Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.
Starts
Ushuaia, Argentina
Ends
Ushuaia, Argentina
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Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill
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Imagine gliding through the narrow Lemaire Channel, glacial cliffs towering beside you, on the ultimate Antarctic expedition. The "Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition" trip offers 14 days of guided polar exploration, starting and ending in Ushuaia. Designed for experienced adventurers, this easy-paced cruise traverses the Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula, and South Shetland Islands.
Your small ship navigates a maze of jewel-like islands, home to vast penguin colonies, elephant seals, and countless seabirds. Whale encounters are a highlight—picture humpbacks rising against turquoise ice-walls, just meters from your Zodiac. Each day provides new opportunities for shore excursions and wildlife sightings, all set against Antarctica’s breathtaking, pristine backdrop.
This tour package’s standout feature is its intimate navigation of Antarctica’s dramatic landscapes, maximizing wildlife encounters and unique photo opportunities. With all logistics, meals, and accommodation included, this journey is perfect for those who want a comprehensive, immersive Antarctic experience.
Why settle for the ordinary when you can delve deeper into Antarctica’s wonders? The "Antarctica Classic in Depth" trip gives experienced travelers two extra days to explore the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, making it a 13-day expedition from Ushuaia. Cross the legendary Drake Passage, enjoy expert lectures, and photograph leopard seals and penguin colonies amid towering glaciers. This tour package’s unique selling point is its extended time in Antarctica, allowing for richer exploration and more in-depth experiences—perfect for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the continent’s wild beauty and history.
Ever wondered what it’s like to cross the Antarctic Circle? The "Quest for the Antarctic Circle" photography tour offers seasoned explorers a 14-day voyage from Ushuaia, journeying through the Drake Passage and along the wild western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Experience close-up encounters with penguin rookeries, whales, and icy landscapes aboard a specially designed expedition ship. The expert staff’s knowledge and the ship’s maneuverability make this much more than a cruise—it’s a true expedition. The defining highlight is the rare opportunity to reach the Antarctic Circle, offering a sense of discovery and pristine beauty that few travelers ever experience.
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.
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.
Embrace the spirit of true exploration with the "Antarctic Circle - Expedition," a 14-day relaxed wildlife tour beginning and ending in Ushuaia. Navigate the infamous Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the Polar Circle at 66°33'S—a rare achievement for any traveler. Witness vast penguin rookeries (chinstrap, Adelie, gentoo), colossal glaciers, and dramatic icebergs. Daily excursions, weather permitting, offer up-close encounters with seals and whales, and visits to scientific outposts and historic whaling stations. With all essentials included, this trip’s unique selling point is the chance to venture deeper into Antarctica than most, surrounded by mesmerizing wilderness and abundant wildlife.
Few journeys rival the thrill of crossing the Antarctic Circle—a feat at the heart of the "Across the Antarctic Circle - M/V Greg Mortimer" cruise trip. Over 13 days, this relaxed expedition for seasoned adventurers sets sail from Ushuaia, threading through the legendary Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula. Marvel at surreal icebergs, soaring mountain ranges, and ethereal snow petrels as you navigate icy waterways, aiming for Crystal Sound at The Gullet’s mouth. Wildlife enthusiasts will thrill to sightings of orca, leopard seals, and feeding humpbacks. Each day brings opportunities for guided Zodiac excursions and landings, with transport, meals, and accommodation included. The unique selling point? Achieving the milestone of crossing latitude 66°33' South—a true Antarctic adventure that combines pristine wilderness with unforgettable wildlife encounters, all in the hands of expert guides.
13 days
What's Included
Accommodation
All accommodation
Meals
Beer and wine at dinner
Transport
All transport and listed activitiesMandatory transfer package (including return charter flights Buenos Aires to Ushuaia)We can include flights. Please contact us for a quote.
Guide
Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
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!
day 1 - Buenos Aires, Argentina
You may arrive in Buenos Aires at any time during Day 1 of your itinerary. Upon arriving in this splendid city, known for its architecture and rich European heritage, you will independently transfer to your group hotel.
day 2 - Fly to Ushuaia and Embark
After an early breakfast at the hotel, your 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 to enjoy time on your own to explore quaint Ushuaia—the world’s southernmost city—before making your way to the pier. After a late afternoon embarkation, you will sail along the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Enjoy the air of anticipation as you depart—the next land you see will be the Antarctic!
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner
day 3 - 4 - Crossing the Drake Passage
The unpredictable and exciting Drake Passage, which lies at the confluence of the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Southern oceans, is an adventure unto itself. While being well taken care of by our expert onboard staff and expedition team, you’ll have plenty of time to gaze out at the expansive ocean waters, photograph seabirds as they swoop around the ship, and get to know your Expedition Team and fellow travellers.
