Le Commandant Charcot – Ponant
Itinerary (In the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot)
Itinerary (Unexplored Antarctica between Two Continents)
Itinerary (From Dumont d’Urville to Mawson: retracing Heroic Age expeditions)
Most Popular Antarctica Trips & Tours
Trip | Price | Days | Highlights |
---|---|---|---|
Ocean Nova | $4,995 | 6 - 10 Days | Glaciers, Icebergs, Penguins, Whales, Kayaking, Hiking, Snowshoeing |
Sea Spirit | $7,895 | 11 - 23 Days | Glaciers, Icebergs, Whales, Penguins, Hiking, Kayaking, Camping, Photography |
Ushuaia | $5,460 | 10 - 20 Days | Glaciers, Icebergs, Whales, Penguins, Hiking |
- DAY 24: At Sea
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- DAY 27: Ushuaia
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Weather
When to Visit- jan
- feb
- mar
- apr
- may
- jun
- jul
- aug
- sep
- oct
- nov
- dec
You may also wish to schedule your trip according to what wildlife activities you are likely to observe at different points during the season, details below:
o Late October and November: The early part of the season showcases a number of highlights. Landing sites are at their most pristine. The possibility of seeing sea ice is present early on, before it breaks up later on in the season. Late October to early November sees Adélie, Chinstrap and Gentoo adult penguins and Antarctic-breeding seabirds starting to come ashore to their breeding sites where they commence courtship rituals and nest building. Shortly thereafter eggs are laid and incubated. Emperor penguins can be seen on the frozen Weddell Sea (visited occasionally by ice-strengthened expedition ships on special itineraries).
Spring flowers begin blooming in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and elephant seals are actively courting in South Georgia. South Georgia's female king penguins lay their eggs in November and the parents can be seen "carrying" eggs on their feet so that the parent can shuffle around the colony while the other adult goes out to sea to feed. "Oakum Boys" — king penguin chicks from the previous season — can also be seen in the rookeries. Fur seals litter the beaches in South Georgia with the males aggressive and ready to mate.
o December and January: The increased number of daylight hours brings exceptional opportunities for photographers and non-photographers alike, and the expeditions make the most of the summer weather and continuous hours of daylight. Research activity in the Peninsula at the scientific bases is at its peak. Penguin chicks begin hatching in the Falklands (Islas Malvinas); followed by hatchings in mid- to late-December at sites in the Antarctic Peninsula. Some 30 days after hatching, penguin chicks can be found in "crèches," resembling a nursery of sorts, which leaves both adults free to replenish their food supply. An exciting time of this part of the season is when the parent returns with food and the hungry chicks are persistent in being fed, running after the parent (or any adult penguin with food) in a "feeding chase." Whale sightings of baleen and toothed whales escalate in the Peninsula area. Seal pups can be seen on the beaches in South Georgia. Sea ice is also beginning to break up which allows for the possibility to begin to access to rarely visited sites in the Weddell Sea, Ross Sea and within the Antarctic Circle.
o February and March: Sightings of whales are at their peak in the Peninsula and an increasing number of fur seals can be found along the Peninsula and offshore islands. Young fur seals are also quite playful in South Georgia. Penguin colonies are very active with the penguin chicks beginning their molt - losing their fuzzy down and developing their adult plumage. During this timeframe, the parents will abandoned their chicks, and return out to sea to feed and fatten up for their own molting stage. Most colonies (Adélie, Chinstrap and Gentoo) are nearly vacated by the end of February to early March. Blooming snow algae is prevalent and receding pack ice has reached its peak for the season, allowing for easier exploration within the Weddell Sea, Ross Sea and Antarctic Circle.
Emperor Penguins of Weddell Sea
In the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot
Unexplored Antarctica between Two Continents
From Dumont d’Urville to Mawson: retracing Heroic Age expeditions
Emperor Penguins of Weddell Sea
- Trip Dates
- Thursday, November 2, 2023 to Friday, November 17, 2023Thursday, November 16, 2023 to Wednesday, November 29, 2023
In the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot
- Trip Dates
- Tuesday, November 28, 2023 to Wednesday, December 13, 2023Tuesday, December 12, 2023 to Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Unexplored Antarctica between Two Continents
- Trip Dates
- Sunday, January 7, 2024 to Monday, February 5, 2024
From Dumont d’Urville to Mawson: retracing Heroic Age expeditions
- Trip Dates
- Tuesday, February 6, 2024 to Sunday, March 3, 2024
- Ushuaia
- Hotel upgrades are available, please contact us to discuss your options.
