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Emperor Penguin Quest: Snow Hill | Ultramarine

14 Days
Save Up To 10%

WAS From £ 26,095   Now From £ 23,648

STYLE: Small Ship Luxury Expedition Cruise 

Trip Code: ACQEEPQ

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)

Start: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Finish: Buenos Aires, Argentina

SHIP: Ultramarine

DestinationDestination

Weddell Sea, Antarctica, Snow Hill Penguin Colony

MealsMeals

All meals, snacks, soft drinks & juices on board. Beer, standard wines & spirits, & cocktails during pre-dinner bar service, dinner & evenings

TransportTransport

Group transfers throughout & return charter flight Buenos Aires to Ushuaia

TransportAccommodation

Hotel & Cabin on board ship



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Included SightseeingIncluded Sightseeing

Heli flightseeing, Daily Antarctica Excursions, Zodiac Cruising, Onboard Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Expedition Team, Express Bus Tour of Tierra Del Fuego National Park

 

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather & ice conditions

OVERVIEW

Snow Hill Island is home for up to 10,000 Emperor Penguins and is the northernmost location these iconic Penguins can be found on the continent. Venture into the Weddell Sea onboard the luxurious Ultramarine and travel by helicopter to the otherwise inaccessible Snow Hill Island and be one of the very few lucky people in the worth that get to experience these giant penguins up close in their own natural environment.

Every consideration is taken into account to have minimal impact on these penguin colonies, requiring passengers to walk distances up to 1km from where Helicopters touch down so the penguin's environments are unaffected and disturbed when guests visit.
 

ITINERARY

Arrive in Buenos Aires

Upon arriving in this fascinating city, known for its architecture and rich European heritage, you will independently transfer to your group hotel. Your pre-expedition hotel night is included in mandatory transfer package. Why not arrive early and spend some time exploring this remarkable city? Contact us for some ideas.

Fly to Ushuaia & Embark

After an early breakfast at the hotel, your group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to a central downtown location to enjoy time on your own to explore quaint Ushuaia—the world’s southernmost city—before making your way to the pier. After a late afternoon embarkation, you will sail along the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Enjoy the air of anticipation as you depart—the next land you see will be the Antarctic!

At Sea Crossing the Drake Days 3 & 4

The unpredictable and exciting Drake Passage, which lies at the confluence of the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Southern oceans, is an adventure unto itself. While being well taken care of by our expert onboard staff and expedition team, you’ll have plenty of time to gaze out at the expansive ocean waters, photograph seabirds as they swoop around the ship, and get to know your Expedition Team and fellow travellers.

Weddell Sea

Onboard presentations by world-respected experts will enrich your polar quest, conveying what it was like a century ago for the brave polar heroes who embraced the unknown. You’ll also learn more about the ice-dwelling emperor penguins.

Weddell Sea & the Quest for Snow Hill Days 6 to 10

The journey toward Snow Hill Island will put you in explorer mode as the captain and Expedition Leader keep you updated through weather briefings, meteorological and sea ice condition reports. The thickness of ice will determine how close Ultramarine can get to Snow Hill Island, then our twin-engine helicopters will take over.

Like summitting a mountain from base camp, parties will set out from Ultramarine towards the emperor penguin colony. Their adventure begins with an extended helicopter transfer that will reveal a landscape of snow-capped peaks and apartment-building-sized tabular icebergs. The rookery itself is located on the sea ice off the south coast of Snow Hill Island and the landing will be as close to the penguins as possible, yet at a safe distance to avoid disturbing the birds. Upon landing, your party will walk across the ice to the fabled emperor penguin colony. The wind. The ice beneath your feet. Walking next to paths in the snow carved by penguins that came before. And then there are the incredible sounds of the penguins in the distance as you march toward one of the rarest wildlife opportunities on the planet: the colony of thousands and thousands of rarely-seen emperor penguins.

The goal of the expedition is to get every guest to the remote rookery once. The Expedition Team and special experts will be close by to answer your questions and ensure you take in everything there is to see. You’ll observe close up how the emperor penguins behave as a tight-knit community, how they care for their young, and how they body surf across the ice in a way that can only be described as quirky yet efficient. The helicopter expedition in search of the emperor colony might just be the adventure of a lifetime

And while at base on Ultramarine with your attentive Expedition Team, you’ll be immersed each day in the polar experience of the Weddell Sea. Daily activities will include Zodiac cruising among the icebergs, adventuring and learning while atop the ice, paddle-on-top kayaking, or working with our team to observe the weather forecasting and ship operations up close.

