Where the Ice Sets the Schedule
Douglas Mawson
Max. 130 passengers
9 or 10 days
from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas
from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
9- or 10-day expedition cruise from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas or vice versa | Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands | max. 130 passengers | Outbound or return flight via the Drake Passage
+++ Up to 15% early-bird discount on new bookings +++ Limited availability +++
The Drake Passage On this expedition cruise, you'll cross the ocean in only one direction: on the way there, aboard the Douglas Mawson, returning by charter flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas, in about an hour and 45 minutes. What you gain from this are four full days of exploration at the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, in the middle of the Antarctic summer, when the light barely fades.
Continue reading
The Douglas Mawson, built in 2025, carries a maximum of 130 passengers on its expeditions. Zodiac trips are typically made twice a day, either to shore or among the icebergs; the expedition team decides on a day-to-day basis where to go, based on the weather, ice conditions, and the best opportunities for wildlife sightings. On board, guests will find a lecture hall, a citizen science center, a sauna, a heated outdoor pool, and two hot tubs.
On land, trails lead to penguin colonies and historic huts; from the Zodiac, you’ll have the chance to spot leopard seals on the ice floes; and in the bays, humpback and minke whales feast on the abundant krill. On days at sea, albatrosses and giant petrels accompany the ship, while the lecture series provides an introduction to the history, wildlife, and environment of Antarctica.
Much is already included in the tour price: one night’s hotel stay in Ushuaia before embarkation and one in Punta Arenas after the return flight, all transfers mentioned in the itinerary, the charter flight, all shore excursions and Zodiac rides, a waterproof 3-in-1 polar jacket to keep, and rental rubber boots for the duration of the trip.
You can extend your trip before or after your Antarctic cruise: spend two days in Ushuaia, at the Patagonia Eco Camp near Punta Arenas, or in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile; Santiago, Valparaíso, Buenos Aires, and the Iguazú Falls are also available as extension options. Please feel free to contact us—we’ll be happy to put together a customized pre- or post-cruise itinerary for you.
Stephanie Gräf
Travel expert, inventia | Travel beyond the ordinary
Specialist in travel to the Arctic and Antarctic.
I am your contact person for questions and bookings relating to the Arctic and Antarctic, and I am delighted that you are one of the few people who are traveling to the ends of the earth.
You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de
Good to know
Arrival and Departure: One night’s hotel stay with breakfast in Ushuaia prior to embarkation and another in Punta Arenas after the return flight are included in the tour price, as are all airport transfers listed in the itinerary. International flights to Ushuaia and from Punta Arenas are not included; upon request, we can arrange your flights. We would be happy to put together pre- and post-tour itineraries for you in Argentina and Chile.
Entry Requirements: German citizens need a valid passport to enter Argentina and Chile. You can find the latest travel and safety advisories from the Federal Foreign Office for Argentina and Chile. Regulations may vary for other nationalities. Please feel free to contact us.
Onboard Currency: The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar. All expenses are charged to your onboard account and settled at the end of the voyage by credit card or in cash in U.S. dollars.
Note for solo travelers: If you do not request a single cabin, you may be accommodated in a shared cabin on board. In this case, you will be accommodated with other travelers of the same gender and possibly of a different nationality. No single cabin surcharge will apply.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Just one Drake Passage crossing at sea —you’ll take a boat on the way there, and fly back from King George Island to Punta Arenas in about an hour and 45 minutes.
- Zodiac Tours Through Break-up Ice – Through quiet coves, past massive glaciers and icebergs in every shade of blue.
- Newly hatched penguin chicks – The events in January take place during the weeks when the chicks hatch in the colonies.
- Leopard seals from the Zodiac —On the drifting ice floes, you’ll have the chance to encounter the peninsula’s hunters.
- Humpback and minke whales – In the krill-rich waters around the peninsula, you can watch the whales feeding.
- 18 to 24 hours of daylight —this far south, it hardly ever gets dark in January, and you can pack as much into your days as you like.
- Polar Plunge – When conditions are right, the brave souls take the plunge into the polar waters, and afterward, the sauna on board awaits.
- True single cabins – Six cabins in two categories are designed for solo travelers, and there is no single-occupancy surcharge.
route
itinerary
From Ushuaia to the Antarctic Peninsula and back by plane
Day 1 | Arrival in Ushuaia
In Ushuaia, you’ll be greeted and taken to your hotel; check-in is available starting at 3:00 p.m. In the afternoon, the expedition team’s reception desk opens in the lobby: Between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., you can pick up your luggage tags, ask any questions you may have, and let them know if you’d like to join the tour the next morning before boarding. If you arrive later, you’ll find a welcome package waiting for you at check-in.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. The hotel stay with breakfast is included in the tour price; the other meals for that day are not.
