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Beginning and ending in Ushuaia, Argentina, your cruise to Antarctica will experience the wildlife and scenic highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Each voyage is different, some offer adventure options such as kayaking, mountaineering, camping and skiing. These options sell quickly, so please reserve as early as possible. The Captain and Expedition Leader continually assess daily weather conditions and wildlife opportunities, taking advantage of the extended daylight to maximize time ashore. You will become one of the fortunate few to have set foot on the continent of Antarctica.

Day 1 - Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Upon arrival in Ushuaia take a taxi to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Ushuaia.

Accommodations: Hotel Los Nires or similar
Included Meals: none

Day 2 - Embark Antarctic Cruise

Our comfortable and well-appointed Expedition Ships are embarked in Ushuaia in the afternoon.

Accommodations Ocean Nova
Included Meals: dinner

Days 3-4 Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands

Your cruise to Antarctica must cross the famous Drake Passage, named after the 16th-century English navigator Sir Francis Drake. The ship is accompanied much of the way by albatrosses - including the magnificent wandering albatross - along with an impressive variety of other seabirds.

Land is usually sighted for the first time late afternoon on Day 4 at the South Shetland Islands, which lie to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula. Visit vast penguin rookeries, land on beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and observe wallowing southern elephant seals. You may also visit one of the many research bases in the archipelago or look for Antarctica's only two flowering plants, which thrive here during the short southern summer. Often the ship sails through the narrow passage leading into the sunken caldera of Deception Island. Here, if the tide allows, you may dip your toes in the thermal waters of Pendulum Cove.

Accommodations Ocean Nova
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 5-9 Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula, the most readily accessible part of the White Continent, has some of the best wildlife and scenery. You have plenty of time to experience the special magic of this awe-inspiring wilderness of snow, ice, waterways, and mountains. Expect to see enormous rookeries of gentoo, chinstrap and adélie penguins. Blue-eyed shags, kelp gulls, cape petrels, snowy sheathbills and Antarctic terns are also abundant. You may also encounter weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, humpback, and minke whales.
Our exploration of the Antarctic continent often begins with a visit to the aptly named Paradise Bay, or to nearby Neko Harbor. Glaciers fill the calm waters with an amazing vista of icebergs as you set foot on the Antarctic continent itself. If pack ice and icebergs allow, you navigate some of the most beautiful waterways in the world. Two in particular, the Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, are impressive narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. Some voyages sail south of the Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island, where adélie and gentoo penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed shags nest close to the landing.

On our longer voyages, the expedition may also visit the northern tip of the Peninsula to navigate the Antarctic Sound, or 'iceberg alley', where huge tabular icebergs drift north from the Antarctic continent. If weather and ice conditions permit, you land on Paulet Island to see its vast adélie penguin rookery.

Accommodations Ocean Nova
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 10-11 Drake Passage

You bid farewell to Antarctica as you sail north across the Drake Passage. The adventure is not over, as there are more opportunities to watch birds and whales cavorting in the open ocean. Final presentations by our expedition staff enhance the voyage en route to Ushuaia.

Accommodations Ocean Nova
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 Ushuaia

Disembark after breakfast and transfer by bus to the Antarctic Unit office located at the entrance to the pier. If you are departing on the morning flight, the transfer continues to the airport.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast


This Classic Antarctica Cruise Itinerary operates on a variety different vessels, please call our Antarctica cruise experts for details:

Accommodations: Orlova, Ocean Nova, Clipper Adventurer


Notes on Itinerary: The itinerary presented here is for the 12-day voyage - the 11-day voyage has one less day along the Antarctic Peninsula. Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Single Travelers: Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth goes unsold, you will not be penalized. For those who desire single occupancy, cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the twin rate.

