Across the Antarctic Circle
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
USD
$16,695
|
Days
13
|
Nights
12
|
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
USD
$16,695
|
Days
13
|
Nights
12
|
Introduction
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. Thread through pack ice and narrow channels where scenes of ice-clad mountains, feeding whales and lively penguin colonies become lasting memories.
Your ship: Aurora Expeditions ships feature the streamlined Ulstein X-BOW, which cuts through the swell so you feel fewer vibrations and disturbances, making a quicker transits through waves. The ships carry 15 zodiacs, which you can board via four dedicated, sea-level launching platforms. Accommodating an average of 132 expeditioners per voyage within 76 cosy, comfortable cabins – all cabins have a view of the ocean and 85% of cabins have their own balcony. The ship also features a modern lecture lounge, multiple observation areas, zodiac launching platforms, a restaurant serving excellent meals, a gym and wellness centre, jacuzzis, a mudroom and many other amenities.
The Greg Mortimer: Accommodating an average of 132 expeditioners per voyage within 76 cosy, comfortable cabins – all cabins have a view of the ocean and 85% of cabins have their own balcony. The ship also features a modern lecture lounge, multiple observation areas, zodiac launching platforms, a restaurant serving excellent meals, a gym and wellness centre, a mudroom and many other amenities. The ship showcases other unique features such as custom-designed hydraulic platforms, sea-level Zodiac platforms for efficient loading off the ship, two jacuzzis and much more!
Sylvia Earle: Accommodating an average of 130-140 expeditioners per voyage, every cabin on the Sylvia Earle has an ocean view and nearly all have balconies. The ship also features a modern lecture lounge, multiple observation areas, Zodiac launching platforms, a restaurant serving excellent meals, a gym and wellness centre, jacuzzis, a mudroom and many other amenities.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon you’ll receive detailed information about activities and schedule available for your Antarctic journey. You’ll then have time at leisure to visit the town or just relax at your room.
NB: Today you can choose to add a visit to Beagle Channel and Isla de Los Lobos cruise (sea lion island) on day 2 of your journey.
Day 2 : Ushuaia
After breakfast your luggage will be transferred ahead of your arrival on board. Your morning is at leisure to explore Ushuaia.
If you opted to join a catamaran cruise to Beagle Channel and Isla de Los Lobos, you’ll be met at the hotel and transfer to the port at to board a catamaran and sail the Beagle Channel, towards the city’s iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. Crossing the Bridges Archipelago we’ll slow down to watch colonies of sea lions and imperial cormorants sun themselves on the rocky outcrops, while gulls, rock cormorants, skuas, petrels, albatrosses and cauquenes are often sighted.
Alternatively, enjoy your day at leisure and meet at your hotel lobby this afternoon to be transferred to the pier for embarkation.
Once onboard, you’ll have time to settle into your cabin before a mandatory briefing. As the ship pulls away from port, you’ll gather on the deck to commence an adventure with spectacular views over Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.
This evening enjoy a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure to Antarctica.
Days 3 & 4 : Drake Passage crossing
Today you will commence the Drake Passage crossing. Make the most of our time getting comfortable with the motions of the sea. The expedition team will prepare you for your first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures and start a lecture program to help you learn more about Antarctica’s history, wildlife and environment.
The wildlife experiences begin as you enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following the vessel. On sea days, you may enjoy the facilities on board the vessel including the gym, wellness centre or the relaxing in one of the observation lounges.
The ocean takes on a whole new perspective once we are below the Antarctic Convergence and are surrounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of your first big iceberg sighting is likely to remain with you for a lifetime. Time and weather permitting, we may attempt our first landing in Antarctica by late afternoon.
Days 5-10 : Antarctic Peninsula & Antarctic Circle
It is almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever. Because you’ll be so far south, you’ll experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.
Your experienced expedition team will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. Generally there’ll be landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day.
You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula. While ashore, wander along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below.
If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do participate in the activity whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters – conditions permitting!
In addition, cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge (open at the captain’s discretion) for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Listen out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve into the sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of the pristine paradise of the splendid white continent.
On this voyage, conditions permitting, you might cross the Antarctic Circle, an imaginary line located at the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33′ South (approximately). Crossing below The Circle is certainly a special highlight for many people, and the moment will be celebrated with a toast out on the deck!
Days 11 & 12 : Drake Passage crossing
Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we re-enter the Drake Passage for your return journey to South America.
With lectures and film presentations to complete your Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home.
As you approach the tip of South America, the Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.
Day 13 : Ushuaia
During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where you will disembark. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.
NB: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12:00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.
Need Help?