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4 Star
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4 Star
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5 Star
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5 Star
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One Day
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4 Hours $120Bike through the nostalgic city of Buenos Aires, stop and enjoy restaurants, markets and historic sitesOne Day
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Chile’s best white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
Cool-loving reds such as Pinot Noir and SyrahOne Day -
2 Hours $75Guided walking tour
Highlights of Buenos AiresOne Day -
10 Hours $305El Morado National Park
Hiking, Bird Watching
Soak in natural pools of varying temperaturesOne Day -
10 Hours $260Visit the Pacific Coastal city of Valparaiso
Enjoy a seafood lunch at a local restaurantOne Day -
11 Hours $490100+ year old vines
Lunch Viu Manent Winery
Wine tastingOne Day -
1 Day $370Hiking
Glaciers
Horseback ridingOne Day -
3 Hours $230The Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires
Heft Collection Tour with Curator Ms. Heft
Fernandez Blanco MuseumOne Day -
4 Hours $275Take an inside look at the real life experiences of Buenos Aires' Jewish population, past and presentOne Day
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5 hours $425Morning or afternoon kayaking
Delta of the ParanaOne Day -
13 Hours $615Mythical Strait of Magellan
Tierra del Fuego
Unique King Penguin ColonyOne Day -
4 hours $185Santa Rita Winery
Maipo Valley Wine Region
Chilean Wine TourOne Day -
4 Hours $120Historic Santiago sites
Plaza de Armas
Presidential Palace
Mercado Central - Sea Food Market
MuseumsOne Day -
4 Hours $285Take in a Tango show with dinner and round trip transfers includedOne Day
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4 Hours $210Tour Buenos Aires, this beautiful city is called the Paris of South America,One Day
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4 Hours $260Learn the sensual dance, the Tango at a milonga which is a tango hall frequented by local dancersOne Day
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8 Hours $495This Buenos Aires tour takes you out of the city to experience what the nearby countryside has to offerOne Day
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12 Hours $355Wine Tours and Coastal views
Catrala Vineyard
Outstanding White Wines
Pinot Noir
SyrahOne Day
Multi-Day
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4 Days $1295Explore the magnificent vistas and fascinating history of Tierra del Fuego, at the southern tip of PatagoniaMulti-Day
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4 Days $2,530Pristine areas in the Araucania RegionMulti-Day
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5 days $3165Cape Horn National Park
Beagle Channel
Penguins
Glacier AlleyMulti-Day -
4 Days $1145Experience the heart of the Lakes District on this Patagonia tour based in the resort town of BarilocheMulti-Day
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4 Days $1195Tierra del Fuego National Park
Beagle Channel
UshuaiaMulti-Day -
2 Days $895Colchagua is known as the “King of Chilean Red Wines” and a must-visit for aficionados of vino tintoMulti-Day
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4 Days $1190Visit all highlight areas of the Island
Local Rapa Nui guidesMulti-Day -
2 Days $660Historic estancia
Horseback riding
4x4 tour
Glacier viewsMulti-Day -
3 Days $1295Considered one of South America’s most impressive sights, Iguazu isn’t exactly on the beaten pathMulti-Day
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4 Days $1,195Visit the Argentine province where The Andes reach their highestMulti-Day
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4 & 5 Days $2,320Experience archaeological wonders, offering breathtaking and unique viewsMulti-Day
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5 Days $2375Amalia Glacier
El Brujo Glacier
Calvo Fjord
Montonas Fjord
Burnal Glacier
Pitt Channel and Guillard Glacier
More.....Multi-Day -
4 Days $3,070Chile’s Northern Patagonia
Picturesque villages and dramatic landscapes
Chiloe culture and traditionsMulti-Day -
4-5 Days $2,935Torres del Paine National Park
Explore all highlights
Outstanding LodgesMulti-Day -
3 Days $1370Whales
Penguins
Elephant Seals
Views & WildlifeMulti-Day -
2 Days $1200Viña del Mar
Drink wine at Catrala Vineyards
ValparaisoMulti-Day -
Stay at the Vik Guest House after a day of unforgettable wine tasting and toursMulti-Day
ALL CABINS INCLUDE:
Private balcony for all cabins and suites
Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner's suite
Butler service and priority boarding : Owner’s Suite, Duplex Suites, Privilege Suites and Grand Prestige Suites
Individually-controlled airconditioning
Stateroom layout: king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating staterooms available, children welcome
Minibar - 24hr room service
Satellite TV channels (availability dependent on navigation); selection of videos on demand
Bose™ Bluetooth speaker
Safe
Selection of Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products.
