Tour Overview
With a focus on health and wellness this newly refurbished ice strengthened vessel is expertly engineered to navigate the Antarctic waters with comfort and style. Enjoy the contemporary aesthetic throughout its 13 cabin categories and relax in many of its common spaces including a sundeck and observation area. For the healthy conscious, nutritious meals are prepared as well as newly a designed health and wellness programs are aimed to please. Other facilities include a salt water pool, a gym, a juice bar as well as complimentary activities such as yoga, stretching classes, an exclusive Polar Photography program and the Scientists in Residence program.
If you’re looking to add more adventure to your experience consider going sea kayaking, cross-country skiing or going on a paddling excursion which are available on certain itineraries for an extra cost.
*Please note chartered flights and arrival transfers in Buenos Aires to your voyage are not included in the cost but are available at additional cost. These sample itineraries are written with the Buenos Aires flight & hotel package included.
*Number of days depends on itinerary
Highlights




Route Map

Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent
Be captivated by the unique and untouched landscape often leaving travellers speechless when they first arrive. Days are spent on Zodiacs to explore local bays, channels and sites of significant history. There’s also an abundance of wildlife to observe and photograph.
There are colonies of different penguin species such as the chinstrap, Adelie and gentoo penguins that waddle along curiously. Watch the Weddell seals, fur and leopard seals that lay lazily on the banks of nearby waters. While on Zodiac’s keep your eyes open for humpback and minke whales.
Nearing the end of your journey as you head back across the Drake Passage. Take this time to reflect on the highlights of your trip as well as the final chance to spot seabirds and whales from the deck. In the meantime, enjoy presentations by the Expedition team celebrating your experiences and your final days at sea.
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica: Explorers & Kings
You’ll spend the next couple of days exploring the rugged landscape of the Falkland Islands. Observe the variety of penguin species that call this land home such as the Magellanic, Gentoo, rockhopper penguins and perhaps the elusive king penguins.
Visit the charming capital, Stanley and walk the streets to see bright coloured buildings of British-style architecture.
Head southeast to South Georgia officially entering Antarctic waters. Keep a lookout for whales and seals that often feed on krill when you cross what’s known as the Antarctic Convergence – when the Antarctic waters mix with the warmer waters of the the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
South Georgia is a site of significant history and home to flourishing biodiversity and wildlife. Your days here will be spent learning and visiting various sites (weather permitting) such as abandoned whaling stations, whaling posts and Grytviken, the historic site famous for Ernest Shackleton’s grave.
The wildlife is certainly a highlight of visiting South Georgia which can vary day to day. You may see animals such as king and macaroni penguins, elephant seals and fur seals as well as unique landscapes of rugged mountains, basalt cliffs and green plains.
Anticipation builds are you journey to your next destination, Antarctica! While at sea the Expedition Team will present historical and biological lectures in preparation for your upcoming excursions and wildlife that you may encounter.
Depending on weather and sea conditions, you may have your first official stop in Antarctica in South Orkney Islands.
Be awestruck by the vast wilderness contrasted with desolate landscape of glaciers and mountainous peaks of the ‘White Continent’. The next few days are spent on landings and Zodiac cruising giving you opportune times to observe the varying varying from wildlife of colonies of penguins, fur seals Weddell seals, to leopard seals.
Consider goingon an exciting adventure of kayaking (extra cost) or a polar plunge if you’re feel brave!
Epic Antarctica: Crossing the Circle via Falklands & South Georgia
Spend the next couple of days exploring the rugged landscape of the Falkland Islands. The areas throughout the islands are abundant in wildlife offering plenty of photographic opportunities and close up observations of the unique wildlife. Seabirds such as the black-browed albatross, Magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper penguins are local residents as well as the handsome king penguin.
Visit Stanley, the islands capital, explore the streets to see bright coloured buildings of British style architecture.
South Georgia is flourished with wildlife offering plenty of sites for exploration and historical significance. Visit the remnants of whaling stations as well as abandoned outposts. It is the home of Grytviken a whaling station and the final resting place of the famous polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton.
Wildlife can vary from rookeries, king penguins to fur or elephant seals.
The striking beauty and distance away from civilisation can leave you feeling awestruck or speechless when you reach the ‘White Continent’. You’ll spend the next couple of days (weather permitting) Zodiac cruising, visiting historical sites as well as getting close to the abundant wildlife raging from leopard seals, a variety of penguin species and witnessing the magnificent minke or humpback whales.
Consider going kayaking (extra cost) for authentic experience or an Antarctic plunge if you’re feeling particularly adventurous.
Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition
Be captivated by the unique and untouched landscape often leaving travellers speechless when they first arrive Antarctica. Days are spent on Zodiacs to explore local bays, channels and sites rich in history. There’s also an abundance of wildlife to observe and photograph.
There are colonies of different penguin species such as the chinstrap, Adelie and gentoo penguins that waddle along curiously. Watch the Weddell seals, fur and leopard seals that lay lazily on the banks of nearby waters. While on Zodiac’s, keep your eyes open for humpback and minke whales.
Nearing the end of your journey as you head back across the Drake Passage. Take this time to reflect on the highlights of your trip as well as the final chance to spot seabirds and whales from the deck. In the meantime, enjoy presentations by the Expedition team celebrating your experiences during your final days at sea.
Tour Inclusions
- Leadership throughout the voyage by an experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
- Beer and wine during dinner and coffee; tea and cocoa available around the clock
- All shore landings per the daily program
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings
- An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- Comprehensive onboard materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard ship
- Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
- *Buenos Aires flight & hotel package - One pre-night’s hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires with breakfast
- *Buenos Aires flight & hotel package - Group transfer from hotel to airport in Buenos Aires
- *Buenos Aires flight & hotel package - Group charter flight departing from Buenos Aires, Aeroparque to Ushuaia r
- *Buenos Aires flight & hotel package - Group charter flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, Ezeiza
- *Buenos Aires flight & hotel package - Group transfer from Ushuaia airport to the ship, and return
- *Buenos Aires flight & hotel package - Combined airport transfer and express bus tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park after disembarkation in Ushuaia
Tour Exclusions
- Arrival transfer from airport to hotel in Buenos Aires
- If Buenos Aires flight & hotel package is not purchased - Any air transportation, transfers and hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires
- International airfares
- Passport and applicable visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
- Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance
- Excess-baggage fees on international flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar, massage services and other personal charges, unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
- Adventure options on expeditions (all weather dependent) that are not included in the cost of the voyage (sea kayaking, camping, etc)