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Penguins, Icebergs, Glaciers & Epic Grandeur
Couples, Friends & Solos
11 days 10 nights
Activity Level: 1-2
Small Luxury Ships
From: $17,399 - $25,699 pp dbl occ
($7,000 - $10,300 for sgl occ)
Antarctica's beauty, mystique and wildlife have long lured explorers and adventurers. Join us on a remarkable sailing voyage from the southernmost tip of the Americas to the frozen domain of the seventh continent, venturing from secluded bays dotted with icebergs to land masses dominated by massive glaciers. This is the bucket-list trip you've been waiting for.
Argentina
Start/End Ushuaia
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Discover Antarctica's untamed and mesmerizing landscape on this once-in-a-lifetime trip—on water, land and ice
- Kayak amid icebergs and hike in Antarctica's frozen wonderland, taking advantage of active excursions designed for Backroads guests
- Explore alongside our insightful expedition team in the realm of incredible wildlife, from humpback whales to gentoo penguins
- Venture from the ship aboard nimble Zodiacs to discover pristine spots on land where few others have set foot
Itinerary
11 Days Small Luxury Ships
Day 1 Your adventure begins in Ushuaia, the capital of Argentina's stunning Tierra del Fuego | Before boarding our ship, join your Backroads Trip Leaders for a scenic hike at the fin del mundo (end of the world) | Settle into your luxurious stateroom as our ship's captain expertly navigates across the Drake Passage.
Days 2-3 Partake in stretching and conditioning classes, informative lectures and other onboard activities while at sea | Floating icebergs and looming glaciers signal you have reached Antarctica.
Days 4-8 Board nimble Zodiacs to discover pristine inlets and peaceful coves | Port Lockroy, Paradise Bay and Pléneau Island are just some of the remarkable sites we may visit during our expedition | Hike through untracked snow to gain spectacular views of an ice-framed harbor | Investigate the cacophony you hear from the shore—thousands of gentoo penguins make their home here | Keep an eye out for seabirds, humpback whales and Weddell seals | Walk along snowy coastal routes or return to the water for sea kayaking through the Antarctic's scenic bays and icy monoliths | On volcanic Deception Island, fire and ice work simultaneously to sculpt an otherworldly landscape | A hike to a caldera summit uncovers steaming geothermal features.
Days 9-11 Sail back to Argentina, taking advantage of the ship's activities—join chats with expedition experts or a stretching class | Disembark in Ushuaia upon your return from this unforgettable experience.

These luxurious and sleek vessels have an intimate French atmosphere and boast an open-air bar, three lounges, a theatre and a team of master chefs crafting gourmet dishes. Condé Nast Traveler Reader's Choice. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Note: You may only reserve one Stateroom Category at this time. Your stateroom will be assigned based on availability. Please contact us if you are interested in booking multiple Stateroom Categories for your party, selecting a specific stateroom, or Single Supplement pricing.
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Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
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Activity Level:
1-2
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
Walks and hikes on this trip take place mostly through snow with some sand and dirt areas. You can expect some steep uphill climbs and slick downhill sections. Walking around the ship's decks can be icy and windy. Kayaking and Zodiac rides take place on open bays and are dependent on low wind and calm water. (Note that kayaking is weather dependent and not guaranteed.)
Daily Route Options
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
Walks and hikes on this trip take place mostly through snow with some sand and dirt areas. You can expect some steep uphill climbs and slick downhill sections. Walking around the ship's decks can be icy and windy. Kayaking and Zodiac rides take place on open bays and are dependent on low wind and calm water. (Note that kayaking is weather dependent and not guaranteed.)
What's Included
All breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners
- Expert Backroads Trip Leaders, on ship and on shore
- Off-the-beaten path exploration
- Access to all ship amenities
- Impeccable and personalized service from ship staff and Backroads Leaders
- Exclusive activities that amplify your appreciation and understanding of the local culture
- Exclusive routes
- Gratuities on ship and on shore handled by your Backroads Leaders
- Exploring lesser known routes away from busy ports
- Private walking tours with expert guides
- Access to all ship activities and excursions
- Wine included with all onboard meals
All breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners
- Expert Backroads Trip Leaders, on ship and on shore
- Off-the-beaten path exploration
- Access to all ship amenities
- Impeccable and personalized service from ship staff and Backroads Leaders
- Exclusive activities that amplify your appreciation and understanding of the local culture
- Exclusive routes
- Gratuities on ship and on shore handled by your Backroads Leaders
- Exploring lesser known routes away from busy ports
- Private walking tours with expert guides
- Access to all ship activities and excursions
- Wine included with all onboard meals
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Ships
The ships we sail on are like floating luxury hotels, so you can visit unique and remote geological sites without touching your suitcase once you've settled in. Our ships are custom‐designed with a variety of inviting spaces that offer plenty of room for both relaxing and socializing. These ships are vastly smaller than most cruise ships, with up to just 150 passengers on our river trips and up to only 250 on our ocean trips. We sail with up to 30 Backroads guests.
