Discover, Plan & Go!

The perfect introduction to the White Continent; Beginning and ending in Ushuaia, Argentina, you will experience the wildlife and scenic highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Each voyage incorporates as much wildlife viewing as possible, with visits to scientific bases and plenty of time to enjoy breathtaking waterways, glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains. No two voyages are exactly alike, no matter which Classic Antarctica voyage you choose. The Captain and Expedition Leader continually assess daily weather conditions and wildlife opportunities, taking advantage of the extended daylight to maximize time ashore. You will become one of the fortunate few to have set foot on the continent of Antarctica.

Day 1 - Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Arrive at the Hotel Los Nires or similar hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore this 'frontier town' at leisure.

Accommodations: Ushuaia

Included Meals: none

Day 2 Ushuaia

Spend the morning with a local guide on a group excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park, and then enjoy a traditional Argentine BBQ asado lunch. Embark in the afternoon, settle into your cabin, and meet your Expedition Team before the ship sets sail along the scenic Beagle Channel.

Accommodations: Orlova and Sarpik Ittuk,

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 - an experience in itself. The ship is accompanied much of the way by albatrosses - including the magnificent Wandering Albatross - along with an impressive variety of other seabirds. Cross the Antarctic Convergence, a natural border where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zones. Land is usually sighted for the first time late afternoon on Day 4 - the South Shetland Islands, which lie to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula. 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 or look for Antarctica's only two flowering plants, which thrive here during the short southern summer. Often the ship sails through the narrow passage leading into the sunken caldera of Deception Island. Here, if the tide allows, you may dip your toes in the thermal waters of Pendulum Cove.

Accommodations: Orlova and Sarpik Ittuk,

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 6-9 Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula, the most readily accessible part of the White Continent, has some of the best wildlife and scenery. You have plenty of time to experience the special magic of this awe-inspiring wilderness of snow, ice, waterways, and mountains. Expect to see enormous rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Ad�lie Penguins. Blue-eyed Shags, Kelp Gulls, Cape Petrels, Snowy Sheathbills and Antarctic Terns are also abundant. You may also encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, humpback, and Minke whales.

Our exploration of the Antarctic continent often begins 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. When visiting Port Lockroy, you enjoy the thriving penguin colonies and visit a recently renovated former British scientific station that serves as one of the most isolated and intriguing museums in the world. The station also acts as a post office from which you can mail postcards home. If pack ice and icebergs allow, you navigate 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. Some voyages sail south of the Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island, where Adelie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to the landing.

On our longer voyages, the expedition may also visit the northern tip of the Peninsula to navigate the Antarctic Sound, or 'iceberg alley', where huge tabular icebergs drift north from the Antarctic continent. If weather and ice conditions permit, you land on Paulet Island to see its vast Adelie penguin rookery.

Accommodations: Orlova and Sarpik Ittuk,

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 10-11 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. Final presentations by our expedition staff enhance the voyage en route to Ushuaia.

Accommodations: Orlova and Sarpik Ittuk,

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 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

This Classic Antarctica Cruise Itinerary operates on two different vessels:

Accommodations: Orlova and Sarpik Ittuk,

Notes on Itinerary: The itinerary presented here is for the 12-day voyage - the 11-day voyage has one less day along the Antarctic Peninsula. Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. 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. 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.

Children: Recommended minimum age for this expedition is 8 years old. Children must be able to safely navigate a steep gangway, by themselves, in variable conditions. Expedition Leaders will determine if children are allowed on shore excursions and landings. If an Expedition Leader determines a child's participation in these activities is unsafe the child must stay on board, accompanied by an adult.

Land Cost Includes: Specially designed parka, is yours to keep (only for passengers on the smaller Russian Vessels: Molchanov, Multanovskiy or Shokalskiy). 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; adventure options of kayaking or diving; 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 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 vessels range in size from 49-passengers to 110-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.

Classic Antarctica with Adventure Options On select sailings aboard the Multanovskiy and Akademik Sholalskiy, adventure options are available for divers, campers, and sea-kayakers. See our Active Antarctic Peninsula or call for details.

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