a
lookout for curious whales, such as
minkes,
while on a Zodiac cruise. Each day and each landing will present a new
collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy. As
exciting as the Zodiac excursions and landings are, perhaps
you’ll treat yourself to an extra-special Antarctic
experience by partaking in an optional kayaking excursion (extra cost)
or going for a plunge in Antarctic waters!
Days
14-15: Crossing the Drake Passage
After
more than a dozen days of memorable wildlife encounters, your journey
home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage, to
spend time on the deck, watching for seabirds and scouting for whales,
enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and
reminisce about your experiences.
Day
16: Disembarkation in Ushuaia
You
will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows for you to continue
your adventure on land or catch your flights home.
World Explorer (Luxury Expedition, 176-guests)
Distinct and comfortable, refined and roomy - these attributes and more describe World Explorer. Not only will it be among the fastest ships, it will also be one of our finest, with six tiers of deluxe accommodation.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced
Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
- All shore landings as per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board
throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as
far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys
cannot prepare kosher meals.)
- Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and
cocoa available around the clock
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team
and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings
and Zodiac cruising excursions
- An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout
the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a
maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
- Group arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to
pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in
Ushuaia with breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room is the same
as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers
who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the
hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
- Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
- Group departure transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia
from ship to local airport or to luggage storage facility
Inclusion / Exclusion Category
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking:
USD
995
- Paddling:
USD 295
- Stand
Up Paddleboarding: USD 295