Antarctica Cruises - Your Ticket to Polar Adventure
"If Antarctica were music it would be Mozart. Art, and it would be Michelangelo. Literature, and it would be Shakespeare. And yet it is something even greater; the only place on Earth that is still as it should be. May we never tame it." Andrew Denton
Mysterious and vast, Antarctica - the ‘white continent’ at the bottom of the world - is like no other place on Earth. A land of glittering ice, majestic peaks and dazzling beauty, it is the only continent with no native population. Instead, it has been a haven for millions of years for migratory birds, whales, seals and other marine mammals.
Step into a world removed from your own
When you choose an Antarctic expedition, you step into a world so removed from your own, you may feel you've landed on the moon, or stepped into a fairy tale. Here the sun neither rises nor sets. Icebergs drift. Curious penguin chicks waddle past you. Humpback whales surface metres away.
Quark Expeditions has been the world leader in personal polar adventures for over two decades. We know these waters like nobody else. When you're ready for the best Antarctic cruise in the world, call us!
Timing your Antarctic cruise
Most expeditions to Antarctica take place during the southern summer, between November and March.
If you visit in the early spring (beginning in November), you'll see countless penguins marching from the sea to their inland nests. You'll also see great numbers of other seabirds - including the almost-mythic albatross - arriving at their southern breeding grounds. If you come in high-to-late summer, you'll still see plenty of seabirds, along with whales and more seals than you ever thought possible, all fattening up in Antarctica's food-rich waters before their winter migration north.
How much time will you need for your Antarctic expedition?
Antarctica is the world's fifth-largest continent, and there's a lot to see. Depending on how much time you have and where you'd like to go, you can spend as little as 8 days (Antarctica Fly-and-Cruise) or as long as a month (Antarctica's Far East) exploring it. You'll find detailed itineraries listed under each expedition.
But won't I freeze to death?
Although Antarctic weather is extremely changeable, summer temperatures hover just above the freezing mark - comparable to a warm winter's day in North America. The 24-hour sunlight warms air in sheltered areas, so you can also find yourself stripping down to shirtsleeves. Either way, don't worry. Our Expedition Leaders will make sure you're perfectly comfortable, plus you'll get your very own Quark Parka to keep.
What about the notorious Drake Passage?
It's true that some of the world's roughest waters can be encountered in the Drake Passage, between Cape Horn and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. But please don't be disappointed if you experience a smooth crossing. Not all Drake Passage crossings are rough! You can even avoid the whole issue by choosing our 8-day Fly and Cruise expedition, which flies you across the Drake Passage right to King George Island to embark the ship.
Antarctic Travel: safe, comfortable and environmentally sustainable
Exploring Antarctica is much safer and more comfortable than it was even 50 years ago, thanks to new technology and modern safety standards. Every Quark trip takes place on specially equipped ships with the highest polar ratings, piloted and crewed by professional, polar mariners of the first order.
All Quark Antarctic travel also operates under a voluntary code of conduct developed by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), designed to minimize impact of visits to these fragile environments. We are 100% committed to ensuring this pristine wilderness remains protected for future generations.
Antarctica Travel - don't save the best for last
Some people save Antarctica for their last adventure - something to be done after they've seen everything else. But those who've been always wish they'd gone sooner. For many, it is a profoundly spiritual experience - an encounter with the raw power and beauty of nature, and a recognition that we are small parts of a much larger whole.
So we say, why wait? While others roam the Galapagos Islands or the African Serengeti, you can be on the adventure of a lifetime: sailing past mystic blue icebergs, kayaking with orcas and humpback whales, bearing witness to Earth's last great wilderness.
Want to know more? Call us at 1.888.892.0334 or +1.416.645.8243, email us or chat live with our friendly Polar Travel Advisers. No one knows Antarctica better than Quark!
By the way
When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team most allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This is a tentative outline of what you'll experience on this cruise - please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarcticafrom $9,495
This extended expedition encompasses the wildlife paradise of South Georgia, the remote Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), as well as the extraordinary beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula. You’ll experience a great diversity of environments and landscapes, which will provide unprecedented wildlife viewing opportunities. Join us for the quintessential Antarctic experience for polar travelers!
