Our South Georgia and Antarctica: Penguin Safari itinerary is the fastest way to get to the seldom visited South Georgia Island while also setting foot on the 7th continent. As we set sail, photograph massive albatross and beautiful pintado petrels as they swoop and soar around the ship, guiding us toward South Georgia. Beaches teeming with king penguins and elephant seals greet us on this fabled island, where we’ll pay our respects to famed explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Antarctica awaits, with its soaring peaks and staggering expanse. Go further into the Antarctic sea on a Zodiac, experience the rugged peninsula from a sea kayak, undertake an exhilarating hike up a sparkling glacier, or share an endearingly comical moment with an inquisitive gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguin. In these ways and countless others, Antarctica will amaze, surprise and delight.
Antarctica
South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula – Penguin Safari
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- See South Georgia’s incredible wildlife, including 30 breeding bird species and four penguin species
- Follow in the wake of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s perilous voyages to South Georgia and pause for a moment at his grave site
- Explore the Antarctic Peninsula by ship, Zodiac and foot
- Enjoy presentations on wildlife, history, glaciology & geology by our onboard polar experts
- Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Antarctic, with an optional paddling excursion
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
- Day 2: Embark
- Days 3 to 6: At Sea
- Days 7 to 9: South Georgia
- Days 10 and 11: At Sea
- Days 12 to 15: Antarctic Peninsula
- Days 16 and 17:Crossing the Drake Passage
- Day 18: Disembark in Ushuaia
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port at the tip of South America. It’s the ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy 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!
Days 3 to 6: At Sea
There are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. Learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety procedures for Zodiac cruises and shore landings, and also be given instructions for getting the most out of your optional sea kayaking adventures (extra cost), a truly intimate way to experience Antarctica.
If conditions are right, the first indication that you are approaching South Georgia is the sight of birds around a group of rocky spires called Shag Rocks. Have your binoculars and cameras ready to capture these rocky spires rising out of the icy ocean waters. Shags and prions often rest here, and due to nutrient rich upwellings around the rocks it can be a good place to keep a lookout for whales.
Days 7 to 9: South Georgia
After enjoying South Georgia from a distance, we’ll head toward its numerous beaches to find a bay for your first excursion. Landing sites are varied, largely determined by the weather conditions of your voyage. The sites you visit will provide you with wildlife encounters unrivaled anywhere else on Earth.
South Georgia is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins and seals. It won’t take you long to realize that you are in a birder’s paradise, as burrowing seabirds, albatross and petrels can be seen in abundance. You’ll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team will help bring those days to life while you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on the South Georgia of then and now.
One of the most significant sites you will visit on the island is Grytviken. This settlement is one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters. Grytviken possesses a special appeal largely because it’s the site of the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers.
Days 10 and 11: At Sea
Say goodbye to the king penguins as you leave for your next destination: Antarctica! Your days at sea are filled with presentations and workshops led by your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife and landscapes that will surround you upon your arrival on the 7th Continent.
Days 12 to 15: Antarctic Peninsula
The most common reaction upon reaching Antarctica is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, since few places are as untouched and enduring
as Antarctica.
You will discover a land of extremes. One moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence, and the next moment you’ll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a curious penguin waddles by to observe you.
Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, whether you are Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or observing penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Keep a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a Zodiac cruise. Eachday and each excursion will present a new array of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy.
As exciting as the Zodiac excursions and landings are, perhaps you’ll treat yourself to an extra-special Antarctic experience by booking an optional paddling excursion (at an extra cost) or cast reason aside and jump into Antarctic waters for the Polar Plunge!
Days 16 and 17: Crossing the Drake Passage
After more than a dozen days of unique wildlife encounters and remarkable landscapes, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.
Day 18: Disembark in Ushuaia
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows you to continue your adventure onward or catch your flights home.
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Feb 2026 - 18 Feb 2026 | NZD$33801pp | ||
| Triple Cabin | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 25% | ||
| Infinity Suite | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 25% | ||
| Verandah Suite | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 25% | ||
| Superior Suite | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 25% | ||
| Deluxe Suite | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 25% | ||
| Owner's Suite | Pay in full at the time of booking and save 5%, Save 25% |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Triple Cabin
22.5m², located on deck 6, 1 double or 2 single beds, 5m² walk-out balcony, separate seating area, sofa bed, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, refrigerator, TV.
Infinity Suite
25m², located on deck 5 and 6, 1 double or 2 single beds, floor-to-ceiling glass balcony,
seating area, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, refrigerator, TV.
Verandah Suite
20m², located on deck 5 and 6, 1 double or 2 single beds, walk-out balcony, separate seating area, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, refrigerator, TV.
Superior Suite
26m², located on deck 5 and 6, 1 double or 2 single beds, walk-out balcony, separate seating area, private bathroom, bathroom amenities, shower, refrigerator, TV.
Deluxe Suite
31m², located on deck 5, 1 double or 2 single beds, walk-out balcony, separate seating area, private bathroom, double wash basins, bathroom amenities, shower, refrigerator, TV.
Owner's Suite
33m², located on deck 5 and 6, 1 double or 2 single beds, walk-out balcony, separate seating area, private bathroom, double wash basins, bathroom amenities, shower, bathtub, refrigerator, TV.
World Explorer Deckplan
Specifications
- Registered: Portugal
- Staff & Crew: 125
- Guests: 176
- Length: 413 feet (126 meters)
- Breadth: 62 feet (19 meters)
- Draft: 15 feet (4-7 meters)
- Propulsion: 2x Rolls Royce 9,000 kw hybrid diesel/electric
- Ice Class: 1B
- Cruising speed: 16 knots in open water
- Lifeboats: 2 fully enclosed
Whats included?
- Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Team, including shore landings and other activities
- An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
- All shore landings as per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage. Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.
- Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting your expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
- Group arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast. (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
- Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
- Group departure transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local airport or to luggage storage facility
What’s not included?
- International airfare
- Passport and applicable visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
- Meals unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on international flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
- Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
Notes
Adventure Options:
- Sea Kayak: US$1,995
- Paddling Excursion: US$395
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Antarctica
Downloadable travel guide
Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.