Dressing table, bath robes, Hairdryer
Direct line telephone
110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
Internet access Wifi : Satellite reception (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
More

Carrie and Justin, I just wanted to send the two of you a message to thank you for all your help putting together our trip to the Antarctic. The trip was absolutely fantastic – definitely the best trip we have ever taken! I would strongly recommend the Akademik Ioffe team to anyone that asks. The places we visited and the excursions we were able to participate in were definitely first-rate, and I would credit the staff for making this happen. They selected great places to visit, and really made each zodiac or on-shore excursion a special experience. The Antarctic is just mind-blowing. We did get south of the Circle – which sounds like it was a bit of an accomplishment – and had really great weather for the entire trip. So again, thanks for making a totally fabulous trip a reality for us. -Ron & Bonnie Milzer (Antarctic Circle Voyage onboard Akademik Ioffe)
- Antarctica - Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How do I choose an itinerary?A: Antarctica is the trip of a lifetime, offering abundant wildlife and unique landscapes. Travelling to the end of the world is an unparalleled experience. It’s hard to go wrong with any option but for those with specific interests we recommend reviewing our guide to Antarctica Cruises found here or contacting an Adventure Travel Coordinator.Q: Can I make changes or additions to these tours?A: Antarctica cruise itineraries are set and cannot be changed, but you can certainly add pre/post cruise services (hotels, tours, transfers, flights, etc.) in Argentina and Chile. Southern Explorations is happy to assist with any additional services you require.Q: When is the best time to go to Antarctica?A: Travel to Antarctica occurs during the Austral Summer with cruise expeditions departing from late October through March. You may wish to schedule your trip according to what wildlife activities you’d like to observe, or any specific adventure activities you would like to do, such as snowshoeing, skiing, mountaineering, whale watching, and more, which are only offered on certain departures.Q: When is the most affordable time of year to travel to Antarctica? What’s the best way to get a deal on an Antarctica cruise?A: It is a popular misconception that the best way to obtain a deal on an Antarctica cruise is to wait until the last possible moment to book. While this works out sometimes, this scenario is rarer and rarer as Antarctica’s popularity as a tourist destination increases. A few years ago, operators had trouble filling their boats with paying passengers, so last-minute deals were common. Now, most Antarctica cruise departures sell out far in advance, so there is no reason for operators to offer last-minute deals. Currently the best way to obtain a deal on an Antarctica cruise is to book early, as many operators offer early booking discounts.
Generally, it is a good idea to confirm your cruise at least eight months to one year in advance. The time period around the holidays (Christmas/New Year's) tends to sell out further in advance. Fly cruises, during which you fly over the Drake Passage rather than crossing it onboard the vessel, also tend to sell out early, so it is a good idea to book more than one year in advance if you choose this type of cruise.
Prices are higher for travel in late December, January, and early February, as this is high season. Prices are lower early season (November/early December) and late season (late February/March).Q: What can I expect to see at different points during the season?A:- Late October and November: The early part of the season showcases a number of highlights. Landing sites are at their most pristine. The possibility of seeing sea ice is present early on, before it breaks up later in the season. Late October to early November sees Adélie, Chinstrap and Gentoo adult penguins and Antarctic-breeding seabirds starting to come ashore to their breeding sites where they commence courtship rituals and nest building. Shortly thereafter eggs are laid and incubated. Emperor penguins can be seen on the frozen Weddell Sea (visited via helicopter on special Emperor penguin voyages).
Spring flowers begin blooming in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and elephant seals are actively courting in South Georgia. South Georgia's female king penguins lay their eggs in November and the parents can be seen "carrying" eggs on their feet so that the parent can shuffle around the colony while the other adult goes out to sea to feed. "Oakum Boys" — king penguin chicks from the previous season — can also be seen in the rookeries. Fur seals litter the beaches in South Georgia with the males aggressive and ready to mate.
