This was one of the most amazing trips we have ever done. The scenery was breathtaking. The crew and expedition team were cheerful, helpful and knowledgeable. The kayaking with penguins and whales popping up feet away was fabulous.
Its been a long held dream of mine to go to the Antarctic and the trip I booked via Exodus far exceeded my expectations.
Amazing scenery, captivating and exciting wildlife, a plethora of facts, figures and general education from the on board experts and I can claim a world first to boot from my holiday to the Antarctic and below the polar circle.
Checking in for the internal flights Buenos Aires to and from Ushuaia was chaotic. Despite arriving well in advance check ins opened with barely enough time to make the flights. Once at Ushuaia outward and return all Quark arrangements were clear and efficient. Hotel Albatross in Ushuaia was very good. Onboard Ocean Diamond the hotel service was excellent. The Quark team were excellent. The photographic, historical, geological, ornithological and wildlife lectures were of the highest quality in terms of technical content, detail and delivery. The daily briefings and recaps were informative and entertaining. The zodiak cruises, landings, hikes, paddling and other activities were excellent: fascinating; informative; exciting; well managed; safe; well supervised; well guided. The experienced Quark staff ensured that we saw at close quarters all the wildlife that could be expected for this trip: all penguin species except the Emperor; nesting albatross; elephant, fur, Weddell, leopard seals; orca; humpback and fin whales; guillemots, skewers, etc. The weather was kind to us so we were able to visit nearly all the planned destinations on this expedition skilfully scheduled by the ship's captain and the Quark Expedition Leader to ensure interesting activities each day. The scenery throughout was stunning, especially in the earie light of the midnight sun below the Antarctic Circle. I enjoyed the paddling, not booked in advance, which turned out to be an unexpected highlight getting really close to the wildlife. In conclusion the expedition exceeded my expectations!
Thanks for everything !!! This trip was just perfect. This was my first cruise ever and I loved it. I thought the stop at Port Lockroy was the icing on the cake. I was really worried that we would not be able to stop there as I didn't know if it was a sure thing or not. But we went there and I got a TON of souvenirs. I hope to travel with this tour operator in the near future. Thanks again !!!!!!!
Patagonia’s wild wonders await on the Essential Patagonia: Fjords & Torres del Paine expedition, a 15-day journey from Buenos Aires to Santiago. Designed for experienced travelers seeking an easy yet enriching adventure, this guided trip weaves through Argentina and Chile’s breathtaking landscapes, including the renowned Torres del Paine National Park, Isla Marta, and majestic southern fjords.
Traverse dramatic coastlines via Zodiac cruises and soar over pristine terrain on a helicopter flightseeing excursion—experiences that reveal Patagonia’s untouched beauty from every angle. Encounter Magellanic penguins, South American sea lions, and the elusive Southern Elephant seal as you explore blue-hued tidewater glaciers and remote wilderness.
This tour’s unique selling point is its immersive blend of wildlife-rich expeditions and exclusive vantage points, allowing you to retrace Charles Darwin’s legendary footsteps in complete comfort. With all logistics—accommodation, meals, and transfers—expertly arranged, you’re free to soak in the splendor of Patagonia’s fjords and national parks on this once-in-a-lifetime polar adventure.
Buenos Aires, Santiago, Torres del Paine National Park, Isla Marta, Ushuaia, Cape Horn, Diego Ramírez Islands, Garibaldi Glacier, Águila Glacier, Puerto Natales
Crossing the Antarctic Circle at 66’30 is a polar milestone achieved by relatively few. Because innovation is in our DNA, we wanted to make this experience even more memorable. The result is this exciting adventure, which includes the chance to soar above the Antarctic landscape in one of Ultramarine’s twin-engine helicopters. Your helicopter-supported excursions feature multiple opportunities for heli flightseeing, as well as a heli landing. Learn what it’s like to step out of a helicopter onto Antarctica and gaze upon polar landscapes previously only seen by a few fearless explorers and mountaineers. You’ll also explore the southern heart of the Antarctic Peninsula. And you’ll experience it all from sea and air.
Imagine soaring above the world’s last true wilderness—'Antarctica by Helicopter: Icebergs, Mountains & Remote Lands' offers just that. This 12-day polar expedition sets sail from Buenos Aires, taking experienced travelers into the heart of Antarctica with exclusive helicopter adventures.
Cruise in comfort aboard the Ultramarine, equipped with two twin-engine helicopters for included Heli Flightseeing and Heli Excursions. Witness otherworldly landscapes, from sculpted icebergs to Mars-like terrain, and step onto the untouched polar ground seen by only a few intrepid explorers.
What makes this tour package truly unique is its aerial access to remote Antarctic sites, providing perspectives and experiences unavailable on standard expeditions. This is the ultimate trip for those craving the extraordinary—Antarctica as few have ever seen it.
Ever wondered what it feels like to cross the Antarctic Circle? The "Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition" cruise offers just that—a 14-day journey from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, taking you deep into the rarely-visited southernmost reaches of Antarctica. Witness dramatic ice formations, spot whales and penguins, and revel in the exhilaration of navigating south of 66°33' S. With the innovative Ultramarine vessel, enjoy flightseeing tours and a range of adventure activities unmatched in the region. The trip’s unique selling point is the chance to accomplish a rare polar milestone, all while experiencing the most advanced expedition ship in Antarctic waters.
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!
Patagonia’s wild beauty awaits on this 15-day cruise tour, charting a course from Buenos Aires to Santiago via the remote fjords and national parks of southern Chile and Argentina. Retrace Darwin’s legendary exploration as you glide past majestic glaciers, observe Magellanic penguins and sea lions, and venture into the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. The journey blends the comfort of the pioneering Ultramarine vessel—with its unmatched adventure amenities and scenic flightseeing tours—with up-close Zodiac excursions and rich wildlife encounters. This is the ideal trip for intrepid travelers seeking a blend of luxury and adventure, with the USP being exclusive access to helicopter flightseeing above Patagonia’s untamed landscapes.
Buenos Aires, Santiago, Canal De Las Montañas, Tuckers Islets, Bahia Brookes, Ushuaia, Cape Horn, Garibaldi Glacier, Águila Glacier, Chilean Fjords, Torres del Paine National Park
