Dates: Feb. 28 - March 12, 2027

Ship: The Greg Mortimer

Celebrate the unforgettable moment of crossing the Antarctic Circle at approximately latitude 66°33' South, a milestone few travelers ever achieve. Throughout your journey, embark on exhilarating Zodiac cruises through secluded bays and quiet coves, where brash ice floats on the surface and towering glaciers and fantastically shaped icebergs shimmer in endless shades of blue, creating perfect photo opportunities. Keep a sharp eye on the waters for the dramatic tail flukes of whales diving deep beneath the surface, as well as for playful porpoising penguins and ice-loving seals such as Weddell and crabeater seals hauled out on drifting ice floes. Your adventure also includes visits to fascinating historic sites, including the preserved huts of early explorers and active scientific stations that continue the legacy of discovery in this extraordinary part of the world.

Day 1: Arrive Ushuaia

Day 2: Embarkation

Day 3-4: Drake Passage Crossing

 
Days 5-10: Antarctic Peninsula & Antarctic Circle

Days 11-12: Drake Passage Crossing

Day 13: Disembark Ushuaia 

Pricing (shown as per person):

Category A Balcony: $18,284.40

Category B Balcony: $16,988.40

Category C Balcony: $16,124.40

*Call to ask about our solo traveler prices*

Traveling to Antarctica is unlike any other trip on Earth. Most journeys begin with a flight to Ushuaia, Argentina — the southernmost city in the world and the gateway to the White Continent. From there, expedition cruises embark across the infamous Drake Passage, a 500-mile stretch of water known for its unpredictable seas. Some days, you may experience the "Drake Lake" with calm, glassy waters, while on others, the "Drake Shake" will remind you of the raw power of the Southern Ocean. For many travelers, the crossing is an adventure in itself and an essential rite of passage to reach the last great wilderness.

Expedition-Style Exploration

Antarctic cruises are truly expedition experiences. There are no shopping districts or restaurants here — the continent itself is the destination. Daily activities typically include Zodiac excursions, shore landings, wildlife observation, kayaking, hiking, and sometimes even a polar plunge into the frigid waters for the brave-hearted. Flexibility is key; itineraries often shift based on ice conditions, weather, and wildlife sightings. This sense of exploration and spontaneity is what makes an Antarctic journey so authentic and thrilling.

The Antarctic Circle and South Georgia

If your itinerary extends south of the Antarctic Circle, expect a truly special moment. Crossing the Circle, marked at latitude 66°33’ south, is a rare achievement celebrated by a toast out on deck. For those venturing to South Georgia, the experience deepens even further with its dramatic landscapes and immense king penguin colonies. Here, you can witness the life cycle of penguins — from eggs to chicks to fledging juveniles — all set against a backdrop of towering mountains and windswept beaches.

The Power of Silence and Reflection

One of the most surprising things about Antarctica is its profound silence. Beyond the sounds of wildlife, the occasional crack of calving glaciers, or the gentle splash of water against your Zodiac, there’s a powerful stillness that encourages reflection and connection to the natural world. Many travelers return home forever changed, with a deeper appreciation for Earth’s fragile beauty and the importance of protecting places like this.

Dates: March 9 - 29, 2027

Ship: Douglas Mawson 

Raise a glass in celebration as you join the small and privileged club of adventurers who attempt to cross below the Antarctic Circle, conditions permitting. Glide across glassy waters on thrilling Zodiac cruises, marveling at the dazzling, iridescent blues of towering icebergs gleaming under the polar sun. In South Georgia, witness the remarkable life cycle of king penguins — from adults carefully tending to their eggs, to the sight of chicks hatching, and juveniles moulting and preparing to fledge. Ashore, hike along rugged pebble beaches and climb tussock-covered slopes, where unexpected wildlife encounters await around every corner, creating unforgettable moments in this remote and untamed wilderness.

Day 1: Arrive Ushuaia

Day 2: Embarkation

Days 3-4: Drake Passage Crossing

Days 5-10: Antarctic Peninsula and Antarctic Circle Crossing 

Days 11-12: At Sea

Day 13: At Sea / South Georgia

Days 14-17: South Georgia

Days 18-19: At Sea

Day 20: At Sea / Falklands~Malvinas

Day 21: Falklands~Malvinas

Day 22: At Sea 

Day 23: Disembark in Ushuaia

Pricing (shown as per person):

Category A Balcony: $28,580.40

Category B Balcony: $26.636.40

Category C Balcony: $23,689.13

*Call to ask about our solo traveler prices*

For more than 32 years Aurora Expeditions has been pioneering discovery and adventure. They are 100% Climate Neutral and are deeply committed to travel with a positive impact.

