Worldwide Tour Deals | Tours | Travel

World Journeys | Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent

If this is your first visit, this classic voyage gives you the best of the stunning Antarctic Peninsula in 11 days. Conquer the famed Drake Passage, explore majestic natural environments by zodiac and on foot, get up close and personal with penguins, whales and other wildlife, and enjoy talks on history, biology and glaciology by onboard polar experts.

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.

Highlights include: Sailing down the historic Beagle Channel, conquering the famed Drake Passage in your choice of four stabilized, polar-class vessels, explore majestic 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.

Ultramarine: The newest ship in the fleet and equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, offering a robust portfolio of activities and and the most spacious suites in its category. Features include breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other ships its size.

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.

Special Offer

Special valid until 28/02/2025

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.

Summary

Duration
11 Days / 10 Nights from USD US$13,995*
Countries
Antarctica, Argentina
Type of Journey
Cruise, Wildlife, Active
Departure Dates

2024
5, 14, 16, 22, 23 Nov
1, 6, 10, 28 Dec
2025
18, 22, 31 Jan
9, 18, 19 Feb
11 Mar
4, 6, 24, 27 Nov
1, 7, 10, 17, 19, 27 Dec
2026
5, 14, 23 Jan
8, 18, 26 Feb
7 Mar
What's Included

Tour Includes

• 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 our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
• 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
• Aboard Ultramarine only, a 10 to 15-minute helicopter flightseeing excursion (weather permitting)
• Cruises aboard Ultramarine are a day longer and include: 1 nights’ hotel with breakfast in Buenos Aires, airport transfers and return flights Buenos Aires/Ushuaia

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 and domestic 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 for expedition staff and shipboard crew
• We recommend that you budget US$10 to US$15 per person per day, if you are pleased with the service on board

Pricing

Description	Twin USD	Single USD	Extra USD
2024 Standard cabins priced from: 5 Nov, World Explorer 14 Nov, World Explorer 16 Nov, Ultramarine 22 Nov, 1 Dec, Ocean Explorer 23 Nov, World Explorer 6 Dec, Ultramarine 10 Dec, Ocean Explorer 28 Dec, World Explorer	– – 15995 16995 17995 13995 13995 18895 14495 18595
2025 Standard cabins priced from: 18 Jan, Ultramarine 22 Jan, World Explorer 31 Jan; 9, 18 Feb, World Explorer 19 Feb, Ultramarine 11 Mar, World Explorer 4 Nov, Ocean Explorer 6 Nov, World Explorer 24 Nov, World Explorer 27 Nov, 7 Dec, Ultramarine 1 Dec, Ocean Explorer 10 Dec, Ocean Explorer 17 Dec, Ultramarine 19 Dec, Ocean Explorer 27 Dec, World Explorer 27 Dec, Ultramarine	– – 20495 15295 17595 19995 14495 14495 16895 17995 19095 15595 15595 20095 16595 18995 20095
2026 Standard cabins priced from: 5, 14, 23 Jan, World Explorer 8, 18 Feb, Ultramarine 26 Feb, 7 Mar, World Explorer	– – 18495 19095 15495

Please note: while prices are accurate at time of loading they are subject to change due to currency fluctuations and currency surcharges may apply. Please check price at time of booking

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
With a population of more than 63,000 people, Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. The city has grown over the past few years, yet it has retained an easy going and accessible feel. With the sea to the south and mountains to the north, Ushuaia is a spectacular departure point for your Antarctic cruise. If you arrive early, you can spend some time in the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park, enjoy some Argentinean wines and barbeques in the city, or visit the many boutique shops and cafes before you leave for your expedition to Antarctica.

Day 2: Embarkation Day
Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel. This historic channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of excitement as you depart – the next time you see land you’ll be in the world’s most southern continent!

Days 3 & 4: Crossing the Drake Passage
Your days at sea are filled with presentations led by your Expedition Team who will prepare you for the wildlife, glaciology and history that will greet you upon your arrival. In between presentations spend time on deck looking for wildlife or chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.

Days 5 – 8: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
When the Antarctic Convergence is left in our wake, you will truly begin your Antarctic adventure. It is perhaps the first sight of land itself that is embraced as the true beginning of any Antarctic expedition.

You can begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every time we visit Antarctica we witness something new or unexpected, meaning your expedition will be unlike any other, creating a unique, personal experience. We will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore bays, channels and landing sites each day. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and Minke whales and search for a number of the southern seal species, including the cunning leopard seal.

The majesty of the Peninsula’s mountains will enchant you as you scramble up snowy pathways to vantage points offering you 360 degree views of your surroundings. One of these in particular, in Orne Harbour, gives the opportunity to visit a chinstrap penguin colony high up on a ridge. Here you’ll have the choice between going for a mountain hike or spending time sitting quietly on a pebbled beach to enjoy the antics of curious penguins. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, participating in the Polar Plunge swim is about as crazy as it gets! Amidst the serene silence of Antarctica, noisy interludes now become indelible memories, such as penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, or the boom and crack of a calving glacier in Neko Harbour.

Every day will be different, having been carefully crafted by your Expedition Team so as to entertain and educate you about this wonderful part of the world.

Days 9 & 10: Drake Passage to Ushuaia
The journey back across the Drake Passage provides you with some final opportunities to enjoy the crisp Antarctic air. Spend time on the deck watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy a few final presentations by your Expedition Team or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.

Day 11: Disembarkation in Ushuaia
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning allowing for you to continue your adventure on land or catch your flights home.

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.
Booking Conditions

• Quark Expeditions pricing is dynamic and is therefore subject to change until the booking is confirmed
• Prices quoted are for a standard share-twin cabin, please enquire for pricing on other cabin categories and singles
• The 12-day version of this itinerary aboard Ultramarine is a day longer and commences in Buenos Aires