Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition
The 7th continent is an achievement in itself. With this journey, you will be among the few people who make it to 66°33'S.
Duration
14 Day
Number
Starts from
Ushuaia
Price
from 21.079 €
1. Highlights of the Route
- You cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S.
- Your journey begins in Ushuaia and ends in Ushuaia in southern Argentina.
- You are traveling to Antarctica on an expedition ship with Polar Class PC6, featuring a stabilizing ULSTEIN X-BOW®, 5-star comfort, and a maximum of 138 passengers.
Your Trip at a Glance
Few people reach the 7th continent Antarctica in their lifetime.
Even fewer people reach the Antarctic Circle. Crossing 66°33′ S is one of the highlights of the 14-day sea voyage along the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. You will be rewarded daily with a view of massive ice landscapes. Humpback whales swim in the sea, you encounter penguins on land and maybe a leopard seal is lying on an ice floe.
You experience your journey aboard a groundbreaking new expedition ship, featuring an energy-efficient ULSTEIN X-BOW®, which provides more stability and lower fuel consumption in Antarctica.
Arrival Package:
You can travel independently, have us plan an individual travel package for you, or opt for the local travel package from your ship for an additional fee.
The travel package for an additional fee includes:
– One night’s accommodation in a hotel in Buenos Aires before the expedition with breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room corresponds to the cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board will be accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available).
– Group flight from Buenos Aires domestic airport (Aeroparque/AEP) to Ushuaia and back to Buenos Aires international airport (Ezeiza/EZE).
– Group transfer from the hotel to the airport in Buenos Aires.
– Group transfer from Ushuaia airport to the ship and back (Note: The transfer upon arrival in Buenos Aires from the airport to the hotel at the beginning of the trip is not included. Please make your way to the included hotel).
– Combined airport transfer and express bus tour through Tierra del Fuego National Park after disembarkation in Ushuaia
Post Itinerary Package:
On request, we’ll be happy to arrange a customized post-tour itinerary or your return trip.
2. The Itinerary
1. Day: Arrival in Ushuaia
You begin your journey in Ushuaia, a bustling port town at the southernmost tip of South America. This charming Argentine city is the perfect starting point to discover the southern part of Patagonia and prepare for your upcoming adventure. Enjoy the view of the mountains or taste handmade chocolate in one of the city’s cafés.
2. Day: Embarkation
Embarkation takes place in the late afternoon. Afterwards, your ship sets course through the historic Beagle Channel, which leads through the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Look forward to the departure – the next time you see land, you will be on the southernmost continent on Earth!
3. to 4. Day: Sailing through the Drake Passage
The days at sea offer exciting lectures by your expedition team on topics such as photography, wildlife, glaciology, and history. In between, you have the opportunity to watch for wildlife on deck or exchange stories with your fellow travelers over a drink at the bar.
5. Day to 7. Day: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Awe and wonder are the predominant feelings when the 7th continent appears on the horizon – an indescribable experience. Antarctica is one of the most pristine places in the world. Each visit offers new and unexpected experiences, making each expedition unique and deeply personal. Daily, you will undertake Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels, and landing sites. The focus is on wildlife observation: you visit penguin colonies, observe humpback and minke whales, and look out for various species of southern seals, including the elusive leopard seals.
8. Day to 9. Day: Southern Polar Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an unforgettable event and a remarkable achievement. Only a handful of travelers reach this extremely southern point. Under favorable conditions, when you pass the famous latitude of 66°33′ S, you can toast to the pioneers who ventured into this region. Celebrate this moment with a glass in hand and be proud to have reached a place that very few people have set foot on. You are now in rugged Antarctica, the land of the midnight sun, home to Weddell seals and the best opportunities to spot sea ice, which forms the foundation of the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
10. and 11. Day: Northward along the Peninsula
By now, you are familiar not only with Adélie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins, but you can also distinguish between leopard, crabeater, and Weddell seals. Terms like bergy bits and pancake ice are now part of your daily vocabulary, and there are still many stories to tell. As you make your return journey northward, Zodiac excursions will enrich your days. Your expedition team remains on the lookout for seabirds, seals, and whales that you may not have encountered on your way south.
12. to 13. Day: Sailing through the Drake Passage
As you cross the Drake Passage, Antarctica gradually disappears on the horizon, leaving behind a wealth of memories that will last a lifetime. Conversations with your newfound friends make the time at sea pass quickly, regardless of weather conditions and sea state. Your expedition team will conclude the lecture series with a slideshow of your shared experiences. Take the opportunity to reflect on the impressive experiences of your journey.
14. Day: Disembarkation in Ushuaia
Today is the day to say goodbye to your expedition team and fellow travelers. In the morning, you disembark to either catch your flight home or continue your journey individually.
- Departure From: Ushuaia
- End Point: Ushuaia
3. Services Included
Included
- Antarctic cruise in the booked cabin category.
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the entire journey including Zodiac excursions.
- Scientific lectures and entertainment on board.
- All meals, including snacks, coffee and tea throughout the entire journey on board the ship.
- Complimentary beer, house wines, spirits and cocktails during bar opening hours and with dinner.
- An official Quark Expeditions® parka for you to keep.
- Free rubber boots rental.
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition.
- Free WiFi for one device, allowing basic internet browsing, email, social media posts and apps. (Premium packages for more data-intensive apps are available.)
- Emergency evacuation insurance for all passengers up to a maximum amount of USD 500,000 per person.
- Comprehensive pre- and post-trip information material.
Excluded
- International flights: We can book a suitable flight for you at an additional cost.
- Voluntary tips at the end of the trip for the expedition staff and ship's crew.
- Personal expenses, for example in the on-board shop.
- Massages and similar services.
- Personal travel insurance.
4. Travel Dates and Prices
Please contact us directly for the current daily prices of the trips and the prices for single occupancy or special cabins. Our polar experts will answer all your questions about the itinerary, the ship, and the cabins.
Appointments on request. Please contact us directly using the contact form.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy per cabin or suite and subject to availability.
For solo travelers, cabins or suites may be available without a single supplement, subject to availability. Please contact us for details for solo travelers.
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