Start Location: Ushuaia, Argentina; End Location: Ushuaia, Argentina
Duration: From 11 Days
Travel Season: November to March (Best: January)
Ship: Quark Expeditions - Ocean Explorer / Ultramarine
Cross the legendary swells of the Drake Passage to set foot on the seventh continent, where colossal icebergs tower over crystal waters. This iconic expedition offers a swift yet immersive passage into the heart of the Antarctic, elevated by rare bird's-eye helicopter flights above the frozen abyss.
Highlights at a Glance
• Penguins: Gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie breeding colonies.
• Whales: February and March are the peak - humpback, minke and orca in open water, often close to the ship.
• Seals: Crabeater, Weddell and leopard seal hauled out on floes; fur seals late in the season.
Itinerary
65°S60°S55°S80°W70°W60°W50°WPunta ArenasUshuaiaDrake PassageSouth Shetland IslandsAntarctic Peninsula1·62·534500 km
1·6 Ushuaia · 2·5 Drake Passage · 3 South Shetland Islands · 4 Antarctic Peninsula
Day 1Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
Guests arrive in Ushuaia, the Argentine port on the Beagle Channel billed as the southernmost city in the world and Quark's gateway to Antarctica. Quark includes one hotel night here and the airport transfer, leaving the day free to explore the waterfront, the Museo del Fin del Mundo or Tierra del Fuego National Park. The expedition team is on hand in the evening for check-in and final briefings.
Day 2Embark
After time in town in the morning, guests transfer to the pier and board Ocean Explorer in the late afternoon. Cabins are settled, the mandatory safety drill is completed and the captain's welcome takes place as lines are cast off. The ship sails the historic Beagle Channel at sunset, escorted by albatross and petrels.
Days 3–4Crossing the Drake Passage
Two days crossing the Drake Passage, the 1,000km stretch of Southern Ocean between Cape Horn and the South Shetlands. The expedition team fills the days with presentations on polar photography, wildlife, glaciology and Antarctic history in the lecture theatre. Parkas and loaned expedition boots are issued and mandatory biosecurity vacuuming is completed before the first landing.
Days 5–8South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Four days exploring the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, with the expedition leader choosing sites daily according to ice and weather. Zodiac excursions push into glaciated bays and among icebergs, with shore landings at penguin rookeries of gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie, and haul-outs of Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals. Ship cruising takes in scenery such as the Gerlache Strait and the Lemaire Channel, with humpback and minke whales frequently sighted; optional adventure activities such as sea kayaking, paddling, camping and stand-up paddleboarding operate on selected departures at extra cost.
Days 9–10Crossing the Drake Passage
The ship turns north and recrosses the Drake Passage towards Tierra del Fuego. Deck time and the observation lounge are given over to seabird watching as albatross, prions and petrels follow the ship. The expedition team wraps up with recap lectures, the voyage photo slideshow and the captain's farewell reception.
Day 11Disembark in Ushuaia
Ocean Explorer docks in Ushuaia in the morning and guests disembark after breakfast. Quark provides the transfer to Ushuaia airport or into town. Onward flights should be booked for the afternoon to allow for disembarkation timing.
Ship
Quark Expeditions - Ocean Explorer / Ultramarine. Ocean Explorer - Studio Single; Ocean Explorer - Studio Veranda Single; Ocean Explorer - Veranda Stateroom; Ocean Explorer - Deluxe Veranda Forward; Ocean Explorer - Veranda Suite; Ocean Explorer - Triple Suite; Ocean Explorer - Penthouse Suite; Ocean Explorer - Owners Suite; Ocean Explorer - Main Dining Room; Ocean Explorer - Private Dining Room; Ocean Explorer - The Latitude Bar; Ocean Explorer - Discovery Library; Ocean Explorer - Observation Lounge; Ocean Explorer - Fitness Center.
Included
• Gathering in Ushuaia, Argentina (12-day version gathers in Buenos Aires with group charter flights to and from Ushuaia)
• One pre-expedition hotel night in the gateway city with baggage handling
• Group transfers between airport, hotel and ship on the published programme days
• Shipboard accommodation with all meals, snacks, tea and coffee throughout
• Beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• All Zodiac transfers, shore landings and Zodiac cruises
• Full expedition programme with leadership team, naturalists, historians and daily lectures
• Official Quark Expeditions expedition parka to keep, plus loaned expedition boots
• Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
• Digital photographic journal of the voyage
• All port charges, service taxes and landing fees
Not Included
• International airfare to and from the gateway city
• Passport and visa costs, and any excess baggage charges
• Mandatory travel and emergency evacuation insurance
• Optional adventure activities (sea kayaking, paddling excursion, camping, stand-up paddleboarding, heli-flightseeing on Ultramarine)
• Waterproof trousers, laundry, personal expenses and crew gratuities
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