Antarctic Explorer
11 Days Starting and ending in Ushuaia
Visiting: Ushuaia, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage, ሀመር።, South Shetland Islands, Alexander Island, Cape Horn
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PSX
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 189
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$7976
$7757
Exclusive Tourhub Discount: -$219
NB: Prices correct on 21-May-2024 but subject to change.
Tour Overview
It is a heady and inspiring cocktail of towering blue icebergs which refract searing blues and greens, whether against piercing clear skies or slate grey ones. It is home to an extraordinary array of wildlife: penguins of almost all descriptions, Leopard and smaller seals and whales, seen from the shore, the Zodiacs and from on board. This is a journey that appeals to many: photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, ornithologists or those who simply want to marvel at the peaks of Deception Island or the striking colours of Iceberg Alley in the most immaculate wilderness anywhere.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Ushuaia, Argentina
Location: Ushuaia
Meals Included: No Meals
Begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at the tip of
South America. This Argentine town is an 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 : Board Ship And Sail Along The Beagle Channel.
Location: Beagle Channel
Meals Included: Dinner
The morning is free to explore Ushuaia and the surrounding area, to do some
last minute shopping, stroll around Ushuaia and down to the port or maybe go
for a walk in the nearby National Park. The transfer to the ship takes place
in the afternoon. Once on board there is a get together for introductions to
the expedition team, to learn about the ship and its layout, talk about the
itinerary for the next 10 days and participate in the obligatory lifeboat
drill. Departure from Ushuaia is normally around 6:00 p.m, and we set sail
through the Beagle Channel in the early evening. The long days mean plenty of
evening light in which to experience the beauty of the channel, and to
perhaps enjoy your first wildlife sightings.
Day 3 - 4 : Cross The Drake Passage.
Location: Drake Passage
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sea conditions in the Drake Passage can vary from dead calm (known as 'Drake
Lake'), to rough and stormy (known as 'Drake Shake'). As you cross the Drake
Passage our team of experts is out on deck to help you spot whales and
identify seabirds. There is also a programme of talks, covering the wildlife,
the ice, and polar history to prepare you for your adventure to the 'White
Continent'. The excitement intensifies as you cross the Antarctic
Convergence, where the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean meet the warmer
waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. You feel the change as the air
gets cooler. Huge icebergs loom up against the horizon in increasing numbers,
and Wandering albatrosses, petrels and other birds which thrive in this cold,
remote ocean are frequently seen.
Day 5 - 8 : South Shetland Islands And Antarctic Peninsula
Location: South Shetland Islands
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of
reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as
untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this
region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travellers alike.
Every time we visit Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which
means that your expedition will be unlike any other - creating a unique,
personal experience.
Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local
bays, channels and landing sites. Your Expedition Team will take care of you
at each landing, whether you are hiking the Antarctic landscape, visiting a
research station or consorting with Chinstrap, Adélie and Gentoo penguins,
all of which can be found here. Keep an eye out for Weddell, Fur, Crabeater
and Leopard seals as well as curious whales, such as Humpbacks, Fins, or
perhaps Orcas while on a Zodiac cruise. Each excursion will present a new
collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy.
Amid the serene silence of Antarctica, noisy interludes become indelible
memories, such as penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, or the boom and
crack of a calving glacier.
Every day will be different, having been carefully crafted by your Expedition
Team to inspire and educate you about this wonderful part of the world.
Day 9 - 10 : Sail Back Through The Drake Passage.
Location: Drake Passage
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving the Antarctic Peninsula behind, our ship heads back across the
Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. The crossing is completed with
the rounding of Cape Horn, weather permitting.
Day 11 : Disembark And End In Ushuaia.
Location: Ushuaia
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the early morning we arrive back in Ushuaia where your voyage ends. You
will be transferred either to town on to the airport for your onward flight
to Buenos Aires.
What's Included
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Meals
4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners.
* All meals while on the ship
* All accommodation
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
* We can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Visas or vaccinations
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Single accommodation (available on request)
Food
All meals while on the ship included.
*Typical Meals*
The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with
excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes,
accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale.
*Breakfast:* Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit
juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of
bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.
*Lunch:* Three course set meal or buffet, or the occasional BBQ.
*Dinner:* Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice
of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and
coffee.
Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday - please do
inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local
team can be well prepared.
Accommodation
The Antarctic Explorer voyage is offered on the Ocean Explorer and the World Explorer which are Polar Adventure Ships. One night in a standard hotel in Ushuaia included. Full board accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of cabin types, all with en suite facilities. Please visit the Polar Fleet page for Ship Information and Deck Plans.
Polar Adventure Ships
These are small ice rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, kayaking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are excellent and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet. Rest assured our Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximize their experience sensitively in the Poles.
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
We can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Dates & Availability
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Tuesday - Friday
Nov 05, 2024 - Nov 15, 2024Thursday - Sunday
Nov 14, 2024 - Nov 24, 2024Friday - Monday
Nov 22, 2024 - Dec 02, 2024Saturday - Tuesday
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Jan 05, 2026 - Jan 15, 2026Wednesday - Saturday
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Jan 23, 2026 - Feb 02, 2026Thursday - Sunday
Feb 26, 2026 - Mar 08, 2026Saturday - Tuesday
Mar 07, 2026 - Mar 17, 2026Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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