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The South Shetland Islands is a 335 mile long chain of islands that is located about 500 miles from Tierra del Fuego and about 75 miles from the Antarctic Peninsula. The archipelago consists of 11 major islands and numerous smaller ones. They are mainly mountainous and more than 80% glaciated. The islands are of volcanic origin.

This 11 day journey to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands encompasses all the highlights you dream of: penguins, icebergs, seals, seabirds and more! On board these small ships, you will share the experience with other adventurous voyagers to the final frontier, Antarctica.

Note:Arriving in Ushuaia the day before departure is highly recommended. We can assist with hotel arrangements if you need it.

Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina

Transfer on your own to the dock. Boarding begins at 4pm from the southernmost city in the world nestled in the shadow of the Andes and right at the base of the Beagle Channel. We’ll sail through this scenic waterway during the afternoon.

Accommodations: M/V Plancius or M/V Quest
Included Meals: dinner

Days 2-3 - The Drake Passage

During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. This famous passage is notorious for its high winds and rolling seas. Crossing it is as much a part of the Antarctic experience as penguins and krill. All the great explorers have braved the Drake Passage. It is a most fitting end to your Antarctic quest.

When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up-welling zone. In this area we may see varieties of albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, and petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we glimpse our first icebergs. If the winds are favorable we might do our first landing in Antarctic waters in the evening of the third day at Aitcho Island or Penguin Island at the South Shetlands. These volcanic islands are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins and southern giant petrels.

Accommodations: M/V Plancius or M/V Quest
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 4-8 - Antarctic Peninsula Islands

We may start our first day in Antarctica with a landing at either Half Moon Island or Hannah Point, where we will find a nice variety of penguins, sea birds, as well as elephant seals hauling out on the beach. Later we will try to land at Baily Head on the outer rim of Deception Island with a colony of ten thousand of chinstrap penguins, and we will attempt to make the exciting hike to Whalers Bay. Deception Island is a huge volcano whose crater opens into the sea, creating a natural harbor for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of cape pigeons and many Dominican gulls, brown and south polar skuas and Antarctic terns.

On our way further south we will sail to Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island. It contains a large colony of gentoo penguins and breeding pairs of brown skuas. In Neko Harbor we will can set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers. When sailing to Paradise Bay, with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we will have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. In this area we have a good chance to see humpback and minke whales.

We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pleneau and Petermann Island where we can find adelie penguins and blue-eyed shags. In this area there are good chances to encounter humpback whales, minke whales and fin whales. A visit to one of the scientific stations in Antarctica will give you an insight about the life of modern Antarctic scientists working on the White Continent. Sailing north through Neumayer Channel we arrive at the Melchior Islands, a very beautiful landscape, and again possibilities for zodiac cruising among the icebergs, where we may encounter leopard seals, crabeater seals and whales.

Accommodations: M/V Plancius or M/V Quest
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 9-10 - The Drake Passage

The journey continues back across the Drake where we have time to reflect on what we have experienced, looking through our photos and talking with the naturalists about all the wildlife and history of Antarctica.

Accommodations: M/V Plancius or M/V Quest
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - Ushuaia, Argentina

We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

10 Day Itinerary:
Day 1 - Embark - Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Days 2&3 - Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands
Days 4-7 - Antarctic Peninsula
Days 8&9 - Drake Passage
Day 10 - Disembark Ushuaia


Notes on Itinerary: 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 on the Shokalskiy, Ioffe, Vavilov, and 1.8 times the twin rate on the Maryshev, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Antarctic Dream and Mikheev.

Minimum Age for Children: No age requirement, however children over 12 years old must pay full price. -Children must be able to safely navigate a steep gangway, by themselves, in variable conditions. Expedition Leaders will determine if children are allowed on shore excursions and landings. If an Expedition Leader determines a child's participation in these activities is unsafe the child must stay on board, accompanied by an adult. On board our vessels we do not have any children facilities or activities, parents must bring all games, etc. Parents must be aware there is no hospital nearby and it may take several hours, sometimes even days to eventually get to the hospital. Parents are responsible for their children at all times, on land and on board. There is no babysitting available. There is no running around in or outside the vessel. Parents must provide a child’s life vest in order for the child to go into the zodiac.

Land Cost Includes: All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes; Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation); All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac; Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Not Included: Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to the vessel; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 80 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US Dollar 25 per passenger per night, to be paid by the contracting party of Oceanwide Expeditions.

Fuel Surcharge: $20 per person, per night.

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:
Outside 60 days prior to departure deposits are forfeited.
Between 59-30 days prior, 30% of total price is forfeited.
Inside 29 days, all deposits and tariffs are forfeited.

Fuel Supplement: for this journey, a Fuel Supplement of $20 per passenger per night is charged.

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.



Vessel Descriptions: Click vessel links above for individual vessel descriptions. Vessels accommodate between 46 - 110 passengers and have ice-strengthened hulls designed specifically for polar travel.

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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