Classic Antarctica: Whale Watching

Discover unique adventures in Antarctica — one of the most mysterious and untouched parts of our planet. 

You will spend your journey on an expedition vessel, cross the Drake Strait and find yourself among incredible icy landscapes, majestic icebergs and a rich variety of wildlife. 

You will have a unique opportunity to visit remote coves, explore the icy expanses by kayaking and snowshoeing, stay overnight in a tent on the coast of Antarctica, climb to the top of several Antarctic mountains and participate in photography workshops. 

Every moment is filled with impressions, whether it's landing on the Zodiac or watching penguins, seals and whales. An unforgettable journey awaits you, which will remain in your memory for a lifetime.

Location

Ushuaia, Argentina
from
$5,128
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
11 Days
10 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • 29 November – 9 December
    • Dates for next season
    • 5 – 15 January, 2026
    • 31 January – 10 February, 2026
or
Accommodation
  • Cabin on the boat
    10 nights
Comfort
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 108 tourists
Minimum age
8 years old
Group meet at
Ushuaia, Argentina
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Adventures with comfort
Embark on a journey on a real expedition ship
The diversity of the animal world
You will have the opportunity to see whales, penguins, seals and seabirds
Exciting landings and excursions
Make landings in remote and little-known places
Flexible route
Take the optimal course to feel the spirit of the great expeditions
Mesmerizing icy expanses
You will see stunning endless expanses, icebergs, mountains and glaciers
Majestic volcanic islands
You can visit the misty islands with a variety of flora and fauna

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Ushuaia. Accommodation on the ship

    Independent arrival in Ushuaia. We recommend arriving the day before the cruise.

    Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world and the capital of Tierra del Fuego on the very edge of Argentina near the Beagle Bay. This amazing city, with a population of 45,000, is surrounded by mountains and fertile plains. 

    Nature lovers will be pleasantly surprised by the Tierra del Fuego National Park, the richness of its flora and fauna. Here, the slopes of the Andes are covered with stunning forests, and the peaks of the mountains are covered with snow caps. This is a truly unique and unforgettable landscape. 

    Boarding the ship in the afternoon

    Getting to know the crew and expedition personnel on board. 

    Saying goodbye to the "Land at the edge of the world", you will begin a journey to the White continent.

  • Day 2 - Drake Strait
  • Day 3 - Drake Strait
  • Day 4 - Adventures in Antarctica
  • Day 5 - Adventures in Antarctica
  • Day 6 - Adventures in Antarctica
  • Day 7 - Adventures in Antarctica
  • Day 8 - South Shetland Islands
  • Day 9 - Drake Strait. The course for Ushuaia
  • Day 10 - Drake Strait. Activities on board. Captain's Dinner
  • Day 11 - Return to Ushuaia
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Cabin on the boat
    10 nights
Comfort
  • Premium
5 more photos

The tour provides accommodation for 10 nights on an ice-class expedition vessel.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation on the expedition vessel of the ice class "Plancius" for arrival 06.01-16.01.2025:

Cabin categoryCost per person
Four-seater with porthole (men's seat)5 600 €
Triple room with a portholeThere are no places
Double room with porthole (men's seat)7 200 €
Double room with a window10 300 €
Deluxe with windowThere are no places
Superior with a window11 700 €

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation on the expedition ship of the ice class "Ortelius" for arrival 01.02-11.02.2025:

Cabin categoryCost per person
Four-seater with a porthole8 000 €
Triple room with a porthole9 850 €
Double room with porthole9 850 €
Double room with a window10 300 €
Deluxe with window10 900 €
Superior with a window11 700 €

It is possible to change the cost of the tour.

Ice-class expedition vessel "Ortelius" or Ice-class expedition vessel "Plancius" 10 nights
Ice-class expedition vessel "Ortelius"

Ortelius is perfect for cruises to the Arctic and Antarctic, including the Ross Sea and Franz Josef Land. 

The vessel was built in Poland in 1989 and was named "Marina Tsvetaeva", used By the Russian Academy of Sciences for special purposes. After changing the flag, it received a new name – Ortelius in honor of the Flemish cartographer. 

The ship was completely refitted in 2005 to comfortably accommodate 100 passengers. Now it is a full-fledged expedition vessel, providing guests with all the amenities. 

The spacious captain's bridge is always open to passengers (except in emergency navigation cases). 

There are 2 restaurants, a bar, a lecture hall and a sauna on board. The crew is Russian, consists of 34 people. 