- December and January: The increased number of daylight hours brings exceptional opportunities for photographers and non-photographers alike, and the expeditions make the most of the summer weather and continuous hours of daylight. Research activity in the Peninsula at the scientific bases is at its peak. Penguin chicks begin hatching in the Falklands (Islas Malvinas); followed by hatchings in mid- to late-December at sites in the Antarctic Peninsula. Some 30 days after hatching, penguin chicks can be found in "crèches," resembling a nursery of sorts, which leaves both adults free to replenish their food supply. An exciting time of this part of the season is when the parent returns with food and the hungry chicks are persistent in being fed, running after the parent (or any adult penguin with food) in a "feeding chase." Whale sightings of baleen and toothed whales escalate in the Peninsula area. Seal pups can be seen on the beaches in South Georgia. Sea ice is also beginning to break up, which allows for the possibility to begin to access to rarely visited sites in the Weddell Sea, Ross Sea and within the Antarctic Circle.
- February and March: Sightings of whales are at their peak in the Peninsula and an increasing number of fur seals can be found along the Peninsula and offshore islands. Young fur seals are also quite playful in South Georgia. Penguin colonies are very active with the penguin chicks beginning their molt - losing their fuzzy down and developing their adult plumage. During this timeframe, the parents will abandoned their chicks, and return out to sea to feed and fatten up for their own molting stage. Most colonies (Adélie, Chinstrap and Gentoo) are nearly vacated by the end of February to early March. Blooming snow algae is prevalent and receding pack ice has reached its peak for the season, allowing for easier exploration within the Weddell Sea, Ross Sea and Antarctic Circle.
Q: What is the weather like in Antarctica?A: Antarctica is the highest, driest, windiest, coldest place on earth, but keep in mind that all tourism trips occur during Austral summer. The average summer temperature in the Antarctic Peninsula area is around 25 to 32°F (-4 to 0°C), although sometimes it will feel substantially colder due to the wind chill factor and water splashing up while riding in zodiacs. You can expect to encounter varied conditions including rain, snow, high winds, bright sun, and fog.Q: What is a typical day like in Antarctica?A: All three meals are eaten on board the ship. After breakfast, you will head out for your morning excursion for 2 to 5 hours, then get back on board to eat lunch while the ship navigates to the next landing site. Here you will once again disembark on land for 2 to 5 hours before dinner.Q: How physically fit do I need to be to enjoy a trip to Antarctica?A: You do not need to be extremely physically fit to travel to Antarctica, but should be comfortable walking short distances over uneven terrain, including snow, ice, and rock. Most ships also have a steep metal gangway that you must descend and ascend to embark/disembark the small zodiac boats that ferry passengers to shore. Your guides will always be there to assist you.Q: While in Antarctica, will I get to get off the ship and walk around on land?A: Yes! You will make landings every day you are in Antarctica, and the cruise staff will ensure you spend as much time on land as possible. This is true of every Antarctica cruise we offer. There is no cruise during which you stay onboard the ship the entire time.Q: How much time do I need to visit Antarctica?A: Standard Antarctic Peninsula cruise itineraries are 10 to 12 days long. The shortest Antarctica voyage we offer is 6 days long, with our longest being 32 days. Please inquire for details about specific voyages.Q: What are your booking and cancellation policies?A: All Antarctica cruises have different deposit policies, with the deposit amount typically ranging from $1500 per person to 25% of the total trip costs. Final payment is usually due between 100 days and 120 days prior to travel.
