Classic Antarctica

From Ushuaia to Ushuaia
  • All Antarctic Cruises
  • Antarctic Peninsula
  • Small Ship Cruising
  • Wildlife and Nature
View Similar Tours

Tour Description

Let Antarctica overwhelm all your senses on this classic 10 or 11-day cruise departing Ushuaia, on a small ship named after the world’s southernmost city. A former oceanographic research ship beautifully converted to accommodate 90 guests, the Ushuaia offers exceptional service and an incredibly intimate Antarctica travel experience. On this itinerary, you’ll cast off across the infamous Drake Passage, keeping your eyes peeled to the wild seas for migrating whales, before visiting the wildlife-enriched South Shetland Islands.

The spectacular landscapes, fascinating historical sites and stupendous Antarctic wildlife will surely compete for your attention but on such a comprehensive itinerary, you’ll have plenty of time to dedicate to each. Hop on a Zodiac to explore the Antarctic island shores, visiting penguin rookeries, beaches renowned for attracting impressive colonies of fur-seals and simply soak up the startling spectacle of vertiginous icebergs and endlessly white horizons.

A visit to Antarctica is a lifelong dream for some many and this Antarctica tour certainly delivers the experience of a lifetime.

Viva's Best Bits...

"The MV Ushuaia is one of the smaller vessels going to Antarctica, only 90 passengers, so great if you want to experience Antarctica with a small number of people" Tara, Team Viva

Discover South Shetland Islands, a paradise for wildlife, explore the Antarctic peninsula, visit penguin rookeries, walk on shore, watch out for whales, perhaps even take a polar plunge!

Guided hikes and walks ashore, your chance to set foot on Antarctica, for many the unique opportunity to have visited all 7 continents!

Tour Itinerary

Expand all Itinerary steps Collapse all Itinerary steps
Day

Day 1
Ushuaia Ushuaia

PLEASE NOTE THIS ITINERARY IS EITHER 10 OR 11 DAYS DEPENDING ON THE DEPARTURE DATE. CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Embark on the USHUAIA in the afternoon and sail along the famous Beagle Channel and the scenic Mackinlay Pass.

Day 2-3
Drake Passage

Sail the Drake passage, named after the renowned explorer, Sir Francis Drake, who sailed these waters in 1578. Observe an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow in our wake. During this time learn about Antarctica with onboard lectures and make use of the open bridge policy, and learn about navigation in Antarctica.

The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands, a group of twenty islands and islets first sighted in February 1819 by Capt. William Smith of the brig Williams. With favorable conditions in the Drake Passage our lecturers and naturalists will accompany you ashore as you experience your first encounter with the penguins and seals on Day 3.

Day 4-8
Antarctic Peninsula & the South Shetland Islands

The South Shetland Islands are a haven for wildlife. Vast penguin rookeries, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals make every day spent in this amazing island group unforgettable. The Antarctic Peninsula’s remarkable history will provide you with a level of excitement only experienced by the early explorers. You will have plenty of time to explore its amazing scenery, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways, together with an incredibly diverse array of wildlife.

We hope to navigate some of the most beautiful waterways (depending on the ice conditions): the Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel, and the Lemaire Channel, the latter are narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. We plan to make at least two landings per day and possible landing sites may include:

Paradise Bay is perhaps the most aptly named place in the world and we attempt a landing on the continent proper. After negotiating the iceberg-strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound, we hope to visit the bustling Adélie Penguin (over 100,000 pairs breed here) and Blue-eyed Cormorant colonies on Paulet Island. The Nordenskjöld expedition built a stone survival hut here in 1903. Today its ruins have been taken over by nesting penguins.

Further exploration may take you to the Melchior Island group, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island and if ice conditions permit, to Petermann Island for a visit to the southernmost colony of Gentoo Penguins.

Day 9-10
Drake Passage

We leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Join our lecturers and naturalists on deck as we search for seabirds and whales, and enjoy some final lectures.

Day 11
Ushuaia

Disembarkation this morning.

View Similar Tours Request A Quote

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 9 or 10 nights onboard the MV Ushuaia
  • Included Copy 31 Cabin upgrades available
Food
  • Included Copy 20 Continental and American Breakfast buffet
  • Included Copy 20 Buffet or seated served lunch
  • Included Copy 20 Afternoon tea
  • Included Copy 20 Three-course dinner
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by zodiac
  • Included Copy 20 Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
  • Included Copy 20 All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • Included Copy 20 Comprehensive pre-departure material
  • Included Copy 20 Bilingual crew
  • Included Copy 20 Open bridge
  • Included Copy 20 Loan of boots for shore landings
  • Included Copy 7 Domestic and International Airfares & Travel insurance
  • Included Copy 7 Gratuities for the crew (recommended US$15.00 per person per day)
  • Included Copy 7 Personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, on-board communication, pre/post hotel
Transportation
M/V Ushuaia | Antarctic Cruise Ship

90 passengers and 38 staff Passengers

Activities

  • Included Daily shore excursions and zodiac exploration in Antarctica
  • Included Drake passage crossing
  • Included Explore the Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
  • Included Discover elephant seals, albatrosses and penguins colonies in Antarctica
  • Included Navigate beautiful waterways, perhaps the Lemaire Channel.
  • Included Zodiac expeditions through the icebergs
  • Included Lectures of Antarctic history, geology and biology
View Similar Tours
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

11 days

Price from

$5,730 USD

Per person, sharing

Based On Lowest Cabin

Select Date
Speak to your Antarctic Peninsula travel expert now
Tara Sutherland
Enquire