Dates & Prices

To book a tour, call and speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
We are currently updating dates and rates for this tour. Please click here to receive a customized quote or call a tour specialist at 1-800-942-3301 for personalized assistance.

What's Included

Departures: January 6, 2009 to February 22, 2010 Rate Range: $8,890 to $25,290

Inclusions for departures between November 2008 and March 2009:

Hotel accommodation, with continental breakfast, the night prior to embarkation

Shipboard accommodation from day of embarkation to disembarkation

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage

Zodiac transfers and sightseeing while aboard

Education program

Group transfer between hotel and vessel upon embarkation

Group transfer between vessel and airport following disembarkation

Rubber boots loan service

Complimentary parka on Akademik Shokalskiy and Ocean Nova

Photographic Journal on DVD

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program

Inclusions for departures between November 2009 and March 2010:

One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation with breakfast as indicated in the itinerary. (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel.)

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)

All shore landings and Zodiac excursions per the daily program.

Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities.

Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled.

Photographic Album on DVD

A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings

Hair dryer in every cabin

A Quark Expeditions parka

Coffee, tea, cocoa and bottled water available around the clock.

Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader.

Group transfers from the hotel to the ship at the embarkation port, and from the ship to the local airport on disembarkation – plus all baggage handling aboard ship.

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.

Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum of $100,000 per person.

Your Tour Itinerary Includes

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Due to its size, Antarctica's diversity is best appreciated on longer voyages, where greater distances can be covered. This extended expedition encompasses the wildlife paradise of South Georgia, the remote Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) as well as the extraordinary beauty of the Peninsula. Overnight in Ushuaia.

Day 2: Embarkation Day
Afternoon embarkation in Ushuaia.

Day 3-5 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
En route, the shipboard education program introduces the flora and fauna that you will encounter. Properly prepared, Zodiacs zip you from ship to shore to hike where Kelp Geese graze and Magellanic Penguins guard their burrows. You'll comb beaches and socialize with local residents.

Day 6-11 Southern Ocean and South Georgia
After crossing the Southern Ocean, the Expedition Team plans a series of landings at King Penguin rookeries, abandoned whaling stations and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. You can be as active as you like.

Day 12-17 South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Deception Island, Lemaire Channel, Neko Harbour, Paradise Bay, Gerlache Strait...these are the names that conjure iconic images of the Antarctic Peninsula: Towering glacier capped mountains rising from a brilliant blue sea, dotted with ice floes. You'll visit penguin colonies, listen for calving glaciers, visit historic sites and research stations.

Day 18-20 The Drake Passage to Ushuaia
Your second Drake Passage crossing may be as smooth or as rough are your first. No matter the condition, it is a fitting end to your visit to Antarctica.

Sightseeing Highlights

You'll sail about 3500 nautical miles from Ushuaia to Ushuaia.

A 20-day expedition with landings on remote islands known for unique wildlife, plus an active exploration of the Peninsula.

Optional camping and kayaking available.

Expedition Summary
Day 1-2 Ushuaia, Argentina
Day 3-5 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Day 6-11 Southern Ocean and South Georgia
Day 12-17 South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Day 18-20 The Drake Passage to Ushuaia

Ratings & Reviews:

This tour has no reviews yet. Have you experienced this tour? Write a review.

Details & Specials

All prices are per person. Based on Double Occupancy; Rates in US Dollars.

Frequently Asked Questions


If I book this expedition, what additional major expenses will I incur?
1. All Expeditions passengers are required to obtain and verify travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation. Please note that in many instances medical evacuation insurance can be obtained separately from trip cancellation coverage.
2. Transportation to and from the embarkation point is not included in the cost of the expedition.
3. Wearing the right clothes is essential. Mean coastal temperatures are seldom far below freezing. However sunny conditions can swiftly shift to storms with very cold winds and snow flurries. A parka, gloves, hat and scarf are essential. Once you have booked, we will provide you with a complete list of what to pack.

What is the average age and nationalities of travelers on this expedition?
Expedition Ship travelers range in age from 20 to 80 with the majority between 30 and 75. Our expedition members are independent-minded travelers from around the world with a strong interest in exploring remote regions.

Must I understand English to participate? Our voyages appeal to an international audience. About 40% of the travelers who join our voyages come from countries where English is not the first language. English is the language used for all documents, communications, shipboard announcements and education program presentations. While most of our travelers have a working knowledge of English, their level of proficiency with the language varies greatly. If you have questions on how your knowledge of English may impact your experience, please contact our office and one of our Sales Representatives will be happy to discuss this with you.

Do I have to be fit to join one of these expeditions? In general you do not, as this expedition is by ship with shore excursions that are not physically demanding. However travelers on Lyubov Orlova must be able to make their way down a steep, narrow gangway on the side of the ship to the Zodiac for shore excursions. Travelers on Ocean Nova, please note that although the gangway to the Zodiacs is less steep, you still must negotiate stairs throughout the ship. None of our ships is equipped with handicap facilities.

May my children accompany me on the expedition? On this expedition we welcome children that are at least 8 years of age. All children must be accompanied by at least one adult willing to supervise them at all times. Note that the shipboard education programs are designed for adults.

ADVENTURE OPTIONS:
Camping and Kayaking are Available

What is it like to camp in the Antarctic?

Past campers tell us that they spent most of the night outside their tents absorbing the silence. They reluctantly communicated in whispers, as they found speaking intrusive. During the few hours of darkness that fall they are tempted to reach overhead, because the stars seem near enough to touch. Campers from the Northern Hemisphere find the constellations unfamiliar, adding to the other-worldliness of the experience. All participants report that camping deepens their understanding of Antarctica in countless ways. Space is limited for this free optional activity.The per person cost of camping for expeditions delivered between November 2009 and March 2010 is $195.

What is it like to kayak in the Antarctic?

There is a lot to do within the first few moments of entering a kayak. Once you are settled and have a feel for the paddle in your hands, you will turn your attention to the surroundings. That is the moment, so our kayakers tell us, when you will truly understand that the experience of of paddling in Antarctica is like no other. Crystal clear water supports the hull. Elemental sounds of water lapping and the drip of resting paddles are a counterpoint to the cry of penguins and the cracking of ancient ice. Dwarfed by the immensity of the landscape, for a short while you drift in awe. Kayaking costs $695 per person in 2008-2009 and $795 between November 2009 and March 2010.

SPECIALS