Best of Antarctica’s Whale Season is a 12-day expedition from Ushuaia to Ushuaia, including 10 nights on board, timed around Antarctica’s peak whale spotting season. After beginning in Ushuaia, the voyage crosses the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands, where volcanic landscapes, mountains and glaciers provide a setting for potential encounters with Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, Elephant seals, Fur seals and Humpback whales. The expedition then continues to the Antarctic Peninsula to navigate bays, channels and wildlife-rich waters among icebergs, with an extra day dedicated to experiencing the region during Humpback whale feeding season as the whales gather to feed on abundant krill. Orcas and Minke whales are also described as common sightings during this period, while exploration may include historic landing sites and potentially an active scientific base.
12 Day Antarctica Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Time to Explore Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia, where guests are welcomed at the airport and transferred to one of Polar Latitudes’ partnered premium hotel resorts in Patagonia. After reaching the hotel, the remainder of the day is available for relaxing or independently exploring Ushuaia. An optional evening briefing is also offered, providing guests with an opportunity to ask questions about the expedition and meet fellow travelers before embarkation. This arrival day allows time to settle in and prepare for the journey before boarding the expedition vessel the following afternoon and beginning the voyage toward Antarctica.
Meals Included: Lunch / Dinner
Day 2: Embarkation and Departure for Antarctica
Enjoy the morning in Ushuaia before embarkation. Guests may choose to relax at the hotel, visit a museum or explore the city’s shops. During the mid-afternoon, guests are escorted to the ship, where the Expedition Team and ship staff provide a welcome aboard. Safety and orientation briefings follow, introducing important procedures for the voyage ahead. With preparations complete, the expedition begins its journey toward Antarctica. The first evening aboard concludes with the Captain’s welcome dinner, marking the official start of the Antarctic voyage and the upcoming crossing of the Drake Passage.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage
Spend two days crossing the Drake Passage en route to Antarctica. During the voyage south, Polar Experts present educational programs focused on Antarctic wildlife and history, helping guests gain additional context for the destinations and environments ahead. Guests can also participate in the Citizen Science program or spend time observing wildlife from aboard the ship. Seabirds may accompany the vessel during the crossing. As the expedition continues south, the ship crosses the Antarctic Convergence and enters colder Antarctic waters, bringing guests closer to the South Shetland Islands and the first days of Antarctic exploration.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5-6: Wildlife and Landscapes of the South Shetland Islands
Explore the South Shetland Islands, an archipelago of 12 islands separated from the Antarctic Peninsula by the Bransfield Strait. Volcanic activity has shaped this region, creating landscapes characterized by mountains and glaciers. Wildlife encounters may include Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, as well as Elephant seals and Fur seals. The timing of the voyage also coincides with Humpback whale feeding season, adding opportunities for whale encounters during exploration. These two days introduce guests to Antarctica’s landscapes and wildlife before the expedition continues across the surrounding waters toward the Antarctic Peninsula.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7-9: Antarctic Peninsula and Whale Encounters
Spend three days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, navigating through bays, channels and wildlife-rich waters surrounded by icebergs. Expedition plans may include visits to historic landing sites and potentially an active scientific base, depending on the itinerary and expedition operations. Whale observation is a defining focus during this portion of the voyage. The expedition is timed for a period when Humpback whales gather to feed on the abundance of krill, and an extra day is dedicated to experiencing Antarctica during this feeding season. Orcas and Minke whales are also described as common sightings, while different species of penguins and seals may be encountered throughout the Peninsula exploration.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 10-11: Return Across the Drake Passage
Turn north and begin the return journey across the Drake Passage after completing the expedition’s exploration of the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. These final days at sea mark the transition from Antarctic exploration back toward Ushuaia. As the voyage approaches its conclusion, guests gather aboard the ship for a special slideshow recalling the experiences of the expedition. A final meal together provides another opportunity to reflect on the journey, including the wildlife encounters, Antarctic landscapes and whale-focused exploration experienced during the voyage.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 12: Disembarkation in Ushuaia
Arrive back in Ushuaia and disembark the expedition vessel during the morning, bringing the 12-day journey to an end. After leaving the ship, guests can continue to the airport for a flight to Buenos Aires or remain in Ushuaia for additional sightseeing and activities. The morning marks the conclusion of an expedition that began in Ushuaia, crossed the Drake Passage and explored the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula during peak whale spotting season before returning across the Drake Passage to its original departure point.
Meals Included: Breakfast
+12
12 Day Antarctica Itinerary Includes
- Certified Emergency MD and onboard Medical Clinic
- World-class international cuisine in the ship’s restaurant
- Expert expedition lecture program
- Fleet of Zodiacs for shore landings and wildlife cruising
- Complimentary in-cabin refreshments (soft drinks, juice & sparkling water)
- Voyage photographer
- Dedicated passenger service manager
- Wi-Fi access throughout the ship
12 Day Antarctica Itinerary Does not Include
- International and domestic airfare.
- Pre- and post-expedition hotel accommodation unless specifically stated in the itinerary.
- Passport, visa, and entry-related expenses.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Optional activities or excursions not included in the selected expedition package.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, spa treatments, and purchases from the onboard shop.
- Premium alcoholic beverages and other drinks not included in the voyage package.
- Gratuities for the crew and Expedition Team.
- Any services or transfers not specifically mentioned as included.
12 Day Antarctica Itinerary Highlights
- Travel during Antarctica’s peak whale spotting season.
- Benefit from an extra day focused on whale encounters.
- Look for Humpback whales feeding on abundant krill.
- Opportunities to encounter Orcas and Minke whales.
- Explore the South Shetland Islands.
- Navigate the bays, channels and wildlife-rich waters of the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Cross the Drake Passage in both directions.
- Experience landscapes of glaciers, mountains and Antarctic icebergs.
- Look for Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins.
- Possible encounters with Elephant seals and Fur seals.
- Explore using Zodiacs for shore landings and wildlife cruising.
- Attend expedition lectures presented by Polar Experts.
- Participate in the Citizen Science program.
- Photography Coach activities.
- Potential visits to historic landing sites and an active scientific base.
Itinerary Map
12 Day Antarctica cruise activities
Under full instruction from your sea kayaking guide, experience true tranquillity as you paddle through clinking ice floes and realise the enormity of the surrounding scenery. Look out for breaching whales, lounging seals and penguins zipping alongside your kayak. Some experience is required.
Camp out on the ice and experience the silence which blankets the continent by night. This is your chance to completely connect with this ethereal ice world – wrap up warm and embrace the Antarctic elements.
Get a spring in your step when you slip on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. Enabling you to easily scale gentle slopes, this unique activity allows you to access hard to reach places and seek out the most impressive views.
Learn to capture wildlife and landscape shots in a small group photography program, including critiquing sessions and editing classes. Plus, Explorer Boat excursions with a dedicated photography expert on landings.
Achieve the best views and photographs from a forward facing Explorer Boats. They allow you to sit comfortably and securely while crackling through the ice-strewn waters. Look out for wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales as you cruise.
It doesn’t get more serene than complimentary yoga classes to the tune of glacial scenery. Join the most unique exercise setting in the world after a day of exploration. Classes are regular but are dependent on weather conditions and swell.
Animals you might see on this itinerary
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Best of Antarctica’s Whale Season
From USD 11400,00
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