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Antarctic Peninsula Expedition

Combining great value and consistently high customer feedback, this popular 10-day voyage is a perennial favourite, and justly so. You’ll spend 4 full days exploring Antarctica, sailing aboard a small 90-passenger vessel renowned for its friendly Latino staff and delicious desserts.

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Antarctic Peninsula Expedition

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Trip type

Antarctic Peninsula

Trip length

10 Days

From

$4,860

Ship Comfort

Expedition

Antarctic Peninsula Expedition - 10 Days - $4,860

Trip Summary and Itinerary Map

  • 4 full days in Antarctica = 10 planned ‘off ship’ excursions
  • Wide range of departure dates to choose from
  • Only 90 passengers allows everyone to do landings together
  • No camping or kayaking, only zodiac excursions and landings (2 per day in Antarctica)
  • We like the fact that this ship is owner managed and its distinctive Latino style

Start from Ushuaia and end at Ushuaia

Landmarks potentially visited on Antarctic Peninsula Expedition

Operator's Itinerary

Day 1: Depart from Ushuaia

Embark your vessel in the afternoon and meet your expedition and lecture staff. After you have settled into your cabins we sail along the famous Beagle Channel and the scenic Mackinlay Pass.


Day 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passage

Named after the renowned explorer, Sir Francis Drake, who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar water sinks beneath the warmer northern waters. This creates a great upwelling of nutrients, which sustains the biodiversity of this region. The Drake Passage also marks the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds.

As we sail across the passage, lecturers will be out with you on deck to help in the identification of an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow in our wake. The ship's open bridge policy allows you to join our officers on the bridge and learn about navigation, watch for whales and enjoy the view. A full program of lectures will be offered as well.

The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands, a group of twenty islands and islets first sighted in February 1819 by Captain William Smith of the brig Williams. With favorable conditions in the Drake Passage, our lecturers and naturalists will accompany you ashore as you experience your first encounter with the penguins and seals on Day 3.


Day 4-7: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands

The South Shetland Islands are a haven for wildlife. Vast penguin rookeries, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and Southern elephant seals make every day spent in this amazing island group unforgettable. Sailing through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island is truly amazing.

King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, features colonies of nesting Adelie and Chinstrap Penguins, Kelp Gulls, Blue-eyed Cormorants, Antarctic Terns and Southern Giant Petrels and is home to scientific bases of many different countries. Macaroni, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins, as well as Elephant seals ,await you at Livingston Island.

The Antarctic Peninsula's remarkable history will provide you with a type of excitement often only associated with the early explorers. You will have plenty of time to explore its amazing scenery, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways, and an incredibly wide variety of wildlife. Apart from penguins and sea birds, you are very likely to see Weddell, Crabeater and Leopard seals as well as Minke, Orca and Humpback whales at close range.

We hope to navigate some of the most beautiful waterways (depending on the ice conditions): the Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel, and the Lemaire Channel, the latter are narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers.


Day 8-9: At Sea crossing the Drake Passage, northbound

We leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Join our lecturers and naturalists on deck as we search for seabirds and whales and enjoy some final lectures. Take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.


Day 10: Arrival in Ushuaia

We arrive at the port of Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark after breakfast.


Additional Note

  • The 7-Feb-2020 departure is 11 days long and spend one more day on the Antarctic Peninsula.

NOTE: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.

Why Swoop

Expert Impartial Advice At No Extra Cost

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Antarctic travel options are complicated. We help you choose the right ship, the right cabin, and at the right point in the season.

A Depth Of Knowledge On Board

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As a team of ex-guides, tour leaders, & polar adventurers our Antarctic knowledge is leagues ahead of the rest.

For The Ends Of The Earth

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Swoop is proud to be B Corp Certified as we know sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).

We’re With You At Every Step

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We’ll make sure you have the adventure of a lifetime.

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What our customers think of Antarctic Peninsula Expedition

Antarctic Peninsula Expedition trips scored 3.8/5 from 3 reviews

The penguins and the whales!

Travelled: February 2021

Kaitlyn Rye -

A wonderful experience.

Travelled: February 2021

Tim (Timothy) Duffy -

The great sightseeing around the Antarctica.

Travelled: December 2019

Anonymous -

Review:

I appreciated the expedition team who were hugely knowledgeable and great company.

Luke Errington Founder, Swoop Antarctica

Prices, Departures and Inclusions

Prices quoted below are per person based on 2 people sharing. Cabin availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information on specific cabin availability.

Single Supplement And Child Policy

For those travelling solo who would like their own cabin, the ship has two dedicated single cabins and a limited number of twin cabins are available for single occupancy. The single supplement is 1.5–2 times the cost of a single berth. Please contact us for details. There is no single supplement for solo passengers willing to share a cabin.

Children aged 10 years old or over are welcome. 

Includes

  • Detailed post-expedition log
  • Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
  • Accommodation and meals during the voyage on full board
  • All shore excursions and zodiac activities
  • Educational lectures by expert onboard polar guides
  • Access to an onboard doctor and basic medical services
  • Loan of rubber boots for the voyage's duration
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information
  • Port taxes and any entry fees to landing sites

Excludes

  • Parka jacket not provided
  • Flights to and from points of embarkation/disembarkation
  • Any additional pre/post land services, including meals
  • Transfers not specified in the itinerary
  • Visa, passport and any vaccination expenses
  • Airport arrival or departure taxes
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Items of a personal nature - laundry, beverages, etc
  • Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage
  • Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)

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