Trip Highlights
This Antarctica expedition is currently open to men and women to give everyone the opportunity to experience a true once-in-a-lifetime adventure to one of the most remote and awe-inspiring places on Earth. From crossing the legendary Drake Passage to stepping foot on the White Continent, every moment feels extraordinary.
You’ll cruise through icy waters by Zodiac, weaving between towering glaciers and sculpted icebergs, and experience unforgettable wildlife encounters as penguins, seals and whales appear right in front of you in their natural habitat.
Travelling on a small expedition ship with expert polar guides, this is an immersive and ever-changing journey where no two days are the same. Guided by the elements, you’ll explore some of the most pristine landscapes on the planet while sharing the experience with a group of like-minded, adventurous people. It’s raw, powerful and humbling – the kind of trip that stays with you long after you return home.
Explore the Last Great Wilderness on Earth
Antarctica is vast, silent and completely untouched. Towering glaciers, endless ice fields and dramatic mountain backdrops create a landscape that feels truly otherworldly.
Unforgettable Wildlife Encounters
Get up close to incredible wildlife in its natural habitat. Watch penguins waddle nearby, spot seals on drifting ice, and witness whales surfacing through icy waters.
Zodiac Adventures Through Ice and Glaciers
Cruise between towering icebergs and shimmering glaciers by Zodiac, accessing remote areas that larger ships simply can’t reach.
Set Foot on the Antarctic Continent
Step onto one of the most remote places on Earth. Explore untouched landing sites, snowy shores and wildlife-rich environments with expert guidance.
Cross the Legendary Drake Passage
Sail the iconic Drake Passage, following in the footsteps of historic explorers as you journey towards the White Continent.
Intimate Expedition-Style Travel
Travel on a small expedition ship of 80 people for a more personal experience, with access to remote locations and a close-knit group atmosphere.
Learn from Expert Polar Guides
Gain deeper insight into Antarctica through onboard talks and guided excursions led by experienced polar experts.
Optional Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences
Enhance your adventure with optional additional activities such as kayaking, or taking the polar plunge.
A Journey Shared with Like-Minded People
Experience Antarctica alongside a supportive group of adventurous people, creating connections and memories that last long after the trip.
A Perspective That Stays With You Forever
Antarctica’s scale, silence and beauty offer a rare sense of perspective that stays with you long after you return home.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina: Welcome to the End of the World
Welcome to Ushuaia, a remote Patagonian town tucked between the mountains and the Beagle Channel, often referred to as the “End of the World”.
There’s a sense of excitement in the air here – this is where your Antarctic journey begins. After arriving, take time to explore the colourful streets, visit local cafés or simply soak up the atmosphere of this unique frontier destination.
In the evening, meet your fellow travellers and host. As always with Wild Hearted Adventures, this is where strangers quickly become friends, united by a shared sense of adventure.
Overnight in Ushuaia.
Day 2 - Embarkation: The Adventure Begins
Today is the day your Antarctic expedition truly begins and everything becomes more real.
Board your expedition ship and settle into your cabin – your home for the next nine nights.
After a welcome briefing where you will meet the expedition team, you’ll set sail through the Beagle Channel, leaving South America behind as you head towards one of the most remote places on Earth.
Head out onto the deck as the landscape slowly fades into the distance. This is a special moment – the realisation that you are on your way to Antarctica!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Days 3 & 4 - Crossing the Drake Passage: Into the Wild
Everyone has heard of the Drakes Passage, and now it’s your turn to ride it! Crossing the Drake Passage is all part of the adventure – a true rite of passage for those travelling to Antarctica.
These days at sea are far from idle. Wrap up warm and head out on deck to watch seabirds glide effortlessly over the waves, including majestic albatross. Keep an eye out for whales as you journey south.
Back onboard, your expert expedition team will host engaging talks and briefings, bringing Antarctica to life before you even arrive.
As the days pass, the temperature drops, the anticipation builds, and your first icebergs may begin to appear on the horizon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Days 5-8 - Antarctica & South Shetland Islands: The Experience of a Lifetime
This is what you came for!
Over these incredible days, you’ll explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands – a place of extraordinary beauty, silence and scale. Every day is different, and nothing can be guaranteed as it is shaped by the weather, the ice and the wildlife, making this a true expedition experience.
You’ll usually head out twice a day, combining Zodiac cruises and shore landings. These kind of moments will stay with you forever:
Walk among vast penguin colonies, hearing their calls echo across the ice.
Watch seals resting peacefully on floating ice floes
Cruise between towering icebergs, glowing in brilliant shades of blue.
Witness glaciers calving into the sea with a thunderous crack.
Spot whales surfacing in the icy waters around you
There is something incredibly powerful about being here. The silence, the scale, the untouched nature of it all – it’s unlike anywhere else on Earth.
For those wanting to push themselves further, there is also the opportunity to kayak, camp on the ice, or even take the unforgettable polar plunge during these days (subject to an additional charge, availability and the weather).
