Antarctica Tours & Trip Packages

Antarctica Tours & Trips

127 Antarctica trips. Tours from 62 tour companies. 63 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

130 Trips match your criteria (61 - 80 shown)

Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea - M/V Greg  Mortimer
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Punta Arenas, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Sail & Fly expedition - only one crossing of the Drake Passage
  • Enjoy the freedom of Antarctica - being in the vast, ice-sculpted Antarctic wilderness
  • Search for feeding whales - as well as hunting seals
  • Get close to large colonies of penguins - see Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins
  • Marvel at enormous tabular icebergs - in the Weddell Sea
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Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"This tour was virtually perfect, due largely to the curating skill, personality, regional knowledge & appreciation, dining choices, guiding & FUN capability of our marvelous guide Rocio! And of course, the eye-popping scenery of the western Algarve, Portugal!"

Trip dates & details
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Classic Antarctica - M/V Ushuaia
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Travel into scenic Antarctica - explore the islands of the peninsula
  • Enjoy a variety of penguins - walk amongst vast penguin rookeries of gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguins
  • Incredible scenery - enjoy the freedom of being in the vast, ice-sculpted, Antarctic wilderness
  • Wildlife watching - enjoy the wildlife and views from the bridge or outer decks of your ice-strengthened vessel
  • Excellent Expedition staff - delight in the knowledge of your expert lecturers and guides, as they accompany you on shores

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"This tour was virtually perfect, due largely to the curating skill, personality, regional knowledge & appreciation, dining choices, guiding & FUN capability of our marvelous guide Rocio! And of course, the eye-popping scenery of the western Algarve, Portugal!"

Trip dates & details
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Best of Antarctica: Whale Journey (Ocean Endeavour)
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Witness an incredible abundance of humpback whales as these serene marine mammals migrate to Antarctica to feed on krill each year. If conditions allow, take Zodiac excursions to get closer to whales spotted by your expert expedition crew.
  • Get the chance to encounter a range of other wildlife like king and chinstrap penguins, fur and elephant seals, albatross and more.
  • Intrepid expeditions on the Ocean Endeavour enjoy an enviable ratio of one expedition crew member for every eight passengers, allowing for a higher level of personal service.
  • Benefit from a variety of on board activities including educational lectures on history, geology and ecology by the expedition team.
  • Enjoy the amenities on board including expedition lounge, restaurant, bar, pool, jacuzzi, library, gym, sun deck, spa facilities and sauna.

Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula - M/V Ushuaia
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Georgia, Salisbury , Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Antarctic Peninsula - explore the small islands of the peninsula by zodiac and on foot
  • King Penguin rookeries 100,000 strong - experience the stunning wildlife spectacle on Salisbury Plain
  • Antarctic wilderness - enjoy the freedom of being in this vast, ice-sculpted, wilderness
  • Breathtaking scenery - enjoy the views from the bridge or from the outer decks of your vessel
  • Expedition staff - be accompanied by expert lecturers and guides on shore

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"This tour was virtually perfect, due largely to the curating skill, personality, regional knowledge & appreciation, dining choices, guiding & FUN capability of our marvelous guide Rocio! And of course, the eye-popping scenery of the western Algarve, Portugal!"

Trip dates & details
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Quest for the Antarctic Circle
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They’ve partnered with well-known names like National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute to offer unique experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Spend seven full days exploring the antarctic peninsula
  • Go farther south than most have ever gone
  • Spend time on deck searching for whales and watching soaring albatross
  • Get up close and personal with a variety of penguin species
  • Discover the intricacies of the antarctic region through our on-board lecture program

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Small Ship Cruise, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"

Trip dates & details
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Antarctica Classic
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They’ve partnered with well-known names like National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute to offer unique experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Set foot on antarctica — the world's least-visited continent
  • Watch majestic albatross soar by the ship while crossing the drake passage
  • Opt to brave the chill of a polar plunge
  • Witness immense icebergs and magnificent glaciers
  • Have your questions answered by antarctica experts

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Small Ship Cruise, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"

