Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition (Ocean Explorer)

14 days
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Small Ship Cruise
Set foot on the 7th Continent – an achievement that few people get to experience in their lifetime! Even more rare is the incomparable milestone of crossing the Antarctic Circle and navigating south of 66°33' S! For most, this is the highlight of a 14-day adventure to Antarctica. See dramatic ice formations, spot humpback whales swimming alongside the ship, w...
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$25,124
From$20,426
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Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

    • Take a wild Antarctic journey and be one of the few travellers to venture to 66°33'S – very few people ever make it this far south!
    • Discover an unspoiled wilderness, looking out for polar wildlife like penguins, seals, whales and seabirds from your onboard deck and during your onshore landings on the White Continent.
    • Experience almost endless daylight in high summer once you’re inside the Antarctic Circle. Then, push further south than most Antarctic expeditions venture, exploring the remoteness of this less-visited part of the Antarctic Peninsula.
    • Benefit from various onboard activities, including educational lectures on history, geology and ecology by your expert expedition team. When you’ve learned your fill for the day, make the most of the onboard amenities, like the spa, sauna, restaurant, library and bar!
    • Visit Antarctic research stations during your daily Zodiac excursions and immerse yourself in history, with icebergs in a thousand different shades of blue in the background.

What's this trip about?

    Set foot on the 7th Continent – an achievement that few people get to experience in their lifetime! Even more rare is the incomparable milestone of crossing the Antarctic Circle and navigating south of 66°33' S! For most, this is the highlight of a 14-day adventure to Antarctica. See dramatic ice formations, spot humpback whales swimming alongside the ship, watch leopard seals dive beneath your Zodiac and take photos of all the penguins sliding off icebergs into polar waters – this is a southern expedition like no other!

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeGroup - max of 138 people
Age range8 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityUshuaia
End CityUshuaia

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Attractions

  • Antarctic Peninsula

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 138

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Ushuaia

Welcome to Ushuaia – the gateway to Antarctica. Located at the southern tip of Argentina, these parts are known as Tierra del Fuego, often called ‘The End of the World’, but this is just the beginning of your Antarctic adventure. Those with a day or two may want to he...

Day 2 Embarkation in Ushuaia

This afternoon, you’ll board the Ocean Explorer and your epic adventure south will begin! Take some time to settle into your cabin as you begin cruising the stunning Beagle Channel, named after the famed vessel 'The Beagle' that facilitated some of Charles Darwin's mo...

Day 3-4 Crossing the Drake Passage

The infamous Drake Passage, named after the famous English explorer Sir Francis Drake, separates the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula from the southernmost tip of South America. It is often rough and turbulent but sometimes as calm as a lake. The next two days at sea of...

Day 5-7 South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

You’ll spend the next three days exploring the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula – a region that has captivated explorers for centuries. Explore by Zodiac, cruising among the icebergs and making shore landings where you’ll see penguins, climb to vanta...

Day 8-9 Antarctic Circle

Crossing the Antarctic Circle is a memorable experience – few travellers reach so far south! If conditions allow, you’ll cross the famed latitude of 66°33 ́ S and toast the first explorers who ventured here. Raise a glass and take pride, knowing you’ve made it to a pa...

Day 10-11 Northbound Along the Peninsula

By now, your knowledge of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins will be matched by your ability to spot the difference between a leopard, crabeater and Weddell seal. Terms like ‘bergy bits’ and ‘pancake ice’ will become part of your vocabulary and as you head north, y...

Day 12-13 Crossing the Drake Passage

As you recross the Drake Passage, you’ll wave goodbye to Antarctica. Over the next two days cruising through the Drake Passage, reminisce with your newfound friends. Your Expedition Team will round up the series of presentations with a slideshow of the adventures you'...

Day 14 Disembarkation in Ushuaia

Today, you’ll arrive in Ushuaia, where your adventure comes to an end. With no further activities planned, you’re free to leave at any time after disembarkation. If you’d like to extend your stay here, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $20,426
Price per day$1,459
Last Updated: 2/27/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
09 Feb 2026
22 Feb 2026
$20,426
138 spots left
09 Feb 2026
22 Feb 2026
$26,906
138 spots left
09 Feb 2026
22 Feb 2026
$33,386
138 spots left
09 Feb 2026
22 Feb 2026
$31,226
138 spots left
09 Feb 2026
22 Feb 2026
$26,906
138 spots left
09 Feb 2026
22 Feb 2026
$29,066
138 spots left
09 Feb 2026
22 Feb 2026
$21,506
138 spots left
09 Feb 2026
22 Feb 2026
$22,856
138 spots left

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

1 night comfortable hotel,12 nights expedition cruise ship

Transportation & Flights

Expedition cruise ship,zodiac,

Transportation & flights

Expedition cruise ship,zodiac
Guides
Your expedition will be led by an experienced Expedition Leader and at least one Assistant Expedition Leader. In addition, there will be a team of Polar experts and Expedition Guides who will be with you throughout. These experts will have various areas of expertise to inform you about the wildlife you may see, the terrain you'll pass through, the history of the area and to help you get the most out of photography opportunities. In addition, there will be specialist guides for kayaking and on some voyages, special guest presenters. There will always be someone around to answer any questions you may have.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory for all guests travelling to the Polar regions and is one of the most important components of any trip, especially in Antarctica - the most remote and inhospitable place on Earth. It is vital that you have the most suitable insurance with adequate levels of cover. We advise purchasing travel insurance at the same time as booking, ensuring you are covered for cancellation and curtailment from the moment that you confirm your Antarctic voyage, as well as ensuring cover for personal liability, loss of baggage and personal effects, as well as disruption to travel plans. Because of the remoteness of your expedition to Antarctica, advanced medical care and medical evacuations are extremely expensive which makes comprehensive travel insurance essential for all our clients. We encourage you to take the highest level of cover possible, but have a minimum requirement of USD50,000 coverage for medical-related expenses. The purchase of your expedition includes USD $500,000 of emergency evacuation insurance. There are many activities that can be undertaken in Antarctica. If you plan to participate in adventure options such as Kayaking, Day Paddle, Snowshoeing or Camping, please ensure your travel insurance specifically covers you for these activities. You need to ensure you know exactly what you are covered for and ensure that your policy covers this from the time you leave to arrive home. You must provide your travel insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number prior to the departure of your Cruise; you will not be able to join the Cruise nor receive your Final Travel Documentation without providing these details. If you have travel insurance connected to your credit card or bank account please ensure you have details of the participating insurer, the insurance policy number and emergency contact number with you rather than the bank's name and credit card details.
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements No visas are required to visit the Antarctic continent or its offshore islands. However, you will need to have your passport with you on the ship, as port authorities will wish to inspect passports on departure from Ushuaia and also again at the end of your voyage.
Age Requirements
8 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
intrepid-GQMC

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