Travel to the Antarctic Peninsula

Daily Life on an Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula

There are no terrestrial mammalian predators on the Antarctic Peninsula—a fact that makes many animals remarkably trusting. Penguins often approach on their own to within a few meters; conversely, you must maintain a minimum distance of 5 meters from wild animals (and more for some species, such as seals). Danger to penguins, however, comes from the air and the water: skuas prey on eggs and chicks, while leopard seals and orcas hunt in the ocean.

With agile Zodiacs, you can reach narrow, ice-clad bays that remain inaccessible to larger ships. Some itineraries combine a stop at Port Lockroy—now a museum and post office under British administration—with a visit to the still-active Ukrainian Vernadsky Research Station: a direct comparison between polar history on display in a museum and ongoing scientific research.

Depending on the expedition, you can also expect:

• Guided hikes at each landing site, led by experts who provide insights into the region’s wildlife, history, and geography.
• Daily lectures by polar experts on topics such as biology, glaciology, and the history of Antarctic research.
• The optional Polar Plunge: a jump into ice-cold water under the supervision of the expedition team; available once per expedition on many trips.
• Paddle tours and stand-up paddleboarding on calm polar waters, suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.
• Professional photography guidance to help you capture the polar landscape and wildlife in the best possible way.

From classic itineraries to round-trip tours: finding the right type of trip

There are many different ways to explore the Antarctic Peninsula—from the classic route along the coast to a multi-week circumnavigation of the entire continent. This diversity is reflected in our travel program:

• A classic cruise through the Drake Passage: past the South Shetland Islands along the west coast of the peninsula.
• Combinations with South Georgia and the Falkland Islands: King penguin colonies and the sub-Antarctic archipelago round out the peninsula itinerary to create a grand tour.
• Weddell Sea Expeditions: a rarely visited, ice-covered region on the eastern side of the peninsula, including some helicopter flights.
• Fly & Cruise: A charter flight across the Drake Passage to King George Island eliminates the need for the sea crossing and shortens the travel time.
• Crossing the Antarctic Circle: for anyone who wants to venture even further south.
• Active expeditions: featuring kayaking, camping, snowshoeing, or mountaineering as integral parts of the trip.

On land and at sea, in addition to penguin colonies, you’ll also encounter elephant seals, fur seals, and Weddell seals, while blue-eyed cormorants, giant petrels, and Antarctic terns fill the skies above the fjords.