Trip dates & details
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Spirit of Shackleton
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They’ve partnered with well-known names like National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute to offer unique experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Georgia, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Meet hardy locals and spot unique wildlife in the falkland islands
  • Explore abandoned whaling stations and visit shackleton’s grave
  • Walk quietly amongst king penguins and watch them surf onto the beach
  • Learn about the environment and ecology from industry experts
  • Spot whales and seals while cruising past icebergs aboard zodiacs
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Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Small Ship Cruise, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"

Trip dates & details
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Polar Circle Quest - 12 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • The Polar Circle - Cross the Polar Circle, also known as the Antarctic Circle, where you'll visit Detaille Island – a common goal for explorers
  • Ushuaia – The starting point of your expedition cruise to Antarctica, this busy Argentine port city is the southernmost city in the world and a stunning place to spend a night at the start and end of your cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula
  • Beagle Channel – Set sail along the famous Beagle Channel and scenic Mackinlay Pass from Ushuaia as you begin your Antarctic adventure, passing by spectacular snow-capped peaks and colonies of penguins and fur seals gathered on rocky outcrops
  • Drake Passage – A historically challenging channel of water which marks the location of the Antarctic Convergence, where the warmer waters of the north meet the cold polar waters of the south resulting in incredible biodiversity of marine life
  • The South Shetland Islands – A crucial stop on any Antarctic expedition, this spectacular archipelago is made up of islands, islets and rock outcrops, each with their own population of penguins and seals with plenty of opportunity to spot marine life offshore too
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Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"First time we (mom and daughter) have done a tour and first time with on the go tours. What a special trip we had doing the 13 day Casablanca to Essaouira Morocco tour (26 Nov - 6 Dec 2023). We started the first 8 days doing the totally Morocco tour and the last few days at our own pace with down time in Essaouira. Jamal our guide led the tour from start to finish and took us safely on a culture filled journey. His knowledge of the country, it’s history and people was informative and inspiring. Every request was “no problem” and delivered with a smile and happy demeanour. Everything in Morrocco was “no problem” and we felt safe and looked after. We were driven in a comfortable coach with enough stops along the way to not feel long by our competent driver Suleman. The hotels, Riad and Dar were extremely comfortable with exceptional service. We would not have had the same experience travelling on our own, we felt as though we truly experienced Morocco. Everything was a highlight for us and we will definitely book another on the go tour in the future. If you wanting to see true Morocco we would strongly recommend doing this tour."

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Antarctica Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
63  Reviews
See all Antarctica tour reviews
Excellent
45
Great
7
Average
1
Disappointing
1
Terrible
0
A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

What can I say?! The most amazing trip, far exceeding the expectations that I had held for a lifetime! Each experience seemed to surpass the last , and I hold...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

Exodus and Quark had the perfect recipe for the adventure of a lifetime. Helpful and efficient pre-trip planning. The Vavilov, a great vessel for th...

A

Anonymous

Jul 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

An unforgetable trip, can't begin to really describe the Antarctic, it has to be seen to be believed.  The Minke whale who decided to investigate 3 of the 5 Zo...

A

Anonymous

Jul 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

Our trip to the Antarctic Peninsula was simply 'mind-blowing' Any description of Antarctica is always full of 'expletives'. Quite honestly where do you start? ...

A

Anonymous

Jul 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

Wonderful trip.  Well worth the effort despite some stressful moments in the beginning.  Antarctica is a very special place.  Cannot be compared to ...

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Antarctica Tour Selection Trips

  • The shortest (and most popular) sea crossing to Antarctica goes from Ushaia, Argentina, to the Antarctic Peninsula, via the often (but not always) tumultuous Drake’s Passage.
  • The Drake’s Passage crossing may take from 24 to 48 hours, and seasickness is common -- though waters in Antarctica itself are generally calm.
  • Some Antarctica tours leave from AustraliaNew Zealand or South Africa and visit the Ross Sea area, on the other side of the continent from the Antarctic Peninsula.
  • While most Antarctica tours go by ship, you can also fly in and/or out via the South Shetland Islands to shorten your trip and/or avoid Drake’s Passage.
  • Antarctica tours can be as short as a few days or as long as three weeks or more. Figure at least 10 to 12 days to complete a typical tour by ship.
  • Some Antarctica tours – primarily those that fly into the interior -- offer adventurous options such as camping, skiing, mountaineering, and trekking.
  • Other adventurous options include visits to emperor penguin colonies and the geographic South Pole. Kayaking and SCUBA diving may be available along the coasts.
  • While any trip to Antarctica is an adventurous trip, you don’t have to rough it. Some ships come with five-star amenities, while some land-tour operators offer luxury tent camping.
  • Cruise ships that carry more than 500 passengers are not allowed to make landings, so to set foot on Antarctica itself, you need to take a smaller vessel.
  • Generally speaking, the smaller your ship’s passenger load, the less time you’ll have to wait to go ashore, because ships are limited to landing 100 passengers at a time.
  • Some tours offer visits to the scientific research stations that are run by a number of different countries, including the United StatesGreat Britain, and Canada.
  • There are no “cheap” trips to Antarctica, but look for value such as included airfare, helicopter flights into the interior, and gratuities for the crew.
  • Prices vary considerably by length of trip, cabin, ship amenities, month of travel and other factors.

