HIGHLIGHTS
- Join
a rare, in-depth journey into the remote Weddell Sea and Antarctic Sound
- Photograph
massive flat-topped tabular icebergs
- Visit
archeological sites amid volcanic and scenic landscapes
- See
tens of thousands of Adélie penguins
- Spot
a variety of whales: Humpbacks, minkes, fin, and, possibly, killer
whales.
- Explore
off-ship by Zodiac and kayak.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Deluxe Veranda Fwd | Studio Single | Veranda Stateroom | Veranda Suite | Junior Suite | Studio Veranda Single | Penthouse Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
| Dec 18, 2027 | Dec 29, 2027 | 19,095 | 25,095 | 20,095 | 21,295 | 25,095 | 27,095 | 29,095 | 31,095 |
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Deluxe Veranda Fwd | (Mid-range)
Junior Suite | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
| Dec 18, 2027 | Dec 29, 2027 | 19,095 | 25,095 | 31,095 |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
You
may arrive in Ushuaia at any time on Day 1. Many guests choose to
arrive a day or two before embarkation day to explore this quaint port
city at the bottom of South America, and the surrounding region. Based
on the arrival information you send in advance, we will arrange for a
transfer from the airport to your hotel.
Day
2: Embarkation
Embarkation
will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail
down the historic Beagle Channel, transecting the Tierra del Fuego
archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of
anticipation as you depart—the next time you see land,
you’ll be at the world’s most southern continent.
Day
3 & 4: At Sea: Crossing the Drake Passage
You
have many options of activities during the 800-km (500 mile) Drake
crossing. As you gain your sea legs, our Expedition Team will begin
their series of presentations to help prepare you for your upcoming
Zodiac and land excursions. You officially enter Antarctica when your
ship crosses the Antarctic Convergence, a boundary that f luctuates
around 60° south. This is also a great opportunity to meet your
fellow travelers—many of whom will become friends by the
voyage end.
Day
5 to 9: Antarctic Sound and the Weddell Sea
One
word best describes the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Sound: immense. That
applies equally to the ice formations, penguin colonies, and vast
stretches of sea. In Antarctic Sound and the Weddell Sea, we will
encounter massive tabular icebergs. These bergs don’t calve
from tidewater glaciers but from ice shelves— and many will
dwarf Ocean Explorer. Some in the Weddell Sea reach the size of a
football field or larger. Their smooth, tabletop-flat surfaces reflect
the ocean beneath: flat seas yield flat ice. Ice shelves stretch from
land into the sea. In the northwest corner of the Weddell Sea, penguin
colonies can number in the tens of thousands. For travelers seeking
Adélie penguins, Antarctic Sound and the Weddell Sea offer
prime viewing of this iconic species—the most southerly
breeding penguin, and possibly bird, on Earth (though snow petrels,
prevalent here, are also a contender for that crown). Gentoo penguins
are found here too, and you’ll have chances to spot
chinstraps.
The legendary Snow Hill Emperor colony lies in this region; while we
won’t reach it, we may encounter individual members on the
ice. The Weddell Sea is less visited than the Gerlache Strait, not for
lack of beauty, but due to its ever-shifting ice. On this voyage,
we’ve added an extra day in this area—time enough
for a true adventure into this endless wilderness, and to ensure we can
fully embrace the dance with the ice. In the Weddell Sea, penguins are
our priority—but ice will guide our course. Alongside
towering tabular icebergs, we’ll likely encounter vast
stretches of sea ice, more than on the Peninsula’s west side.
Your Expedition Team and bridge officers will track charts and
forecasts, seeking openings to navigate toward the region’s
highlights, and intentionally visiting the ice edge to maximize our
time in this remarkable environment.
Our route will be shaped by sea ice and weather, but every
destination— whichever we visit first or last—will
be exceptional, evoking words like profound, humbling, and surreal.
We’ll make every effort to visit large Adélie
penguin colonies—at Brown Bluff, Paulet Island, or Tay
Head—ranging from 20,000 to several hundred thousand
penguins, including gentoo. Photos and documentaries can’t
match the experience of standing before tens of thousands of penguins.