Please note that we also offer this trip in reverse order. The trip on January 15, 2028, begins in Punta Arenas with a flight across the Drake Passage. At the end of the trip, you’ll return to Ushuaia by ship.
Day 2 | Boarding
After breakfast, drop off your carry-on luggage at the front desk; it will be taken directly to the harbor and will be in your cabin before you board. Those who have chosen the morning tour should meet in the lobby at 8:45 a.m.; everyone else can spend the day as they please until it’s time to head to the pier for boarding.
Once on board, you’ll have time to settle in before the mandatory briefings begin. As we set sail, everyone gathers on deck to look back at Ushuaia and the mountains of Tierra del Fuego. In the evening, you’ll get to know your fellow travelers, the expedition team, and the crew during the welcome dinner.
Days 3 and 4 | Across the Drake Passage
You have two days at sea ahead of you, and your first task is to get accustomed to the motion of the ship. In the lecture hall, the lecture series on the history, wildlife, and environment of Antarctica begins, and the team will prepare you for your first landing by going over the mandatory rules of conduct and biosecurity procedures. Outside, albatrosses and giant petrels accompany the ship; those who wish can use the fitness room, wellness area, or one of the observation lounges.
On the afternoon of the fourth day, you’ll approach the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the peninsula. Below the Antarctic Convergence, the ocean takes on a new look: drifting ice formations appear, and everyone on the observation decks keeps an eye out for the first large iceberg. If time and weather permit, an initial landing attempt will be made in the late afternoon.
Days 5 through 8 | Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
You’ll spend four full days exploring the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Your expedition team knows this coastline well from countless voyages and will determine the day-to-day itinerary based on weather, ice conditions, and the best opportunities for wildlife viewing.
We usually head out twice a day: by Zodiac along ice cliffs and between stranded icebergs, spotting whales, seals, and penguins leaping through the water; ashore to penguin colonies and historic huts, across pebble beaches and up snow-covered ridges to lookouts overlooking the ice-dotted sea. Those who have booked an additional activity will participate in it as soon as conditions permit, and during the Polar Plunge, the brave will take a dip in the polar waters.
In between, the ship navigates the narrow straits between the offshore islands and the mainland or lingers in bays where whales migrate or feed. From the observation lounge and the bridge, you have an unobstructed view, and if you listen closely, you can hear the creaking and deep rumbling of the glaciers as they slide from the summit down to the sea.
Day 9 | Flight to Punta Arenas
Before arriving at the Frei Station on King George Island, it’s time to say goodbye to Antarctica. The charter flight to Punta Arenas takes about an hour and 45 minutes, giving you time to reflect on your experiences. King George Island is one of the most remote places on Earth; takeoff and landing require clear visibility, so delays may occur.
In Punta Arenas, a shuttle will take you to the group hotel, where you'll spend the last night of the trip; breakfast is included.
Day 10 | Departure
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to your fellow travelers. The transfer to the Punta Arenas airport is included in the tour price.
The daily programs described here are for your guidance. The itinerary may vary considerably due to local ice and weather conditions, last-minute permit procedures, and local authorities, but also to respond to current conditions regarding wildlife viewing.Theexpedition leader on board will determine the final itinerary and daily program. Flexibility is of utmost importance during our expedition-style voyages.
Your Cabin On Board
The Douglas Mawson has 86 cabins; on this voyage, there are eleven cabin categories available for booking, each with a porthole, window, or private balcony, including six true single cabins at no extra charge. You can find all floor plans, deck plans, and statistics on the Douglas Mawson website.
activities
Zodiac rides
As soon as the ship drops anchor, the Zodiacs are launched. They take you past ice cliffs, between stranded icebergs, and into quiet coves filled with broken ice—places no larger boat can reach.
From the water, you’ll be closest to the animals: leopard seals on the ice floes, whales and seals in the bays, and penguins leaping through the water alongside the boat. The Zodiacs will also take you ashore to the colonies and historic huts on the peninsula. Included.
Shore Excursions and Hikes
You’ll typically leave the ship twice a day, either for a shore excursion or a Zodiac trip. On land, the trails lead along gravel beaches past penguin colonies, to historic huts, and up snow-covered ridges to lookout points, with mountains above and the ice-speckled sea below.
There are no set routes; the expedition team chooses the landing sites based on weather and ice conditions. The ship provides rubber boots for the duration of the trip. Included.
