Poseidon Expeditions - your polar cruise operator

Antarctica / Antarctic Peninsula / Realm of Penguins & Icebergs
Antarctic Peninsula map route

Antarctic Peninsula

Realm of Penguins & Icebergs

Sorry, the date of the cruise has expired. Please see the next date in our brochure.

February 8, Ushuaia (Argentina)

February 18, Ushuaia (Argentina)

M/v Sea Spirit
114 Passengers

12 days

11 days

Camping Photography Sea Kayaking

Dates days Activities Special Offers Rates from
Realm of Penguins & Icebergs
6 Feb - 17 Feb 2025
12 Sea Kayaking Camping Photography
Sold out
Realm of Penguins & Icebergs
7 Feb - 18 Feb 2026
12 Sea Kayaking Camping Photography SUPER EARLY BIRD SAVINGS US$ 10 395
US$ 8 836
per person
Request a quote
Realm of Penguins & Icebergs
6 Dec - 17 Dec 2024
12 Sea Kayaking Camping Photography
Sold out
Realm of Penguins & Icebergs
16 Feb - 27 Feb 2025
12 Sea Kayaking Camping Photography US$ 10 095
per person
Request a quote
Realm of Penguins & Icebergs
17 Feb - 28 Feb 2026
12 Sea Kayaking Camping Photography SUPER EARLY BIRD SAVINGS US$ 10 395
US$ 8 836
per person
Request a quote

Itinerary

Day 1 (Feb 7): Arrival in Ushuaia, Argentina (hotel night)

Welcome to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and starting point of our Antarctic expedition! Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by our staff and transferred to a quality hotel, which has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the itinerary. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore this vibrant port city and adventure hub.

For an introduction to local history and wildlife, the interesting Museo del Fin del Mundo is worth a visit. If you have time to spare, a variety of nature activities can be arranged to suit all interests and fitness levels, from hiking in nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park to wildlife viewing in the Beagle Channel. For dinner, Ushuaia offers a wide range of restaurants featuring Patagonian lamb and delectable Fuegian seafood.

Day 2 (Feb 8): Welcome Aboard!

After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Ushuaia. Explore the delightful waterfront and savor views of the snowcapped Martial Range, the southernmost peaks of the Andes. Take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship. For lunch, the many cafés, parrillas and gelato shops on Avenida San Martín will be sure to satisfy any appetite.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the luxury expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the scenery and gorgeous evening light as we pass through the Beagle Channel.

Day 3-4 (Feb 9-10): Across the Drake Passage

After passing the islands of Tierra del Fuego, we turn south to begin our crossing of the Drake Passage. We watch for humpback and fin whales along the way. The majestic wandering albatross and other graceful subantarctic seabirds are common in these waters and can readily be viewed from panoramic open decks and balconies. We also cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. The ship’s stabilizing fins provide comfort in the event of rough seas. Briefings, bio-security procedures and presentations by our lecture staff prepare you for our arrival in Antarctica. We hope to arrive in the South Shetland Islands on the evening of our second day at sea.

Day 5-9 (Feb 11-15): South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

During the next four days, we explore the highlights of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. This region contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and the best wildlife viewing in Antarctica. Sheltered bays and channels sparkle with ice and reflect towering mountain peaks coated in permanent snow and immense glaciers. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to huge numbers of marine mammals and seabirds. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large rookeries at special places on land.

The South Shetland Islands are the northernmost islands in Antarctica and will likely be our first area of exploration. This wildly beautiful island chain contains many landing sites with historical significance and abundant wildlife. We will also explore the supremely picturesque Gerlache Strait area of the Antarctic Peninsula, a pristine wilderness of spectacular white landscapes, colossal icebergs, obliging marine mammals and bustling penguin colonies. We hope to show you the famous Lemaire Channel, also known as “Kodak Gap” because of the photogenic way the narrow channel reflects the image of sheer snowy mountains.

Throughout the islands and on the mainland, we find large colonies of gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, sometimes side by side. 

In this rugged yet accessible environment, superb wildlife viewing is best complemented by active adventure. Our knowledgeable guides will offer hiking and hill climbing for an even greater perspective of this raw polar wilderness. For sea kayakers, the wildlife-rich waters of Antarctica offer many chances to paddle with seals and penguins in some of the world’s most scenic waterways. To make the most of your time on the White Continent, you can also spend a night camping ashore, surrounded by untamed Antarctic nature.

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Our precise route and exploration opportunities will be shaped by weather and ice. Our experienced captain and expedition leader will continually adjust plans to take maximum advantage of the conditions in this challenging polar environment. 

Day 10-11 (Feb 16-17): Back across the Drake Passage

It is now time to head back across the Drake Passage toward South America, but the adventure is not quite over. Seabirds are our constant companions and there is always the possibility of whale encounters in these wild waters. This is also the time for festivities such as the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail and the end-of-voyage slideshow. Finally, as we enter the calm Beagle Channel, we enjoy a night of smooth sailing toward Ushuaia.

Day 12 (Feb 18): Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina

After yet another delicious breakfast on board, we bid you a fond farewell in Ushuaia. We provide a group transfer to the airport or to the city center if you wish to spend more time here. As you look back on your wonderful experience in Antarctica, you may already be looking forward to your next polar adventure!