In Brief
Antarctic Express Fly the Drakefrom $7,995
Skip the four days of Drake Passage crossings and optimize your Antarctica experience by flying! A short three-hour flight is all it takes to travel between Punta Arenas, Chile and King George Island. Once in Antarctica, you’ll waste no time being inundated with the sheer beauty and dramatic landscapes of the white continent. Within hours of your departure you’ll be greeted by our team of experts on the ship and be on the lookout for penguins and whales in Antarctica.
In brief:
Antarctic Express: Cruise South, Fly Northfrom $7,395
If you’re looking for a more efficient Antarctic experience, this is it. Venture south, crossing the infamous Drake Passage and experience the first sighting of Antarctica with your fellow shipmates. After your penguin, seal, whale, iceberg and glacier cravings have been satisfied you’ll take the relaxing way home by flying from King George Island to Punta Arenas, Chile.
In brief:
Antarctic Express: Fly South, Cruise Northfrom $6,995
Take advantage of the fastest, most direct way to Antarctica: flying. A short three-hour flight takes you to the white continent where you will enjoy everything the Antarctic has to offer. Immense penguin rookeries and icy landscapes await your arrival. You’ll get the full Antarctic experience, while only having to cross the Drake Passage once.
In brief:
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continentfrom $4,595
This expedition offers the perfect chance to discover the best of the Antarctic Peninsula, the last continent’s most northern region. You’ll be delighted by penguins, seals and whales as they accompany you on your journey along the Antarctic coastline. Landing on the continent itself is a memorable highlight, where you’ll explore the iconic sights that make this one of the world’s most pristine, exotic and unforgettable natural environments.
In brief:
Crossing the Circlefrom $6,995
This expedition offers you the most in-depth exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula. Extended time in the region allows you to go beyond the Antarctic Peninsula and venture south of the Antarctic Circle, home to fantastic ice formations and wildlife including the Weddell seal. You’ll enjoy more time for communing with penguins and visits to less-frequented landing sites.
In brief:
Antarctic Peninsula East and West, plus Cape Hornfrom $12,995
This extended voyage combines the best of the Western Antarctic Peninsula with the less visited, and more remote eastern side. You will be astounded by the abundant penguin rookeries, incredible icebergs and unforgettable landing sites.
South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsulafrom $14,995
This is a journey for wildlife lovers, particularly those with a passion for penguins. The wildlife paradise of South Georgia starts things off with four penguin species including hundreds of thousands of king penguins, then the Antarctic Peninsula offers up Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins. You’ll also experience a great diversity of environments and landscapes, creating a special extended Antarctic experience.
In brief:
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica via Buenos Airesfrom $13,995
A comprehensive expedition of extremes, you can’t find a more complete Antarctic experience than this! Arrive early for some wining and dining in Buenos Aires then venture to the wildlife paradise of South Georgia, remote Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and the always impressive Antarctic Peninsula. Diversity and discovery are the hallmarks of this voyage, which offers unprecedented pristine landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities.
In brief:
Crossing the Circle via Falklands & South Georgiafrom $13,495
If you desire to ‘do it all’ on your Antarctic adventure, then this is the voyage for you. Not only will you cross the Antarctic Circle and travel further south than traditional Antarctic cruises, you’ll also visit the wildlife playgrounds of the Falklands and South Georgia. This journey is for anyone who appreciates a wide variety of landscapes, unprecedented wildlife viewing opportunities and a healthy mix of historic landing sites.
In brief:
Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circlefrom $10,995
Enjoy Antarctica in style – by flying and then cruising south of the Antarctic Circle! A short three-hour flight is all it takes to travel between Punta Arenas, Chile and King George Island in Antarctica. Skipping all the extra days at sea, you’ll enjoy only the best scenery and wildlife experiences of the Antarctic. Prepare yourself for a sensory overload, as you’ll be inundated by the sheer beauty and dramatic landscapes of the white continent. Soon after, our team of Polar Experts on the ship will have you searching for penguins and whales in Antarctica.
