call our experts
800-728-2875

business hours
M-F: 8-5 PST

polar regions: antarctica

Antarctic Explorer

This itinerary is delivered at a comfortable pace. Shore landings will be in the Peninsula. There is an in-depth education program, covering all aspects of the biology, politics and history of Antarctica. Beginning and ending in Ushuaia, Argentina, your small ship cruise to Antarctica will experience the wildlife and scenic highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. This expedition is perfect for first-time polar travelers or travelers with limited time to experience Antarctica.

Be as active as you want to be. All trips include up close exploration on guided hikes, shore walks and small craft excursions. Optional activities include kayaking, camping, cross country skiing or mountaineering. No experience is necessary for activities but advanced reservations are required as space is limited.

Antarctic Explorer cruise is for adventurers looking for a satisfying overview of the continent's most appealing features - penguin rookeries, historic sites and beautiful icescapes. The Captain and Expedition Leaders 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. A pre cruise hotel overnight in Ushuaia is included in the price.

Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina

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.

Accommodations: Hotel Albatros or similar
Included Meals: none

Day 2 - Embark Antarctic Explorer Cruise

After embarkation in the early afternoon, you will sail down the Beagle Channel. Keep watch on deck for seabirds, penguins and rainbows.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit, Vavliov, Clipper Adventurer, Ocean Nova
Included Meals: dinner

Days 3-4 - Crossing the Drake Passage

Prepare for rough water, but do not be disappointed if your crossing is smooth sailing. The Drake is always changing

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: Sea Spirit, Vavliov, Clipper Adventurer, Ocean Nova
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 5-8 - South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

Many factors play a role in shaping the expedition's progress. We attempt to leave the ship to explore in a range of activity levels at least twice a day. Perhaps, you'll fell salt spray on your face as the Zodiac weaves in and around grounded icebergs in Pleneau Bay. You could scamble to the top of a craggy hill for an unforgettable view of an icy charm near Port Lockroy. You could sit quietly on a pebbled beach to wait for a curious penguin chick to approach or take a plunge into the icy waters of Neko Harbour.

Explore the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula with adventurers who enjoy camping, kayaking, cross-country skiing, mountaineering and other active pursuits. Over the course of the austral spring and summer, the sun lingers longer and longer, melting snow and ice. Wildlife abounds: chicks hatch and fledge, and pods of whales breach in a deep bay where a calving iceberg has churned up krill, the local delicacy.

The natural cycle of life ensures that every expedition is different. And that every expedition is full of surprises! In Antarctica, silence is so complete that interruptions become indelible memories; noisy penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, the boom and crack of a calving glacier near Petermann Island. Then there is the sound of breathing as your arms pump and your legs power you up an incline on cross-country skis. As you sail from island to shore to bay during four days in the Peninsula, the Expedition Team provides opportunities for contemplation or to test your endurance and to engage your curiosity.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit, Vavliov, Clipper Adventurer, Ocean Nova
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 9-10 - Drake Passage to Ushuaia

Activities during the return voyage depend on the conditions of the Drake. A smooth crossing is a busy crossing.

Accommodations: Sea Spirit, Vavliov, Clipper Adventurer, Ocean Nova
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - 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

12 Day Itinerary:
Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina
Day 2 - Beagle Channel
Days 3&4 - Crossing the Drake Passage
Days 5-9 - South Shetland Islands & the Antarctic Peninsula
Days 10&11 - Re-cross the Drake Passage
Day 12 - Disembarkation in Ushuaia

Dates & Ship Breakdown
Jan 24-Feb 4, 2012 – Ocean Nova; K C
Jan 31-Feb 11, 2012 – Sea Spirit; K C
Feb 10-20, 2012* – Clipper Adventurer
Feb 10-21, 2012 – Sea Spirit; K C
Feb 19-Mar 1, 2012* – Clipper Adventurer
Feb 25-Mar 7, 2012 –Vavilov; K C
Feb 26-Mar 8, 2012 – Ocean Nova; K C
Feb 29-Mar 11, 2012* - ClipperAdventurer
* 11 Day Itinerary

K = Kayaking
C = Camping
S = Cross Country Skiing
M = Mountaineering

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 be guaranteed the double rate. 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: One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation with breakfast as indicated in the itinerary. (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.) Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping. All breakfasts, lunches and dinners 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.). All shore landings and Zodiac excursions per the daily program. Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities. Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled. Photographic Album on DVD. A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings Hair dryer in every cabin. A Quark Expeditions parka for guests on Clipper Adventurer only. Coffee, tea, cocoa and bottled water available around the clock. Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader. Group transfers from the hotel to the ship at the embarkation port, and from the ship to the local airport on disembarkation – plus all baggage handling aboard ship. All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum of $100,000 per person.

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; Trip Cancellation Insurance; 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 120 days prior to departure. We do NOT accept credit cards for Final Payment on Antarctic Cruises. 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.

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.

Arrival and Departure: When considering flights for your Classic Antarctica Cruise plan to arrive Ushuaia, Argentina (USH) at any time on day 1. Plan flights to depart no earlier than 12 noon on the final day. Get a free flight quote.

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

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.


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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com