Day 1:Arrive in Buenos Aires, ArgentinaUpon arriving in this cosmopolitan city, known for its architecture and rich European heritage, you will independently transfer to your group hotel (pre-expedition hotel night included in mandatory transfer package(not included in price)).
Day 2:Fly to Ushuaia and EmbarkAfter an early breakfast at the hotel, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina.Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to a central downtown location for free time on your own to explore this quaint port town before making your way to the pier.As the ship sets sail in the late afternoon, you will begin your Antarctic journey, passing through the historic Beagle Channel. Named after the famed ship on which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents great photo opportunities of landscapes and seabirds. Eventually the channel opens up to the Southern Ocean, and onwards to Antarctica.
Day 3:Crossing the Drake PassageYour days at sea are filled with presentations led by your Expedition Team on photography, wildlife, glaciology, and history. You can also spend time on deck looking for wildlife, or chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.
Day 4:Crossing the Drake PassageYour days at sea are filled with presentations led by your Expedition Team on photography, wildlife, glaciology, and history. You can also spend time on deck looking for wildlife, or chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.
Day 5:South Shetland Islands and Antarctic PeninsulaThe most common reaction upon reaching the Antarctic Peninsula is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every visit to Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other-creating a unique, personal experience.Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds, you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the elusive leopard seal.Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are exploring the Antarctic terrain, visiting a research station or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adelie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with five different species of seals. Zodiac cruising can offer opportunities to view some of the larger local marine mammals more intimately, such as Antarctic minke and humpback whales. Days 5 to 7 are also ideal times to experience Ultramarine's portfolio of helicopter- supported adventures exclusive to Quark Expeditions.Your days will be busy spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the astounding beauty of Antarctica. Listening to the crackling and crumbling of icebergs andglaciers and watching penguins waddling on the beach will become your daily entertainment, while heli flightseeing, sea kayaking or paddle excursions are optional activities available on select voyages (at an extra cost).
Day 6:South Shetland Islands and Antarctic PeninsulaThe most common reaction upon reaching the Antarctic Peninsula is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every visit to Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other-creating a unique, personal experience.Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds, you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the elusive leopard seal.Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are exploring the Antarctic terrain, visiting a research station or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adelie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with five different species of seals. Zodiac cruising can offer opportunities to view some of the larger local marine mammals more intimately, such as Antarctic minke and humpback whales. Days 5 to 7 are also ideal times to experience Ultramarine's portfolio of helicopter- supported adventures exclusive to Quark Expeditions.Your days will be busy spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the astounding beauty of Antarctica. Listening to the crackling and crumbling of icebergs andglaciers and watching penguins waddling on the beach will become your daily entertainment, while heli flightseeing, sea kayaking or paddle excursions are optional activities available on select voyages (at an extra cost).
Day 7:South Shetland Islands and Antarctic PeninsulaThe most common reaction upon reaching the Antarctic Peninsula is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every visit to Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other-creating a unique, personal experience.Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds, you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the elusive leopard seal.Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are exploring the Antarctic terrain, visiting a research station or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adelie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with five different species of seals. Zodiac cruising can offer opportunities to view some of the larger local marine mammals more intimately, such as Antarctic minke and humpback whales. Days 5 to 7 are also ideal times to experience Ultramarine's portfolio of helicopter- supported adventures exclusive to Quark Expeditions.Your days will be busy spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the astounding beauty of Antarctica. Listening to the crackling and crumbling of icebergs andglaciers and watching penguins waddling on the beach will become your daily entertainment, while heli flightseeing, sea kayaking or paddle excursions are optional activities available on select voyages (at an extra cost).
Day 8:Antarctic CircleCrossing the Antarctic Circle is both a memorable experience and impressive achievement, as few travelers reach so far south. If conditions allow us to cross this famed latitude of 6633 S, we'll toast the first explorers who ventured here, and you can raise a glass and take pride in knowing you've made it to a part of the world visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home of the midnight sun, Weddell seals, and your best chances of encountering sea ice-the very foundations of the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
Day 9:Antarctic CircleCrossing the Antarctic Circle is both a memorable experience and impressive achievement, as few travelers reach so far south. If conditions allow us to cross this famed latitude of 6633 S, we'll toast the first explorers who ventured here, and you can raise a glass and take pride in knowing you've made it to a part of the world visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home of the midnight sun, Weddell seals, and your best chances of encountering sea ice-the very foundations of the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
Day 10:Northbound Along the PeninsulaBy now, your knowledge of Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins will be matched by your ability to differentiate between a leopard, crabeater and Weddell seal. Terms like 'bergy bits' and 'pancake ice' will become part of your vocabulary, yet there are still many tales to be told. As you head north, Zodiac excursions will fill your days, and your Expedition Team will continue looking out for species of seabirds, seals and whales that may have eluded you on your journey south.
Day 11:Northbound Along the PeninsulaBy now, your knowledge of Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins will be matched by your ability to differentiate between a leopard, crabeater and Weddell seal. Terms like 'bergy bits' and 'pancake ice' will become part of your vocabulary, yet there are still many tales to be told. As you head north, Zodiac excursions will fill your days, and your Expedition Team will continue looking out for species of seabirds, seals and whales that may have eluded you on your journey south.
Day 12:Crossing the Drake PassageAs you recross the Drake, Antarctica fades away, leaving you with a collection of memories to last a lifetime. Excited conversations with your newfound friends will make the crossing fly by, regardless of weather and sea conditions. Your Expedition Team will round up its series of presentations as well, with a slideshow of the adventures you've shared and wildlife you've witnessed over the course of your voyage. Be sure to take some time to reflect on everything you've experienced so far.
Day 13:Crossing the Drake PassageAs you recross the Drake, Antarctica fades away, leaving you with a collection of memories to last a lifetime. Excited conversations with your newfound friends will make the crossing fly by, regardless of weather and sea conditions. Your Expedition Team will round up its series of presentations as well, with a slideshow of the adventures you've shared and wildlife you've witnessed over the course of your voyage. Be sure to take some time to reflect on everything you've experienced so far.
Day 14:Disembark in Ushuaia and Fly to Buenos AiresYou will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. The mandatory transfer package includes a little taste of Patagonia with a Tierra del Fuego National Park tour before transferring to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires.(not included in price)).
Policies
*Conditions apply. Prices are per person, twin share in AUD based on lead-in accommodation in each of the specified categories. Prices correct as of 3 April 2024 and are subject to change due to fluctuations in charges, taxes and currency. ^Discount / savings offer have been applied to advertised prices on select Arctic and Antarctic voyages with Quark Expeditions and are valid for new bookings booked and paid for in full within 5 days. ±Additional 5% saving has been applied on the voyage fare, only after full payment is received. Must provide passengers’ full names at time of booking. Applies to voyage full fare only; cabins limited. Not applicable to Transfer Package, Adventure Options, additional hotel accommodation, pre/post tours, insurance, flights, or group bookings. Offer is capacity controlled, subject to change/availability and can be withdrawn at any time without notice. International flights are not included, unless specified. Quark Expeditions has the right to limit, change or discontinue promotion at any time without notice. Non-transferable. No cash value. Valid for sale until 30 April 2024, unless sold out prior. To be read in conjunction with Cruiseco & Quark Expeditions website terms and conditions.