island sky luxury antarctic circle cruise

Antarctic Explorer: All Inclusive

  • Overview
    This expedition transports you to a land that has risen from its winter slumber. Curious penguins are nesting, and majestic whales are returning. Melting sea ice creates highways of water, inviting travelers with a sense of adventure to step off the beaten track and explore the world’s most remote, unspoiled and wildest continent. Sail through landscapes of blue and white hues peppered with icebergs. You might experience an overwhelming silence broken only by the splash of a breaching humpback whale, approach an ice floe as a resting leopard seal raises its head in curiosity, or become surrounded by a bounty of penguins on snow-capped islands. The highlights are endless, the adventure exhilarating and the memories eternal.
    Duration: 10 days
    Passengers: 100 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Disembarkation Point: Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Mandatory extra flight
    Single Supplement: 1.7x - 2.0x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, Argentina

      Your adventure begins in Buenos Aires, where we meet and transfer to the included flight to Ushuaia. With a population of more than 63,000, Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. Although the city has grown during the past few years, it retains an easygoing and accessible feel. Surrounded by the sea to the south and the mountains to the north, Ushuaia is a spectacular departure point for your Antarctic cruise.

    • Day 2 - Embarkation Day

      Today, you can spend time hiking nearby, enjoy Argentine wines and barbecues in the city, or visit the many boutiques and cafés before you leave for your expedition to Antarctica.

      Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail through the historic Beagle Channel. This famous channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart—the next time you’ll see land, you’ll be in the world’s most southern continent!

    • Day 3/4 - Crossing the Drake Passage

      Prepare yourself for potentially rough water, but hope for a smooth sailing, as the Drake is unpredictable and always changing. You’ll spend these first days getting to know your shipmates while your Expedition Team provides safety briefings and insights into what excitement lies ahead.

    • Day 5/7 - South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

      Once the Antarctic Convergence is left in our wake, you will truly begin your Antarctic adventure. It is perhaps the first sight of land itself that is embraced as the true beginning of any Antarctic expedition. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every time we visit Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other—creating a unique, personal experience.

      Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds, you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the cunning leopard seal.

      The majesty of the Antarctic Peninsula’s mountains will enchant as you scramble up snowy pathways to vantage points offering you 360° views of your surroundings. One of these in particular, in Orne Harbour, affords us the opportunity to visit a chinstrap penguin colony high up on a ridge. Here, you’ll have the choice between mountain hiking or spending time sitting quietly on a pebbled beach, enjoying the antics of curious penguins. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, participating in the Polar Plunge swim is about as crazy as it gets!

      Amid the serene silence of Antarctica, noisy interludes become indelible memories, such as penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, or the boom and crack of a calving glacier in Neko Harbour.

      Each day will be different, having been carefully crafted by your Expedition Team to entertain and educate you about this wonderful part of the world.

    • Day 8/9 - Crossing the Drake Passage

      The journey back across the Drake Passage provides final opportunities to enjoy the crisp Antarctic air. Spend time on the deck, watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.

    • Day 10 - Disembark in Ushuaia and Fly to Buenos Aires

      You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, say goodbye to the Expedition Team and crew, and fly back to Buenos Aires (flight included).

    Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your Captain and Expedition Leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

  • Highlights & Activities

    Penguins

    Taking centre stage on your Antarctic Peninsula expedition, are the Brushtail penguin species. These photogenic and intriguing species include, Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins. The species are in abundance across Peninsula and are always performing.

    On board voyages in our other details you may come across Rockhopper, Macaroni, Magellanic, King and Emperor penguins.

    Whales

    Whale numbers swell in Antarctica over the southern summer. Arriving in Antarctica from November onwards, whale numbers reach their peak around December and January. Sightings and particularly breachings reach a pinnacle in February and March, when the Krill is closer to the surface. Some 10 species of whales are found in Antarctic water each summer, with the most abundant species being the Humpack.

  • Inclusions

    Expedition Gear

    Comfortable expedition boots and a high quality expedition parka, specifically designed for the polar regions.

    Charter Flights

    Return charter flights are provided from Punta Arenas to King George Island to meet the Ocean Adventurer

    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - Emergency evacuation insurance up to USD$500,000
    - Comprehensive pre-departure information
    - All services and port taxes
    - Photographic journal
    - Accommodation and all meals on board
    - Pre-cruise accommodation at the starting point of your itinerary
    - All shore excursions and lectures
    - Hot beverages
    - 000 per person

    Not included in your Expedition

    - Massage services
    - Gratuities
    - Internet and Wifi expenses
    - Bar expenses
    - Laundry expenses
    - Mandatory waterproof gear not provided
    - Baggage / cancellation / interruption and medical travel insurance
    - Passport and Visa expenses
    - Airfares unless stated in the itinerary
  • Map
    Screen shot 2017 07 04 at 5.25.45 pm
  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    ISLAND SKY

    The Island Sky is an all suites, all inclusive small expedition vessel with touches of elegance throughout. Quark Expeditions’ only all-suite ship, it carries a maximum of 108 passengers and provides an abundance of public space for wildlife viewing, relaxation and taking in lectures and briefings. Every suite has private bathroom facilities and an exterior view, while some suites include a private balcony. All suites have flat screen televisions and DVD players.

    Features & Facilities
    • Luxury accommodation
    • Observation lounge
    • Observation Bar
    • Library
    • Lecture theatre
    • Large observation deck
    • Internet/Wifi
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 4
    Guests #: 100
    Crew #: 72
    Ice Class: 1C
    Speed:
    Refurbished:
    Technical Specs
    Year built:
    Length: 90m
    Width: 15
    Draft:
    Tonnage: 4200
    Registry: Bahamas
    Elec Outlets: 220V / 2 Round Pin
Check Voyage Dates, Pricing and Availability
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Ready to book your expedition?

We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.

  • Confirm your booking today with just USD$ 1,000 per passenger.
  • Pay your 25% deposit 5 day later.
  • Final payment due 120 days prior to departure.

Standard Suite

02 Mar 2018 - 11 Mar 2018
Twin or double Suite with private facilities and a porthole
USD$ 10,048pp
USD$ 10,048pp

Superior Suite

02 Mar 2018 - 11 Mar 2018
Twin or double Suite with private facilities and a window
USD$ 10,624pp
USD$ 10,624pp

Premium Suite

02 Mar 2018 - 11 Mar 2018
Twin or double Suite with private facilities and a window
USD$ 10,816pp
USD$ 10,816pp

Corner Suite

02 Mar 2018 - 11 Mar 2018
Twin or double Suite with private facilities and a window
USD$ 11,904pp
USD$ 11,904pp

Deluxe Balcony Suite

02 Mar 2018 - 11 Mar 2018
Twin or double Suite with separate sitting area, private facilities and a private balcony
USD$ 12,736pp
USD$ 12,736pp

Owner's Suite

02 Mar 2018 - 11 Mar 2018
Twin or double Suite with separate sitting area, private facilities and a large private balcony
USD$ 16,960pp
USD$ 16,960pp