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
Good to Know
“It’s like visiting another planet without ever leaving this one”.
Mysterious and vast, Antarctica - the "blue 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 indigenous population. Instead, it has for millions of years been a haven for migratory birds, whales, seals and other marine mammals who come each summer to feast in is food-rich coastal waters.
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 may climb right into your lap. Orcas and humpback whales may breach or spy-hop mere meters away, before fixing their ancient eyes on yours and sinking beneath the sea.
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. We look forward to welcoming you!
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 hyou 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.
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Crossing the Antarctic Circlefrom $9,040
(Multiple departures, December 2011 to February 2012) Beginning and ending in Ushuaia, Argentina, this 15-day expedition goes one step further than tours offered by many Antarctic Cruise companies: we take you south of the Antarctic Circle and into the land of the midnight sun. Spot colonies of nesting seabirds, Zodiac-cruise through silent iceberg “graveyards,” and enjoy optional camping and kayaking adventures on all departures.30% off select Crossing the Circle departures.
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Antarctic Explorerfrom $4,890
This 11- or 12-day Antarctic adventure begins and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina. Like adventurers of old, you’ll cross the Drake Passage to explore the breathtaking Antarctic Peninsula and the mysterious South Shetland Islands. Meet up with at least four different species of penguin, countless seals and “big ice” in all its Antarctic splendour. Enjoy a full slate of adventure activities, including kayaking, camping, mountaineering and cross-country skiing.
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Antarctic Explorer: The Classic Adventurefrom $4,795
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 seabirds 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:
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Crossing the Antarctic Circle: Land of the Midnight Sunfrom $12,795
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. You’ll enjoy more time for communing with penguins and visits to less-frequented landing sites.
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Falklands, South Georgia & Antarcticafrom $9,695
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
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Weddell Sea and the Antarctic Peninsulafrom $11,995
This extended voyage combines the best of the Western Peninsula with the less visited, more remote Eastern side. You will be astounded by the abundant penguin rookeries, incredible icebergs and unforgettable landing sites. A perfect voyage if you’re looking for an in depth exploration of this majestic continent.In Brief:
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Introduction to Antarcticafrom $3,995
This is the perfect trip if you’re looking for an Antarctic experience without the time or costs involved in a longer voyage. You still get it all - from penguin rookeries and glacier hikes to Leopard Seals and giant icebergs. An Antarctic experience with a lifetime of memories and wildlife encounters packed into 10 short days.
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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:
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Antarctic Express: Cruise South, Fly Northfrom $9,995
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:
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Antarctic Express: Fly South, Cruise Northfrom $6,395
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:
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Explore South Georgiafrom $10,295
With more than 30 species of seabirds including four species of penguins, South Georgia is often referred to as the Galapagos of the Poles. If you consider yourself a wildlife enthusiast or history buff, then this expedition is the perfect adventure for you! On this expedition you will witness massive numbers of polar wildlife, spectacular scenery and historically significant sites from early explorations to the Antarctic region.In brief:
