Antarctica – Peninsula and South Shetlands
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Overview
Expedition cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands aboard the USHUAIA.
Our Classic Antarctic adventure cruises on board the USHUAIA offer the ultimate introduction to the White Continent. Visit the last pristine region of the world. Land at penguin colonies and research stations and observe various different species of whales, seals, penguins, and seabirds. You will often make two landings a day via our fleet of zodiac craft.
Highlights
Visited Places:
Ushuaia
Drake Passage
Antarctic Peninsula
South Shetland Islands
Travel Experience:
- Spectacular variety of seabirds and amazingly busy
penguin colonies - Unique abundance of seals and magnificent whales
- Beautifully shaped icebergs and glaciers
- Historic places and currently-active research stations
6 Reasons To Book This Trip
1. Affordable Adventure – Traveling with a like-minded group is not only fun but also it’s cost-effective instead of traveling solo.
2. Forget About The Planning – We take care of permits, transportation, and logistics, so all you have to do is show up.
3. Shared Photos – At the end of every trip we will have a google photo album where we share our wonderful tour pictures. We can also share to this website and multiply the memories!
4. Make New Friends – On every trip you will meet new people, it’s a good opportunity to make friends for your life while enjoying the group event.
5. Group Leader – Event organizer will be there every step of the way, making sure that the trip goes as smoothly as possible.
6. Unforgettable Memories – All events are designed keeping in mind to have an unforgettable memory of your lifetime.
Notes
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
Argentina
Flights
- Arrival: Day01 before 6pm (Flexible)
- Return: Day11 anytime after 2pm
Airport: Ushuaia (-Malvinas Argentinas Intl. (USH)
Meeting Point
- The group meets at the arrival airport or at the hotel on Day01.
- More details will be provided via group chat on WhatsApp
Availability
- Seat available till the booking is open!
- Balance due 2 months before the tour departure date!
* Minimum number of members requires for all group tour. Please confirm with the organizer before any flight booking!
Itinerary
Ushuaia

Description:
Welcome to Ushuaia, Argentina. On arrival get the transfer to the hotel. Today is a free day to explore the area at your leisure. Ushuaia is a resort town in Argentina. It’s located on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the southernmost tip of South America, nicknamed the “End of the World.” The windswept town, perched on a steep hill, is surrounded by the Martial Mountains and the Beagle Channel. It’s also the gateway to Antarctica.
Activities Included:
- Free time
Accommodation:
- Hotel in Ushuaia
Depart from Ushuaia

Description:
Embark the USHUAIA 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.
Activities Included:
-
Sailing
Meals Included:
- As per the itinerary
Accommodation:
- Cruise
Crossing the Drake Passage

Description:
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, Antarpply Expeditions’ 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 USHUAIA’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 Capt. 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.
Activities Included:
-
Sailing
Meals Included:
- As per the itinerary
Accommodation:
- Cruise
Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands

Description:
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 breathtaking.
King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, features colonies of nesting Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins, Kelp Gulls, Blue-eyed Cormorants, Antarctic Terns, and Southern Giant Petrels and is home to scientific bases of many different countries. 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 incredible wide variety of wildlife. Apart from penguins and seabirds you are very likely to see Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals as well as Minke, killer (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. We plan to make at least two landings per day and possible landing sites may include:
Paradise Bay is perhaps the most aptly named place in the world and we attempt a landing on the continent proper. After negotiating the iceberg-strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound, we hope to visit the bustling Adélie Penguin (over 100,000 pairs breed here) and Blue-eyed Cormorant colonies on Paulet Island. The Nordenskjöld expedition built a stone survival hut here in 1903. Today its ruins have been taken over by nesting penguins.
Further exploration may take you to the Melchior Island group, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island, and if ice conditions permit, to Petermann Island for a visit to the southernmost colony of Gentoo Penguins.
Activities Included:
-
Sailing
Meals Included:
- As per the itinerary
Accommodation:
- Cruise
Drake Passage, northbound

Description:
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.
Activities Included:
-
Sailing
Meals Included:
- As per the itinerary
Accommodation:
- Cruise
Arrival in Ushuaia