Backroads Cruising Life
If you're new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. Although our average group size is larger than a typical Backroads tour, our ship-based trips feel smaller and much more intimate than a typical cruise.
Being onboard a ship provides the benefit of being able to take advantage of ship amenities such as the fitness room and spa. In addition, there is the opportunity to relax in the inviting common spaces or the privacy of your room, complete with balcony. Your Trip Leaders will have information on the array of options to choose from.
If having longer routes or more flexibility to explore is important for you, we recommend choosing one of our River Cruise or Hotel trips. If you love meeting new people and having more time to relax aboard the ship, and enjoy the ease of unpacking once, you'll love our approach to active ocean cruising. Nobody does it like we do.
Meals
All meals are served onboard. On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional for some, and less reflective of the region than on Backroads Hotel trips.
Climate & Itinerary & Going with the Flow
The combination of prolific icebergs, vast ice fields, vibrant landscape and cold ocean currents makes Antarctica like no other place in the world. Its climate can be as surprising as its terrain, with weather patterns and microclimates that can bring sun, wind, fog, sleet, rain and snow all in the same day (or hour!). Please be sure to bring warm layers and waterproof gear for every day of the trip.
Our daily itinerary is based on scheduled sailing and port arrival times, and as a result some days have limited or no access to shore while other days have more opportunities for exploring on land or by Zodiac. Our time spent on land will be optimized and filled with active pursuits, but be prepared for full days at sea with decreased physical activity (including four full days for our crossings of Drake Passage). However, the unique nature of this expedition and the small size of our ship affords us the flexibility to adjust our itinerary for landings on previously unplanned sites, or to possibly go in search of nearby humpback whales! In addition, when traveling in remote territory, things don't always go according to plan, particularly in a region like Antarctica. Its polar nature and fluctuating weather may result in delays to departures and itinerary changes or shifts mid‐trip. Regardless of what comes our way, know that your Backroads Trip Leaders are always prepared to make necessary adjustments to ensure a great trip while keeping safety the top priority. Expect the unexpected in this region—it's all part of the adventure!
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
The ships we sail on are like floating luxury hotels, so you can visit unique and remote geological sites without touching your suitcase once you've settled in. Our ships are custom‐designed with a variety of inviting spaces that offer plenty of room for both relaxing and socializing. These ships are vastly smaller than most cruise ships, with up to just 150 passengers on our river trips and up to only 250 on our ocean trips. We sail with up to 30 Backroads guests.
If you're new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. Although our average group size is larger than a typical Backroads tour, our ship-based trips feel smaller and much more intimate than a typical cruise.
Being onboard a ship provides the benefit of being able to take advantage of ship amenities such as the fitness room and spa. In addition, there is the opportunity to relax in the inviting common spaces or the privacy of your room, complete with balcony. Your Trip Leaders will have information on the array of options to choose from.
If having longer routes or more flexibility to explore is important for you, we recommend choosing one of our River Cruise or Hotel trips. If you love meeting new people and having more time to relax aboard the ship, and enjoy the ease of unpacking once, you'll love our approach to active ocean cruising. Nobody does it like we do.
All meals are served onboard. On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional for some, and less reflective of the region than on Backroads Hotel trips.
The combination of prolific icebergs, vast ice fields, vibrant landscape and cold ocean currents makes Antarctica like no other place in the world. Its climate can be as surprising as its terrain, with weather patterns and microclimates that can bring sun, wind, fog, sleet, rain and snow all in the same day (or hour!). Please be sure to bring warm layers and waterproof gear for every day of the trip.
Our daily itinerary is based on scheduled sailing and port arrival times, and as a result some days have limited or no access to shore while other days have more opportunities for exploring on land or by Zodiac. Our time spent on land will be optimized and filled with active pursuits, but be prepared for full days at sea with decreased physical activity (including four full days for our crossings of Drake Passage). However, the unique nature of this expedition and the small size of our ship affords us the flexibility to adjust our itinerary for landings on previously unplanned sites, or to possibly go in search of nearby humpback whales! In addition, when traveling in remote territory, things don't always go according to plan, particularly in a region like Antarctica. Its polar nature and fluctuating weather may result in delays to departures and itinerary changes or shifts mid‐trip. Regardless of what comes our way, know that your Backroads Trip Leaders are always prepared to make necessary adjustments to ensure a great trip while keeping safety the top priority. Expect the unexpected in this region—it's all part of the adventure!