The Great Loop through the Southern Ocean

21-day expedition cruise from and to Ushuaia via the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula

A round trip through the Southern Ocean—by ship there and back

Ship icon

Douglas Mawson | Greg Mortimer

Person icon

Max. 130 passengers

Calendar icon

21 days

From and to Ushuaia

21-day expedition cruise from and to Ushuaia via the Falkland Islands and South Georgia to the Antarctic Peninsula | max. 130 passengers | Return trip through the Drake Passage

King penguin colonies covering an entire beach, albatrosses soaring over the cliffs of the Falkland Islands, pack ice off the Antarctic Peninsula: This expedition cruise combines the three major destinations of the Southern Ocean into one journey. From Ushuaia, the itinerary takes you to the Falkland Islands home to the world's largest black-browed albatross colony, continuing on to South Georgia home to some of the world's largest king penguin colonies and across the Scotia Sea to the Antarctica, where penguin chicks grow up quickly and whales migrate to the krill grounds. The return journey takes us back out to sea through the Drake Passage to Ushuaia.

Continue reading

Depending on the itinerary, your home aboard will be either the Douglas Mawson (built in 2025) or the Greg Mortimer (2019), two sister ships that carry a maximum of 130 passengers. Their Ulstein X-BOW bow cuts through the swell; you board the Zodiacs through dedicated doors at water level, and the expedition team decides each day where to go, depending on wind, weather, and wildlife sightings; the itinerary typically includes two shore excursions or Zodiac outings per day.

The entire round trip takes place at sea: out across the South Atlantic to the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, and back from the South Shetland Islands through the Drake Passage. Weather and time permitting, the captain will sail close to Cape Horn, and on the morning of the last day, the ship will return to Ushuaia via the Beagle Channel.

What awaits you there can be summed up in numbers: More than 200 species of birds and five species of penguins live on the Falkland Islands, and orcas and Peale’s dolphins migrate off the coast. South Georgia, often called the “Galápagos of the South,” is home to about half of the world’s elephant seals, the majority of Antarctic fur seals, and over 30 million breeding pairs of albatrosses and petrels; Ernest Shackleton, whose rescue expedition is inextricably linked to this island, is buried in Grytviken. Six species of seals inhabit the waters off the Antarctic Peninsula, and during the Antarctic summer, humpback and minke whales feed to their hearts’ content in the krill grounds.

For the days before and after the expedition, we recommend staying in Ushuaia to visit Tierra del Fuego National Park and take the historic train to the End of the World, or staying at an eco-camp in Patagonia afterward. Please feel free to contact us; we’ll be happy to put together a customized pre- or post-expedition itinerary for you.

Stephanie Gräf

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: The hotel stay with breakfast in Ushuaia on the first day of the trip and the transfers listed in the itinerary are included in the tour price. International flights to and from Ushuaia are not included; upon request, we can arrange your flights. On the last day of the trip, a transfer will take you to the Ushuaia airport or to a hotel in the city center; please do not book a departure before 12:00 p.m.

Entry Requirements: German citizens need a valid passport to enter Argentina; the Falkland Islands and South Georgia are British Overseas Territories. We will apply for your entry permit for South Georgia on your behalf, and it is included in the tour price. You can find the latest travel and safety advisories from the German Foreign Office for Argentina and the United Kingdom. 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

  • Three destinations in one trip —two days in the Falkland Islands, three in South Georgia, and four on the Antarctic Peninsula, with days at sea across the South Atlantic and the Scotia Sea in between.
  • King Penguin Colonies of South Georgia – Shore excursions to some of the largest king penguin colonies on Earth, on guided hikes among fur seals and elephant seals.
  • From Fortuna Bay to Stromness —a hike with views of the abandoned whaling station and the ship anchored in the bay.
  • Falkland Islands Black-browed Albatrosses —The largest colony on Earth, plus penguin nesting sites, and perhaps afternoon tea with scones in a cottage.
  • Seals on ice floes —Zodiac rides across mirror-smooth water, past the shimmering blue of the icebergs.
  • Antarctic penguin chicks —bustling colonies where chicks hatch and waddle around while skuas circle overhead.
  • Long Days in the South – This far south, it stays light almost around the clock, and your days on the peninsula can be as full as you want them to be.
  • Return journey through the Drake Passage —two days at sea with lectures and seabirds; with a bit of luck, we’ll pass close to Cape Horn, then through the Beagle Channel to Ushuaia.

route

Itinerary map of the trip from and to Ushuaia via the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula

itinerary

From and to Ushuaia, via the islands of the South Atlantic, into the ice of the Antarctic Peninsula

Day 1 | Arrival in Ushuaia

At the southern tip of Argentina, a representative of the expedition team will meet you and take you, along with the other passengers, to the group hotel in Ushuaia. If you are already in the city, you can make your own way there; check-in begins at 3:00 p.m.