The international staff consists of 15 people, including flight attendants, 6 members of the expedition team (expedition leader and 5 guides/lecturers) and a doctor.

A four-person cabin with a porthole.

It can accommodate up to 4 passengers in the cabin.

The cabin has:

  • The porthole;
  • 2 upper and 2 lower beds;
  • shower, toilet;
  • table and chair;
  • fan;
  • wardrobe.

A three-person cabin with a porthole.

It can accommodate up to 3 passengers in the cabin.

The cabin has:

  • The porthole;
  • 1 upper and 2 lower berths;
  • shower, toilet;
  • table and chair;
  • fan;
  • wardrobe.

Double cabin with porthole.

It can accommodate up to 2 passengers in the cabin.

The cabin has:

  • The porthole; 
  • 2 lower beds;
  • shower, toilet;
  • table and chair;
  • fan;
  • wardrobe.

A double cabin with a window.

It can accommodate up to 2 passengers in the cabin.
 
The cabin has:
  • window;
  • 2 lower beds;
  • shower, toilet;
  • table and chair;
  • fan;
  • wardrobe.

Deluxe with a window.

It can accommodate up to 2 passengers in the cabin.

The cabin has:

  • 3 small windows;
  • 2 lower beds;
  • shower, toilet;
  • table and chair;
  • a small sofa;
  • fridge;
  • tea and coffee making set;
  • fan;
  • wardrobe;
  • A flat-screen TV.

Superior with a window.

It can accommodate up to 2 passengers in the cabin.
 
The cabin has:
  • two windows;
  • 1 double bed;
  • shower, toilet;
  • table and chair;
  • fridge;
  • fan;
  • wardrobe;
  • the recreation area.
Another option
Ice-class expedition vessel "Plancius"

The ship "Plancius" was built in 1976 for the Danish Navy. The ship has been completely refitted for comfortable accommodation of passengers on expedition cruises. In 2010, she went on cruises in Antarctica for the first time. Now Plancius is a comfortable ice-class passenger ship that fully meets all SOLAS requirements.

The crew is international, consists of 17 people. The service staff consists of 19 people, 8 members of the expedition team (the expedition leader and 7 lecturer guides) and a doctor. 

The vessel is perfectly equipped for expedition cruises: a full set of Zodiac inflatable boats, kayaks and even diving equipment.

On board there is a restaurant, a lounge bar with panoramic windows and a lecture hall.

A four-person cabin with a porthole.

It can accommodate up to 4 passengers in the cabin.

  • The porthole;
  • 2 upper and 2 lower beds;
  • shower, toilet;
  • table and chair;
  • fan;
  • wardrobe;
  • flat-screen TV;
  • phone and Wi-fi (extra chargepayment).

A three-person cabin with a porthole.

The cabin can accommodate up to 3 passengers.

  • The porthole;
  • 1 upper and 2 lower berths;
  • shower, toilet;
  • table and chair;
  • fan;
  • wardrobe;
  • flat-screen TV;
  • phone and Wi-fi (extra chargepayment).

Double cabin with porthole.

It can accommodate up to 2 passengers in the cabin.

  • The porthole;
  • 2 lower beds;
  • shower, toilet;
  • table and chair;
  • fan;
  • wardrobe;
  • flat-screen TV;
  • phone and Wi-fi (extra chargepayment).

A double cabin with a window.

It can accommodate up to 2 passengers in the cabin.

  • window;
  • 2 lower beds;
  • shower, toilet;
  • table and chair;
  • fan;
  • wardrobe;
  • flat-screen TV;
  • phone and Wi-fi (extra chargepayment).

Deluxe cabin with window.

It can accommodate up to 2 passengers in the cabin.

  • 2 windows;
  • 2 lower beds;
  • shower, toilet;
  • table and chair;
  • fan;
  • wardrobe;
  • flat-screen TV;
  • phone and Wi-fi (extra chargepayment).

Superior cabin with a window.

It can accommodate up to 2 passengers in the cabin.

  • 2 windows;
  • double bed;
  • sofa;
  • shower, toilet;
  • table and chair;
  • fan;
  • fridge;
  • tea and coffee making set;
  • wardrobe;
  • flat-screen TV;
  • phone and Wi-fi (extra chargepayment).

