South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari
with Quark Expeditions
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
USD
$28,295
|
Days
16
|
Nights
15
|
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
USD
$28,295
|
Days
16
|
Nights
15
|
Introduction
This itinerary is the fastest way to get to the seldom visited South Georgia Island while also setting foot on the 7th continent.
Beaches teeming with king penguins and elephant seals greet us on this fabled island, where we’ll pay our respects to famed explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Highlights include: Sailing the historic Beagle Channel, the fertile breeding grounds of South Georgia, exploring historic sites, discovering majestic and natural environments by zodiac and on foot, get up close and personal with penguins, whales and other wildlife.
Your Ship: The Quark Expeditions fleet never exceed more than 200 passengers , which gives guests the best polar experience on a smaller ship. Their ice strengthened vessels are built for challenging polar environments, which takes you to places ordinary cruise companies wouldn’t dream of going.
World Explorer: This all-suite, all-balcony, ice-class ship offers plenty of space inside and out including observation deck & lounge, library and explorer lounge. Health and wellness facilities include outdoor running track, small gym and spa, plus an outdoor swimming pool.
Ocean Explorer: Was built to provide a more spacious and intimate guest experience. With just 70 cabins, the accommodations are larger than on other ships and nearly all cabins have balconies. The interior was designed to provide comfort, space, and a luxurious ambience.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Ushuaia, Argentina
You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port at the tip of South America. It’s the ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.
Day 2 : Ushuaia, Argentina and Embarkation
Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart!
Days 3 to 6 : At Sea
There are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. Learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety procedures for Zodiac cruises and shore landings, and also be given instructions for getting the most out of your optional sea kayaking adventures (extra cost), a truly intimate way to experience Antarctica.
If conditions are right, the first indication that you are approaching South Georgia is the sight of birds around a group of rocky spires called Shag Rocks. Have your binoculars and cameras ready to capture these rocky spires rising out of the icy ocean waters. Shags and prions often rest here, and due to nutrient rich upwellings around the rocks it can be a good place to keep a lookout for whales.
Days 7 & 8 : South Georgia
After enjoying South Georgia from a distance, we’ll head toward its numerous beaches to find a bay for your first excursion. Landing sites are varied, largely determined by the weather conditions of your voyage. Whichever sites we visit, they’ll provide you with wildlife encounters unrivaled anywhere else on earth. South Georgia is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins and seals. It won’t take you long to realize that you are in a bird paradise, as burrowing seabirds, albatross and petrels can be seen in abundance.
You’ll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team will help bring those days to life while you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on the South Georgia of then and now. One of the most significant sites you will visit on the island is Grytviken. This settlement is the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters. Many travelers find that this place has a special appeal, as it is the site of the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers.
Days 9 & 10 : At Sea
Say goodbye to the king penguins, as your next destination is Antarctica! Your days at sea are filled with presentations and workshops led by your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife and landscapes that will surround you upon your arrival.
Days 11 to 13 : Antarctic Peninsula
The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence, and at the next moment you’ll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a penguin waddles by to inspect your footwear.
Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, whether you are Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Keep a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a Zodiac cruise. Each day and each excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy. As exciting as the Zodiac excursions and landings are, perhaps you’ll treat yourself to an extra-special Antarctic experience by partaking in an optional paddling excursion (at an extra cost) or cast reason aside and jump into Antarctic waters for the Polar Plunge!
Days 14 & 15 : Crossing the Drake Passage
After more than a dozen days of unique wildlife encounters and remarkable landscapes, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.
Day 16 : Disembark in Ushuaia
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows for you to continue your adventure onward or catch your flights home.
Buenos Aires itinerary option
Cruises itineraries aboard Ultramarine commence with a hotel stay in Buenos Aires then a flight to Ushuaia, returning to Buenos Aires at the end. A mandatory transfer package is an additional cost on this cruise.
Important reminder
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting.
Need Help?
Pricing
Pricing (per person), USD
TYPE |
TWIN from |
SINGLE from |
EXTRA from |
---|---|---|---|
2025 | |||
6 Jan, World Explorer | |||
Veranda Suite |
US$32,595 |
||
Infinity Suite |
US$32,595 |
||
Superior Suite |
US$40,295 |
||
16 Feb, Ocean Explorer | |||
Deluxe Veranda Forward |
US$30,495 |
||
Veranda Stateroom |
US$31,995 |
||
Veranda Suite |
US$33,995 |
||
2026 | |||
24 Jan, Ocean Explorer | |||
Deluxe Veranda Forward |
US$28,295 |
||
Veranda Stateroom |
US$29,795 |
||
Veranda Suite |
US$31,495 |
||
1 Feb, World Explorer | |||
Veranda Suite |
US$32,795 |
||
Infinity Suite |
US$32,795 |
||
Superior Suite |
US$42,695 |
||
Please enquire about other cabin categories. |
Special Offer
Save up to 30%!
Save up to 30% on select departures in the Antarctic 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons. Savings apply to the voyage-only cost. Offer applies to new bookings only, savings vary per departure and cabin category, and are based on availability at the time of booking. Offer may be removed at any time without notice.
Please enquire about specific departure dates and rates.
Departs
2025 | 2026 |
6 Jan | 24 Jan |
16 Feb | 1 Feb |
Included
• Leadership throughout the voyage by experienced Expedition Leaders
• All Zodiac transfers and cruising
• All shore landings
• Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
• All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
• Free beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
• Presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers
• A photographic journal documenting the expedition
• A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
• An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
• Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
• All luggage handling aboard the ship
• Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
• Group arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
• One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
• Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
• Group departure transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local airport or to luggage storage facility
• Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data intensive applications.)
Not Included
• International airfares
• Passport and applicable visa expenses
• Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
• Meals unless otherwise specified
• Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
• Excess-baggage fees on international flights
• Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
• Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
• Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
• Gratuities
• Additional overnight accommodation
• Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
• Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
Gratuity
• Gratuities are voluntary and can be given at the end of your cruise
• We recommend that you budget US$10 to US$15 per person per day, if you are pleased with the service on board
Important Notes
• Quark Expeditions pricing is dynamic and is therefore subject to change until the booking is confirmed
• Please enquire for pricing for singles and other cabin categories
Please refer to World Journeys terms & conditions
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