The front desk in the hotel lobby is staffed from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: There, you can pick up your luggage tags, sign up for the next day’s excursion to Lago Escondido, and find out where to enjoy a good meal in the evening and pick up anything you may have forgotten. If you arrive after 7:00 p.m., you’ll find a welcome package waiting for you at check-in, and you should come to the desk the next morning between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. The hotel stay is included in the tour price, but meals for that day are not.

The port of Ushuaia with ships against the backdrop of the mountains of Tierra del Fuego
Lago Escondido, nestled among forested mountains in Tierra del Fuego

Day 2 | Lago Escondido and Boarding

After breakfast, drop off your cabin luggage at the front desk with your name and cabin number; it will be taken to the harbor and will already be in your cabin when you board. Ahead of you lies the excursion to Lago Escondido: The road leads northeast through vast, glacially formed valleys and peat bogs, past waterfalls and rivers, up to the Garibaldi Pass. From the lookout point, you’ll look out over Lago Escondido and, on a clear day, all the way to Lago Fagnano, where a traditional Argentine asado awaits you on the shore.

If you’d rather spend the day on your own, meet the group in the hotel lobby or at the parking lot near the pier for the transfer; the ground crew at the hotel will provide the details. Once on board, you’ll settle into your cabin, attend the safety briefings, and stand on deck as the ship sets sail, leaving Ushuaia and the mountains of Tierra del Fuego in its wake. At the welcome dinner, you’ll get to know your fellow travelers, the expedition team, and the crew.

Day 3 | At sea, heading toward the Falkland Islands

The voyage takes us across the South Atlantic, and this day is meant to help you get used to the motion of the sea. The expedition team will prepare you for your first landing: rules for interacting with wildlife, biosafety, and in the lecture hall, the program on the region’s history, wildlife, and environment will begin.

The first sightings of wildlife begin right here. Albatrosses and giant petrels accompany the ship, rising and falling on the updraft created by the hull without a single flap of their wings.

A wandering albatross soars over the Drake Passage
Rockhopper penguin on a Falkland Island
A historic brick building on the harbor promenade in Port Stanley

Days 4 and 5 | Falkland Islands

Two large islands, East and West Falkland, and over 700 smaller ones off the coast, all but seven of which are uninhabited: windswept shores, white sandy beaches, and clear water. The islands serve as refuges for a wide variety of birds, including the world’s largest black-browed albatross colony, and the cold, nutrient-rich waters make them one of the best spots for marine wildlife viewing.

There are usually two shore excursions or Zodiac trips per day. Before each trip into rocky coves and along the cliffs, it’s a good idea to dress warmly; along the way, keep an eye out for seals, sea lions, dolphins, and penguins. On land, you’ll find albatross colonies, penguin nesting sites, and perhaps a traditional English afternoon tea with scones in a cottage. The team decides which coves to visit on a day-to-day basis, depending on wind, weather, and wildlife sightings.

If conditions permit, go ashore in Stanley, the islands’ capital with a distinctly British character: row houses, pioneer huts, a red telephone booth, cafés and pubs, a post office, and the Historic Dockyard Museum with its exhibits on maritime history and connections to Antarctica. Those who have booked an optional activity can participate as soon as conditions permit, and anyone who’s up for it can take the Polar Plunge—a dip into the polar waters.

Days 6 and 7 | At Sea en Route to South Georgia

Between the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, countless seabirds accompany the ship, circling the bow and following in its wake. On deck, it’s worth spending time with binoculars every hour, while in the lecture hall, the team of experts continues its program.

In between, there's time to enjoy the ship itself: a book from the well-stocked library, a workout at the fitness center, or a spot by the floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounge.

Library of the MS Greg Mortimer
Snow-capped peaks and a glacier tongue overlooking the coast of South Georgia

Day 8 | Arrival off the coast of South Georgia

The sea and the weather determine when South Georgia comes into view. When Captain James Cook arrived here in 1775, he believed the island to be the northern tip of a large southern continent. In fact, South Georgia is only 176 kilometers long, but it boasts a 3,000-meter-high, snow-capped mountain range, some of the world’s largest animal gatherings, and a remarkable history.

