Discover, Plan & Go!

Very few people in the world can claim to have crossed the Antarctic Circle; reaching extreme latitude’s at the very bottom of the world. Only the most adventurous travelers include this Circle on their life list of goals. Share this momentous achievement with a few select adventurers on board the Professor Molchanov.

Day 1 - Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Arrive in the southernmost city in the world and make your way to the Hotel Los Nires or similar hotel.

Accommodations: Hotel Los Nires or similar

Included Meals: n/a

Day 2 – Ushuaia

Spend the morning with a local guide on a group excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park; then enjoy a traditional Argentine BBQ asado lunch. Settle into your cabin and get to know the ship. You will meet your Expedition Team as the ship heads through the scenic Beagle Channel.

Accommodations: Molchanov

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 3-5 - Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands

Journey across the famous Drake Passage named after the 16th-century English navigator Sir Francis Drake. As the ship sails, our naturalists and historians offer presentations on the marvels ahead. If weather allows, you can spend time on deck spotting for albatrosses - including the magnificent Wandering Albatross - and other seabirds.

The South Shetland Islands, which lie to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, are usually sighted in the late afternoon on Day 4. Here you visit vast penguin rookeries, land on beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals, and observe wallowing southern elephant seals. You may also visit one of the many research bases in the archipelago and look for Antarctica's only two flowering plants, which thrive here during the short southern summer. Often the ship sails through Neptune Bellows, a narrow passage leading into the sunken caldera of Deception Island. Here, if the tide allows, you may dip your toes in the steaming waters of Pendulum Cove.

Accommodations: Molchanov

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 6-12 - Antarctic Peninsula

Our exploration of the Antarctic continent may begin with a visit to the aptly named Paradise Bay, or to nearby Neko Harbor. Glaciers fill the calm waters with an amazing vista of icebergs as you set foot on the Antarctic continent itself. During the voyage, expect to see enormous rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins. You may also encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, humpback, and Minke whales. If pack ice and icebergs allow, the ship navigates some of the most beautiful waterways in the world. Two in particular, the Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, are impressive narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. Sailing south of the Lemaire Channel we may visit Petermann Island, where Adélie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to the landing site.

The quest for the Antarctic Circle continues as the expedition pushes farther south. You will be in the vicinity of historic Stonington Island, which served briefly as a base for the Byrd's Little America Expedition in 1940. The site also served as the base for Finn Ronne's- 1947-48 Antarctic Research Expedition. Finn Ronnes research mapped a great portion of the continent by air. We will mark our arrival at the southernmost location with a celebration on board.

Accommodations: Molchanov

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 13-14 - Drake Passage

You bid farewell to Antarctica as you sail north across the Drake Passage. The adventure is not over, as there are more opportunities to watch birds and whales cavorting in the open ocean.

Accommodations: Molchanov

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15 – Ushuaia

Disembark after breakfast and transfer by bus to the Antarctic Unit office located at the entrance to the pier. If you are departing on the morning flight, the transfer continues to the airport.

Accommodations: n/a

Included Meals: breakfast

Notes on Itinerary: Read this itinerary as a guide only. Flexibility is the key to the enjoyment of this expedition. Every effort will be made to push for the Antarctic Circle. Since ice and weather conditions can change quickly, we cannot guarantee that the vessel will reach the Antarctic Circle. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Single Travelers: Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the share price. Please ask about our request share program. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where we match you with a cabin mate(s) of the same gender. Even if we are unable to find a cabin mate for you, no single supplement will be charged.

Land Cost Includes: Specially designed parka, which is yours to keep! One night pre-cruise hotel accommodation in Ushuaia; Guided excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park with traditional Argentine BBQ asado lunch; Shipboard accommodation, meals, shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage; Leadership by experienced expedition staff; Presentations by noted naturalists and other experts; Zodiac cruising and transfers to and from the ship for shore excursions; The use of rubber boots for the duration of the voyage; Comprehensive pre-departure information kit and Antarctic handbook; Group transfers and baggage handling as per itinerary; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges; A detailed post-expedition CD-ROM logbook chronicling your voyage; Daily international news bulletins.

Not Included: Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; supplement for single hotel accommodations; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of US$1000 per person is required to confirm a reservation on a Classic Antarctica or Crossing the Antarctic Circle voyage, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. A deposit of US$1500 per person is required to confirm a reservation on an Explorers' Cruise, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. All prices and payments are in US dollars and no other currencies can be accepted.

A special cancellation policy applies to all Antarctica trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received 90 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of $500 per person. Please note that within the 90 day limit all deposits and tariffs are forfeited. If cancellation occurs within the 90 day period and full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due immediately. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with

Accommodations Aboard: The Molchanov accommodates 52 passengers in comfortable twin and triple cabins each with a desk and ample storage space. Public areas include a lounge and bar, small library, infirmary (there is a doctor on board) and a sauna. Views are excellent from the large, open decks and the navigation bridge, where we are almost always welcome. The European chefs produce a varied menu and the comfortable bar is stocked with a good selection of wine. The ship is staffed by Russian officers and crew, all highly experienced in ice navigation. The atmosphere aboard is relaxed and informal, more like a private expedition than a cruise.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life. Passengers must be able to navigate the 30-stair gang-way un-assisted both down and up. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.