trip specifics

price

reservations are recommended.  

This 14- to 15-day expedition cruise is for people who hanker to travel south of the Antarctic Circle, where the sun never sets. You'll visit a research station and explore Marguerite Bay. Denizens of penguin rookeries will amuse you. Seals will show you how to relax as they laze on ice floes in bays defined by walls of ice.

Few people in the world can claim to have crossed this latitude, voyage through spectacular channels and bays of icebergs, seals, penguins and more. Be one of the few to set foot on the continent of Antarctica and beyond to the Polar Circle! We offer a 15-day and a 14-day itinerary.

Day 1 - Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small, but bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentinean town is an ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy some hand crafted chocolate in town.

Accommodations: TBA
Included Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Embarkation Day

The Beagle Channel sets you on your way as the ship sails in the late afternoon. The channel opens up to the vastness of the southern ocean, where your next land sighting will be along the Antarctic Peninsula. Named after the famed ship in which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents many great photo opportunities to capture sea birds hovering overhead.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit or Ocean Diamond
Included Meals: dinner

Days 3-4 - Crossing the Drake Passage

During these two days we will sail across the Drake Passage. The Drake is legendary for its high winds and rolling seas, but you may be lucky and get calm weather. The expedition crew will keep you busy on deck, on the bridge and in the presentation room. When you cross the Antarctic Convergence, you may meet wandering albatrosses and other sea birds. Near the South Shetland Islands, glimpse the first icebergs.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit or Ocean Diamond
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 5-8 - Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula

With the Drake Passage left in the ship's wake, make the final approach to Antarctica. Get your cameras ready, as the continent's coastline makes its first appearance. You'll see plentiful icebergs floating by and watch the ocean surface for curious whales spouting and breaching before your eyes.

The ultimate objective of this expedition is to cross the Antarctic Circle. En route, the Expedition Team will attempt a number of shore landings in the Peninsula, and if conditions permit the South Shetland Islands. The Captain and Expedition Leader will make adjustments to the program, taking advantage of local conditions. You may land at Hannah Point, where you'll find a nice variety of gentoo penguins, chinstraps and southern giant petrels, as well as elephant seals hauling out on the beach. At Deception Island, land at Baily Head, conditions permitting, home to a colony of ten thousand chinstrap penguins. Deception Island itself is a subducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbor for the ship. Here find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of cape pigeons, skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and black-bellied storm petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. Good walkers may hike from Baily Head over the ridge of the crater into Whalers Bay, while the ship braves its entrance into the crater through the spectacular Neptune´s Bellow into the ring of Deception Island.

In Neko Harbor and Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, take the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. Cruise on a zodiac between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. Then sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island offering adelie penguins and blue-eyed shags. The ship will also try to land at Pleneau Island with elephant seals and fair chances to encounter humpback, minke and fin whales. Certain departures offer adventure options of kayaking and camping, which are available on a first-come, first served basis.

Note that the 14-day itinerary, February 8-21, 2013, spends one less day here on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit or Ocean Diamond
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 9-10 - The Antarctic Circle

Head south along the Argentine Islands to Crystal Sound, south of the polar circle. The landscape is very impressive with very high mountains and huge glaciers. At the Fish Islands, land at one of the southernmost adelie penguin and blue-eyed shag colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula. At Detaille Island, south of the Polar Circle, in Crystal Sound reach probably our farthest south. Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Peninsula do not reach 66° 33’ S. You and your shipmates will celebrate in style with a well-earned glass of champagne! With a toast to the first explorers who ventured this far south, you can take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world still visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, a special area that you’ll experience during the midnight sun if you’re on the first voyage of the season.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit or Ocean Diamond
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 11-12 - Northbound Along the Peninsula

If you haven’t had your fill of Antarctic wildlife and icebergs by now, you’ll surely be satisfied with this return to the Drake Passage. Continue to journey onto land and out by zodiac twice daily as you travel north along the western Peninsula. Your Expedition Team will also be on the lookout for any species of penguins, seals and whales that may have eluded you on the journey south.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit or Ocean Diamond
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 13-14 - The Drake Passage

The journey continues back across the Drake where you'll have time to reflect on your experiences. Excited conversations with your newfound friends will make the time passing the Drake Passage fly by, independent of weather and sea conditions. Your Expedition Team will round up their series of lectures as well, perhaps with a slideshow of some of the great landing sites and wildlife you’ve visited over the course of your voyage.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit or Ocean Diamond
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15 - Ushuaia, Argentina

Today you say goodbye to your Expedition Team and your fellow travelers. Disembark in the morning so that you may catch your homeward bound flights.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

14 Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Ushuaia
Day 2 - Embark, Beagle Channel
Days 3&4 - Drake Passage
Days 5-7 - Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
Days 8&9 - The Antarctic Circle
Days 10&11 - Northbound Along the Peninsula
Days 12&13 - Drake Passage
Day 14 - Ushuaia

Itinerary Notes: Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife encountered. Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. A measure of flexibility is something every traveler should bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands, and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Included: One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation with breakfast, as indicated in the itinerary; Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; All meals on board throughout your voyage; All shore landings per the daily program; Experienced Expedition Leaders; All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program; Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled; A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; A Quark Expeditions parka – yours to keep; Coffee, tea, cocoa available around the clock; Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person.

Exclusions: Airfare, scheduled or charter flights; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; supplement for single hotel accommodations; adventure options of kayaking or diving; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); 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).

Room Configurations: Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the share price. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where we match you with a cabin mate(s) of the same gender. Even if we are unable to find a cabin mate for you, no single supplement will be charged.

Families & Children: At date of embarkation, a minimum age restriction of 8 years and minimum height and weight requirements (weight of 64lbs or 29kg and 48 in. or 1.2 m. tall) must be met. Children under 16 years of age must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times, and may not participate in adventure options.

Arrival & Departure: Your Crossing the Antarctic Circle Cruise begins and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina. Plan flights to arrive at any time on day 1 of the outlined itinerary and outbound flights to depart no earlier than 12 noon on the final day. Get a free flight quote.

Payment & Cancellation: A deposit of 20% (minimum $1,000 per person) is required to confirm a reservation on this Antarctic voyage. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. Payments by bank wire transfer, check, money order or major credit card are accepted. All prices and payments are in US dollars, and no other currencies can be accepted.

Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
180 days or more - $1000 per person admin fee
179 to 120 days - per person deposit amount is forfeited.
119 days or less - all deposits and tariffs, whether paid or not, are due and forfeited

Terms & Conditions: 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 and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: Emergency evacuation insurance, to a maximum benefit per paying traveler of $100,000 USD, is included in the cost of this trip. In addition to the emergency evacuation insurance, we highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Activities: Kayaking, camping and/or photography may be available on your Crossing the Antarctic Circle cruise. The following table details what activities may be available on each departure and their per-person cost. Key: (K) kayaking $950 Sea Spirit, $895 Ocean Diamond; (P) photography included; (C) camping $595. Please call AdventureSmith for more details and to reserve activity space.

Jan 15 - Jan 28, 2014 - K, C, P
Feb 16 - Mar 02, 2014 - K
Feb 22 - Mar 08, 2014 - K, P

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.


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