Discover, Plan & Go!

This epic journey includes Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. View abundant Antarctic wildlife, visit scientific bases and enjoy breathtaking scenery of icy waterways, glaciers, icebergs, and rugged mountains. For the adventurous, some departures offer sea kayaking and camping options. Begins and ends in Ushuaia.

Optional Adventures

On selected Adventure Ship voyages, you may choose to heighten your Antarctic experience by camping, and kayaking. Space is limited, so we encourage you to book your preferred option when you book your expedition. Camping is free. Kayaking costs US $695 per person. To participate in either of these optional adventures, reserve your spot when you make your expedition reservation.

Day 1-2 - The Quest That Calls

This extended adventure begins at the tip of South America, in Ushuaia, Argentina, with a night at a local hotel. Before boarding the ship on Day 2, tour the nearby National Park and sample local cuisine during an asado barbecue lunch. Charles Darwin was the first to identify the indigenous trees in the region. Ushuaia is situated on a channel named for the ship that brought him there, HMS Beagle.

Accommodations: Multanovskiy or Akademik Shokalskiy

Included Meals: lunch and dinner on Day 2

Days 3-5 - the Evolution of Darwin's Inspiration

En route to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), you learn more about Darwin. He visited the islands in 1833 on the voyage that led to his iconoclastic work, The Origin of Species.The shipboard education program introduces the flora and fauna that you can expect to encounter during landings. Properly prepared, you are zipped from the ship to shore in a Zodiac to hike to a plain where geese graze and Magellanic Penguins guard their burrows. You'll comb beaches and socialize with local residents. There are activities for a diverse range of interests - historical, natural and physical.

Accommodations: Multanovskiy or Akademik Shokalskiy

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 6-11 - Welcome to the world of ice and birds

The published account of James Cook's voyage to South Georgia brought fortune seekers to the island for nearly two hundred years. Now there are only a handful of scientists studying the abundant bird life and the glaciers that cover the island. The Expedition Team plans a series of landings including King Penguin rookeries, abandoned whaling stations and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Different activity levels will be accommodated during the landings. You can be as active as you like.

Accommodations: Multanovskiy or Akademik Shokalskiy

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 12-17: Hang on, Shackleton's coming

As the ship sails south and west, watch for tabular icebergs, as you will, at last, be in Antarctic waters. Landings in the South Shetlands Islands are planned. The northernmost island in the archipelago is Elephant Island, where the crew of Endurancewaited for rescue. While a landing there is not likely, no exploration of the Antarctic is complete without hearing of the exploits of Shackleton and his crew.

Jump in, the water is freezing The Expedition Team will be planning as many as three landings a day. You'll climb craggy hills, cruise in Zodiacs along granite beaches choked with brash ice and take a polar plunge, if you dare. Wildlife viewing will be a priority ashore and from the deck. The optional activities - camping or kayaking - are planned also. For all activities, included and optional, the Expedition Team consults weather reports and marine charts to find the best sites for a memorable experience.

Accommodations: Multanovskiy or Akademik Shokalskiy

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 18-20: The Drake Passage. Lake, or shake?

This famous passage is notorious for its high winds and rolling seas. Crossing it is as much a part of the Antarctic experience as penguins and krill. All the great explorers have braved the Drake Passage. It is a most fitting end to your Antarctic quest.

Accommodations: Multanovskiy or Akademik Shokalskiy

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

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; 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 this Antarctica Cruise, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. 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 the purchase of Trip Cancellation insurance.

Qualifications: This trip is available to any traveler with a love of nature and sense of adventure.

To Extend Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about any pre or post trip extensions.

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.