Antarctica cruise cancelation policies vary widely from ship to ship. The cancelation penalty from the time of booking up until 90 or 120 days prior to departure can be as little as $500 per person or as much as $5000+ per person. Generally, all cruises will have a 100% cancelation penalty within 90 days of departure. Please inquire for details about cancelation penalties for specific ships.Q: What kind of accommodations can I expect?A: Accommodations and amenities on board Antarctica cruises vary from simple 3-star to luxury 5-star. Please inquire for details.Q: Do tours include airfare?A: Most Antarctica cruises do not include any airfare, though some include roundtrip flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, and “fly cruises” include flights from Punta Arenas, Chile to Antarctica or to the Falkland Islands. Southern Explorations is happy to arrange any flights you require within Argentina or Chile. Please inquire about airfare inclusions for specific cruises.Q: How many people are on your tours?A: The Antarctica cruise ships we offer range in size from a capacity of 54 to 200 passengers. “Mega ships” with thousands of passengers on board are not allowed to make landings in Antarctica, so all vessels are relatively small.Q: Do I need travel insurance, what all do I need, and how much does it cost?A: All Antarctica cruises require that passengers purchase travel insurance covering emergency medical evacuation and repatriation. The cost of medical evacuation transport from Antarctica is high, and as it is the responsibility of the traveler, this coverage is imperative. Though trip cancellation insurance is not required, it is highly recommended. The cost of travel insurance varies from individual to individual and depends on many factors, such as cost of trip covered, age of traveler, where you live, etc. We recommend contacting Berkshire Hathaway or Travel Guard, or click here to compare other trip insurance companies.Q: Where do Antarctica cruises begin and end?A: Most Antarctica cruises begin/end in either Ushuaia, Argentina or Punta Arenas, Chile. Occasionally cruises depart directly from Buenos Aires, Montevideo, or other port cities, but this is rare. When departing from Ushuaia, you board the cruise at the pier in town and cross the Drake Passage onboard the vessel. Trips departing from Punta Arenas are "fly/cruise" programs that fly you (one-way or both-ways) by small aircraft to the South Shetland Islands, just off the Antarctic Peninsula to embark your expedition ship there. There are also some cruises that start with a flight from Punta Arenas to Stanley in the Falkland Islands. Please check your itinerary for any inclusions, or needed additions, such as pre- or post-trip hotel nights and domestic flights to your embarkation cities. Southern Explorations can book any needed pre- or post-trip hotels, domestic flights, tours and transfers, and include them within your trip costs.Q: What can I expect while crossing the Drake Passage? Will I get seasick?A: The Drake Passage is the body of water between Cape Horn (the southernmost tip of South America) and the Antarctic Peninsula. On most Antarctica cruise ships it will take a full two days to cross the Drake Passage. This passage has some of the roughest recorded sea conditions in the world (the “Drake Shake”), but it can also be pristinely calm (the “Drake Lake”). Conditions in this waterway can vary at any time of year depending on weather, and it is impossible to predict how rough it will be in advance. Some passengers experience seasickness, and others do not. It is advisable to come prepared by packing motion sickness remedies. All ships also have doctors onboard, and these medical professionals are extremely adept at assisting passengers with any seasickness concerns. Once in Antarctica, sheltered waters are normally encountered with little problem for rough seas. NOTE: There are also options to do what is called a "fly/cruise" program where you fly by small aircraft to the South Shetland Islands, just off the Antarctic Peninsula and then join up with your expedition cruise ship there, thus avoiding crossing the Drake Passage onboard the vessel.Q: Can I bring my photographic drone to Antarctica?A: The governing body of Antarctic tourism is called the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and Southern Explorations is a member of this organization. IAATO members have agreed that they will not allow the recreational use of UAVs (drones) in the unique, and often wildlife rich, coastal areas of Antarctica. Through the unique global partnership that is the Antarctic Treaty system, the entire continent is formally designated as a 'natural reserve, devoted to peace and science'. Antarctica is regarded as the last great wilderness on our planet, still pristine with wildlife and landscapes that show little evidence of direct human activity. Visiting and operating in an environment like this comes with a responsibility to do so carefully and with minimal impact. UAVs are a relatively new phenomenon and IAATO Is therefore taking a cautionary approach, as it is possible they could have a negative impact on the environment. Also, as you can imagine, many drones flying over a penguin colony would not only be potentially detrimental to the birds (adult penguins are distracted by drones, which allows a Skua to swoop in and eat their eggs or swipe one of their chicks), but will also greatly diminish the experience of other passengers seeking to enjoy the beauty and solitude of the Seventh Continent. So, please, leave the drones at home!Q: Will I get more information on packing, vaccines, currency, electricity, etc.?A: After booking, you will receive a link to our online trip portal which includes all of the need-to-know information that is specific to your itinerary. This includes packing lists, restaurant recommendations, tipping guides, FAQs, vaccine recommendations and currency information. Your Adventure Travel Coordinator will also be a great resource for any other information you may need. - Late October and November: The early part of the season showcases a number of highlights. Landing sites are at their most pristine. The possibility of seeing sea ice is present early on, before it breaks up later in the season. Late October to early November sees Adélie, Chinstrap and Gentoo adult penguins and Antarctic-breeding seabirds starting to come ashore to their breeding sites where they commence courtship rituals and nest building. Shortly thereafter eggs are laid and incubated. Emperor penguins can be seen on the frozen Weddell Sea (visited via helicopter on special Emperor penguin voyages).