Classic Antarctica - 11 days
11 Days Starting and ending in Ushuaia, Argentina
Visiting: Ushuaia, The Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands, Crossing the Drake Passage
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 88
Age range:
10-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day expedition to the pristine wilderness of Antarctica with the "Classic Antarctica" tour. Starting from the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, you'll set sail along the Beagle Channel and navigate the challenging Drake Passage, where the convergence of warm and cold waters creates a rich marine ecosystem. Explore the breathtaking South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, home to diverse wildlife including penguins, seals, and whales. Enjoy daily shore excursions by zodiac, guided by expert naturalists, and marvel at the stunning landscapes of glaciers and jagged mountain peaks. Your journey concludes back in Ushuaia, leaving you with memories of one of the most remote and beautiful places on Earth.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Ushuaia
Location: Ushuaia
Accommodation Name: The Ushuaia
Meals Included: Dinner
Today your expedition to Antarctica begins. In the afternoon you’ll board your polar vessel, the Ushuaia, where you’ll meet the expedition and lecture staff who will be accompanying you on your journey. Once settled into your cabin, you’ll want to make your way to one of the open air decks so that you can admire the views as we set sail along the famous Beagle Channel and scenic Mackinlay Pass.
Day 2-3: The Drake Passage
Location: The Drake Passage
Accommodation Name: The Ushuaia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The next two days are spent passing through the infamous Drake Passage, a historically challenging channel of water which bears the name of renowned explorer Sir Francis Drake who sailed through here in 1578. On this journey through the Drake Passage you will pass over the Antarctic Convergence, where the warmer waters of the north meet the cold polar waters of the south. This interaction causes an upwelling of nutrients from the seafloor, resulting in the incredible diversity of algae, krill and other small sea creatures.
The Ushuaia offers the choice of four open-air decks where you can pass the time enjoying the views and keeping an eye out for seabirds. Expedition lecturers will be available at all times to help you spot and identify common and more obscure species. Thanks to the vessels open bridge policy, you can also join officers on the bridge to learn about navigation and watch for whales.
You’ll know when we’ve reached the South Shetland Islands as you’ll begin to see icebergs and snow-capped mountains. This group of twenty islands was first sighted by Captain William Smith back in February 1819. Should the conditions of the Drake Passage be favourable, you’ll enjoy your first land excursions on day 3 where you’ll have the chance to see penguins and seals up close.
Day 4-8: South Shetland Islands
Location: South Shetland Islands
Accommodation Name: The Ushuaia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A stunning archipelago home to an incredible abundance of wildlife, the South Shetland Islands is a crucial stop on every expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula. Spanning 540 kilometres from northeast to southwest, this polar archipelago is made up of four distinct groupings of islands with some 150 additional islets, skerries and rock outcrops.
Perhaps the best known of the South Shetland Islands is Deception Island with its flooded caldera of an active volcano. The largest is King George Island which is home to several scientific bases dedicated to studying the island’s population of Adélie and Chinstrap Penguins, Kelp Gulls, Blue-eyed Cormorants, Antarctic Terns and Southern Giant Petrels. Another island worth visiting is Livingston Island, where you can spot more species of penguin as well as elephant seals.
The next five days are spent navigating the Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel, and narrow passages of the Lemaire Channel with towering rock faces on one side and spectacular glaciers on the other. You’ll have the opportunity to join two landings per day, at locations such as spectacular Paradise Bay and the continent proper, as well as Paulet Island where you’ll be able to see the Adélie Penguin and Blue-eyed Cormorant colonies.
Exploring further south you may have the opportunity to visit Melchior Island, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour and Pléneau Island. Should ice conditions permit, you’ll also have a chance to see the southernmost colony of Gentoo Penguins on Petermann Island.
Day 9-10: Crossing The Drake Passage
Location: Crossing the Drake Passage
Accommodation Name: The Ushuaia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Departing the Antarctic Peninsula, the Ushuaia will start its journey back across the Drake Passage travelling north. Once again you’ll have the opportunity to spot and identify seabirds and whales with the help of the naturalists on deck, as well as enjoy some final lectures.
Day 11: Ushuaia
Location: Ushuaia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vessel arrives into the port of Ushuaia early in the morning. After breakfast and bidding farewell to your expedition lecturers and naturalists, your Antarctic adventure comes to an end. The ship arrives at 7 am and disembarkation is normally at 8.00/ 8.30 am. We strongly recommend not to book flights departing before noon time.
What's Included
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Accommodation
10 nights onboard the Ushuaia in a Standard twin cabin with semi-private facilities. Cabin upgrades with private facilities are available on request.
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Meals
10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 10 dinners are included.
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Shore Excursions
Two shore excursions per day to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands by zodiac, ice conditions permitting.
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Lectures
Program of lectures by expert naturalists.
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Expedition Staff
Experienced expedition staff will accompany you on your journey.
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Taxes and Charges
All service taxes and port charges are included.
What's Not Included
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International Flights and Visas
International flights and visas are not included.
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Government Taxes
Government arrival and departure taxes are not included.
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Drinks
Drinks on board the Ushuaia are not included.
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Tips
Tips for the expedition staff and naturalists are not included.
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Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Pre and post tour accommodation, plus any airport or port transfers, are not included.
Age Policy
This trip is suitable for all ages over 10 years; however the GH will accept younger on a case by case basis. No maximum age providing Medical Form is completed.
Mode of Transport
Set sail from Ushuaia aboard the Ushuaia, navigating through the Beagle Channel, Drake Passage, and South Shetland Islands, with opportunities for shore excursions by zodiac and wildlife spotting from open-air decks.
Accommodation
Enjoy 10 nights onboard the Ushuaia in a Standard twin cabin with semi-private facilities, where two cabins share one bathroom. Each cabin is equipped with its own washbasin, and cabin upgrades with private facilities are available on request.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?
During the tour, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including penguins, seals, seabirds, and whales. Specific species you may encounter include Adélie and Chinstrap Penguins, Kelp Gulls, Blue-eyed Cormorants, Antarctic Terns, Southern Giant Petrels, and elephant seals. You may also spot the southernmost colony of Gentoo Penguins on Petermann Island.
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What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes two shore excursions per day to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands by zodiac, ice conditions permitting. Additionally, there is a program of lectures by expert naturalists and opportunities to join officers on the bridge to learn about navigation and watch for whales.
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What kind of accommodation is provided on the tour?
Accommodation is provided onboard the Ushuaia in a Standard twin cabin with semi-private facilities, where two cabins share one bathroom accessible from both cabins. Each cabin is also equipped with its own washbasin. Cabin upgrades with private facilities are available on request.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 10 dinners.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?
Yes, additional costs not included in the tour price are international flights and visas, government arrival and departure taxes, drinks on board the Ushuaia, tips for the expedition staff and naturalists, and pre and post tour accommodation, plus any airport or port transfers.
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What should I know about the Drake Passage crossing?
The Drake Passage is a historically challenging channel of water where the warmer waters of the north meet the cold polar waters of the south, resulting in incredible biodiversity of marine life. During the crossing, you can enjoy views from four open-air decks, spot seabirds and whales with the help of expedition lecturers, and join officers on the bridge to learn about navigation.
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What is the age policy for this tour?
This trip is suitable for all ages over 10 years; however, younger participants may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. There is no maximum age limit, provided a Medical Form is completed.
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What time does the tour end on the final day?
The tour ends on the final day when the vessel arrives into the port of Ushuaia early in the morning. Disembarkation is normally at 8.00/8.30 am, and it is strongly recommended not to book flights departing before noon.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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