Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent
Quark Expeditions · 11 days · Buenos Aires, Argentina → Ushuaia
| Operator | Quark Expeditions |
|---|---|
| Available departures | 53 53 available of 54 scheduled |
| Typical duration | 11 days · Buenos Aires, Argentina → Ushuaia |
| Price range (per person, USD) | $12,028 – $44,041 |
| ships | World Voyager, Ocean Explorer, Ultramarine |
| Prices last verified | 48-hour verification methodology |
Upcoming departures — Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent
| Departure | Ship | Duration | Availability | From | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 6, 2026 – Nov 16, 2026 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Sold out | — | |
| Nov 12, 2026 – Nov 22, 2026 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$13,586
|
|
| Nov 15, 2026 – Nov 25, 2026 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$15,691
|
|
| Nov 21, 2026 – Dec 1, 2026 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$17,571
|
|
| Nov 30, 2026 – Dec 10, 2026 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$16,736
|
|
| Dec 9, 2026 – Dec 19, 2026 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$14,396
|
|
| Dec 17, 2026 – Dec 28, 2026 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$21,811
|
|
| Dec 18, 2026 – Dec 28, 2026 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$15,721
|
|
| Dec 18, 2026 – Dec 28, 2026 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$18,931
|
|
| Dec 27, 2026 – Jan 7, 2027 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$20,821
|
|
| Dec 27, 2026 – Jan 6, 2027 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$20,611
|
|
| Dec 27, 2026 – Jan 6, 2027 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$19,436
|
|
| Jan 5, 2027 – Jan 15, 2027 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$17,476
|
|
| Jan 5, 2027 – Jan 15, 2027 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$28,471
|
|
| Jan 6, 2027 – Jan 17, 2027 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$22,951
|
|
| Jan 26, 2027 – Feb 5, 2027 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$18,031
|
|
| Feb 28, 2027 – Mar 11, 2027 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$17,851
|
|
| Feb 28, 2027 – Mar 10, 2027 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$18,536
|
|
| Mar 9, 2027 – Mar 19, 2027 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$17,096
|
|
| Mar 10, 2027 – Mar 21, 2027 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$17,941
|
|
| Nov 5, 2027 – Nov 15, 2027 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$15,228
|
|
| Nov 6, 2027 – Nov 17, 2027 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$14,373
|
|
| Nov 12, 2027 – Nov 22, 2027 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$12,836
|
|
| Nov 21, 2027 – Dec 1, 2027 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$13,334
|
|
| Nov 23, 2027 – Dec 3, 2027 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$15,228
|
|
| Nov 30, 2027 – Dec 10, 2027 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$13,334
|
|
| Dec 8, 2027 – Dec 19, 2027 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$20,016
|
|
| Dec 9, 2027 – Dec 19, 2027 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$15,386
|
|
| Dec 18, 2027 – Dec 29, 2027 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$22,666
|
|
| Dec 28, 2027 – Jan 8, 2028 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$20,106
|
|
| Jan 6, 2028 – Jan 16, 2028 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$17,118
|
|
| Jan 7, 2028 – Jan 18, 2028 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$17,684
|
|
| Jan 15, 2028 – Jan 25, 2028 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$19,246
|
|
| Feb 29, 2028 – Mar 11, 2028 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$18,135
|
|
| Mar 3, 2028 – Mar 13, 2028 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$12,674
|
|
| Mar 10, 2028 – Mar 21, 2028 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$14,050
|
|
| Mar 12, 2028 – Mar 22, 2028 Best price | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$12,028
|
|
| Oct 31, 2028 – Nov 10, 2028 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$12,479
|
|
| Nov 6, 2028 – Nov 16, 2028 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$14,453
|
|
| Nov 15, 2028 – Nov 25, 2028 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$14,453
|
|
| Nov 24, 2028 – Dec 4, 2028 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$14,453
|
|
| Nov 27, 2028 – Dec 8, 2028 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$15,222
|
|
| Dec 3, 2028 – Dec 13, 2028 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$14,453
|
|
| Dec 7, 2028 – Dec 18, 2028 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$15,222
|
|
| Dec 17, 2028 – Dec 28, 2028 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$16,419
|
|
| Dec 19, 2028 – Dec 29, 2028 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$14,104
|
|
| Dec 27, 2028 – Jan 7, 2029 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$17,958
|
|
| Jan 3, 2029 – Jan 13, 2029 | World Voyager · 168 guests | 11 days | Available |
$17,018
|
|
| Feb 20, 2029 – Mar 3, 2029 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$15,051
|
|
| Feb 20, 2029 – Mar 2, 2029 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$12,565
|
|
| Mar 1, 2029 – Mar 11, 2029 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$12,565
|
|
| Mar 2, 2029 – Mar 13, 2029 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$15,051
|
|
| Mar 10, 2029 – Mar 20, 2029 | Ocean Explorer · 138 guests | 11 days | Available |
$12,565
|
|
| Mar 12, 2029 – Mar 23, 2029 | Ultramarine · 199 guests | 11 days | Available |
$14,025
|
Day by day
Itinerary and landing sites are indicative and subject to change based on weather, sea ice, and wildlife conditions.