As the ship approaches, jagged peaks rise steeply from the sea, seabirds circle the ship, and the voyage takes us along the glaciated coastline. If time and weather permit, the ship will pass the Shag Rocks along the way—a group of rugged rocky islets that rise from the sea off the coast of the island.

Days 9 through 11 | South Georgia

For three days, the expedition team uses its local knowledge to plan on a day-to-day basis where the Zodiacs will go and where you will go ashore, always taking into account the weather, sea conditions, and wildlife sightings. The excursions take you into rugged coves and along the rocky coastline in search of nesting penguins, seal rookeries, and bird cliffs; beneath the keel, the fronds of the kelp forests sway back and forth on the water’s surface.

On land, you’ll find yourself among some of the largest king penguin colonies on Earth, take guided hikes through populations of fur seals and elephant seals—keeping your distance and following the guides’ instructions—and follow gravel-bottomed streams and grassy floodplains inland. The itinerary also includes a visit to the ruins of the once-thriving whaling stations and a tribute to Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose survival expedition is inextricably linked to this island. Those who have booked an optional activity can participate as soon as conditions permit.

Between port calls, the ship sails through fjords with towering cliffs and into deeply indented bays, right up to the glacier fronts. Then it’s time to find a spot in the observation lounge or on the bridge—which is open at the captain’s discretion—for an unobstructed view of the coast of South Georgia.

Colony of king penguins with babies
The white whalers' church in Grytviken, set against the mountains of South Georgia
Seals on the beach in front of the former Stromness whaling station in South Georgia

Day 12 | Farewell to South Georgia

The sea and the weather determine when the ship will leave South Georgia. Until then, every hour belongs to the island: one last look out over the bays and mountains before the ship sets course for the Scotia Sea.

Days 13 and 14 | Across the Scotia Sea

On the voyage across the Scotia Sea toward the White Continent, the lectures will prepare you for Antarctica. How you choose to spend the rest of your time at sea is up to you: in the sauna with a view of the sea, in one of the hot tubs on the aft deck, or in the gym.

Sauna on the MS Greg Mortimer
Two passengers on the snow in Wilhelmina Bay, with the expedition ship in the background
A crab-eating seal is lying on an ice floe in Paradise Harbor

Days 15 through 18 | Antarctic Peninsula

On the way to the peninsula, time and weather permitting, the ship follows the coast of Elephant Island, a half-submerged, ice-covered mountain range on the outer edge of the South Shetland Islands. Then comes the first iceberg, the first deep breath of that clear, cold air: the arrival in Antarctica is almost impossible to describe.

For four days, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are open for exploration. This far south, there is nearly 24 hours of daylight, and you can pack as much into each day as you like. Wrapped up warm, you’ll ride in a Zodiac along ice cliffs and through fields of icebergs, keeping an eye out for whales, seals, and penguins leaping out of the water like dolphins. On land, you’ll hike across pebble beaches or up snow-covered ridges to lookouts with mountains above you and an ice-dotted sea below; penguin nesting sites and historic huts line the way.

In between, the ship sails through narrow straits between offshore islands and the mainland or lingers in a bay where whales migrate or feed. And it’s worth keeping your ears open for the crunching and deep rumbling of the glaciers as they calve into the sea.

Days 19 and 20 | Through the Drake Passage

One last landing in the morning on the South Shetland Islands, then the ship sets course for South America and enters the Drake Passage. Lectures and films round out the Antarctic program, and there’s time on deck to take in the Southern Ocean and the seabirds following the ship.

The days at sea are also a time to reflect on what we’ve seen and discuss it with our fellow travelers. As we approach the southern tip of South America, the captain will steer the ship close to Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.

View from the deck of the Greg Mortimer across the wake on the open sea, with a coastline on the horizon
Passengers at the railing look out at the drift ice
The Beagle Channel near Ushuaia, with a ship against a snow-capped mountain backdrop

Day 21 | Disembarkation in Ushuaia

Early in the morning, the ship sails through the Beagle Channel and docks in Ushuaia; disembarkation begins around 8 a.m. You say goodbye to the expedition team and your fellow travelers, carrying with you the sense of the power of nature that these three weeks have left you with.

If your flight departs before 2:30 p.m., you’ll be taken directly to the airport; if your flight is later, you’ll have time to explore Ushuaia before your afternoon transfer. If you’re staying in the region, you’ll be taken to a hotel in the city center. Please don’t book a flight departing before 12:00 p.m. in case the ship’s arrival is delayed.

