Crossing the Antarctic Circle 15% Advantage

This voyage is designed as a classic Antarctic expedition with a clear geographic goal: to reach the Antarctic Circle at 66°33’S, weather permitting. After a hotel night in Ushuaia and embarkation on day two, you spend two days crossing the Drake Passage with onboard briefings, expert talks and opportunities to take part in Citizen Science. Days on the Antarctic Peninsula combine landings and Zodiac cruises in areas such as the Gerlache Strait, Paradise Bay and Wilhelmina Bay, with possible visits to sites like Cuverville Island, Damoy Point and the Lemaire Channel. The route then turns to the South Shetland Islands, where penguin colonies, seabirds and historically significant anchorages may be visited before the return crossing to Ushuaia.

Crossing the Antarctic Circle: The itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Ushuaia
After a friendly welcome at the airport, you are transferred to one of the partnered premium hotel resorts set in Patagonian nature. The rest of the day is intentionally unstructured, giving you time to settle in after your journey or to explore Ushuaia at your own pace. As the southernmost city in the world, it offers a compact centre with waterfront views, small museums and local shops, and it is easy to combine a short walk with a quiet evening in the hotel. In the evening, an optional briefing is offered. This is a practical introduction to the days ahead and a chance to ask questions about the voyage, the daily routine on board and the planned landing operations. It is also an opportunity to meet some of your fellow travellers before the expedition begins in earnest.

Day 2: Embarkation
Your morning remains free in Ushuaia. You may choose to rest at the hotel, visit a museum, or spend time in town for any last purchases before departure. This flexible start also allows you to adjust to local time and prepare for the change of pace that comes with life at sea.
In mid afternoon you are escorted to the ship. The Expedition Team and ship staff welcome you on board, help you get settled and introduce the key procedures for operating in polar regions. A safety and orientation briefing follows, outlining how the ship functions, what to expect during Zodiac operations and how plans may adapt to weather and ice. The day concludes with the Captain’s welcome dinner as the ship departs and sets course south towards Antarctica.

All pictures of this partner

Day 3: Drake Passage
The first full day at sea is spent crossing the Drake Passage, a route known for its open ocean conditions and for marking the transition into Antarctic waters. On board, the Polar Experts begin a programme of talks that provide context for what you will see, from Antarctic wildlife and ecology to the history of exploration in the region. These sessions are designed to be informative and practical, helping you recognise species and understand the landscape you are travelling through.
You can also take part in the Citizen Science programme, contributing observations during the crossing, or simply spend time on deck watching the ocean. Keep binoculars close, as seabirds often accompany the ship and can be identified as you travel south. As you approach the Antarctic Convergence, the change in temperature becomes noticeable, signalling entry into colder waters and the next stage of the expedition.

Day 4: Drake Passage
The crossing continues, with the day shaped by the rhythm of the ship and the conditions outside. The Expedition Team remains available for further briefings and discussions, and the onboard programme continues to build knowledge ahead of the first landings. Time on deck can be rewarding, as the open ocean environment attracts different seabirds and occasional wildlife sightings, and the light and sea state can shift quickly.
As the ship progresses, the sense of moving into a distinct polar zone becomes clearer. The air is typically cooler, and the anticipation of reaching the Antarctic Peninsula grows as preparations are refined. Operational updates are shared as needed, reflecting the realities of expedition travel where timing and route depend on weather, sea conditions and ice.

Day 5: Antarctic Peninsula and towards the Antarctic Circle
You begin the expedition phase along the Antarctic Peninsula, travelling into the Gerlache Strait region and starting a pattern of twice daily excursions. Depending on conditions, these may include Zodiac cruises and shore landings that focus on the peninsula’s coastal geography, sea ice and wildlife. The Expedition Team selects sites to match the day’s weather and ice, aiming for safe access and meaningful time ashore or on the water.
Possible experiences include a Zodiac cruise in Paradise Bay, where the sheltered waters often allow close observation of ice formations and the surrounding mountains. The day is also shaped by wildlife opportunities, with penguins, seals and whales all possible in this region. Each landing and cruise is approached with care, balancing time for observation with the practicalities of polar operations.

Day 6: Antarctic Peninsula exploration
The route continues through a variety of peninsula sites, with the aim of showing different aspects of the region rather than focusing on a single location. Excursions remain twice daily when conditions allow, and the Expedition Team adjusts plans to make the most of visibility, wind and ice. This approach often results in a mix of shoreline visits and Zodiac cruising, offering both close up perspectives and wider views of the landscape.
Potential stops include Cuverville Island, known for penguin nesting areas, where you may observe colony behaviour from appropriate distances. The day may also bring opportunities to watch for marine mammals, including humpback whales, which are sometimes seen feeding in these waters. Between excursions, time on board is used for briefings and for reviewing what has been observed.