Polar Plunge
If conditions are right, at some point during the expedition, it's time for the" Polar Plunge." Anyone who wants to can take a full dip in the polar waters, while everyone else watches.
After that, the onboard sauna awaits. Included, weather permitting.
Lectures and Citizen Science
On board, you’ll be accompanied by naturalists and destination experts who will give talks in the lecture hall on topics ranging from history and culture to biology and climate change, always with a view of the places lying ahead of the bow.
At the Citizen Science Center, you can watch the team as they conduct their ongoing observations—and enjoy one of the best views on the ship. Included.
Sea kayak (for an additional fee)
In groups of no more than ten kayakers per guide, you’ll paddle into hidden coves and along stretches of coastline that even Zodiacs can’t reach. Each outing covers 5 to 15 kilometers on the water, usually lasting two to four hours, and often includes a stop ashore so you don’t miss anything on land.
Weather permitting, the kayaking program usually takes place whenever the rest of the passengers are out on the water. Dry suits and kayaking shoes are provided; if you’d like to bring your own dry suit, please check with us in advance. For an additional fee, starting at €1,200 per person.
Snorkeling (for an additional fee)
Antarctica from below: Wearing a dry suit, you glide through icy underwater worlds, past bizarrely shaped ice, and with a little luck, seals and penguins will swim by beneath the surface, along with crustaceans, starfish, and nudibranchs.
Snorkeling takes place in groups of no more than 16 participants, whenever weather and ice conditions permit. All equipment —from dry suits, gloves, and hoods to fins, masks, and snorkels—is provided; no prior experience is required, but you must be a confident swimmer. For an additional fee, starting at €618 per person.
Paddling (for an additional fee)
The gentle beginner’s option, designed specifically for travelers with no prior experience: You’ll paddle in stable sit-on-top kayaks, exclusively in calm conditions and in small groups. You won’t miss out on the regular shore excursions with the rest of the passengers.
In addition to the paddling program, there are individual paddling sessions available for anyone who would like to try the activity first. For an additional fee, starting at €311 per person.
DATES & PRICES
Request your trip here!
Submit questions via email Arrange a callback Call now: +49 201 85890960
or please select your preferred date
January 3, 2028 – January 12, 2028
Starting at €15,927 ; €13,538 per person
10 days/9 nights
MS Douglas Mawson (Maximum occupancy: 140)
Ushuaia, Argentina Punta Arenas, Chile
Optional activities available for an additional fee: kayaking, snorkeling, paddle excursion
Up to 15% early-bird discount on new bookings +++ limited availability +++ does not apply to single cabins +++
January 15, 2028 – January 23, 2028
Starting at €14,948; €12,706 per person
9 days/8 nights
MS Douglas Mawson (Maximum occupancy: 140)
Punta Arenas, Chile Ushuaia, Argentina
Optional activities available for an additional fee: kayaking, snorkeling, paddle excursion
Up to 15% early-bird discount on new bookings +++ limited availability +++ does not apply to single cabins +++
January 31, 2028 – February 9, 2028
Starting at €15,927 ; €13,538 per person
10 days/9 nights
MS Douglas Mawson (Maximum occupancy: 140)
Ushuaia, Argentina Punta Arenas, Chile
Optional activities available for an additional fee: kayaking, snorkeling, paddle excursion
Up to 15% early-bird discount on new bookings +++ limited availability +++ does not apply to single cabins +++
Selected date
January 3, 2028 – January 12, 2028 (10 days/9 nights)
MS Douglas Mawson | Penguin chicks under the Antarctic midnight sun
Aurora Cabin Triple
Aurora Cabin Twin
Aurora cabin single
Aurora Cabin Superior
Aurora Cabin Superior Single
Balcony Cabin Cat. C
Balcony cabin Cat. B
Balcony Cabin Cat. A
Superior Balcony Cabin
Junior Suite
Captain's Suite
cabin
options
| Kayaking (price per person) | ||
| Person(s) | 1 201,00 € | |
| Snorkeling (price per person) | ||
| Person(s) | 618,00 € | |
| Paddling excursion (price per person) | ||
| Person(s) | 311,00 € | |
personal data
By clicking on the "Request now" button, you agree to the Processing of your personal data to complete the reservation.
