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Master Expedition Route · 11 days 53 upcoming departures

Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent

Quark Expeditions · 11 days · Buenos Aires, Argentina → Ushuaia

Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent — Key Facts At a Glance
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

Route 7 waypoints

Itinerary and landing sites are indicative and subject to change based on weather, sea ice, and wildlife conditions.

Daily schedule
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

November 2026 5 departures
From $13,586
World Voyager, Ocean Explorer
December 2026 7 departures
From $14,396
Ocean Explorer, Ultramarine, World Voyager
January 2027 4 departures
From $17,476
Ocean Explorer, World Voyager, Ultramarine
February 2027 2 departures
From $17,851
Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer
March 2027 2 departures
From $17,096
Ocean Explorer, Ultramarine
November 2027 6 departures
From $12,836
World Voyager, Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer
December 2027 4 departures
From $15,386
Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer
January 2028 3 departures
From $17,118
World Voyager, Ultramarine
February 2028 1 departure
From $18,135
Ultramarine
March 2028 3 departures
From $12,028
Ocean Explorer, Ultramarine
October 2028 1 departure
From $12,479
Ocean Explorer
November 2028 4 departures
From $14,453
World Voyager, Ultramarine
December 2028 5 departures
From $14,104
World Voyager, Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer
January 2029 1 departure
From $17,018
World Voyager
February 2029 2 departures
From $12,565
Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer
March 2029 4 departures
From $12,565
Ocean Explorer, Ultramarine

Ships operating this itinerary

World Voyager

World Voyager

168 guests 2-group rotation Ice class: 1B Ice Class 1B: Ice-strengthened hull for navigation in medium ice conditions (up to 0.6 m). Built 2020
Vessel profile →
Ocean Explorer

Ocean Explorer

138 guests 2-group rotation Ice class: 1A, PC6 Dual-rated: Finnish-Swedish 1A/1A+ and Polar Class 6 for navigating medium first-year polar ice. Built 2021
Vessel profile →
Ultramarine

Ultramarine

199 guests 2-group rotation Ice class: 1A+, PC6 Dual-rated: Finnish-Swedish 1A/1A+ and Polar Class 6 for navigating medium first-year polar ice. Built 2021
Vessel profile →

Activities

7

4 included in fare 3 optional add-ons

Polar adventure guide
Included

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.

Water & Ice
Included

Hiking & snowshoeing

Crunch through pristine snow up glaciated ridges and volcanic vantage points for breathtaking 360° panoramas over iceberg-choked straits and penguin rookeries.

Land & Alpine
Included

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.

Water & Ice
Included

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.

Specialty
Optional add-on

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.

Water & Ice 2 options
Optional add-on

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.

Specialty
Optional add-on

Photography

Specialized workshops and excursions guided by professional polar photographers to capture the ethereal midnight sun, dynamic wildlife action, and sculpted blue ice.

Specialty

Visited Regions

4
Polar destination guide
United States · Polar Specialist

Quark Expeditions

Quark Expeditions operates dedicated polar expedition voyages to Antarctica with experienced expedition teams.

IAATO Member 3 ships 17 itineraries
Fleet & all routes →

More Antarctic itineraries by Quark Expeditions

6
Fleet & all routes

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.