Antarctica Cruise - Crossing the Circle
Peninsula, Deep south land inside the circle, penguins, icebergs, luxury ship - kayaking and camping options
15 Days   |   Departure 2/16/14   |   From $11,395

Tell me more about a trip to Antarctica!

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Testimonials  |   Ship types

Trip Highlights: Cross the Antarctic Circle on this expedition with kayaking and camping options. Casual, active and fun adventure

Rates: $11,395 - $24,995
Triple: $11,395, Twins from: $12,795
Above rates are per person.
Single Rates: 1.7 - 2 times the regular double occupancy rate.
Sea Kayaking Option: $950 per person, minimum age 16 years.

Ship  - Sea Spirit - Luxury Expedition Ship
Passengers: 112

Summary

This expedition is ideal for active travelers who want to hike, camp and explore by kayak. You fire up your spirit of adventure and take a few extra days to work your way far south to cross the Antarctic Circle and explore some of Antarctica’s most pristine and rarely-visited areas. Enjoy plenty of time to explore the incredible wildlife colonies along the Antarctic Peninsula. Aboard your luxury expedition ship, navigate through some of the world’s most scenic waterways–many littered with colossal icebergs. Weather permitting, you will actually attempt to land on the Antarctic continent south of the Circle!

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Arrive early in Ushuaia to enjoy the southern city's frontier feel. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 2: Embarkation Day
Crossing the Circle is the goal of this expedition. Antarctica is everything south of the Antarctic convergence, a biological boundary that fluctuates between 50° and 60° South. For some, an expedition to the Southern Continent is not complete unless the Antarctic Circle is crossed. South of that invisible boundary, daylight lasts for 24 hours from mid- December to late February.

The Beagle Channel sets you on your way as the ship sails in the late afternoon. The channel opens up to the vastness of the southern ocean, where your next land sighting will be along the Antarctic Peninsula. Named after the famed ship in which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents many great photo opportunities to capture sea birds hovering overhead.

Days 3-4: The Drake Passage
The Drake Passage is legendary for its high winds and rolling seas, but you may be lucky and get calm weather. If so, you'll keep busy on deck, on the Bridge and in the presentation room. You will be prepared for all aboard for riding Zodiacs, participating in shore landings and, if you dare, polar dips.

Days 5-8: Exploring the Peninsula
The Expedition Team launches the Zodiacs to skim across the water to go ashore, or drift silently while you watch whales feed or penguins jump aboard ice floes. The grand snow-covered mountains of the Peninsula will sparkle in the sun, as clouds drift about their peaks.

Days 9-10: The Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Peninsula do not reach 66° 33’ S. Celebrate with a well-earned glass of champagne. Travelers toast to the intrepid explorers who have gone before.

Days 11-12: Northbound Along the Peninsula
There’s a story behind every name on the map of Antarctica. Many of the French names that appear are the legacy of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, physician, yachtsman and explorer. He, like travelers on the Sea Spirit, lived for adventure.
Continue to journey on land and out by Zodiac twice daily during travels north along the western Peninsula. Your Expedition Team will also be on the lookout for any species of penguins, seals and whales that may have eluded you on the journey south.

Days 13-15: Drake Passage to Ushuaia
As you cross the Drake once again, you will have time to adjust to a world where day and night are distinct.

Please note: Read this itinerary as a guide only. Flexibility is the key to the enjoyment of this expedition. Every effort will be made to push for the Antarctic Circle. Since ice and weather conditions can change quickly, it cannot be guaranteed that the vessel will reach the Antarctic Circle. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Notes:

Sea Kayaking Option: $950 per person, minimum age 16 years.

Mandatory Travel Insurance:
All guests are required to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage. Due to the remoteness of the areas in this itinerary, travelers must have a minimum $50,000 of emergency medical coverage. Proof of coverage is required prior to embarkation. The shipping company will not be held responsible for delays due to force majeure. Any additional costs accrued will be the responsibility of the traveler. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends that the travel insurance policy covers trip cancellation insurance, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage and repatriation.

Included:
One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation at a four-star hotel with breakfast, as indicated in the itinerary (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Travelers who reserve a Suite on board the ship may be accommodated in a Suite at the hotel based on availability at time of booking. Triples may not be available); five-star hotel for guests in Deluxe, Premium and Owner's Suite; shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage, including a selection of wines, beers, juices, and soft drinks (please inform of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.); a selection of wines, beers, liquors, mixed drinks, juices, and soft drinks in the bar; all shore landings per the daily program; leadership throughout the voyage by your experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities; formal and informal presentations by your Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled; photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage; all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program; a pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; an official parka to keep; coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock; hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin; a 10 Mb card for access to the ship’s wireless internet connection; comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader; group transfers in Ushuaia from the airport to any local hotel; group transfers from a designated location in Ushuaia to the ship on embarkation day; group transfers from the ship to the local airport on disembarkation; 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 $100,000 per person*. 

Not Included:
Any airfare; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation; baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance; excess baggage charges; laundry and other personal charges; telecommunications charges; voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew; supplements for adventure options; fuel surcharge may apply.

*Emergency Evacuation Insurance:
Emergency evacuation coverage to a maximum benefit per paying passenger of $100,000 is included in the cost of this expedition. Included coverage is applicable only to travel between the first and last day of the expedition purchased. Additional days of travel prior to the expedition and/or after the expedition are not covered by the included emergency evacuation insurance. We strongly advise all passengers to purchase medical, cancellation and baggage insurance, and additional emergency evacuation coverage.