Polar Plunge – Included
It sounds like a crazy thing to do, but there are actually a number of reasons why hurling oneself into freezing cold water is one of the top activities.
Taking a plunge in the coldest of waters provides plenty of perks for your well-being, including reducing stress, boosting energy, improving your immune system, and relieving pain. But the biggest reason to take the plunge? Because sometimes, you just want to do something completely crazy! And we must have a lot of crazy passengers, because our polar plunge never fails to draw a huge crowd.
Optional add-ons:
Kayaking – £280
The experienced kayak guides select paddling sites for their protected waters, wildlife, and scenery. This is often near the scheduled landing or excursion site for that day, but we make every effort to create enough distance that you get a truly immersive experience. A typical outing can last anywhere from 1-3 hours.
PLEASE NOTE: This needs booking at time of booking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Days 9-10 - Drake Passage: The Journey Home
As you begin your journey back across the Drake Passage, there’s time to slow down and take it all in.
Spend time reflecting on everything you’ve experienced, flicking through photos and sharing stories with your fellow travellers. The bond created on a trip like this is something truly special.
Enjoy final talks from your expedition team and soak up your last moments at sea, knowing you’ve just experienced something very few people ever will!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11 - Ushuaia: Farewell for Now
Arrive back to Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast.
While your Antarctic adventure comes to an end here, the memories, experiences and connections you’ve made will stay with you for a lifetime.
Depart from Ushuaia (USH), Argentina. We will arrange your airport transfers.
We recommend booking onward travel later in the day or the following day to allow for any potential delays.
You can book an extra night through us if needed.
Meals: Breakfast
PLEASE NOTE:
- This is an expedition voyage, rather than a traditional cruise. The vessel is purpose-built for exploration, allowing us to access remote and rarely visited areas of Antarctica. While onboard facilities are comfortable, the focus of the journey is on discovery, wildlife encounters, and immersive experiences led by our expert team. Flexibility and a spirit of adventure are key, as daily plans are guided by the natural environment.
- This is a ladies-only Wild Hearted Adventures trip, but there may be men onboard the ship as part of other tour groups.
- Nature is in charge, but that’s part of what makes it unforgettable – Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Animals are free-ranging, and sightings will vary according to season, weather conditions and animal behaviour.
- The itinerary is subject to changes – Daily plans are shaped by nature, ice conditions, and wildlife opportunities. Whilst we do our best to keep to our planned itinerary, on occasions things do have to be altered. The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and, although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially in such a remote area like the Antarctic.
- Although we will aim to land on the Antarctic continent, this can’t be guaranteed. The onboard team will do everything possible to ensure this happens but we can’t guarantee it.
- This expedition takes place in an extremely remote region, and all guests must be in good health. Activities can be physically demanding and involve uneven, icy terrain and small boat landings. While a doctor is present onboard, medical facilities are very limited. Once the vessel has departed, there is no access to hospital care, and any serious medical situation may require the ship to return to port. Guests must ensure they are fit to travel
Occasionally, room sizes may vary.
Prices quoted in USD are subject to exchange rate fluctuations and may vary at the time of booking.
Booking fees apply on the We Travel booking site.
Images used on this website and in promotional materials are for illustrative purposes only and do not guarantee specific wildlife sightings, accommodation rooms, views or experiences.
We cannot be held responsible for delays, disruptions or alterations caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to adverse weather, natural events, government actions, transport disruptions, strikes or supplier-related issues.
FAQ
What's Included
- Airport pick up
- 10 nights accommodation on a shared twin basis (limited number of single supplements available)
- One night in a hotel, 9 nights on the expedition ship
- An outer parka jacket is provided to keep. Muck boots are also provided on loan for the duration of the trip.
- Expert Antarctica guides
- Meals as per itinerary
- Tea, coffee and water are available 24/7.
- Beers and soft drinks are included with lunch and beers, wine and soft drinks are included with dinner.
- Transfers throughout the tour
- Welcome Briefing
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary except the optional extras
- Daily Briefings and Recaps
- Onboard Lecture Program
- Citizens science program
- Guided excursions
- Zodiac Excursion/Cruising
- Pre-Departure Support via WhatsApp
- 24hr On-Site Support
What's not included
- International Airfares – You will need to book a flight into Ushuaia
- Drinks not mentioned
- Meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Additional activities not mentioned in itinerary
- Visas / Electronic Travel Authorization if needed
- All items of a personal nature
- Gratuities and Tipping
- Travel Insurance – compulsory
Your host
Your Wild hearted will guide you on a journey of self-discovery amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Antarctica, where the untamed beauty of nature serves as the backdrop for inner exploration and growth.
TBC
TBC
At times, unforeseen circumstances may require a change in your assigned host. However, rest assured that you’ll always be in the capable hands of a passionate, knowledgeable, and exceptional host from the Wild Hearted team, ensuring an unforgettable experience.