Antartica Expedition Youth Travel

Enjoy lunch in the park before returning to Ushuaia in the afternoon to embark the ship. Then set sail on the Beagle Channel, named after the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his South American voyages. In the early evening we set sail, bound for Antarctica and the adventure of a lifetime.

Cross the legendary Drake Passage, enjoying time to get familiar with the ship and deepen your knowledge of Antarctica. Our Smithsonian Experts and the team of naturalist guides on board will present insightful lectures on the history and wildlife of the world’s oldest continent. Watch the crew navigate on the ship’s bridge, and spend time on deck with our naturalists observing seabirds such as albatrosses and cape petrels. Once we reach the Antarctic Convergence, where cold Antarctic currents merge with warmer waters of the South Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, watch for breaching fin, humpback, and minke whales as well as seabirds feeding on plankton and krill.

Spend three days exploring the outer shores and islands of the Antarctic Peninsula, ethereal landscapes defined by lava and ice. Here, abrupt mountains create precipitous coastlines and massive glaciers calve icebergs of all shapes and sizes into the sea. In this seemingly harsh environment, a vast array of wildlife flourishes, including millions of penguins and seabirds, as well as numerous species of seals and whales. At this time of year, we may get the chance to observe humpback and minke whales, pods of orcas, elephant seals and leopard seals, giant petrels, and great skuas.

We’ll go ashore on volcanic islands to walk among fur seals and gentoo and chinstrap penguins—and their newly hatched chicks. As we continue ever further south into the realm of ice, we’ll encounter playful Adélie penguins and unusual marine life. In this hushed and magical atmosphere, we’ll find ourselves cruising past tabular icebergs that dwarf our vessel, ice floes where Weddell seals loll after their meal, and sculpted ice that glows ethereal shades of turquoise and teal. Along the way, learn about the history of Antarctic exploration, from Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition to the ventures of explorers such as Jean-Baptiste Charcot and Adrien de Gerlache. We may have the chance to visit a research station.

Keep in mind that we are privileged guests in these extreme lands, and our course is dependent on weather, sea, and ice conditions. Every cruise is unique, and our seasoned captain and crew are expert at making the most of the conditions at hand.

The adventure is not over and if the weather conditions allow, we sail the ship into the flooded volcanic caldera at Deception Island. Several other landing sites nearby tempt us including Half Moon Island, or the broad pebbly beach at Yankee Harbour, where we often encounter Weddell seals. In the evening, we navigate north through the McFarlane Strait and into the Drake Passage, charting a course for South America.

Relax and reflect on board as the ship turns north and makes its way back across the Drake Passage. Enjoy lively, informative discussions with our Journeys Experts and the ship’s naturalists. Watch for albatrosses, many different species of petrels, and marine life as you cruise across the Antarctic Convergence.

In the early morning we arrive back in Ushuaia. After disembarkation you are transferred to your Ushuaia hotel or the airport for your onward journey.