Summary
optional activities
Selected date
January 15, 2028 – January 23, 2028 (9 days/8 nights)
MS Douglas Mawson | Penguin chicks under the Antarctic midnight sun
Aurora Cabin Triple
Aurora Cabin Twin
Aurora cabin single
Aurora Cabin Superior
Aurora Cabin Superior Single
Balcony Cabin Cat. C
Balcony cabin Cat. B
Balcony Cabin Cat. A
Superior Balcony Cabin
Junior Suite
Captain's Suite
cabin
options
| Kayaking (price per person) | ||
| Person(s) | 1 201,00 € | |
| Snorkeling (price per person) | ||
| Person(s) | 618,00 € | |
| Paddling excursion (price per person) | ||
| Person(s) | 311,00 € | |
personal data
By clicking on the "Request now" button, you agree to the Processing of your personal data to complete the reservation.
Summary
optional activities
Selected date
January 31, 2028 – February 9, 2028 (10 days/9 nights)
MS Douglas Mawson | Penguin chicks under the Antarctic midnight sun
Aurora Cabin Triple
Aurora Cabin Twin
Aurora cabin single
Aurora Cabin Superior
Aurora Cabin Superior Single
Balcony Cabin Cat. C
Balcony cabin Cat. B
Balcony Cabin Cat. A
Superior Balcony Cabin
Junior Suite
Captain's Suite
cabin
options
| Kayaking (price per person) | ||
| Person(s) | 1 201,00 € | |
| Snorkeling (price per person) | ||
| Person(s) | 618,00 € | |
| Paddling excursion (price per person) | ||
| Person(s) | 311,00 € | |
personal data
By clicking on the "Request now" button, you agree to the Processing of your personal data to complete the reservation.
Summary
optional activities
Information
Included services:
- One night's hotel stay with breakfast in Ushuaia on Day 1 (only for trips departing on January 3, 2028, and January 31, 2028)
- Tour in Ushuaia before boarding on Day 2 (only for voyages departing on January 3, 2028, and January 31, 2028)
- Charter flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas on Day 9 (only for trips departing on January 3, 2028, and January 31, 2028)
- One night's hotel stay with breakfast in Punta Arenas on Day 9 (only for trips departing on January 3, 2028, and January 31, 2028)
- One night's hotel stay with breakfast in Punta Arenas on Day 1 (only for the trip starting on January 15, 2028)
- All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodations in the booked cabin with daily cabin service
- All meals, snacks, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and juices on board
- Beer and house wine with dinner
- Farewell reception for the captain featuring a four-course meal, cocktails, spirits, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages
- All shore excursions and Zodiac trips
- Presentations and guidance from the expedition team
- Initial consultation with the ship's doctor and access to the onboard clinic
- A waterproof 3-in-1 fleece jacket worth keeping
- Rental rubber boots for the duration of the trip
- Wi-Fi on board; the connection may be unreliable in remote areas
- Port fees, permits, and landing fees
- Detailed travel documents before departure
Not included:
- International and domestic flights, unless otherwise specified in the itinerary
- Transfers, unless otherwise specified in the itinerary
- Airport Taxes and Fees
- Passports, Visas, Reciprocity Fees, and Vaccinations
- International Health Insurance and the Costs of Medical Evacuation
- Hotel accommodations and meals, unless otherwise specified in the itinerary
- Additional activities for an extra charge: sea kayaking, snorkeling, and paddling
- Personal expenses such as laundry service, the onboard shop, telephone charges, and medical treatment beyond the initial consultation
- Tips for the crew: $15 per person per day will be charged to your onboard account and can be adjusted. For suites, this amount is already included.
Important:
- We recommend arriving one to two days before the trip begins to allow for any flight or baggage delays.
- Travel health insurance with unlimited coverage is mandatory, and proof of coverage must be provided.
- The trip takes you to remote areas without access to advanced medical facilities. People with life-threatening conditions or who require daily medical care cannot participate.
- Expedition language: English. A German-speaking guide is not provided.
- Landings are made via Zodiac and require sure-footedness on uneven terrain; the additional activities require a good level of physical fitness. If you have limited mobility, please contact us before booking.
- We will cancel the trip up to 30 days before departure and notify you by email if the minimum number of 50 participants has not been reached. Such cancellations are extremely rare.
- The insurance coverage must also include medical evacuation.
- The return flight from King George Island requires clear visibility. If the flight is delayed, you will remain on board until takeoff is possible; if it departs a day earlier, you will spend an additional night in Punta Arenas with full board and take a guided tour. If the flight cannot be operated within 72 hours, the ship will take you to Puerto Williams; meals on board are included during this time.
- The crossing through the Drake Passage can involve rough seas. The Douglas Mawson’s Ulstein X-BOW is designed to dampen the ship’s movements.
