Polar Circle Quest

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

   Board the expedition vessel and set off along the Beagle Channel. Board the expedition vessel in the afternoon, where you'll meet your crew and fellow travellers. After settling into your cabin, the ship sets off along the picturesque Beagle Channel. Relish your first evening at sea as the southernmost tip of South America disappears from view.

2. Day 2: Crossing the Drake Passage (Southbound)

   Cross the Drake Passage — lectures, wildlife spotting, and your first icebergs. Start your Antarctic adventure with a crossing of the Drake Passage, a vast stretch of open ocean that marks the Antarctic Convergence, where nutrient-rich waters sustain a vibrant ecosystem. While at sea, attend expert-led talks on Antarctica's history, wildlife, and geology. Head to the open decks or the bridge to spot albatrosses, petrels, and even whales. Adventure activities, including navigation workshops and safety briefings for kayaking and snowshoeing, will also be held. By the end of Day 3, the first sighting of icebergs and snow-capped peaks will signal your arrival at the South Shetland Islands.

3. Day 3: Crossing the Drake Passage (Southbound)

   Cross the Drake Passage — lectures, wildlife spotting, and your first icebergs. Start your Antarctic adventure with a crossing of the Drake Passage, a vast stretch of open ocean that marks the Antarctic Convergence, where nutrient-rich waters sustain a vibrant ecosystem. While at sea, attend expert-led talks on Antarctica's history, wildlife, and geology. Head to the open decks or the bridge to spot albatrosses, petrels, and even whales. Adventure activities, including navigation workshops and safety briefings for kayaking and snowshoeing, will also be held. By the end of Day 3, the first sighting of icebergs and snow-capped peaks will signal your arrival at the South Shetland Islands.

4. Day 4: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and venturing below the Antarctic Circle

   The heart of the expedition — landings, wildlife, kayaking, and zodiac cruises. The core of the journey unfolds as you explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with each day offering a blend of landings, zodiac cruises, and optional adventure activities. Kayaking Among Icebergs: Paddle through tranquil waters, drifting past seals resting on ice floes and penguins diving in for a swim. Snowshoeing Adventures: Explore pristine trails and reach panoramic viewpoints offering breathtaking vistas of glaciers and peaks. Penguin Colonies: Visit expansive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie Penguins, watching their amusing behaviours as they care for their chicks. Wildlife Encounters: Spot Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals on ice, with Minke and humpback whales often seen feeding nearby. With over 500 diverse landing sites along the Antarctic Peninsula, no two voyages are ever the same. Our expert team crafts each expedition based on conditions, weather, and opportunities for the most remarkable encounters. Guided by our experienced crew, you'll navigate breathtaking ice-choked channels, witness towering glaciers, and encounter extraordinary wildlife in one of the most remote places on Earth. This is not just a cruise — it's a genuine expedition where spontaneity and discovery define every day.

5. Day 5: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and venturing below the Antarctic Circle

   The heart of the expedition — landings, wildlife, kayaking, and zodiac cruises. The core of the journey unfolds as you explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with each day offering a blend of landings, zodiac cruises, and optional adventure activities. Kayaking Among Icebergs: Paddle through tranquil waters, drifting past seals resting on ice floes and penguins diving in for a swim. Snowshoeing Adventures: Explore pristine trails and reach panoramic viewpoints offering breathtaking vistas of glaciers and peaks. Penguin Colonies: Visit expansive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie Penguins, watching their amusing behaviours as they care for their chicks. Wildlife Encounters: Spot Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals on ice, with Minke and humpback whales often seen feeding nearby. With over 500 diverse landing sites along the Antarctic Peninsula, no two voyages are ever the same. Our expert team crafts each expedition based on conditions, weather, and opportunities for the most remarkable encounters. Guided by our experienced crew, you'll navigate breathtaking ice-choked channels, witness towering glaciers, and encounter extraordinary wildlife in one of the most remote places on Earth. This is not just a cruise — it's a genuine expedition where spontaneity and discovery define every day.

6. Day 6: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and venturing below the Antarctic Circle

   The heart of the expedition — landings, wildlife, kayaking, and zodiac cruises. The core of the journey unfolds as you explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with each day offering a blend of landings, zodiac cruises, and optional adventure activities. Kayaking Among Icebergs: Paddle through tranquil waters, drifting past seals resting on ice floes and penguins diving in for a swim. Snowshoeing Adventures: Explore pristine trails and reach panoramic viewpoints offering breathtaking vistas of glaciers and peaks. Penguin Colonies: Visit expansive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie Penguins, watching their amusing behaviours as they care for their chicks. Wildlife Encounters: Spot Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals on ice, with Minke and humpback whales often seen feeding nearby. With over 500 diverse landing sites along the Antarctic Peninsula, no two voyages are ever the same. Our expert team crafts each expedition based on conditions, weather, and opportunities for the most remarkable encounters. Guided by our experienced crew, you'll navigate breathtaking ice-choked channels, witness towering glaciers, and encounter extraordinary wildlife in one of the most remote places on Earth. This is not just a cruise — it's a genuine expedition where spontaneity and discovery define every day.