An experience with Aurora Expeditions is life changing. Founded by legendary adventurer Greg Mortimer, their expert Expedition Teams have been sharing their knowledge and understanding of some of the most remote and unspoiled destinations on our planet – Antarctica, the Arctic and beyond.

On an Expedition, they follow the experience, so their purpose-built small ships, Zodiacs and immersive activities can take you to undiscovered areas. Because if you want to see something you’ve never seen, you have to go somewhere you’ve never been.

Their Discovery voyages take you to the heart of nature and they are full of adventure as well as history and cultural experiences. Sometimes they go off the beaten path and on others they visit a combination of less discovered and more populated areas.

Each expedition is accompanied by an expedition team Aurora believes are the world’s best. Remote area specialists, their onboard lectures entertain and expand your knowledge.

Whether you’re joining Aurora Expeditions for the first time or returning for another thrilling adventure, the original goals remain unchanged. Explore wild places that stir the soul, offer personal attention on unforgettable expeditions and welcome new friends into the Aurora Expeditions family.

Inclusions:

• All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
• One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Ushuaia on Day 1.
• Half-day tour of Ushuaia on Day 2, prior to embarkation.
• Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
• All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.
• Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
• Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
• All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
• Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
• Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
• One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
• Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
• Wifi
• Comprehensive pre-departure information.
• Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
• Included Activities:
  
  

Included Activities:

• Bird Watching
• Lectures on wildlife, environment, history and destinations
• Marine mammal spotting
• Photography
• Polar plunge
• Scenic cruising
• Trips ashore
• Walking
• Wildlife watching
• Zodiac cruising

Few travelers are lucky — and truly privileged — enough to set foot on the elusive 7th continent, Antarctica, let alone cross the legendary Antarctic Circle. This invisible line, marked at 66°33’ south, represents a rare frontier that only a select number of expeditioners ever experience. Crossing it is more than just a geographical milestone; it’s a rite of passage, often celebrated with a champagne toast out on the open deck, surrounded by endless horizons of ice and sky. Yet, the significance goes beyond mere bragging rights. It’s about stepping deeper into a world few will ever see — a realm where nature remains raw, untouched, and magnificently wild. Here, the environment feels more elemental, more ancient, and infinitely humbling.

Crossing the Circle is an emotional moment, not only because of its rarity, but because it feels like entering another realm — one that challenges your senses and stretches your imagination. In these southernmost latitudes, the air is crisper, the silence deeper, and the landscapes somehow even more surreal. Glaciers glisten under the midnight sun, and the endless stretches of ice seem to go on forever, an unbroken wilderness of white and blue.

Throughout your voyage, you’ll be gifted with endless daylight during the austral summer, allowing for long, unforgettable days of exploration and discovery. Spend hours on deck scanning the waters for signs of life — humpback, minke, and even orca whales can be spotted feeding and playing near the ship, their giant silhouettes slicing through the shimmering surface.

Venturing ashore, you’ll visit thriving penguin rookeries where thousands of Adélie, Gentoo, and chinstrap penguins bustle in a lively chorus of calls and clumsy charm. Watching these resilient creatures thrive in such an extreme environment is a profound reminder of nature’s adaptability and wonder. If conditions allow, you may also have the chance to hike across snowfields to reach remote vantage points, where sweeping views of the frozen continent stretch as far as the eye can see.

Zodiac cruises take you even deeper into the icy wilderness. These nimble boats allow you to weave between towering icebergs, marvel at their endless shades of blue, and explore narrow channels where seals rest on ice floes and seabirds soar overhead. The stillness of these mirror-like waters creates moments of pure magic — times when the only sounds are the distant crack of calving glaciers or the gentle splash of a whale surfacing nearby.

Embarking on an Antarctic cruise is more than a trip; it’s an immersion into a realm where nature’s grandeur is on full, humbling display. Each day is a new adventure, a new chance to connect with the awe-inspiring forces that have shaped our planet for millions of years. Towering mountains draped in ice, colossal glaciers calving into the sea, and fantastically sculpted icebergs become your daily companions in a place so pristine and untouched that it often feels like another planet.

For those who dream of exploring beyond the ordinary, Antarctica delivers in ways few places can. It’s not just a destination — it’s a profound experience that stays with you long after you return home. Every icy vista, every whale sighting, every moment of wonder becomes a part of you, fueling a deeper respect for the planet and its fragile, extraordinary beauty.

Those who are fortunate enough to journey this far south often say that Antarctica changes you. It strips away the noise of everyday life and reminds you what it means to stand in awe of the natural world. It’s an adventure that stirs the soul, ignites the spirit of exploration, and leaves you forever marked by the memory of Earth’s last true wilderness.