Minimum Age for Children: 12 years

Land Cost Includes: On some vessels, one night pre-cruise hotel accommodation in Ushuaia; shipboard accommodation, meals, shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage; Leadership by experienced expedition staff; Presentations by noted naturalists and other experts; Zodiac cruising and transfers to and from the ship for shore excursions; The use of rubber boots for the duration of the voyage; Comprehensive pre-departure information kit and Antarctic handbook; Group transfers and baggage handling as per itinerary; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges; Daily international news bulletins;

Not Included: Airfares to the embarkation point and from the disembarkation point; adventure options of kayaking or diving; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; hotel accommodations; supplement for single hotel accommodations; meals while in Ushuaia; Rubber boots on all other vessels not specifically listed above; Trip Cancellation Insurance with emergency medical evacuation insurance (required); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Reservations and Payment: A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to confirm a reservation on this Antarctic voyage. The deposit may be paid by bank wire transfer, check, money order or major credit card. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. We do NOT accept credit cards for Final Payment. Final payment can be made by check , money order or bank wire transfer. All prices and payments are in US dollars and no other currencies can be accepted.

Cancellation Policy: A special cancellation policy applies to all Antarctic and Arctic trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received:

180 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of $750 per person.
Between 179-90 days, per person deposit amount is forfeited.
Within 89 days all deposits and tariffs, whether paid or not, are due and forfeited.

Fuel Supplement: Note: Should the price of marine fuel increase dramatically, we may have to institute a fuel surcharge.

Trip Insurance: Passengers traveling to the remote destinations of the Arctic and Antarctica are required to be covered by a travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. AdventureSmith recommend's our travelers protect their investment with Access America Insurance.



Adventure Options: Kayaking, camping, mountaineering, and cross-country skiing are offered in a number of combinations on every departure of Antarctic Adventure. Kayaking and camping are offered on Classic Antarctica aboard Lyubov Orlova.

What is it like to camp in the Antarctic?.
Past campers tell us that they spent most of the night outside their tents absorbing the silence. They reluctantly communicated in whispers, as they found speaking intrusive. During the few hours of darkness that fall they are tempted to reach overhead, because the stars seem near enough to touch. Campers from the Northern Hemisphere find the constellations unfamiliar, adding to the other-worldliness of the experience. All participants report that camping deepens their understanding of Antarctica in countless ways.

What is it like to cross-country ski the Peninsula?
Antarctic cross-country skiers often talk about the anticipation that builds as they gear up for the trail, and the anticipation - the twisting of the upper torso into the direction of a turn when skiing - that will soon follow. Skiers tell us that the moment that feeling and action coincide is sublime, pure and intense, like the landscape they are exploring.

What is it like to climb an Antarctic mountain?
The elemental nature of the activity lingers with Antarctic climbers: heart beats, stretched muscles, and wind whistling through the lines. They speak of hand holds formed by ancient rocks, and steep ice-covered slopes overhead, forcing a scramble, before the advance continues. And finally, with humor, they tell of the glissade, that last descent on the return that turns each of them in to children for one brief moment as they slide.

What is it like to kayak in the Antarctic?
There is a lot to do within the first few moments of entering a kayak. Once you are settled and have a feel for the paddle in your hands, you will turn your attention to the surroundings. That is the moment, so our kayakers tell us, when you will truly understand that the experience of paddling in Antarctica is like no other. Crystal clear water supports the hull. Elemental sounds of water lapping and the drip of resting paddles are a counterpoint to the cry of penguins and the cracking of ancient ice. Dwarfed by the immensity of the landscape, for a short while you drift in awe.

Accommodations and Services Aboard: Vessels accommodate passengers in comfortable cabins. Public areas include a Lounge and bar with facilities for slide shows and lectures; Views are excellent from the large, open decks and the navigation bridge, where passengers are always welcome. The chefs produce a varied menu and the comfortable bar is stocked with a good selection of wine. Inform us of any special dietary requirements; however, note that the galleys unfortunately can not prepare kosher meals. The ship officers and crew are all highly experienced in ice navigation. The atmosphere aboard is relaxed and informal, more like a private expedition than a cruise.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join any off-vessel excursions, passengers must be able to navigate the steep, 30-stair, gang-way, un-assisted both down and up. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. You are traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.


We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

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