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. 

activities

Zodiac rides (included)

Passengers in a Zodiac off Salisbury Plain in South Georgia, with fur seals on the shore

The Zodiacs are your gateway to all three destinations: the rocky coves of the Falkland Islands, the cliffs and bird colonies of South Georgia, and the stranded icebergs of the Antarctic Peninsula. The itinerary typically includes two shore excursions or Zodiac trips per day; the expedition team decides where to go based on weather conditions, sea state, and wildlife sightings.

You can board through dedicated doors at water level without long wait times. Included.

Shore Excursions and Hikes (Included)

Hiking group walking through the snow on the trail from Fortuna Bay to Stromness in South Georgia

On land, the guides will lead you to albatross colonies and penguin nesting sites, across the gravel beaches and grassy floodplains of South Georgia, and in Antarctica, up to snow-covered ridges offering views of the ice-dotted sea. The tour operator lists the hike from Fortuna Bay to Stromness, with views of the abandoned whaling station, as one of the highlights of the trip.

The activity level is moderate: daily shore excursions, guided hikes, and outings that require a sure footing on uneven terrain. You can rent rubber boots for the duration of the trip. Included.

Wildlife and Bird Watching (included)

Fur seal near tussock grass on the shore at Godthul in South Georgia

Albatrosses and giant petrels over the South Atlantic; seals, sea lions, dolphins, and penguins in the Falkland Islands; king penguins, fur seals, and elephant seals in South Georgia; whales, seals, and growing penguin chicks on the Antarctic Peninsula: Binoculars and wildlife guides are available on board, and the expedition team’s naturalists are on deck to answer your questions.

Every sighting is a matter of luck; there are no guarantees in the Southern Ocean. Inclusive.

Polar Plunge (included)

A woman jumps into the Arctic Ocean

At some point, the command is given—perhaps for the first time in the Falkland Islands: Polar Plunge. Those who dare jump into the polar waters; the rest watch from the deck.

Afterward, you can warm up in the sauna or in the heated pool on the aft deck. Included, weather permitting.

Lectures and Citizen Science (included)

Lecture Room on the MS Greg Mortimer

On the days at sea, the experts on the expedition team explain the region’s history, wildlife, and environment—from Captain Cook’s mistake to Shackleton’s survival voyage to the krill grounds where the whales end their migration.

In the lecture room and on deck, you can watch the team as they conduct their ongoing observations. Included.

Sea kayak (for an additional fee)

Kayaking off MS Greg Mortimer

Antarctica is closest from the water: The sea kayak group, limited to 20 participants, typically paddles twice a day, accompanied by a safety Zodiac and one guide for every ten paddlers. The kayak excursions replace the regular shore excursions; each spot is reserved for one person.

Ages 14 and up. Additional charge applies.

Snorkeling (for an additional fee)

A group of snorkelers in dry suits near an ice floe

Polar snorkeling has been part of the program since 2014: Up to 16 participants glide through ice-cold water in dry suits; the excursions last 20 minutes to one hour, and the guides have over 20 years of experience. Dry suits, gloves, hoods, fins, masks, and snorkels are provided.

Participants must be strong swimmers; minimum group size is six; ages 14 and up. Additional fee applies.

Snowshoeing (for an additional fee)

A hiker wearing snowshoes and carrying poles in a snowstorm in Antarctica

With snowshoes and poles that are provided, you can reach scenic overlooks beyond the landing sites. No prior experience is necessary; the orientation takes no more than half an hour, and one guide accompanies ten participants. On average, there are six or more outings per trip, each lasting up to three hours.

Ages 14 and up. Additional charge applies.

Paddling (for an additional fee)

Kayakers in front of an iceberg

Small, muscle-powered boats, usually in conjunction with a landing and close to the coast: The paddling program has its own safety Zodiac and radio contact with the bridge; a dry bag is provided.

Ages 14 and up. Additional charge applies; the surcharge is non-refundable.

Camping (for an additional fee)

Tent camp on the Antarctic ice at Portal Point

A night on the Antarctic ice: Sleeping pads and thermal sleeping bags are provided, and the expedition team knows the best spots. This far south, the sun sets only briefly; instead of a starry sky, there’s a long sunset that blends into the sunrise. People don’t get much sleep—most come for the silence and the penguins within earshot—but there’s time for a nap the next day.

For an additional charge.

 

DATES & PRICES

Request your trip here!

