English
Available March 2028

Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent

Departure Mar 3, 2028 ⚓ Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arrival Mar 13, 2028 ⚓ Ushuaia
Duration 11 days 10 nights
Operator 🇺🇸 Quark Expeditions Polar Specialist
Ship Ocean Explorer 138 guests
Ice class 1A, PC6 Dual-rated: Finnish-Swedish 1A/1A+ and Polar Class 6 for navigating medium first-year polar ice.
Year built 2021

Day by day

Route:
Buenos Aires Ushuaia South Shetland Islands Anvers Island Lemaire Channel Ushuaia Buenos Aires

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!

Day 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.

Day 5 to 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.

Day 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.

Activities

Camping

Optional activities

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.

Helicopter & flightseeing

Included activity

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.

Hiking & snowshoeing

Included activity

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

Kayaking & paddling

Optional activities

Paddle in near-silence through mirror-calm glacial bays, drifting alongside iridescent ice sculptures and listening to the deep exhales of surfacing humpback whales.

Photography

Optional activities

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

Polar plunge

Included activity

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.

Zodiac cruising

Included activity

Navigate deep into shallow coves, iceberg labyrinths, and alongside sheer glacier fronts where ships cannot reach, observing leopard seals lounging on floating floes.

Expedition Overview

Operator

Quark Expeditions

Polar Specialist

Quark Expeditions operates dedicated polar expedition voyages to the White Continent with seasoned expedition teams.

Month

March 2028

Late Summer · Fur Seals & Light

Abundant whale encounters, playful fur seal pups, and dramatic golden-hour polar light.

Playful Fur Seals Dramatic Light Shoulder Value
Regions

Visited Regions

4 regions on this voyage
Drake Passage

Drake Passage

Rite of Passage • Albatross Alley

South Shetland Islands

South Shetland Islands

Volcanic Isles • Penguin Rookeries & Calderas

Anvers Island

Anvers Island

Palmer Archipelago • Glacial Vistas & Palmer Station

Lemaire Channel

Lemaire Channel

Kodak Gap • Kilometer-High Glaciated Chasm

Cabin offers

Cabin Occupancy Price (per person) Promo Availability Source detail.action
Triple Suite
Triple Suite Best price

27.5 m² · 3 guests

Two-room suite on Deck 6 designed for three guests, approximately 298 sq. ft. (27.7 sq. m; details row lists 296-299 sq. ft.), with two singles in the inner bedroom and a third bed in the outer room, plus a double-sized walkout balcony from the bedroom. Bed config: three twin beds.

In your cabin
  • climate control
  • fridge
  • in-cabin safe
  • heated bathroom floors
  • USB charging station
  • TV
  • wifi package (paid)
triple $12,028 Pay in full at time of booking & Save 5% available Quark Expeditions View at operator
Deluxe Veranda Forward
Deluxe Veranda Forward

16.9 m² · 2 guests

Located on Deck 4, approximately 182 sq. ft. (16.9 sq. m; details row lists 182-195 sq. ft.), with one double bed that can be configured into two singles and a floor-to-ceiling glass view opening to a walkout balcony. Desk and chair, TV, infotainment system, private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.

In your cabin
  • climate control
  • fridge
  • in-cabin safe
  • heated bathroom floors
  • USB charging station
  • TV
  • wifi package (paid)
$13,482 Pay in full at time of booking & Save 5% sold out Quark Expeditions
Veranda Stateroom
Veranda Stateroom

16.1 m² · 2 guests

Located throughout the ship (Decks 4, 6, 7), approximately 208 sq. ft. (19.3 sq. m) per the page prose (details row lists 173-272 sq. ft.), with one double bed configurable as two singles and a floor-to-ceiling glass view opening to a walkout balcony; separate sitting area except cabins 609-615. Desk and chair, TV, private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.

In your cabin
  • climate control
  • fridge
  • in-cabin safe
  • heated bathroom floors
  • USB charging station
  • TV
  • wifi package (paid)
$14,208 Pay in full at time of booking & Save 5% available Quark Expeditions View at operator
Veranda Suite
Veranda Suite

18.6 m² · 2 guests

Located on Decks 4 and 6, approximately 205 sq. ft. (19.2 sq. m; details row lists 200-205 sq. ft.), with one double bed configurable as two singles, separate sitting area with sofa-bed, and a floor-to-ceiling glass view opening to a walkout balcony.

In your cabin
  • climate control
  • fridge
  • in-cabin safe
  • heated bathroom floors
  • USB charging station
  • TV
  • wifi package (paid)
$15,016 Pay in full at time of booking & Save 5% available Quark Expeditions View at operator
Studio Single
Studio Single

13.6 m² · 1 guests

Designed for one, located on Deck 3, approximately 166 sq. ft. (15.4 sq. m) per the page prose (details row lists 146-186 sq. ft.), with one double bed made up of two twin berths and a porthole view. Desk and chair, TV, private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.

In your cabin
  • climate control
  • fridge
  • in-cabin safe
  • heated bathroom floors
  • USB charging station
  • TV
  • wifi package (paid)
single $19,457 Pay in full at time of booking & Save 5% available Quark Expeditions View at operator
Penthouse Suite
Penthouse Suite

25 m² · 2 guests

Unique two-room suite on Deck 7, approximately 269 sq. ft. (25.0 sq. m), with a double bed (configurable as two singles) in the inner bedroom, sofa-bed sitting area, walk-out double-sized balcony from either room, two TVs and an additional powder room.

In your cabin
  • climate control
  • fridge
  • in-cabin safe
  • heated bathroom floors
  • USB charging station
  • TV
  • wifi package (paid)
$20,588 Pay in full at time of booking & Save 5% available Quark Expeditions View at operator
Studio Veranda Single
Studio Veranda Single

15.1 m² · 1 guests

Designed for one, a unique cabin on Deck 7, approximately 162 sq. ft. (15.1 sq. m), with one twin bed and a floor-to-ceiling glass view opening to a generous walkout balcony. TV, infotainment system, private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.

In your cabin
  • climate control
  • fridge
  • in-cabin safe
  • heated bathroom floors
  • USB charging station
  • TV
  • wifi package (paid)
single $21,072 Pay in full at time of booking & Save 5% sold out Quark Expeditions
Owners Suite
Owners Suite

41.2 m² · 2 guests

Palatial two-room apartment of approximately 443 sq. ft. (41.2 sq. m) on Deck 7, the highest cabin level, with a large private veranda, master bedroom, living room, dining area and two large master bathrooms. Bed config: one double bed made up of two twin berths, plus fold-out sofa bed.

In your cabin
  • climate control
  • fridge
  • in-cabin safe
  • heated bathroom floors
  • USB charging station
  • TV
  • wifi package (paid)
$21,960 Pay in full at time of booking & Save 5% sold out Quark Expeditions

Prices are captured from operator websites and may change — the operator's site is authoritative. Captured Sep 3, 2026 06:38 UTC.

Getting ready for this voyage?

Everything worth bringing on an Antarctic expedition — an interactive checklist you can tick off as you pack, keep as a personal link and download as a PDF.

Open the packing checklist

Wildlife on this route

Wildlife

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.

Wildlife

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.

Wildlife

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.

Wildlife

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.

from $12,028
per person · Triple Suite
View at operator