DAY 1 Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentine town is an ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Enjoy the mountains or sample handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.
DAY 2 Embark
Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which 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 see land, you’ll be on the world’s most southern continent!
DAYS 3–4 Crossing the Drake Passage
Your days at sea are filled with presentations led by your Expedition Team on photography, wildlife, glaciology, and history. In between presentations, spend time on deck looking for wildlife, or chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.
DAYS 5–8 South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
The most common reaction upon reaching the 7th Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. 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 glaciated bays, channels and landing sites. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are hiking the Antarctic landscape, visiting a research station or consorting with chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins, all of which can be found here. Keep an eye out for Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals as well as curious whales, such as humpbacks, minkes, or perhaps orcas while on a Zodiac cruise. Each excursion will present a new array of creatures to fascinate you and keep your camera busy.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.Every day will be different, having been carefully crafted by your Expedition Team to inspire and educate you about this wonderful part of the world.
DAYS 9–10 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 and celebrate the experiences shared exploring Antarctica.
DAY 11 Disembark in Ushuaia
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows for you to continue your adventure onward or catch your flights home.
Seasonality & monthly starting prices
Ships operating this itinerary
Ocean Explorer
Ultramarine
Activities
74 included in fare 3 optional add-ons
Zodiac cruising
Navigate deep into shallow coves, iceberg labyrinths, and alongside sheer glacier fronts where ships cannot reach, observing leopard seals lounging on floating floes.
Hiking & snowshoeing
Crunch through pristine snow up glaciated ridges and volcanic vantage points for breathtaking 360° panoramas over iceberg-choked straits and penguin rookeries.
Polar plunge
Take the leap of a lifetime directly into near-freezing Antarctic waters from a Zodiac, ship gangway, or geothermal black beach for the ultimate polar badge of honor.
Helicopter & flightseeing
Soar above colossal tabular bergs and inland ice sheets to land on untouched glaciers and reach inaccessible colonies like Snow Hill Island's emperor penguins.
Kayaking & paddling
Paddle in near-silence through mirror-calm glacial bays, drifting alongside iridescent ice sculptures and listening to the deep exhales of surfacing humpback whales.
Camping
Roll out your bivouac bag directly onto the snow beneath the southern heavens, falling asleep to the rumble of distant calving glaciers and calling gentoo penguins.
Photography
Specialized workshops and excursions guided by professional polar photographers to capture the ethereal midnight sun, dynamic wildlife action, and sculpted blue ice.
Visited Regions
4Drake Passage
Rite of Passage • Albatross Alley
South Shetland Islands
Volcanic Isles • Penguin Rookeries & Calderas
Anvers Island
Palmer Archipelago • Glacial Vistas & Palmer Station
Lemaire Channel
Kodak Gap • Kilometer-High Glaciated Chasm
More Antarctic itineraries by Quark Expeditions
6Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake
Drake Passage · King George Island · South Shetland Islands · Antarctic Peninsula · Lemaire Channel · Anvers Island · Antarctic Circle
Antarctic Express: Fly South, Sail North
King George Island · South Shetland Islands · Anvers Island · Lemaire Channel · Antarctic Peninsula · Drake Passage
Antarctic Express: Sail South, Fly North
South Shetland Islands · Anvers Island · Lemaire Channel · King George Island · Drake Passage
Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill
Drake Passage · South Shetland Islands · Snow Hill Island
Antarctic Peninsula: Crossing the Circle
Drake Passage · South Shetland Islands · Bransfield Strait · Anvers Island · Lemaire Channel · Antarctic Circle · Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctica by Helicopter: Crossing the Circle and the Peninsula
Drake Passage · South Shetland Islands · Anvers Island · Lemaire Channel · Antarctic Circle
Wildlife on this route
Penguins
Gentoo Penguin
A stocky, orange-billed penguin of the genus Pygoscelis, closest kin to the Adélie and Chinstrap. Its loud, trumpeting call, delivered with head thrown back, carries across the shoreline colonies where expedition landings are made.
Whales & Dolphins
Humpback Whale
A 14–17 metre baleen whale known for breaching and long pectoral fins, often seen feeding on krill in loose groups along the ice edge.
Whales & Dolphins
Orca
Black and white apex predator instantly recognizable by its pale eye patches, the orca is the largest of the dolphins and one of the ocean's most capable hunters. Sightings often involve a tight-knit family pod working the ice edge together.
Albatrosses & Seabirds
Wandering Albatross
The snowy albatross, better known as the wandering albatross, has the widest wingspan of any living bird alive today. Watch for it riding the wind for hours behind the ship without a single wingbeat.