Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition - Ocean Explorer

14 days
Feb 2026
Ocean Explorer
Included: transfers, hotels
Kayaking
Camping
Helicopter Tours
2026

From

$19,404

per person

Setting foot on the 7th Continent is a polar achievement relatively few people experience in their lifetime. Even more rare is the incomparable milestone that’s achieved when a traveler crosses the iconic Antarctic Circle. Navigating south of 66°33′ S is—for most guests—the highlight of the 14-day itinerary Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition, which rewards passengers daily with views of dramatic ice formations, humpback whales swimming alongside the ship, leopard seals diving beneath your Zodiac, penguins sliding off icebergs into crystal waters, or giant petrels soaring above the crackling sea.

Starting in 2021, this itinerary allows you to the opportunity to experience our pioneering new vessel, Ultramarine. This purpose-built vessel is designed to extend the boundaries of polar exploration and offer an unmatched Antarctic experience, including a flightseeing tour you’ll never forget and a range of adventure options more extensive than any other ship in its class.

Highlights

Itinerary

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 active outings in the mountains or sample handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.

Day 2 | Embark

As the ship sets sail in the late afternoon, you will begin your Antarctic journey, passing through the historic Beagle Channel. Named after the famed ship on which Charles Darwin traveled, the channel presents great photo opportunities of landscapes and seabirds. Eventually the channel opens up to the Southern Ocean, and onwards to Antarctica.

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. You can also spend time on deck looking for wildlife or chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.

Day 5-7 | South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

The most common reaction upon reaching the Antarctic 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 visit to 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 local bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds, you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the elusive leopard seal.

Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are exploring the Antarctic terrain, visiting a historic research base or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with five different species of seals. Zodiac and ship cruising can offer opportunities to view some of the larger local marine mammals more intimately, such as Antarctic minke and humpback whales. Each day and each excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy.

Your days will be busy spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the astounding beauty of Antarctica. Listening to the crackling and crumbling of icebergs and glaciers and watching penguins waddling on the beach will become your daily entertainment, while sea kayaking, paddle excursions, or camping are optional activities available on select voyages (at an extra cost).

Day 8-9 | Antarctic Circle

Crossing the Antarctic Circle is both a memorable experience and impressive achievement, as few travelers reach so far south. If conditions allow us to cross this famed latitude of 66°33 ́ S, we’ll toast the first explorers who ventured here, and you can raise a glass and take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home of the midnight sun, Weddell seals, and your best chances of encountering sea ice—the foundation of the Antarctic marine ecosystem.

Day 10-11 | Northbound Along the Peninsula

By now, your knowledge of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins will be matched by your ability to differentiate between a leopard, crabeater and Weddell seal. Terms like ‘bergy bits’ and ‘pancake ice’ will become part of your vocabulary, yet there are still many tales to be told. As you head north, Zodiac excursions will fill your days, and your Expedition Team will continue looking out for species of seabirds, seals and whales that may have eluded you on your journey south.

Day 12-13 | Crossing the Drake Passage

As you recross the Drake, Antarctica fades away, leaving you with a collection of memories to last a lifetime. Excited conversations with your newfound friends will make the crossing fly by, regardless of weather and sea conditions. Your Expedition Team will round up its series of presentations as well, with a slideshow of the adventures you’ve shared and wildlife you’ve witnessed over the course of your voyage. Be sure to take some time to reflect on everything you’ve experienced so far.

Day 14 | Disembark in Ushuaia

Today, you’ll say goodbye to your Expedition Team and fellow travelers, disembarking in the morning to catch your homeward flights or continue your travels on your own.

Ships

Ocean Explorer

Ocean Explorer is modern, elegant and purpose-built for polar exploration. The 138-passenger vessel has been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology. One of the ship’s key features is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, a marine engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing experience thanks to the inverted bow. Located at the bow is the two-story, light-filled library, which introduces a welcome airiness to the expedition ship.

Spacious cabins feature a modern, bespoke Scandinavian design and almost all have verandas. Guests can relax and find comfort in the spacious gym, sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis.