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
day 5 - Navigating into the Weddell Sea
Onboard presentations by world-respected experts will enrich your Polar quest, conveying what it was like a century ago for the brave Polar heroes who embraced the unknown. You’ll also learn more about the ice-dwelling Emperor penguins.
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
day 6 - 10 - Weddell Sea and the Quest to Land at Snow Hill
The journey toward Snow Hill Island will put you in explorer mode as the captain and Expedition Leader keep you updated through weather briefings, meteorological and sea ice condition reports. The thickness of ice will determine how close Ultramarine can get to Snow Hill Island, then our twin-engine helicopters will take over.
Like summitting a mountain from base camp, parties will set out from Ultramarine towards the Emperor penguin colony. Their adventure begins with an extended helicopter transfer that will reveal a landscape of snow-capped peaks and apartment-building-sized tabular icebergs. The rookery itself is located on the sea ice off the south coast of Snow Hill Island and the landing will be as close to the penguins as possible, yet at a safe distance to avoid disturbing the birds. Upon landing, your party will walk across the ice to the fabled emperor penguin colony. The wind. The ice beneath your feet. Walking next to paths in the snow carved by penguins that came before. And then there are the incredible sounds of the penguins in the distance as you march toward one of the rarest wildlife opportunities on the planet: the colony of thousands and thousands of rarely-seen Emperor penguins.
The goal of the expedition is to get every guest to the remote rookery once. The Expedition Team and special experts will be close by to answer your questions and ensure you take in everything there is to see. You’ll observe close up how the Emperor penguins behave as a tight-knit community, how they care for their young, and how they body surf across the ice in a way that can only be described as quirky yet efficient. The helicopter expedition in search of the emperor colony might just be the adventure of a lifetime
And while at base on Ultramarine with your attentive Expedition Team, you’ll be immersed each day in the polar experience of the Weddell Sea. Daily activities will include Zodiac cruising among the icebergs, adventuring and learning while atop the ice, paddle-on-top kayaking, or working with our team to observe the weather forecasting and ship operations up close.
A particularly enriching component of your voyage will be the bespoke educational programs tailored specifically for this expedition that offer both traditional (lecture format) and hands-on opportunities for learning about this fascinating region. Each day our Polar experts, who include penguin scientists, biologists and polar historians, will present on various aspects of emperor penguins and their behaviours, ice formations such as the tabular icebergs which you’ll see from the deck of your ship, and the experiences of Polar explorers who braved the Weddell Sea over a century ago. Or you might, on one of these days, decide to take the polar plunge, or test your balance on a stand-up paddleboard. Then again, maybe you’ll enjoy a little pampering. If so, you can choose from Ultramarine’s excellent onboard amenities, including the spa, sauna and fitness room.
The Emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill is the goal of this expedition. However, if weather or ice conditions prevent us from visiting the colony or shorten the duration of our visit, we may explore some of these other sites. Your possible landings in Antarctica will take place on the eastern side of the Peninsula, which is an extension of the Transantarctic Mountains and is the most northern stretch of Antarctic land.
Brown Bluff
An immense cliff of volcanic rock, towers 2,225 feet (678 metres) over rookeries of Adélie and Gentoo penguins, some of which will be incubating their eggs.
Devil Island
The Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901-04 discovered the narrow island, which is 1 mile (1.6 km) long and has a low summit at each end.
Hope Bay
Three members of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition (1901-04) spent the winter in a hut on the shores of Hope Bay. The hut is located close to the jetty of Esperanza Station, an Argentine research station.
Paulet Island
Located in the Northwestern Weddell Sea, Paulet Island is home to a large Adélie penguin rookery. With a volcanic cone that rises 1,158 feet (353 metres), the island reminds you that this was once a very active landscape. In addition to penguins, you may be interested in visiting a historic hut built by members of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901-04. A cross marks the gravesite of crew member Ole Wennersgaard.
Seymour Island
Northeast of Snow Hill Island is a smaller island that was originally mistaken for a cape. Seymour Island is significant for fossil finds and for the remains of the KT Boundary, which marks the transition between the Cretaceous Period (dinosaurs and reptiles) and the Tertiary Period (mammals) of geological times. This era is known for the mass extinction of many forms of life, including dinosaurs.
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
day 11 - 13 - Cruising
The journey back across the Drake Passage provides a final opportunity to enjoy the invigorating Southern Ocean air. Spend time on the deck watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, and celebrate the experiences you've shared getting off the beaten track in the remarkable world of Antarctica.
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
day 14 - Disembark in Ushuaia and Fly to Buenos Aires
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. The Mandatory Transfer package includes a tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park for a taste of Patagonia, after which you’ll transfer to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires.