Pricing
Pricing (per person), USD
TYPE |
TWIN from |
SINGLE from |
EXTRA from |
---|---|---|---|
2025 |
|||
23 Feb, Greg Mortimer |
|||
Aurora Stateroom Twin Share |
US$16,695 |
||
Balcony Stateroom C |
US$18,095 |
||
Balcony Stateroom A |
US$20,495 |
||
Balcony Stateroom Superior |
US$22,395 |
||
16 Dec, Greg Mortimer |
|||
Aurora Stateroom Twin Share |
US$18,595 |
||
Balcony Stateroom C |
US$20,195 |
||
Balcony Stateroom A |
US$22,795 |
||
Junior Suite |
US$31,295 |
||
2026 |
|||
29 Jan, Sylvia Earle |
|||
Aurora Stateroom Superior |
US$20,895 |
||
Balcony Stateroom C |
US$21,395 |
||
Balcony Stateroom A |
US$24,195 |
||
Junior Suite |
US$33,195 |
||
21 Feb, Greg Mortimer |
|||
Aurora Stateroom Twin Share |
US$18,295 |
||
Balcony Stateroom C |
US$19,895 |
||
Balcony Stateroom A |
US$22,495 |
||
Junior Suite |
US$30,895 |
||
13 Nov, Sylvia Earle |
|||
Aurora Stateroom Superior |
US$20,395 |
||
Balcony Stateroom C |
US$20,895 |
||
Balcony Stateroom A |
US$23,695 |
||
Junior Suite |
US$30,795 |
||
18 Dec, Sylvia Earle |
|||
Aurora Stateroom Superior |
US$23,095 |
||
Balcony Stateroom C |
US$23,695 |
||
Balcony Stateroom A |
US$26,895 |
||
Junior Suite |
US$34,995 |
||
2027 |
|||
13 Feb, Sylvia Earle |
|||
Aurora Stateroom Superior |
US$23,995 |
||
Balcony Stateroom C |
US$24,695 |
||
Balcony Stateroom A |
US$27,895 |
||
Junior Suite |
US$30,495 |
||
28 Feb, Greg Mortimer |
|||
Aurora Stateroom Twin Share |
US$20,595 |
||
Balcony Stateroom C |
US$22,395 |
||
Balcony Stateroom A |
US$25,395 |
||
Junior Suite |
US$32,995 |
||
2025
23 Feb, Greg Mortimer
Aurora Stateroom Twin Share
Twin: from $16695
Balcony Stateroom C
Twin: from $18095
Balcony Stateroom A
Twin: from $20495
Balcony Stateroom Superior
Twin: from $22395
16 Dec, Greg Mortimer
Aurora Stateroom Twin Share
Twin: from $18595
Balcony Stateroom C
Twin: from $20195
Balcony Stateroom A
Twin: from $22795
Junior Suite
Twin: from $31295
2026
29 Jan, Sylvia Earle
Aurora Stateroom Superior
Twin: from $20895
Balcony Stateroom C
Twin: from $21395
Balcony Stateroom A
Twin: from $24195
Junior Suite
Twin: from $33195
21 Feb, Greg Mortimer
Aurora Stateroom Twin Share
Twin: from $18295
Balcony Stateroom C
Twin: from $19895
Balcony Stateroom A
Twin: from $22495
Junior Suite
Twin: from $30895
13 Nov, Sylvia Earle
Aurora Stateroom Superior
Twin: from $20395
Balcony Stateroom C
Twin: from $20895
Balcony Stateroom A
Twin: from $23695
Junior Suite
Twin: from $30795
18 Dec, Sylvia Earle
Aurora Stateroom Superior
Twin: from $23095
Balcony Stateroom C
Twin: from $23695
Balcony Stateroom A
Twin: from $26895
Junior Suite
Twin: from $34995
2027
13 Feb, Sylvia Earle
Aurora Stateroom Superior
Twin: from $23995
Balcony Stateroom C
Twin: from $24695
Balcony Stateroom A
Twin: from $27895
Junior Suite
Twin: from $30495
28 Feb, Greg Mortimer
Aurora Stateroom Twin Share
Twin: from $20595
Balcony Stateroom C
Twin: from $22395
Balcony Stateroom A
Twin: from $25395
Junior Suite
Twin: from $32995
Special Offer
Book by 31 Dec 2024 to save!
Book and pay your deposit by 31 December 2024 and:
– Save 15%, and enjoy a credit of US$2,000 per person on the 23 February 2025 departure.
– Save up to 20% on departures 21 Feb 2026 to 28 Feb 2027.
Savings apply to the voyage only, and vary per departure. As the promotion is capacity controlled, the offer is subject to availability at the time of booking.
Solo Traveller Offer
Aurora Expeditions can pair you with a like-minded traveller based on gender and your selected cabin category, to save you paying the solo surcharge. If they are unable to find you someone to share with, the solo surcharge is waived.
Departs
2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
23 Feb | 29 Jan | 13 Feb |
16 Dec | 21 Feb | 28 Feb |
13 Nov | ||
18 Dec |
Included
- Cruise journey
- 1 night accommodation in Ushuaia including breakfast
- 11 nights’ accommodation onboard in your category of choice
- All meals (B, L, D), snacks, coffee, and tea onboard
- Beer, house wine, and soft drinks with dinner onboard
- Shared transfers as per the itinerary
- Shared catamaran cruise tour in Ushuaia
- Shared shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
- Shared educational lectures and guiding services by the Expedition team
- Complimentary access to the doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
- 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
- Complimentary use of muck boots
- Port surcharges, permits, and landing fees
- Wi-Fi (subject to satellite availability)
Not Included
- Optional activities and excursions
Gratuity
A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.
Important Notes
- Pricing for this cruise is dynamic and subject to change
- Please enquire about pricing for single & triple occupancy, and other cabin categories
- Please also enquire about pricing to add-on paddling, scuba diving, sea kayaking, snorkelling, & snowshoeing; availability varies by voyage
- Please enquire about similar itineraries such as a 13-day voyage from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas, Chile on 16 Jan 2025 & 29 Jan 2026 (including a return flight across the Drake Passage)
- Departure flights should not be booked prior to 12:00 pm
- This itinerary serves as a guide only. Changes may be necessary due to unpredictable sea and weather conditions, and adaptability is essential for these expeditions
Please refer to World Journeys terms & conditions