Discover, Plan & Go!

Antarctica is a continent of superlatives. It is the coldest, windiest, driest, iciest and highest of all the major landmasses in the world. It is the continent with the longest nights and the longest days and it's the home to the world's greatest concentration of wildlife. It is one of the last true wilderness areas left on earth!

The Explorers' Cruises have it all! Each of them escort you; to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. South Georgia is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and inspiring places on earth and has more wildlife than virtually anywhere on the planet. Millions of penguins of gather to tend their fast-growing chicks; whales are seen in great numbers; seals haul out onto ice flows and beaches; and numerous albatrosses and other seabirds trail in our wake. We explore historic sites from the heroic Age of early Antarctic exploration and visit scientists working in modern research bases. Enjoy the sheer beauty and the breathtaking scenery of ice-choked waterways, blue and white icebergs, impressive glaciers and rugged snow-capped mountains.

Day 1 - Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, (or Puerto Madryn*) Argentina

Arrive in the southernmost city in the world. Explore this 'frontier town' on your own and transfer independently to the Hotel Los Nires or similar hotel. Depending on the itinerary, you embark and disembark in the ports of Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn in Argentina.

Accommodations: Hotel Los Nires or similar

Included Meals: n/a

*Passengers sailing from Puerto Madryn: You will spend the pre-cruise night in Buenos Aires, embarking from Puerto Madryn, near Trelew, and disembarking in Ushuaia. Flights from Buenos Aires to Trelew are not included in the expedition rates. Group transfers from the Trelew airport to the ship are included. The asado BBQ lunch and Park Tour are not included in this departure.

Day 2 – Ushuaia

Enjoy a guided excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Following a traditional Argentine BBQ asado lunch, you have some free time before transferring to the ship for embarkation.

Accommodations: Orlova, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Shokalskiy

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - at sea

Get to know the expedition team as the ship heads toward the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). Our lecture series begins.

Accommodations: Orlova, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Shokalskiy

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4-5 - Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Explore some of the privately owned outer islands that are home to great concentrations of wildlife - including several species found nowhere else in the world. Flightless Steamer Ducks, Magellanic Penguins and Gentoo Penguins occupy Carcass Island. Nearby New Island boasts fantastic Rockhopper Penguin rookeries as well as nesting Black-browed Albatrosses and Blue-eyed Shags. Peale's and Commerson's dolphins are often seen along the coasts of these islands and frequently bow-ride and play alongside the Zodiacs. Explore Stanley, the charming capital of the archipelago.

Accommodations: Orlova, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Shokalskiy

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6-7 - at sea

Spot pelagic birds from the deck, as the vessel sails towards South Georgia. The shipboard historian offers captivating presentations on the exploration of the southern ocean.

Accommodations: Orlova, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Shokalskiy

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8-11 - South Georgia

South Georgia has an astonishing concentration of wildlife, as well as awe-inspiring scenery ranging from 7,000-foot mountains, mighty glaciers to deep fjords and low-lying grassland. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and inspiring places on Earth. Thousands of King Penguins greet us at Salisbury Plain. Wandering Albatrosses nest and thousands of fur seals breed at Prion Island. Huge southern elephant seals and a substantial number of King and Gentoo Penguins crowd the beaches at places such as Gold Harbor. The island also played a significant role in Ernest Shackleton's epic journey after the sinking of his ship, the Endurance. At Grytviken, once an active whaling station, you visit Shackleton's grave.

Accommodations: Orlova, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Shokalskiy

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12-13 - at sea

Accommodations: Orlova, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Shokalskiy

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 14-17 - South Shetland Islands and 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, and mountains. Expect to see enormous rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie 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. Your first landfall could be Elephant Island, where Ernest Shackleton's men found refuge during the epic "Endurance" expedition or Paulet Island with its vast Adélie Penguin rookery. Ice conditions permitting, the expedition then navigates the Antarctic Sound, or "iceberg alley", where huge tabular icebergs drift north from the Antarctic continent.

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. 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.

During the voyage we plan to visit one of the many Antarctic research bases, perhaps stopping at Port Lockroy, a former British scientific station that now houses a museum and a post office. On some departures, 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, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Shokalskiy

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 18-19 - Drake Passage

Your journey across the famous Drake Passage, named after the 16th-century English navigator Sir Francis Drake, is an experience in itself. The ship is accompanied most of the way by albatrosses - including the magnificent Wandering Albatross - along with an impressive variety of other seabirds such as Giant and Cape Petrels. You have a good chance of spotting whales and dolphins. Meanwhile, the program of lectures continues.

Accommodations: Orlova, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Shokalskiy

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 20 – 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 4 different vessels:

M/V Orlova 110-passenger Expedition Vessel

M/V Molchanov 49-passenger Russian Research Vessel

M/V Multanovskiy 49-passenger Russian Research Vessel

M/V Akademik Shokalskiy 49-passenger Russian Research Vessel

Notes on Itinerary: 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.

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; 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$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 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, hasa 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 few 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.