Your ship during the voyage
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get there and back?
The trip begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, and ends in Punta Arenas, Chile. International flights are not included in the tour price; upon request, we’ll be happy to arrange your flights. Much has already been arranged on site: On the day of your arrival, you will be met in Ushuaia and taken to your hotel. The hotel stay with breakfast is included, as are all transfers listed in the itinerary, the charter flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas, the hotel stay there, and the transfer to the airport on the day of departure.
Do I need a visa?
Why is January a good time to travel to Antarctica?
This trip takes place in the middle of the Antarctic high summer. In the colonies, the penguin chicks have just hatched; in the bays, humpback and minke whales can be seen hunting krill; and with 18 to 24 hours of daylight, the bright evenings on deck stretch deep into the night.
What animals might I see along the way?
During the crossing, albatrosses and giant petrels accompany the ship. On the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ll visit penguin colonies with newly hatched chicks; from a Zodiac, you’ll have the chance to spot leopard seals on the ice floes, as well as seals and, in the bays, humpback and minke whales. Which animals make an appearance depends on the weather and ice conditions; sightings in Antarctica can never be guaranteed.
What should I pack for Antarctica?
You’ll receive a free waterproof 3-in-1 polar expedition jacket on board, and rubber boots for shore excursions will be provided for the duration of the trip. For excursions, we recommend warm, windproof, and waterproof clothing in multiple layers. You’ll receive all the details about the equipment in the comprehensive travel documents you’ll receive before departure.
How fit do I need to be for this expedition?
You should be in good overall physical condition and able to walk reasonable distances, some of which will be over uneven terrain. Those with limited mobility will stay closer to the shore during landings and will still have an unobstructed view of the landscape and wildlife from there. Please inform us of any physical limitations well in advance of departure. Please also note: The trip takes you to remote areas without access to advanced medical facilities; individuals with life-threatening medical conditions or who require daily medical treatment cannot participate.
What happens if the return flight from King George Island can't take off?
Takeoff and landing on King George Island require clear visibility. If the return flight is delayed, you will remain on board the Douglas Mawson until takeoff is possible; meals are included during this time. If the flight takes place one day earlier, you will spend an additional night in Punta Arenas on a full-board basis and go on a guided excursion. If the flight cannot be operated within 72 hours, the ship will take you to Puerto Williams for disembarkation.
Will I be well taken care of as a solo traveler?
Solo travelers are warmly welcome on our trips. Six true single cabins are available on this trip, for which no single cabin supplement applies. If you do not wish to have a single cabin, shared cabin accommodations are available on board. In this case, you will be accommodated with other travelers of the same gender and possibly of a different nationality. No single-occupancy cabin surcharges apply. The expedition atmosphere, featuring group shore excursions and a lecture program, makes it easy to connect with others. Please feel free to contact us—we’ll find the right solution for you.
Snow-capped mountains above Paradise Harbor
Snow-covered mountain landscape at Paradise Harbor | © Matt Horspool
Mountains in the snow beneath a clearing sky
Mountain landscape in the snow against an impressive backdrop of clouds | © Scott Portelli
Iceberg in drifting pack ice
An iceberg in drifting pack ice | © Rolf Stange
A Goal Made of Ice
A Goal Made of Ice | © Matt Horspool
Among the icebergs of Port Charcot
Ice landscape near Port Charcot | © Matt Horspool
Tiny in front of the glacier face
In front of the glacier face | © Adobe Stock
Expedition group in front of the abandoned whaling station
Expedition group in front of an abandoned whaling station | © Matt Horspool
From the Zodiac to the leopard seal on the ice floe
From the Zodiac to the leopard seal on the ice floe | © Michael Martin
Whale's tail against a snow-covered mountain landscape
A whale's fin against a snow-covered mountain landscape | © Derek Oyen
A humpback whale leaping out of the water
Humpback Whale in Antarctica | © Adobe Stock
A leopard seal rests on an ice floe
A leopard seal rests on an ice floe | © Rolf Stange
Two Antarctic fur seals in the snow
Two Antarctic fur seals in the snow on Deception Island | © Matt Horspool
Gentoo Penguin Colony in Front of a Large Iceberg
Gentoo penguin colony in front of a large iceberg | © Shutterstock
Three penguins in front of a large ice wall
Three penguins in front of a large ice wall | © Matt Horspool
Adélie penguins on the ice edge
Adélie penguins on the ice edge | © Scott Portelli
A Portrait of a Zügel Penguin
Portrait of a chinstrap penguin | © Matt Horspool
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