Information

Included services:

  • All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary
  • One night's hotel stay with breakfast in Ushuaia on Day 1
  • Trip to Lago Escondido with an Argentine asado on Day 2
  • Accommodations in the booked cabin with daily cabin service
  • All meals, snacks, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and juices on board
  • Premium spirits, cocktails, beer, wine, and liqueurs during the trip
  • Farewell reception for the captain featuring a four-course meal, house cocktails, house beer and wine, and non-alcoholic beverages
  • All shore excursions and Zodiac trips
  • Presentations and guided tours by 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
  • Detailed travel documents before departure
  • Port fees, permits, and landing fees, including the entry permit for South Georgia
  • Wi-Fi on board; the connection may be unreliable in remote areas

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 available for an extra charge: sea kayaking, snorkeling, snowshoeing, paddling, and camping
  • Personal expenses such as laundry service, the onboard shop, telephone, minibar, and medical treatment beyond the initial consultation
  • Tips for the crew and expedition team: $20 per person per day will be charged to your onboard account and can be adjusted when you settle your bill. 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 baggage, trip cancellation, and trip interruption, as well as repatriation and emergency evacuation, with a minimum coverage of $250,000; the insurance details must be submitted before the final payment is made.
  • 90 days before departure, you will receive a medical questionnaire, which must be returned no later than 45 days before departure; a medical certificate confirming your fitness to travel may also be required.
  • On the last day of the trip, the ship arrives in Ushuaia early in the morning; please do not schedule your departure before 12:00 p.m. so that any delay in arrival will not cause any problems.
  • The additional activities offered vary by trip; sea kayaking is included on all of them.
  • In South Georgia, some landing sites may be temporarily closed due to avian flu; however, landings at numerous open sites remain possible, and the expedition team assesses each site individually.
  • For each additional activity, a deposit of 250 in the booking currency per person is due at the time of booking; currency exchange on board is not available.
  • Bookable for ages 6 and up; travelers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult throughout the entire expedition.

Your ship during the voyage

The Douglas Mawson in the polar landscape

Her ship: Douglas Mawson

Click here for deck plans, cabin categories, facts & figures
> View here

The Greg Mortimer in Antarctica

Your Ship: Greg Mortimer

Click here for deck plans, cabin categories, facts & figures
> View here

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Ushuaia, and how do I leave?

The trip begins and ends in Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Argentina. On the first day of the trip, a representative of the expedition team will meet you at the airport and take you to the group hotel; the overnight stay with breakfast is included in the tour price. On the last day, the ship will enter the Beagle Channel early in the morning, and disembarkation will begin around 8 a.m. If your flight departs before 2:30 p.m., you’ll be taken directly to the airport; for later flights, you’ll have time to explore Ushuaia before the transfer in the afternoon. Those staying in the region will be taken to a hotel in the city center. Please do not book your departure flight before 12:00 p.m. to ensure that any delays in the ship’s arrival do not cause any issues. International flights are not included; upon request, we can assist with flight planning.

Do I need a visa for Argentina, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia?

German citizens are required to have a valid passport to travel to Argentina. The Falkland Islands and South Georgia are British overseas territories; we will apply for the electronic entry permit for South Georgia on your behalf, and it is included in the tour price. You can find the latest entry requirements on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office; regulations may vary for other nationalities. Please feel free to contact us.

What can I expect in South Georgia and on the Antarctic Peninsula?

In South Georgia, king penguins, fur seals, and elephant seals fill the beaches, and the hikes lead through tussock grass and across glacial plains to the colonies. On the Antarctic Peninsula, this far south, there is nearly 24 hours of daylight; in the colonies, penguin chicks are growing up, whales are completing their migration to the krill grounds, and seals are resting on the ice floes. Even during the bright season, it can be bitterly cold on deck and in the Zodiac, so warm layers are a must every day.

What animals will I see on this trip?

In the South Atlantic, albatrosses and giant petrels accompany the ship. The Falkland Islands are home to the world’s largest black-browed albatross colony, as well as penguin nesting sites, seals, sea lions, and dolphins. In South Georgia, you’ll visit some of the world’s largest king penguin colonies and go on guided hikes past fur seals and elephant seals. On the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ll look out for whales, seals, and penguins from a Zodiac. Which animals you actually see depends on the weather, ice conditions, and the time of year; there is no guarantee of seeing specific species.

What clothes and gear do I need?

