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Quest For The Antarctic Circle
Destinations
Antarctica
Activity
Cruise & Sailing, Active, Nature & Wildlife
Tour Type
Custom itinerary, Small group tour
Physical Level
Easy
Season Season
November - February

Good to know

  • 13 action-packed days aboard the ice strengthened M/S Expedition.
  • Two landings per day at the Antarctic Peninsula.
  • Onboard library, gym and sauna.
  • Expert guides and lectures.
  • IAATO accredited.

Join a voyage of discovery to Antarctica - the planet's final frontier - a mysterious and pristine paradise. The ice-strengthened expedition ship is ideally suited to cruising in this icy wilderness and the expert staff ensure that you fully appreciate the majesty of all you encounter. Sail the Drake Passage past the South Shetland Islands, explore the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula and cross below the fabled 66.5 degrees south. Experience massive rookeries of penguins shuffling across a frozen shore, pods of whales gliding through the cold waters and dramatic landscapes floating off into the distance. This is a trip like no other, and a memory of a lifetime.

This is one of dozens of Antarctic cruises organised by Chimu Adventures. Get in touch with a travel expert now to discuss alternative durations and budget levels.

Suggested itinerary

All days can be adjusted as required

Choose your direction

This is a customisable trip

Use the following itinerary for inspiration. Send us your preferences and we'll connect you with a specialist tour operator who will be happy to advise: all days, hotels and activities can be altered.

Arrival to Ushuaia

You'll be met at arrivals by a Chimu Adventures guide and taken to your pre-cruise hotel. Depending on your arrival time you'll have time to explore this, the southernmost city in the world. Your guide will be happy to offer dining recommendations.

Includes:
Where you'll stay
Hotel Albatross

Hotel Albatross

Embarkation

Spend the morning at your leisure, exploring the city or enjoying an optional visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park, or a hike to Marshall Glacier.

Embarkation time is set for 4:00pm, once on board your expedition leader will give you a welcome and expedition overview. As the sun sets over the Beagle Channel you'll enjoy your first night on the cruise of a lifetime.

Includes: breakfast, dinner
Where you'll stay
M/S Expedition

M/S Expedition

Crossing the Drake Passage

Your adventure begins with an 800km (497 mile) crossing of the passage that bears the name of the 16th century English explorer, Sir Francis Drake. The M/S Expedition is at home in this part of the Southern Ocean, known for the unimpeded fetch of the winds that encircle the Antarctic.

On the second day you'll cross the Antarctic Convergence, a meeting of cold polar water flowing north and warmer equatorial water moving in the opposite direction. This mixing pushes nutrient rich waters to the surface attracting a variety of seabirds, whales and other species.

Crossing the passage, you have time to become acquainted with the ship and its common areas, including the lounge, dining hall, library and lecture hall where you meet your guides, ship’s crew and expedition staff. Also commencing are a series of lectures on the extraordinary human and natural history of the Antarctic region. Keep a look out for sightings of icebergs, whales and albatross following in the ship’s wake.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland

Navigate southwards, making stops in the South Shetland Islands, through the Bransfield Strait and on to the Antarctic Peninsula. The Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands abound with wildlife. Penguins gather with their fast-growing chicks, whales are seen in great numbers, seals haul out onto ice floes and beaches, and numerous albatross and other seabirds trail in the ship's wake. There is plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of ice-choked waterways, blue and white icebergs, impressive glaciers and rugged snow-capped mountains. The Peninsula also has a remarkable history, and during the voyage you'll learn about some of the most important and dramatic expeditions.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Polar Circle Crossing

With a close eye on weather conditions, the captain navigates the ship southwards along the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Passing colossal icebergs and countless colonies of penguins you push on – the aim being to cross the Antarctic Polar Circle. Few travellers have ventured this far south, but with the fully equipped ice-strengthened vessel and favourable sea conditions, you'll access many remote locations that other ships cannot reach.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner

You'll continue your exploration of the Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands as you start to move north again. Keeping a close eye out for wildlife you'll have the opportunity to do some whale watching or even go for a polar plunge in the Southern Ocean!

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner

The ship will plot its return course but the adventure is far from over. Heading back across the Drake Passage you'll enjoy more bird and whale watching and listen to some final lectures by the expedition staff. These final two days are the perfect opportunity to relax, enjoy the ship's facilities and review the highlights of the past week.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner

And so the expedition comes to a close. You'll say your goodbyes to your crew and new friends as you disembark back in Ushuaia.

Depending on your onward journey you'll be returned to the airport, hotel, or perhaps your onward destination in Patagonia. Speak to a Chimu Adventures advisor to discuss your options!

Includes:

Tour inclusions

Get in touch now for more details

Included Accommodation

13 nights shipboard accommodation. One hotel night in Ushuaia.

Included Guided excursions

Expert guided landings and excursions on the Antarctic Peninsula, plus a series of lectures while onboard.

Included All meals

All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) aboard the ship.

Included Ground transfers

All ground transfers.

Days

14

From only

$9,999 pp

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