Ocean Explorer features ample outdoor viewing areas and multi-height outer decks, which are ideal for long-view photography and wildlife viewing. The vessel is equipped with a fleet of 15 Zodiacs that enable guests to get off the ship quickly and safely for off-ship adventures. In addition to the well-appointed and spacious public areas, Ocean Explorer has an industry-leading mix of sustainability systems, including fuel-efficient Rolls Royce engines.

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What's included

Inclusions

RATES INCLUDE:

For all voyages:

  • An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep

  • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Team, including shore landings and other activities

  • 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.

  • Free beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner

  • Complimentary 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

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. Premium packages are available for more dataintensive applications.)

  • 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

  • One 10- to 15-minute helicopter flightseeing excursion (weather and logistics permitting)

  • 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.

Exclusions

RATES SPECIFICALLY DO NOT INCLUDE:

For all voyages:

  • 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 and domestic flights

  • Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned

  • Laundry, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified

  • Phone charges may vary by location

  • Our basic complimentary Wi-Fi service does not include Premium packages which enable more data-intensive applications

  • 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.

Excursions

Zodiac Cruising in the Antarctic Quark Expeditions

Included

Zodiacs are used for transferring you ashore, transporting your luggage when necessary and for taking you ocean-level cruising among icebergs, whales and seabirds. During the expedition, you will visit remote and isolated sites that are accessible only by Zodiac.

These large, heavy-duty inflatable vessels are extremely safe and were specially designed for expedition work. Zodiacs are the workhorses of Polar expeditions. Separate air compartments retain a large reserve of buoyancy even if these sturdy boats are damaged. Their flat bottom design permits the craft to land directly onto the cobble and ice-strewn beaches that you will encounter on your Polar expedition.

Polar Plunge in the Antarctic Quark Expeditions

Included

The Polar Plunge is scheduled once during each voyage. Throughout the journey, the Expedition Leader and Captain constantly monitor conditions in order to choose the optimal time and location. The Polar Plunge sometimes takes place onshore or, in many cases, from the gangway or Zodiac. All participants wear a tethered harness and plunge into the polar waters from the side of Zodiac or safety of the gangplank cheered on, of course, by fellow passengers and Expedition Team.

Safety is paramount—the onboard physician always attends the Polar Plunge. Guides in survival gear circle the area in Zodiacs as guests take their turn jumping or cannon-balling into the polar waters.

Camping in the Antarctic - Quark Expeditions

Included

Imagine for a moment, staring at the stars in the indigo glow of an Antarctic night as you bed down for the night outside in the elements. The buzz of your daily life becomes a distant memory as you listen to the bray of penguin, the ethereal calls of the Weddell sea – even the exhalation of a humpback whale. And then you fall asleep.

Antarctic Camping with Quark Expeditions is an unforgettable experience. After dinner onboard, you’ll be escorted ashore by Zodiac to camp out on the snow for the night in your ready-to-roll bivy sack (tents can be used upon request). Once you decide on your spot, you set up camp and enjoy the peace as the Antarctic night unfolds.

Camping in Antarctica is limited to 50 participants, all of whom will be briefed beforehand on the principals of basic camping. Prior to you settling down for the night, Quark Expeditions staff will prepare the site, including setting up a perimeter in safe, flat to gently-sloping and beautiful site. You’re free to choose where (within the perimeters) you want to settle down for the night.

You’ll be equipped with the following:

  • Mummy-style sleeping bag

  • Bivy sack

  • Insulated sleeping pad

  • Sleeping bag liner

  • 3 or 4 season tent provided upon request (pending availability)

  • Quark Expeditions Parka

  • Waterbottle (Small collapsible reusable water bottles provided onboard upon embarkation)

  • Muck Boots (insulated waterproof boots provided onboard upon embarkation)

Other recommended gear:

  • Base and mid-layer clothing

  • Warm hat

  • Warm gloves

  • Hand-warmers

  • Camera and accessories

  • Backpack

  • Eye mask if you wish complete darkness

  • Need a pillow? Roll up your parka!