A particularly enriching component of your voyage will be the bespoke educational programs tailored specifically for this expedition that offer both traditional (lecture format) and hands-on opportunities for learning about this fascinating region. Each day our polar experts, who include penguin scientists, biologists and polar historians, will present on various aspects of emperor penguins and their behaviors, ice formations such as the tabular icebergs which you’ll see from the deck of your ship, and the experiences of polar explorers who braved the Weddell Sea over a century ago. Or you might, on one of these days, decide to take the polar plunge, or test your balance on a stand-up paddleboard. Then again, maybe you’ll enjoy a little pampering. If so, you can choose from Ultramarine’s excellent onboard amenities, including the spa, sauna and fitness room.

The emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill is the goal of this expedition. However, if weather or ice conditions prevent us from visiting the colony or shorten the duration of our visit, we may explore some other sites. Your possible landings in Antarctica will take place on the eastern side of the Peninsula, which is an extension of the Transantarctic Mountains and is the most northern stretch of Antarctic land.

At Sea: Crossing the Drake Days 11 to 13

The journey back across the Drake Passage provides a final opportunity to enjoy the invigorating Southern Ocean air. Spend time on the deck watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, and celebrate the experiences you've shared getting off the beaten track in the remarkable world of Antarctica.

Disembark in Ushuaia & Fly to Buenos Aires

You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. The mandatory transfer package includes a tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park for a taste of Patagonia, after which you’ll transfer to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires.

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WHY CHOOSE THIS CRUISE?

  • Experience a bucket list encounter with Antarctica's iconic Emperor Penguins.

  • Snow Hill Island is only accessible by Helicopter and is one of the only sites tourists can witness Emperor Penguins in their natural habitat

  • The state-of-the-art and sustainable Ultramarine is operated by one of the best and most experienced Expedition teams in the industry

Important Information

  • ** Current Discounts, promotions and pricing are available until 31 Mar 2025, however discounts may be withdrawn or changed at any time and are subject to availability on selected cabins and departure dates. Some current in market offers may be combinable and Shackleton Club Past Passenger and multi trip discounts may be applied subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Prices are subject to change based on currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, and other external factors. No discount applies to any transfer packages, additional activities or pre/post services. The advertised prices may also include a 'Pay in full at time of booking' which is a 5-10% early payment discount, which requires the full balance to be paid at the time of booking to apply. Further conditions may apply, contact us for more information.

    NOTE: Pricing is subject to change, currency fluctuation and availability at the time of booking and may be varied without notice by us or any of the operators and partners we work with. It is only confirmed and guaranteed at the time of making a booking, agreeing to our terms and conditions and paying a deposit. 

  • Maximum of 150 people per voyage.

    Prices are based on per person, and vary from single, quad, triple, and twin cabins.
    Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time.
    All entrance fees are subject to change without prior notice.
    Please note this itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions.

    Includes charter flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia on a return basis.
    Arrival transfer to Buenos Aires hotel on Day 1 is NOT included.

  • INCLUSIONS 
    Cabin accommodation on board ship 
    All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
    Beer, standard wines & spirits, & cocktails during pre-dinner bar service, dinner & evenings
    Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
    All scheduled landings and excursions
    Guiding and lectures by experienced expedition team
    Expedition parka (yours to keep) 
    A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
    One 10 to 15 minute helicopter flight-seeing excursion (weather permitting) 
    Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
    Free WiFi

    MANDATORY TRANSFER PACKAGE 
    One night pre transfer accommodation in a hotel in Buenos Aires with breakfast
    Group flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia on a return basis 
    Transfers from the hotel to the airport in Buenos Aires
    Airport transfer and express bus tour of Tierra Del Fuego National Park after disembarkation in Ushuaia

    EXCLUSIONS
    International flights
    Any other pre or post land arrangements not mentioned above
    Passport and visa expenses
    Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
    Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
    Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
    Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
    Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
    Laundry, bar and other personal charges unless specified
    Optional Adventure Activities 

  • 2 (light adventure)
  • Available upon request, a supplement surcharge applies and is subject to availability. Please contact us for more information.

  • Departure date, fuel surcharges, cabin category, currency fluctuations, seasonality and availability.

FROM PRICE & PROMOTIONAL DETAILS

  • See 'Pricing & Dates' tab for detailed departures, pricing and availability


Please Contact Us for the latest availability, pricing and details of your preferred voyage. Chimu Adventures are Arctic Experts and we will endeavour to find you the perfect Antarctica expedition cruise to ensure you have an unforgettable adventure!

See detailed promotional T&Cs below

NOTE: Pricing is subject to change, currency fluctuation and availability at the time of booking and may be varied without notice by us or any of the operators and partners we work with. It is only confirmed and guaranteed at the time of making a booking, agreeing to our terms and conditions and paying a deposit.