Day 7: Historic sites and wildlife rich bays
As you travel further south, the programme continues to combine natural history with selected human history. A possible visit is Damoy Point, where historic huts provide a tangible link to earlier activity in the region and offer a different perspective on how people have operated in Antarctic conditions. These visits are guided and contextualised, focusing on what remains and what it represents.
Wildlife viewing remains central. Wilhelmina Bay is one of the areas where humpback whales may be encountered, and Zodiac cruising can be used to observe the bay’s ice and shoreline features. The day’s structure remains flexible, with the Expedition Team choosing the best options based on the latest forecasts and local conditions.

Day 8: Lemaire Channel and the push south
The voyage continues south with the intention of reaching one of the signature passages of the peninsula: the Lemaire Channel. Known for its narrow profile and steep sided scenery, it is a route where the landscape becomes a primary focus, especially when sea ice is present. The ship’s progress here depends on ice and visibility, and the experience is often shaped by the pace required for safe navigation.
Excursions continue as conditions permit, maintaining the expedition rhythm of time ashore and on the water. The further south you travel, the more likely you are to encounter more extensive sea ice, which can influence both the route and the choice of landing sites. Throughout, the Expedition Team provides updates and interpretation to connect what you see with the broader Antarctic environment.

Day 9: Crossing the Antarctic Circle, weather permitting
This day is planned around the expedition’s geographic goal: reaching 66°33’S and crossing the Antarctic Circle, subject to weather and ice. If conditions allow, the ship’s position is marked and acknowledged on board, reflecting the fact that relatively few voyages reach this latitude. The moment is treated as a shared milestone, with a simple celebration to recognise the achievement.
Beyond the crossing itself, the day remains part of the broader peninsula exploration, and excursions may still be possible depending on the operational plan. Wildlife sightings can continue to be a feature, and the scenery often reflects the increasing influence of sea ice. As always in this environment, the final shape of the day is determined by safety and the realities of polar travel.

Day 10: South Shetland Islands
You turn north towards the South Shetland Islands, the northernmost part of Antarctica, where the landscape and wildlife differ from the peninsula sites further south. Ice capped peaks on islands such as Livingstone, Greenwich and King George form a distinctive backdrop, and the coastline can host numerous penguin colonies. Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins are commonly associated with the region, and seabirds, including Giant Petrels, may be seen along the shores and in flight.
Weather permitting, the plan may include Deception Island, an active volcanic crater with black sands, steaming ground and visible remnants of past human presence. Another possible stop is Yankee Harbour, historically used as an anchorage by sealers. These visits combine natural observation with a measured look at the region’s maritime history, always guided by conditions and landing feasibility.

Day 11: Drake Passage northbound
The return journey begins with the crossing of the Drake Passage back towards South America. Life on board settles into a sea day routine again, with time to rest, review photographs and attend any remaining talks or recap sessions offered by the Expedition Team. The open ocean can still provide wildlife viewing opportunities, and seabirds may again follow the ship for parts of the crossing.
As the ship moves north, temperatures gradually become milder. The days are also used to bring the expedition to a close in an organised way, with practical information shared about disembarkation and onward travel. The atmosphere is typically reflective, shaped by the contrast between the intensity of the Antarctic days and the steady pace of the crossing.

Day 12: Drake Passage and expedition conclusion
The final full day at sea continues across the Drake Passage. On board, the expedition is brought together with a concluding slideshow and a final meal shared as a group. This is a structured end to the voyage, offering a chance to revisit key moments and to place the journey in context, from the wildlife encountered to the landscapes travelled through.
The ship’s team remains available for questions, and final announcements help prepare for arrival in Ushuaia. As the coastline of Tierra del Fuego approaches, the expedition phase gives way to the practicalities of return, with luggage arrangements and timing confirmed. The day ends with the sense of having completed a full circuit from Patagonia to Antarctica and back.

Day 13: Disembarkation in Ushuaia
Disembarkation takes place in the morning in Ushuaia. After leaving the ship, you can continue directly to the airport for a flight to Buenos Aires, or choose to remain in Ushuaia independently for additional time in the region. The tour package ends upon morning disembarkation.
Show all dates