  • Essential medication and or supplements

Paddling Excursion Quark Expeditions

Included

Explore the ocean from a more intimate vantage point on a sit-on-top kayak. No experience is required to maneuver these very stable kayaks, allowing you to enjoy an unforgettable experience on the water, taking in breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. Whether it’s your first time in a kayak or you want greater flexibility to try other Adventure options, this shorter excursion is for you.

Paddling in the Polar Regions is highly weather-dependent and a one-time experience. Your kayak guides will attempt to take you out on the water for 1-1.5 hours of paddling. Offered on most voyages, spaces are limited. All equipment, guides and instructions are provided by Quark.

Pricing subject to change based on season.

Sea Kayaking in the Antarctic - Quark Expeditions

Included

Positioning yourself in the seat of a kayak is one of the most intimate ways travelers can connect with the polar regions—at water level, up close, where you can touch and feel every polar sensation imaginable. The Sea Kayak Program enables a small group of like-minded individuals to forge bonds as they explore fjords, glacial faces or mazes of sea ice.

Quark Expeditions Sea Kayak Program is a voyage-length program available in Antarctica, in which kayakers (those who have minimal experience as well as seasoned paddlers) will enjoy the polar regions from a unique perspective.

Conditions and logistics permitting, your kayak guide(s) will endeavor to have you paddling as often as possible throughout the voyage. Typically, sea kayakers are shuttled by Zodiac from the ship to an ideal starting point, where the kayak excursion begins. Guests return to the ship by Zodiac at the end of their paddling experience. Some kayak excursions are designed so guests can go ashore and explore.

In addition to the kayak guides, a safety driver in a Zodiac will always stay nearby to offer assistance if required. Excursions typically last one and a half to three hours.

Note: Due to its popularity and limited space, if you want to ensure a space in the Sea Kayak program, please register when you book your expedition. While the program routinely fills up well before the voyage, if there are vacant spaces when you board the vessel you may sign up. Quark Expedition guides attempt to lead guests on as many sea kayak excursions as possible, but the number of excursions will depend on weather and sea conditions as well as logistical factors. Be prepared to paddle in a double or single kayak depending on availability.

Is Kayaking Experience Necessary?

The Sea Kayak program was developed to accommodate kayakers with a range of experience. Please don’t hesitate to consult with our polar travel advisors if you have any questions.

Provided gear

  • Sea kayaks (single or double)

  • Paddle

  • Spray-skirt

  • Drysuit

  • Insulated rubber gloves and pogies*

  • PFD (personal flotation device)

  • Neoprene booties

  • 10L dry bag

  • Water bottle (provided in rooms upon embarkation)

Other recommended gear/clothing

  • Thermal base layer top and bottom (synthetic or wool, no cotton)

  • Thin fleece 200 weight top or wool sweater

  • Fleece pants

  • Liner socks

  • Thick wool socks

  • Neckwarmer

  • Thin fleece or wool liner glove to wear under rubber gloves (if you wish)

  • Warm hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen

  • Camera (either waterproof, in exterior waterproof housing, or stored in a drybag)

  • Waterproof backpack or a drybag

Hiking in the Antarctic Quark Expeditions

Included

Hiking in the polar regions differs from your typical trail experience. Here, in a tree-less terrain, you are the tallest figure on the landscape as you walk over spongy tundra, crusty snow or sandy beaches in remotes parts of the Arctic and Antarctica. Stepping ashore anywhere in the polar regions means you’re not a distant observer.

Our organized hikes range from short jaunts to the top of lookouts or visits to see wildlife or longer walks of several kilometers over ice and rock and snow. Hiking excursions may last from two to three hours with plenty of time for photographs of wildlife, learning moments from your experienced guides, or just time to stand back and admire the incredible polar surroundings.

No experience is necessary but participants should be able to get in and out of a Zodiac and walk on uneven terrain. Hiking options are tailored to all interests and abilities, from those who want to contemplate the landscape in silence to photographers who want that perfect image to energetic travelers who want to summit a peak in the hopes of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat.