Tour conditions

Group
up to 108 tourists
Minimum age
8 years old
Duration
11 days 10 nights
Group meets at
Ushuaia, Argentina

Included in price

  • accommodation in a cabin of the selected category; 
  • full board on board, soft drinks, coffee, tea, snacks; 
  • baggage transfer from the collection point in Ushuaia to the ship on the first day of the tour;
  • transfer from the port to Ushuaia airport on the last day of the tour;
  • all landings and excursions on the Zodiac; 
  • services of lecturers and expedition team;  
  • free rental of rubber boots and snowshoes; 
  • service and port charges under the program; 
  • pre-exhibition information material. 

Paid extra

  • international flight to Ushuaia and back; 
  • mandatory medical insurance covering emergency evacuation from the ship;
  • ground handling;
  • alcoholic beverages;
  • Personal expenses: bar, communication, laundry;
  • tips for the expedition team and maintenance staff;
  • any activities ashore before and after the cruise;
  • visa support (if required);
  • additional payment for excess baggage.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour
The main factor in choosing clothes on board a ship is convenience. Clothes can be casual and informal. Take windproof and waterproof outerwear with you. 
 
Do not take tight clothes with you, which does not leave space for the air layer, which is an excellent insulator.  Wool, silk and some modern synthetic fibers, such as polar fleece, retain heat better than cotton.
 
A few tips to help you feel comfortable during an expedition cruise:
  • Do not dress too warmly to avoid sweating.
  • Wear waterproof clothing made of a material that will allow your body to "breathe" and thus prevent moisture from condensing under your clothes.
  • The legs and arms are most susceptible to cooling. Try to keep them dry and warm. Mittens are best suited for the northern climate. 
  • A wise decision would be to take mittens and gloves to be prepared for changes in the weather.
  • A person loses 90% of the heat when cooling his head! Make sure that your head is warm. Along with a headdress covering the ears and forehead, bring a hat or hood that could cover the neck and chin if necessary.
  • It's a great idea to take a woolen or synthetic scarf: providing neck protection, it can be tied over your face if you have to move against the wind.
  • Wear comfortable, spacious clothes. It is better to wear several light clothes than one warm one. A thin layer of air will remain between the layers of clothing, which, with an increase in body temperature, serves as an excellent insulator.
  • Wool and silk are preferable to cotton, because they retain warm air well. Synthetic materials that take their shape again after compression are also good. If things get wet or damp, a polystyrene lining is a better insulator than goose or duck down.
  • We recommend fleece clothing, which is popular even among extreme travelers.

    Dress code
  • Casual clothes
It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes on board during the day. Since the entire vessel is air-conditioned, a jumper, light jacket or shawl may be required. When you are in public places and on deck, it is best to wear light, comfortable shoes.
 
  • Informal evening
In the evening, smart casual clothes are recommended, especially during dinner in a restaurant where shorts and T-shirts are not allowed. 
For women: dress, skirt or trousers, shirt or blouse, jumper. 
For men: trousers or chinos, sports jacket, shirt and jumper.
 
Check if you have taken everything:
  • you will be given a polar jacket on board;
  • You will be given pezine boots on board;
  • warm underwear;
  • warm trousers (jeans are suitable for wearing on board and for excursions);
  • waterproof trousers for boating and land walks (wear them over your regular trousers);
  • a wool sweater or a fleece jacket;
  • mittens and gloves;
  • a woolen hat;
  • warm socks;
  • comfortable moisture-resistant boots with ribbed soles;
  • sneakers or boots. It is forbidden to wear flip-flops on board.
  • safety;
  • waterproof backpack for drop-offs;
  • sunglasses with UV protection;
  • protective cream for face and lips;
  • bathing suit;
  • camera and memory cards;
  • an extra pair of your optical glasses;
  • medical supplies prescribed by a doctor with a margin for several additional
  • days;
  • plastic bag with zipper or camera clip;
  • several T-shirts to wear on board and on landings;
  • binoculars for observing wild animals;
  • battery pack;
  • notepad and pen.
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Are visas required for travel?
Do I need special training?
How is your day on the cruise going?
Will I get seasick?
General conditions of participation in expedition cruises
Can the cruise itinerary change?
How are we going to disembark?
What documents do I need to provide for the cruise?
Do I need medical insurance for a cruise?
I need special food, will I be able to get it on board?

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • from
    $5,128
    29 Nov – 9 Dec 11 days 10 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $5,861
    5 – 15 Jan, 2026 11 days 10 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $8,372
    31 Jan – 10 Feb, 2026 11 days 10 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now