trip specifics

price

reservations are recommended.  

This 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 15-day and a 12-day itineraries.

15 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world nestled in the shadow of the Andes and right at the base of the Beagle Channel. Upon arrival at the Ushuaia airport you are met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore this 'frontier town' at leisure.

Accommodation: Hotel
Included Meals: none

Day 2 - Embarkation Day

Transfer to the quay in late afternoon to join other adventurers on deck as we sail through the Beagle Channel.

Accommodations: Ocean Nova, Sea Spirit, Vavilov
Included Meals: dinner

Days 3–4 - 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. We'll keep you busy on deck, on the bridge, and in the presentation room. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we may meet wandering albatrosses and other sea birds. Near the South Shetland Islands, we glimpse at the first icebergs.

Accommodations: Ocean Nova, Sea Spirit, Vavilov
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 5-8 - Antarctic Peninsula

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. We may land at Hannah Point, where we will 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, we will try to land at Baily Head 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 we 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 our 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, we have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. We shall have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island offering adelie penguins and blue-eyed shags. We 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.

Accommodations: Ocean Nova, Sea Spirit, Vavilov
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 9-10 - The Antarctic Circle

We 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 we 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 we reach probably our farthest south. Celebrate with a well-earned glass of champagne, raising your glass to the intrepid explorers who have gone before.

Accommodations: Ocean Nova, Sea Spirit, Vavilov
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 11-12 - Sailing north

Sailing north again through Neumayer Channel and Gerlache Strait, we arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape and again possibilities for zodiac cruising among the icebergs, where we may encounter leopard seals and whales.

Accommodations: Ocean Nova, Sea Spirit, Vavilov
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 13-14 - 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: Ocean Nova, Sea Spirit, Vavilov
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15 - Ushuaia, Argentina

We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.

Accomodation: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Photography Focus: There is a photography focus on the February 26, 2011, departure aboard Akademik Sergey Vavilov. Award winning wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein will be the special guest.

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: 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.

Children: Recommended minimum age for this expedition is 12 years old, depending on the vessel. 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.

Cost Includes: 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 (Not on Plancius); 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.

Not Included: 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).

Arrival and 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.

Reservations and Payment: A deposit of $1,000 or 10% of the total 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 120 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.

Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage is required for this trip. Consider Travelex Select or Max policies to ensure the best level of coverage. 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.


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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