Step onto Antarctica’s icy expanse without the long sea voyage—"Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle" offers a thrilling 11-day polar expedition beginning and ending in Punta Arenas. Perfect for those seeking an easy yet deeply moving adventure, you’ll fly straight to King George Island and begin your exploration of the awe-inspiring 7th Continent almost instantly.
Each day is a tapestry of emotions, from the exhilaration of wildlife sightings—whales breaching, penguins waddling among rookeries—to the quiet majesty of glacial landscapes. Whether you’re scaling peaks for panoramic views or listening to the thunder of calving glaciers, Antarctica’s profound solitude and beauty will leave a lasting imprint.
This tour package’s unique selling point is its swift access via flight, maximizing your time amidst the polar wonders. With all accommodation, transport, and meals covered, it’s an easy, immersive introduction to Antarctica for travelers eager to experience something truly transformative.
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Ship Cabin
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Punta Arenas, King George Island
Punta Arenas, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage
In 2004, Quark Expeditions made Polar history when they conducted the first-ever ground visit to the remote Emperor penguin colony near Snow Hill Island, Antarctica. Driven by a true expeditionary spirit—and guided by years of Polar expertise—the team sailed past masses of dense ice and thick, tabular icebergs in the Weddell Sea to experience the legendary rookery, which now numbers 8,000 breeding pairs of Emperor penguins. Today, it is one of the most exclusive wildlife viewing experiences on the planet. We invite you—almost two decades after our milestone visit of 2004—to embrace the thrill of the search as we once again set out to visit to the emperor penguins at Snow Hill Island.
Experience a true Polar quest as we journey on our new ship, Ultramarine, which is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters that will fly guests to the vicinity of this rarely-visited rookery, whereupon they will walk across the thick sea ice to stand within metres of the most coveted penguin species on the planet. Anticipate scenes reminiscent of “March of the Penguins” and BBC’s “Frozen Planet.” Just imagine the penguins tobogganing across the ice towards the sea. Such wildlife moments are too precious for words!
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Ship Cabin
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ushuaia, Buenos Aires, Drake Pas
Ushuaia, Buenos Aires, Drake Passage, Weddell Island
The Galapagos Islands are a wildlife lover’s paradise, and this six-day 'Galapagos Escape - Solaris (Itinerary B)' is crafted for seniors seeking a relaxed yet enriching nature tour. Cruise aboard the first-class Solaris motor yacht, visiting diverse islands like Santa Fe, Mosquera, and Genovesa. Under the guidance of an expert naturalist, encounter giant tortoises, playful sea lions, and a dazzling array of birdlife. Enjoy walking and snorkeling excursions for up-close wildlife moments. The unique highlight: a seamless blend of comfort and adventure, offering intimate access to some of the world’s most extraordinary biodiversity.
WildlifeBird watching
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
12-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Guayaquil, Baltra Island
Quito, Guayaquil, Baltra Island, Mosquera Island, Genovesa Island, Santa Fe
Madagascar is like nowhere else on the planet – the result of 80 million years of isolation. Here, alien landscapes – of stone forests, bulging baobab trees, and vast national parks – hide weird and wonderful creatures unique to this island. This in-depth adventure covers the extraordinary habitats and creatures of the south and west, while your expert tour leader unlocks the mysteries and shows you where bouncing lemurs put on their best show and other curious animals like to hide.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Antananarivo, Ranomafana Nationa
Antananarivo, Ranomafana National Park, Ranomafana, Isalo National Park, Ifaty, Tana, Morondava, Bemaraha, Tsingy De Bemaraha National Park, Miandrivazo, Antsirabe
Ranked among the best wildlife-watching destinations on the planet, Kruger National Park hosts nearly 150 different mammals, including the famous five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos. Any trip would be special, but this finely tuned itinerary is all about making the most of your time in the bushveld and maximising your animal sightings. Expect multiple game drives when the animals are most active, plus expert insight from your guides that you just wouldn’t get from a guidebook.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Johannesburg, Hazyview, Kruger N
Johannesburg, Hazyview, Kruger National Park, Panorama Route