Expedition Itinerary - Antarctic Explorer
This cruise takes you to the fabled Antarctic Peninsula – the long tail of land jutting northward from the continent’s heart towards the tip of South America. It is the gateway to the greater Antarctic realm, and the perfect place to begin your exploration of this fascinating world.
Quark’s Antarctic Explorer Expedition offers you the opportunity to explore the highlights of the Peninsula in just 11 or 12 days. Your adventure includes whale watching, visits to penguin rookeries and cruises through glittering iceberg fields. You can also take part in optional kayaking, camping, cross-country skiing and mountaineering activities on some itineraries. This trip is a wonderful choice for those travelling to Antarctica for the first time.
Save up to 40% on select departures.
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Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina
Begin your Antarctic Explorer adventure with an overnight stay in Ushuaia – capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province, and southernmost city in the world.
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Day 2 - Embarkation Day
Today you join your ship and begin your trip by cruising through the beautiful Beagle Channel. Named for the British ship HMS Beagle, this channel is particularly rich with birdlife, and you may sight penguins, cormorants, petrels, and Black-browed Albatross.
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Day 3-4 - Crossing the Drake Passage
Prepare for rough seas, but don’t be disappointed if you experience smooth sailing across this legendary waterway. The 500-mile-wide passage separates the bottom of South America from the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, and was named for famed English explorer (and sometime pirate) Sir Frances Drake.
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Day 5-8 - South Shetland Islands & the Antarctic Peninsula
These days form the heart of your Antarctic adventure, and changing conditions mean each expedition is different. Your Expedition Team will make the most of whatever weather, ice or wildlife conditions present themselves to make sure you have an unforgettable visit. Here are just a few of the things you might find yourself doing:
- Sitting quietly on a pebbled beach, waiting for a curious penguin chick to approach
- Taking a “polar plunge” in the icy waters of Neko Harbour
- Listening to the boom and crack of a calving glacier near Petermann Island
- Kayaking with pods of whales and sleek fur seals
- Cross-country skiing across acres of shimmering snow
- Zodiac-cruising among grounded icebergs in Pleneau Bay
- Scrambling to the top of a craggy hill for an unforgettable view of Port Lockroy
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Day 9-10 - Re-cross the Drake Passage
Wind down your Antarctic adventure with another trip across the legendary Drake Passage.
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Day 11 - Disembarkation in Ushuaia
After a shipboard breakfast, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
Note on 12-day expeditions
If you choose a 12-day expedition, your itinerary will include an extra day in the Peninsula.
Extend Your Stay
Want to stay longer, or arrive earlier? Contact our Polar Travel Advisors via email, live chat or phone (1.866.961.2961) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions.
Extend your stay
You may like to extend your stay
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Tierra del Fuego National Park Excursion$75 USD
4 HoursPrice Per Person
A combination of motor coach touring and short walks provides a low impact adventure in the magnificent wilderness Park.
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Trekking and Canoeing in Tierra del Fuego National Park$145 USD
7 to 8 HoursPrice Per Person
Lunch, canoeing, and trekking are included in this active adventure.
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Haberton Estancia and Martillo IslandUSD$100
6 HoursPrice Per Person
A scenic coach tour, a cruise to Martillo Island to visit a penguin rookery - this excursion packs a lot into 6 hours.
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Cruise and Coach Adventure to Haberton EstanciaUSD$100
9 HoursPrice per person
The best of the sights and sounds of the Beagle Channel by boat and motorcoach.
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Cruise to Penguin Island$95 USD
6 HoursPrice Per Person
If you can't wait to see penguins, take this cruise.
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Cruise to Sea Lion Island and Bird IslandUSD$62
2.5 HoursPrice Per Person
The perfect wildlife teaser before an Antartic expedition.
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Iguazu FallsFrom USD$460
2 Nights/3 DaysPrice Per Person (Twin Occupancy)
UNESCO has designated Iguazu Falls a World Heritage Site. They are considered one of the natural wonders of the modern world.
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El Calafate - Gateway to Los GlaciaresFrom USD$700
3 Nights/4 DaysPrice Per Person (Twin Occupancy)
El Calafate is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, and Perito Moren Glacier.
Reviews for this expedition
- Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"Sitting down in the snow and having little penguins waddle up to me and climb into my lap - that was precious. The true highlight was having a humpback whale swim right up to the side of our zodiac …"
Megan Gunn, February 2009
- Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"Each day was a highlight once arriving in Antarctica, but the Zodiac excursions amongst the icebergs, seals and penguins were thrilling. We had a bit of an adventure when our Zodiac engine …"
Lydia Wytrzes, February 2009
- Excellent - the trip of a lifetime!
"I can not recommend this trip, and Quark, highly enough! I have been on a 19 month 'round the world odyssey (still going!) and my Antarctic trip has been, and will be, my most amazing and memorable …"
Deanna Sorenson, February 2009