Description:
We arrive at the port of Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark the USHUAIA after breakfast.
Please note: The above itinerary is a guide only. Our exact route and program will vary to take the best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife. Changes will be made by the Captain and/or Expedition Leader to facilitate the best results from the prevailing conditions. A daily program sheet will be issued on board. Flexibility is the key to success.
Activities Included:
-
Sailing
Meals Included:
- As per the itinerary
Inclusions
Price Includes
- 1 Night hotel stay in USHUAIA
- Voyage aboard the USHUAIA as indicated in the itinerary.
- Standard Twin cabin (Upper / Lower birth)
- Standard Triple Cabin (Upper / Lower birth)
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the USHUAIA.
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by zodiac.
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
- Detailed post-expedition log.
Price Excludes
- International flights (From/to home)
- Travel Insurance
-
Personal nature expenses on board such as bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages are not included. We suggest that you bring at least US$300 (in small bills).
Your account must be settled prior to disembarkation in cash (U.S. Dollar and Euro). We accept only MasterCard and American Express for charges over US$100. However, we can not accept gratuities by credit card.
*The customary gratuity to the ship’s service personnel is made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage and is divided among the crew. As a generally accepted guideline, we suggest US$15 per person per day.
Tour Information
Route
FAQ
I'm a solo traveler, can I still join the tour?
Yes of course, As all our tours are for solo travelers. You will travel with like-minded and fun-loving people who like to explore new destinations and activities like yourself.
I want to join with my partner or friends; is it possible?
No condition for fun! You can always join the group tours with anyone by your side either your partner or a group of crazy friends. We make sure to arrange accommodation and all other activities accordingly. Do you want to know the lined-up list of tours; please check our tour finder section for more details.
I am travelling solo, do I have to pay single supplement?
No. All trip prices are based on double occupancy rooms. You will be paired with another solo traveler of the same gender to share the accommodation. If you enrolled with another person, you’ll room with that person. Although single supplement option is available if you prefer a room for yourself. If you are interested in a single room please select the single supplement package while booking.
What are the accommodation options?
We offer luxurious hotels, budgeted motels, spontaneous camps, handy lodges and every other possibility at your destination.
What is cancellation policy?
If you cancel your booking cancellation fees could apply. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation of the cancellation. If you cancel a trip:
More than 60 days prior to departure you will receive a full refund less deposit amount
Between 45 to 60 days prior to departure we will retain the deposit or 50% of the amount paid (whichever is greater)
Less than 45 days prior to departure we receive the right to not refund any of the costs paid
Do I need a Travel Medical insurance?
Yes, Travel insurance is required for all international trips. Insurance covers (and reimburses you) for things like trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay, lost or delayed baggage, medical coverage, medical evacuation, etc.
Reviews

- “
Truly one of the best trips I’ve ever had. It was my first time ever doing a solo trip. Himanshu gave us an itinerary and a list of good traveling tips for Egypt months in advance. He is very organized and responsive so I never had any concerns. Everything was already taken care of. All I had to do was show up. The scenes in Egypt were breathtaking and I saw places that I never thought I’d see.
James U CalizaireUnited States - “
Had a great time in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. Land in Salt Lake City & the rest of the trip is taken care by BLGT.. you have absolutely nothing to worry about.. logistics, campsite booking, tickets, planning is all done by them. We had a great guide with us through out the trip. Would definitely be going with BLGT in future.
Priyanka RkUnited States - “
The trip was to the Galapagos and it was wonderful Quito was also a beautiful City.
Graciela MontaniUnited States - “
This was a trip of a lifetime, been wanting to do this for a long time. All planning done right and price was great can’t wait for my next trip, unfortunately I can only do one a year
SlatorvatorUnited States - “
Had a great experience through BLGT recently in Alaska; appreciated the trip leaders’ ability to handle logistics so you could focus on the experience and having fun. It was just like traveling with a group of friends, with the added bonus of the itinerary being all taken care of.
Asma MadadUnited States



