Important:

Itinerary, landings and all other activities during the cruise depend strongly on ice and weather conditions and are subject to the decisions of the Expedition Leader and the Captain of the vessel. Encounters with any mentioned wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

Rates Include:

  • 1 pre-voyage night on Day 1 in Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa Hotel;
  • Group transfer from the airport to the hotel on the day prior to embarkation;
  • Group transfer to the ship for embarkation on Day 2;
  • Shipboard accommodation;
  • All meals on board throughout the voyage;
  • Tea and coffee station 24 hours daily;
  • All scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions);
  • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader & Expedition Team;
  • Branded Poseidon Expeditions parka;
  • Rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise;
  • Welcome and Farewell cocktails;
  • All port fees;
  • Group transfer to airport or central location right after disembarkation;
  • Pre-departure materials;
  • Digital Voyage Log;
  • Wi-Fi on board.

Rates Do Not Include:

  • Airfare;
  • Transfers from the airport to the hotel if arriving prior to Day 1 of the program;
  • Visa and passport fees (if applicable);
  • Luggage and trip cancellation insurance;
  • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and celebrations;
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls;
  • Fuel surcharge may be applied for all bookings;
  • Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of US$ 200,000 per person;
  • Staff gratuities;
  • Kayaking, camping;
  • The cost of any applicable medical tests (such as COVID-19) or vaccinations required either by a national government or Poseidon Expeditions before, during or after the cruise;
  • Pre- or post-cruise travel expenses.

Adventure options

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Camping fee $285 - A$385 - £220 - €275

If you’re looking for an unforgettable way to expand your experience on the White Continent, then Antarctica Camping may be the perfect choice for you. This optional activity is your unique opportunity to meet Antarctica on its own terms by spending a night out on the snow and ice!

Camping is a great way to immerse yourself in Antarctica. As the sun slowly sets you can unwind and let your senses fully absorb the awesome sights and mysterious sounds of this legendary wilderness. Spend an hour — or all night-simply watching the drama of endlessly changing light upon the landscape. Build a snowman or capture that perfect photo. Whatever joy Antarctica holds for you, you can take the time to experience it fully on your Antarctica Camping night. Gain lasting memories, undeniable bragging rights, and a new appreciation for your warm bed back on the ship.

Please contact our office for availability.

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Free option

The Polar Regions are perhaps the most photogenic on earth, with countless beautiful scenes presenting themselves every day. Endless expanses of ice, beaches crowded with seals or penguins, sunsets over unbroken horizons, starlit skies, and even the majestic northern lights – they all present fantastic photographic opportunities – and in order to make sure that you come home with some spectacular images we offer you the chance to learn and practice your photography alongside an experienced professional.

Our expert Photographer will be on hand to answer your questions and give advice, both in the form of on-board lectures and workshops on shore. Explore the key elements of photography in a fun and relaxed setting, with plenty of opportunities for questions and feedback. Learn how to see light in a new way and experiment with the techniques of composition and framing.


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Kayaking fee $795 - A$1075 - £610 - €760

Antarctica is a paddlers’ paradise. The White Continent boasts some of the world’s most impressive landscapes and is home to incredible marine wildlife. Sea Kayak Club members will have the opportunity to paddle through tranquil waters filled with glittering icebergs and porpoising penguins while surrounded by magnificent glaciers and mountains.

The protected and picturesque waters of the Antarctic Peninsula offer the best sea kayaking opportunities in Antarctica. Sea Kayak Club is also offered on selected voyages to South Georgia, where members may have the rare opportunity to encounter the island’s legendary abundance of wildlife from a kayaker’s perspective, if the area’s notoriously inclement weather permits.

BUENOS AIRES

“Faces” of Buenos Aires

“Faces” of Buenos Aires

Duration : from 2 days

Explore the cosmopolitan, dynamic, many-faced & generous city of Buenos Aires. It offers a rich cultural, historic and architectural heritage built by generations of Spanish, Italians, Germans, Russians and many other immigrants. The city is a blend of Tango, coffee stores, theaters, antiques; art crafts markets, museums, gallery nights, and gastronomic delights.

You will visit historical squares and neighborhoods, walk in the city’s charming parks, taste the most delightful typical Argentine dishes, and – of course! – enjoy the unique sexual magnetism of the Tango performed by the best tango dancers and singers.

Please contact your travel professional for detailed information.

Iguazu Falls: Natural Wonder of the World

Iguazu Falls: Natural Wonder of the World

Duration : from 3 days

The Iguazu Falls are the most breathtaking waterfalls in South America. The falls were chosen as one of the new natural Seven Wonders of the World. Perpetual rainbows, hundreds of butterflies, immense green jungle and the energy of the falling water will leave you lost for words.

During the tour you’ll visit Iguazu Falls from the Argentine and Brazil sides. Explore the unique flora and fauna of the Iguazu Falls National Park. Experience close the striking views and the thundering sounds of the waterfalls. Discover one of the greatest wonders of the natural world.

Please contact your travel professional for detailed information.

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