Equipment you’ll be provided with for hiking outings

  • Trekking poles are available upon request

  • Bring your Quark Parka and collapsible water bottle provided at embarkation (they’re yours to keep)

  • Muck boots (loaned to you for the duration of your expedition)

Other recommended gear/clothing

  • Base and mid-layer clothing

  • Waterproof breathable pants

  • Wool or synthetic hiking socks

  • Warm hat

  • Brimmed hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Waterproof and sunscreen and lip balm (minimum SPF 30)

  • Backpack, preferably water-resistant (or with a rain cover)

  • Warm gloves

  • Camera and accessories

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Practical information

The Antarctic cruise season runs from November to March, during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer. Each month offers a unique experience:

  • November – Early Season: Pristine landscapes, fresh snowfall, and active penguin courtship.

  • December & January – Peak Season: Warmer temperatures, 24-hour daylight, and hatching penguin chicks.

  • February & March – Late Season: Best whale watching opportunities and more ice-free waters for deeper exploration.

Antarctica is home to incredible wildlife, including:

  • Penguins: Emperor, Adélie, Chinstrap, Gentoo, and more.

  • Whales: Humpback, Minke, Orca (Killer Whales), and Blue Whales.

  • Seals: Weddell, Leopard, Elephant, and Crabeater Seals.

  • Birds: Albatross, Petrels, Skuas, and more.

No visa is required for Antarctica itself, but depending on your nationality, you may need visas for Argentina or Chile, where most cruises depart from. Quark Expeditions will provide all necessary permits for landing in Antarctica as part of the IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) guidelines.

Despite being a frozen continent, temperatures during the cruise season are warmer than many expect, ranging from:

  • Early Season (Nov - Dec): -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F)

  • Peak Season (Jan - Feb): 0°C to 8°C (32°F to 46°F)

  • Late Season (Feb - Mar): -2°C to 6°C (28°F to 43°F)
    Wind and weather conditions can change rapidly, so layering is key.

• Your passport and a copy of it!

• Cash in the applicable currency. Please check your travel documents for information about card payments on board

• Regular indoor shoes

• Sun protection

• A good pair of binoculars (ask the Cruise Norway team if they are included in your cabin)

• A small waterproof backpack

• Sunglasses with UV filter lenses

• Lip balm with UV protection

• Moisturizer

• Enough medication and other essentials to last through unforeseen delays

• Extra memory cards

• Extra batteries. Battery life can be reduced in cold climates

• Chargers

• Electrical adapters and converters if needed, please check your travel documents for information

• Sea sickness medication

• Sleeping mask

Clothing:
Layering clothes helps to keep you warm and dry. We recommend layering with wool, silk or synthetic fabrics rather than cotton. Dress code on board is casual (expedition style). Clothing should be comfortable and informal, including shoes. Dressing up for meals is not required.

• Summer clothing to wear in Buenos Aires

• Comfortable shoes for exploring South America

• Warm winter jacket

• Wind and water-resistant trousers or ski pants (some cruises require waterproof pants for landings and zodiac cruises, do not wear jeans or similar)

• Long thermal base layer

• Warm hat or headband

• Scarf or fleece tube

• Warm wool jumper and fleece jacket

• Gloves and mittens, fleece and wool

• Warm socks

Quark Expeditions’ Antarctica cruises offer daily landings and Zodiac excursions, depending on weather conditions. Activities may include:

  • Wildlife Watching: Close encounters with penguins, whales, and seals.

  • Zodiac Cruising: Exploring icebergs, glaciers, and remote shorelines.

  • Guided Hikes: Walks led by expert expedition guides.

  • Photography Workshops: Capture Antarctica’s stunning scenery.

  • Scientific Lectures: Learn from onboard experts about Antarctic history, geology, and wildlife.

Some cruises may offer optional activities such as kayaking and camping (availability varies).

Crossing the Drake Passage (between South America and Antarctica) can be rough or calm, depending on weather conditions. While some travelers experience motion sickness, Quark Expeditions’ advanced stabilized ships and onboard medical assistance help make the journey more comfortable. Those prone to seasickness may consider bringing medication or using natural remedies like ginger or acupressure bands.

Quark Expedition guest are provided limited Wi-Fi access for use on one device, permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Additional data can be purchased on ship.)

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Latin America

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India

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DISCLAIMER: Rates are per person, subject to availability and can change at any time

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