Additional details

Traveling to Antarctica is nothing like anything you will have experienced before, and is not for every traveler. The journey can be long, cold, and there are some restrictions that you will have to take into account. However, if you are brave enough to travel to the White Continent, it will make for an amazing dinner conversation. 

What to Expect from an Antarctica Tour

An Antarctica tour will largely be like a lot of other cruise trips. You’ll be on the ship making stops in harbors and exploring. Where Antarctica is vastly different than other cruises is that you’ll be docked longer in some places as there aren’t many harbors and you’ll be on small cruise ships, not large ones. 

You can expect to be in port on the continent of Antarctica for many days trips offered such kayaking, hiking, penguin watching, or Zodiac tours. You are able to get close to the wildlife on the island and kayaking right next to whales. 

You won’t be visiting any major cities on an Antarctica cruise. The only major city you’ll be in is Ushuaia, and that city isn’t large compared to most. Most inhabitants of Antarctica and surrounding islands are penguins and seagulls.

There are some smaller research stations and tourist towns, but the human population you will be interacting with will predominantly be your fellow travelers. Most of the ships are capped at around 100 people. 

Some activities unique to Antarctica tours are polar plunges into the polar waters, whale watching from the deck with the captain, and hear lectures from onboard scientists explaining about the beautiful and different world that is Antarctica.


Packing List for Antarctica

When researching which tour company you will be going with, double-check to see if they provide weather-proofed clothing. There are some cruises that provide waterproof boots, jackets, and pants for free (others you can rent). If you want to save some room in your suitcase, this may be something to consider when packing and planning your trip. 

Layers, layers, layers. The most important word to remember when starting your packing list for Antarctica. Layers mean taking along multiple fleeces, jackets, thermal clothing, and socks. If you weren’t aware, Antarctica gets cold, very cold. On the ship, you won’t need as many layers, but when you are on a Zodiac cruise or kayaking around Paradise Bay, these will come in handy. 

Hats, jackets, and scarves will also be very helpful. Comfortable clothes you can easily move around in will make your trip more comfortable. You don’t have to overpack as you will have multiple layers, but bringing some of these key items is essential. 

A note on electronics. Many of the activities on Antarctica cruises are in and around water. Make sure to pack a dry bag to keep your cameras and phones dry and safe from the cold. 

To Fly or Not to Fly the Drake? 

This will largely depend on how long your trip is and whether you want to see the Drake up close.

The Drake Passage is the stretch of water between South America and the Antarctica Islands. It is a vast body of water teeming with sea life and also one of the roughest waters in the world. This is why the Drake can be considered a double-edged sword for travelers, no matter how adventurous you feel. 

Flying the Drake offers you the chance to reach Antarctica in a few short hours and avoid the tumultuous waters of the Drake. You’ll be able to see the water and Antarctica from above before meeting a small cruise ship in Antarctica. However, when flying you won’t be able to see the whales or penguins swimming just off the side of your boat when you are in the air. Antarctica cruises that are shorter in duration often fly the Drake to save time. 

Sailing the Drake does take longer and can be rougher than flying. However, on the Drake, you get to experience the waters that Sir Francis Drake sailed in the 1600s and really feel what these waters are truly like, along with amazing sites off of the bow. Longer Antarctica tours typically include sailing the Drake.

The Drake Passage is infamous for rough waters, so if you are even slighly worried about getting seasick, the safest recommendation is to fly. 

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