You’ll receive a waterproof 3-in-1 fleece jacket on board that you can keep, and you can borrow rubber boots for shore excursions for the duration of the trip. Even north of the Antarctic Convergence, it can get quite chilly, so be sure to bring several warm layers for your daily time on deck and in the Zodiac. Specialized equipment is provided for the optional activities: sea kayaking, snorkeling, snowshoeing, and paddling. Before departure, you’ll receive detailed travel documents including a packing list, health guidelines, and environmental regulations for the areas you’ll be visiting.

How fit do I need to be for this trip?

The activity level is moderate: daily shore excursions by Zodiac, guided hikes, and excursions, some of which involve uneven terrain. You should be in good overall physical condition and able to walk reasonable distances; those who have difficulty walking on uneven ground can explore the coastline more closely from the Zodiac. Please report any physical limitations well in advance of departure. Ninety days before departure, you will receive a medical questionnaire, which must be returned no later than 45 days before departure; a medical certificate may also be required.

What is the return journey through the Drake Passage like?

After a final stop on the South Shetland Islands, the ship sets course for South America. The two days at sea in the Drake Passage are filled with lectures and films by the expedition team, and there’s also time on deck to watch the albatrosses and petrels following the ship. Weather and time permitting, the captain steers the ship close to Cape Horn. The Ulstein X-BOW bow of the Douglas Mawson and the Greg Mortimer cuts through the swell, making for a smoother crossing. On the morning of the 21st day, the ship sails through the Beagle Channel to Ushuaia.

Is this trip suitable for solo travelers?

Solo travelers are warmly welcome on our trips. Single cabins are also available for those traveling alone. Please feel free to contact us—we’ll find the right solution for you. If you do not wish to book a single cabin, shared cabin accommodations are available on board. In this case, you’ll be accommodated with other travelers of the same gender and possibly of a different nationality. There are no single-occupancy surcharges for this arrangement. For single occupancy of a cabin, the surcharge is 50 percent of the double-occupancy rate; for the two suites, it is 100 percent. The triple cabin cannot be booked for single occupancy. A diverse mix of passengers is typical on board, and the group shore excursions and lecture program help foster social interaction.

Further Antarctic voyages

from
32.930 €
33.386 €

Among the King Penguins of South Georgia

20-day expedition cruise from Ushuaia to the Albatross Rocks in the Falkland Islands and across the Scotia Sea to the ice of the Antarctic Peninsula
about the trip
from
18.904 €
18.101 €

Midsummer in the Antarctic Ice

An 8- or 10-day expedition cruise along the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, featuring Zodiac excursions to penguin colonies, whales, and seals
about the trip
from
14.909 €
14.276 €

Penguin chicks in the Antarctic midnight sun

10-day expedition cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula featuring Zodiac rides through pack ice, leopard seals, and a return flight via the Drake Passage
about the trip
Starting at
12.135 €

Kingdom of Kings | Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica

This 21-day expedition takes you to the Falkland Islands, king penguins, and the calving ice of the Antarctic Peninsula
about the trip
Starting at
18.713 €

Antarctic Expedition | From Expedition Ship to Sailing Yacht

20-day tour of the Antarctic Peninsula aboard two ships, including five nights on a polar sailing yacht in secluded bays
about the trip
from
17.695 €
15.041 €

Falkland Islands and South Georgia

19-day expedition cruise to the king penguin colonies of South Georgia, albatrosses, and Shackleton's grave in Grytviken
about the trip
Starting at
64.055 €

World premiere: Complete circumnavigation of Antarctica in 2028 | Le Commandant-Charcot

27/31-day Antarctic expedition from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, to Lyttelton, east coast of New Zealand's South Island, or vice versa.
about the trip
Starting at
10.400 €

Aurora Australis – Northern Lights beneath the Antarctic Circle | MS Ortelius |...

12 days (11 nights) Antarctic expedition: Discover the deep south beyond the Arctic Circle
about the trip
Starting at
9.711 €

Departure for the Antarctic Circle

12-day active expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula and across the Arctic Circle with landings at penguin colonies & kayaking in pack ice
about the trip
Starting at
7.110 €

To the whales and penguins in Antarctica

11-day Antarctic expedition with plenty of activities, such as kayaking, snowshoeing, trekking, and photography, plus a camping option
about the trip
Starting at
5.761 €

Pure Antarctica for active explorers

10 days on a classic route to the Antarctic Peninsula with many inclusive activities such as kayaking, camping, trekking, and photography
about the trip
from
44.895 €
38.161 €

East Antarctica: Ross Sea Odyssey (departing from Tasmania)

26-Day Expedition to Emperor Penguins and Scott's Hut, Including New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands
about the trip