The sounds alone—partners calling, chicks crying for parents,
wind and waves against the shore, and the distant crack of calving
glaciers—create an acoustic landscape of pure wildness. Add
the sight of a penguin-covered landscape, and you have an encounter
that’s impossible to replicate.
The currents of Antarctic and Active sounds are mesmerizing. While
you’re in a Zodiac, you may observe ice—large and
small—flowing through narrow straits at several kilometers
per hour, a raw display of the power of water. From shore, you may
glimpse or sense the ice’s movement. Your Zodiac may pass
through open water, while your return ride could weave among drifting
floes, crackling brash, and scattered bergy bits. The Weddell Sea is
known for superb birdwatching—especially cape, snow, and
southern giant petrels—and the chance to spot Weddell,
crabeater, or leopard seals onshore or catching rides on the drifting
ice. Sightings may occur near Adélie colonies or at sites
like Kinnes Cove and Active Sound. When ice opens in the Weddell
Sea’s northwest, whales follow—lured by the feeding
opportunities. Humpbacks and minkes are most common, with occasional
killer whales. Conditions may also allow us to explore areas frequented
by fin whales, and possibly southern rights.
For historians, the Weddell Sea brims with stories—from
Shackleton’s legendary Endurance survival and
Nordenskjöld’s gallows-humored ordeal on Antarctic
to far older histories told by the 60-million-year-old fossils on The
Naze, Vega Island, and Cockburn Island. Fossils are discovered here
partly because large areas remain relatively snow-free. Volcanic
activity has painted these sites—as well as Brown Bluff on
the Peninsula’s mainland—in rich reds, burnt
oranges, and chocolate browns. In a landscape dominated by white, gray,
and blue, these colors add a vivid layer to a region steeped in both
human and ancient geological history. This itinerary offers the best of
a polar expedition—soak in the vastness of the Weddell Sea
and Antarctic Sound from your ship, then get up close to stunning
geological formations by Zodiac or kayak.
Day
10 & 11: At Sea: Homeward-bound across the Drake Passage
The
journey back across the 800-km (500 mile) Drake Passage provides final
opportunities to enjoy the crisp Antarctic air, spend time on the outer
deck watching for seabirds and whales, or attending one of our
team’s expert-led polar presentations.
Day
12: Disembark in Ushuaia
Your
ship is scheduled to arrive in Ushuaia between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Once
the ship has docked, you will bid farewell to your Expedition Team and
shipmates before completing your disembarkation. You are then free to
take advantage of the included transfer to the airport or, depending on
the time of your flight, explore the town on your own and take a taxi
to the airport later.
Ocean Explorer (Luxury Expedition, 138-guests)
Ocean Explorer, the newest addition to our fleet, is modern, elegant
and purpose-built for polar exploration. The 138-passenger vessel has
been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology. One of the
ship’s key features is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, a marine
engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing
experience thanks to the inverted bow. Located at the bow is the
two-story, light-filled library, which introduces a welcome airiness to
the expedition ship.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Specialist
Expedition Leaders
Our
team is comprised of the most professional and passionate Expedition
Leaders in the world, who bring a wide range of experience and
expertise to every adventure.
Immersive
Off-ship Activities
Itineraries
are packed with adventure options designed to immerses travelers in the
polar wilderness, enabling them to connect with the natural wonders of
their surroundings.
On-Ship
Experiences & Facilities
Designed
for comfort and adventure, each ship accommodates no more than 200
guests. Facilities include comfortable cabins, exceptional dining
options, wellness treatments, and breathtaking panoramic views of the
polar landscape.
Food
& Beverages
Premium
dining, with a wide selection of options that accommodate a variety of
dietary preferences.
Quark
Expedition Perks
Complementary
Wi-Fi, alcohol on all voyages, and the Official Quark Expeditions parka
to take home.
Transfers
Select
voyages include essential transportation and accommodation arrangements
for guests, ensuring seamless travel to and from the expedition
starting point.
Not
Included
International
airfare & visa expenses, travel insurance, mandatory expedition
gear, on-ship expenses, adventure options and trip extensions are not
included.
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Sea
Kayaking: USD 1,995 per person
- Paddling:
USD 395 per person