7. Day 7: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and venturing below the Antarctic Circle

   The heart of the expedition — landings, wildlife, kayaking, and zodiac cruises. The core of the journey unfolds as you explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with each day offering a blend of landings, zodiac cruises, and optional adventure activities. Kayaking Among Icebergs: Paddle through tranquil waters, drifting past seals resting on ice floes and penguins diving in for a swim. Snowshoeing Adventures: Explore pristine trails and reach panoramic viewpoints offering breathtaking vistas of glaciers and peaks. Penguin Colonies: Visit expansive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie Penguins, watching their amusing behaviours as they care for their chicks. Wildlife Encounters: Spot Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals on ice, with Minke and humpback whales often seen feeding nearby. With over 500 diverse landing sites along the Antarctic Peninsula, no two voyages are ever the same. Our expert team crafts each expedition based on conditions, weather, and opportunities for the most remarkable encounters. Guided by our experienced crew, you'll navigate breathtaking ice-choked channels, witness towering glaciers, and encounter extraordinary wildlife in one of the most remote places on Earth. This is not just a cruise — it's a genuine expedition where spontaneity and discovery define every day.

8. Day 8: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and venturing below the Antarctic Circle

   The heart of the expedition — landings, wildlife, kayaking, and zodiac cruises. The core of the journey unfolds as you explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with each day offering a blend of landings, zodiac cruises, and optional adventure activities. Kayaking Among Icebergs: Paddle through tranquil waters, drifting past seals resting on ice floes and penguins diving in for a swim. Snowshoeing Adventures: Explore pristine trails and reach panoramic viewpoints offering breathtaking vistas of glaciers and peaks. Penguin Colonies: Visit expansive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie Penguins, watching their amusing behaviours as they care for their chicks. Wildlife Encounters: Spot Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals on ice, with Minke and humpback whales often seen feeding nearby. With over 500 diverse landing sites along the Antarctic Peninsula, no two voyages are ever the same. Our expert team crafts each expedition based on conditions, weather, and opportunities for the most remarkable encounters. Guided by our experienced crew, you'll navigate breathtaking ice-choked channels, witness towering glaciers, and encounter extraordinary wildlife in one of the most remote places on Earth. This is not just a cruise — it's a genuine expedition where spontaneity and discovery define every day.

9. Day 9: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and venturing below the Antarctic Circle

   The heart of the expedition — landings, wildlife, kayaking, and zodiac cruises. The core of the journey unfolds as you explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with each day offering a blend of landings, zodiac cruises, and optional adventure activities. Kayaking Among Icebergs: Paddle through tranquil waters, drifting past seals resting on ice floes and penguins diving in for a swim. Snowshoeing Adventures: Explore pristine trails and reach panoramic viewpoints offering breathtaking vistas of glaciers and peaks. Penguin Colonies: Visit expansive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie Penguins, watching their amusing behaviours as they care for their chicks. Wildlife Encounters: Spot Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals on ice, with Minke and humpback whales often seen feeding nearby. With over 500 diverse landing sites along the Antarctic Peninsula, no two voyages are ever the same. Our expert team crafts each expedition based on conditions, weather, and opportunities for the most remarkable encounters. Guided by our experienced crew, you'll navigate breathtaking ice-choked channels, witness towering glaciers, and encounter extraordinary wildlife in one of the most remote places on Earth. This is not just a cruise — it's a genuine expedition where spontaneity and discovery define every day.

10. Day 10: Farewell Landings

    One final landing before heading back north — Brown Bluff or Paulet Island. As the expedition heads back north, there's an opportunity for a final landing or zodiac cruise. Weather and ice conditions permitting, explore destinations like Brown Bluff, where towering cliffs and an Adélie penguin colony await, or Paulet Island, home to historic sites and abundant wildlife.

11. Day 11: Crossing the Drake Passage (Northbound)

    Relive the journey north — final lectures, seabird spotting, and a celebratory dinner. Relive your adventures as you cross the Drake Passage, keeping an eye out for seabirds and whales along the way. Take part in final lectures or workshops, and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your fellow travellers as you reflect on the unforgettable journey.

12. Day 12: Return to Ushuaia

    Arrive back in Ushuaia — disembark with stories to last a lifetime. Arrive back in Ushuaia in the early morning. After breakfast, disembark with cherished memories of an epic Antarctic expedition and new stories to tell.