Set Foot on the Antarctic Continent
Where conditions allow, step ashore on the Antarctic mainland and experience the scale and silence of the White Continent.
POLAR TRAVEL TRIBETHE CLASSIC FIRST ANTARCTIC JOURNEY
Classic Antarctic Peninsula
The classic ship-based introduction to Antarctica, combining two Drake Passage crossings with flexible landings and Zodiac cruising around the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula.
9–12 days Typical durationNovember–March Travel seasonUshuaia Start and finish
Trip Overview
- Duration
- 9–12 days
- Season
- November–March
- Voyage style
- Ship-based expedition
For many travellers, this is the essential first voyage to Antarctica. Sailing from Ushuaia, the journey crosses the Drake Passage before exploring the South Shetland Islands and the glacier-lined western side of the Antarctic Peninsula. It brings together wildlife, ice, landings, Zodiac cruising and the atmosphere of a true expedition voyage.
No two departures follow exactly the same sequence. The captain and expedition team select each day’s route according to weather, sea ice, wildlife activity, permits and safety, making flexibility part of the experience rather than a compromise.
Why This Route
Penguin Colonies and Marine Wildlife
Visit active penguin colonies and watch for seals, whales and seabirds in their natural environment, with every sighting governed by nature.
Zodiac Cruising Among Ice
Travel close to glacier fronts, sculpted icebergs and sheltered coves in small expedition craft, always at a safe distance.
The Drake Passage Experience
Cross the legendary stretch of ocean linking South America and Antarctica, with seabird watching and expert lectures along the way.
A Choice of Expedition Ships
Compare small and mid-sized expedition vessels according to passenger capacity, cabins, landing flow and onboard style.
Route Map
Ushuaia → Drake Passage → South Shetland Islands → Antarctic Peninsula → Ushuaia
The map shows the main sailing direction. Actual landing sites are selected by the captain and expedition team according to weather, sea ice and safety conditions.
DAY BY DAY
Day by Day
A representative itinerary. The order of landings and cruising is adapted to local conditions.
Day 1
Arrive in Ushuaia
Arrive in the world’s southernmost major port and settle into the city beneath the Martial Mountains. Depending on your voyage, today may include a hotel stay, an expedition briefing, equipment checks and time to explore the waterfront before embarkation.
Day 2
Embarkation in Ushuaia
Board your expedition ship in the afternoon, meet the expedition team and take part in the mandatory safety drill. The ship then follows the Beagle Channel towards the open waters of the Southern Ocean.
Days 3–4
Crossing the Drake Passage
As the ship crosses the Drake Passage, join talks on wildlife, photography, polar history and responsible travel. From the outer decks, watch for albatrosses and petrels and look ahead to the first signs of Antarctic ice.
Days 5–8
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
These days are the heart of the expedition. Guided by the day’s weather, sea ice and safety conditions, the team plans penguin-colony landings, snow walks and Zodiac cruises. Travel between high glaciers, blue icebergs and quiet bays; watch penguins moving between shore and sea, seals resting on ice, and—when nature is generous—humpback whales surfacing or lifting their flukes nearby. Every channel can reveal a completely different Antarctic scene, while exact sites and wildlife encounters always remain subject to local conditions.
Days 9–10
Return Across the Drake Passage
Turn north for the return crossing, continuing to watch for seabirds and whales from deck. Expedition recaps, lectures and time to review photographs help bring the voyage together as South America draws closer.
Day 11
Disembarkation in Ushuaia
Arrive back in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast, saying farewell to the expedition team and fellow travellers. Voyage length varies by departure, so allow comfortable buffer time before onward flights or other travel arrangements.
EXPEDITION SHIPS
Ships Commonly Found on This Route
Ship assignments vary by departure. These examples show the range of expedition styles available.
Quark ExpeditionsOcean Explorer
138 guests · PC6 · X-BOW design
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Quark ExpeditionsWorld Voyager
About 168 guests · All-suite, all-balcony accommodation
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Poseidon ExpeditionsSea Spirit
114 guests · Intimate, all-suite expedition ship
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Polar LatitudesOcean Victory
About 175 guests · PC6 · X-BOW design
Ask about this ship →PLANNING NOTES
Plan This Journey
- Departure
- Ushuaia, Argentina
- Arrival
- Ushuaia, Argentina
Who This Journey Suits
- First-time visitors to Antarctica
- Travellers seeking a balance of landings, Zodiac cruising, wildlife and shipboard learning
What You May See
- Gentoo and chinstrap penguins
- Humpback whales
- Crabeater and Weddell seals
- Albatrosses, petrels and other seabirds
- Glaciers of the Antarctic Peninsula
- Volcanic shores of the South Shetland Islands
- Iceberg-filled channels and sheltered coves
Physical Activity & Sea Conditions
- Daily activities may involve boarding Zodiacs by gangway and walking on uneven, wet, snowy or rocky ground.
- The Drake Passage can be rough. Sheltered Antarctic waters are often calmer, but all activities remain weather-dependent.
Before You Book
- Exact landing sites cannot be guaranteed in advance
- Allow buffer time around arrival and departure travel
- Wildlife sightings depend entirely on natural behaviour and local conditions
WHAT TO EXPECT
Inclusions and Exclusions
What Is Usually Included
- Shipboard accommodation and meals
- Scheduled landings and Zodiac cruising
- Expedition team lectures and guiding
- Loan of expedition boots on many ships
What Is Usually Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance and medical costs
- Optional adventure activities
- Gratuities and personal expenses
Important
- Final inclusions vary by operator and departure
- Activities depend on weather and ice
- Ask us to compare the exact terms before booking
PLAN THIS JOURNEY
Ready to explore the Antarctic Peninsula?
Tell us your preferred travel window, cabin style and priorities. We will help you compare suitable departures and expedition ships.