I upgraded to a slightly larger cabin. Accommodation excellent. Food and service excellent . Staff brilliant. You are fitted with correct boots and jacket when on board. I thought I would take large size jacket, in fact the small size was perfect fit, and you can take it home with you. I was told to take a hairdryer, but one was supplied in my cabin. The talks were informative, and kept you occupied during the four days total crossing the Drake passage. Two Zodiak trips a day. Evening entertainment was either music or films. Memorable trip.
This was our first ocean voyage. We had a superior cabin which was very spacious. The captain, the crew and staff were very polite and friendly. Everyone made you feel at home and very comfortable. The expedition team were excellent, very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. The lectures were extremely interesting and informative.
The ship was very clean and our cabin constantly cleaned.
We had a fantastic experience on the ship and off. I would love to travel with Aurora again but need to save a lot of money. Despite the expense, I would highly recommend.
Setting foot on the 7th Continent is a polar achievement relatively few people experience in their lifetime. Even more rare is the incomparable milestone that’s achieved when a traveler crosses the iconic Antarctic Circle. Navigating south of 66°33' S is—for most guests—the highlight of the 14-day itinerary Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition, which rewards passengers daily with views of dramatic ice formations, humpback whales swimming alongside the ship, leopard seals diving beneath your Zodiac, penguins sliding off icebergs into crystal waters, or giant petrels soaring above the crackling sea. Starting in 2021, this itinerary allows you to the opportunity to experience our pioneering new vessel, Ultramarine. This purpose-built vessel is designed to extend the boundaries of polar exploration and offer an unmatched Antarctic experience, including a flightseeing tour you’ll never forget and a range of adventure options more extensive than any other ship in its class.
Experience awe-inspiring scenery and untamed wildlife on a 13-day voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula. This expedition introduces you to the wonders and highlights of the White Continent, with additional days to better explore the Antarctica Peninsula. Encounter Weddell seals lazing on ice floes, whales breaching the frigid waters and several species of penguins shuffling across the frozen shores. You’ll cruise around the ice-filled waters by Zodiac, landing on the Antarctic Continent itself for onshore excursions that will afford jaw-dropping views. The onboard Expedition Team will offer priceless knowledge and insight, bringing the world’s most incredible landscapes to life.
Embark on a journey of discovery on this 11-day expedition designed for wildlife lovers. Set sail to where whales gather in their most significant numbers on the Antarctic Peninsula. While sailing on the ice-strengthened Ocean Nova and exploring by Zodiac daily, you can scan the icy waters for silhouettes of these marine mammals as they glide through ice floes. You’ll also spend your days searching for curious penguins, basking seals and lots of seabirds soaring above. As you enter the frozen wilderness of the White Continent, you’ll witness icebergs, thunderous calving glaciers, mountain ranges and ice-strewn waters – this is Antarctica!
For expeditioners who prefer to focus their energy on adventures in Antarctica, flying over the Drake Passage in both directions is the ideal way to reach the Great White Continent. In the safe hands of experienced pilots, your pulse will quicken as you glimpse the first icebergs in the Southern Ocean, where your vessel awaits, ready to take you on an exhilarating adventure.
Venturing below the Antarctic Circle is about more than just earning bragging rights, it is the chance to enter a different world more rarely seen, it feels more isolated and colder than further north, with great swathes of pack-ice and dreamlike icebergs.
Celebrate the crossing of the Antarctic Circle - at latitude 66° 33&39 South
Visit some of Antarctica's historic huts - enjoy visits to scientific research stations
Get up-close - with humpback and minke whales
Enjoy the freedom of Antarctica - being in the vast, ice-sculpted Antarctic wilderness
Crossing the geographical milestone of the Antarctic Circle is a moment to celebrate. In this frozen area of extraordinary beauty, powerful orcas and leopard seals patrol the waters, while ethereal snow petrels grace the skies against a backdrop of bristling mountain ranges and surreal icebergs. Threading our way through an intricate system of icy waterways, we aim for the glorious Crystal Sound at the mouth of The Gullet. Get ready for an exciting Antarctic adventure, complemented by powerful whales, shimmering mountain ranges and mesmerising icebergs.
A classic expedition voyage - exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
Celebrate the crossing of the Antarctic Circle - at latitude 66°33' South
Enjoy the freedom of Antarctica - being in the vast, ice-sculpted Antarctic wilderness
Hear sonorous blows - of feeding humpbacks
Retrace Charles Darwin’s epic voyage to the ‘edge of the world’ on our Essential Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Torres del Paine expedition, a comprehensive journey into Chile’s spectacular network of fjords and channels. Helicopter flightseeing and Zodiac cruises along this enchanting stretch of coastline provide awe-inspiring perspectives of some of the most remote and picturesque landscapes on Earth. From Magellanic penguin colonies and other seabirds to South American Sea lions and Southern Elephant seals, the fascinating array of wildlife is as abundant as the majestic blue-toned tidewater glaciers. Join us in this enchanting wonderland and experience all the natural splendours of southern Patagonia.
Buenos Aires, Santiago, Torres del Paine National Park, Isla Marta, Ushuaia, Cape Horn, Diego Ramírez Islands, Garibaldi Glacier, Águila Glacier, Puerto Natales
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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!
Set sail for an adventure like no other. Spend 14 days following in the wake of Captain Cook as you cross the Antarctic Circle, home to the midnight sun and towering icebergs. On board the well-appointed Ocean Nova, leave Ushuaia and civilisation behind and journey towards the hauntingly beautiful icy wilderness of the Antarctic Continent. Experience the thrill of witnessing seals lie on ice floes, whales breaching the frigid waters and penguins patrolling the rocky shoreline in vast numbers. Enjoy jaw-dropping views witnessed by seldom few as you explore ice-filled bays by Zodiac, landing on Antarctica itself for onshore excursions.
Offering helicopter adventures no one else can, our cutting-edge 12-day Antarctica by Helicopter: Icebergs, Mountains and Remote Lands itinerary maximizes opportunities to explore the interior of the magical 7th Continent, as well as Erebus and Terror Gulf, Antarctic Sound and the great Weddell Sea. Anticipate unrivalled views you never dreamt possible: sculpted icebergs arising from the depths of the sea; and snow-capped peaks you’re tempted to reach out and touch as you fly by. Enjoy two Heli Flightseeing adventures and one Heli Excursion—all included in the price of your voyage—while exploring in the comfort of Ultramarine.
You’ll learn what it's like to step out of a helicopter onto Antarctica and gaze upon polar landscapes previously seen by just a few fearless explorers. In fact, some areas of the east side of the Peninsula resemble the planet Mars. Ultimately, this innovative voyage on board Ultramarine—with its two twin-engine helicopters—will translate into the expedition of a lifetime.
Setting sail from Ushuaia, embark on an expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula and Polar Circle. Pass through the Beagle Channel and cross the Drake Passage before arriving in the South Shetland Islands. Here, enjoy two daily shore excursions before venturing further south across the Polar Circle to visit Detaille Island – a goal and highlight for many explorers.
Revel in the excitement of crossing the famed Drake Passage, with the convenience of a northbound return flight at the end of your expedition. Minke and humpback whales or adélie penguins floating on ice floes may greet you as you pass, en route to the northernmost tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The surreal silence in this vast wilderness may overwhelm at first, but playful, charismatic wildlife and your intrepid traveling companions keep you grounded. You’ll develop a new appreciation and understanding of Antarctica’s extreme contrasts – harsh, rugged mountain peaks and fragile ecosystems; stark, lonely icescapes and populous, gregarious penguins.