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Sail deep into the Polar region and cross the Antarctic Circle accompanied by a professional photographer

If you make it to Antarctica, where few have ventured before, you’ll most certainly want the incredible photos to prove it. Journeying far into the wildlife-filled Polar region, daily Zodiac landings will bring you as close to the action as possible. What’s more, you’ll have the guidance of an on-board photography professional to ensure you capture each, unique moment.

Start
Ushuaia, Argentina
Finish
Ushuaia, Argentina
Destinations
Antarctica, Argentina
Style
Comfort
Theme
Photography, Polar, Wildlife
Code
GQMCP
Physical rating
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 1, Max 189

Why you'll love this trip

  • An onboard photography expert will inform and guide you to take the best possible photos of this once-in-a-lifetime trip (suitable for non-photographers too)

  • Encounter whales, seals and penguins on regular Zodiac excursions along the plunging coastline of the Antarctic Peninsula

  • On-board lectures by polar experts provide great insight into the unique history, geology and wildlife of the region

  • Few people ever get the opportunity to set foot on the Great White Continent, but you'll be one of them

  • A diversity of possible landing sites and activities allows you to see the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula from multiple perspectives

  • This all-encompassing trip includes everything you need for peace of mind on your journey, such as pre-expedition hotel accommodation, transfers to and from your ship, full meals on-board, around the clock tea and coffee, waterproof expedition boots for shore landings (on loan) and emergency evacuation insurance.

Is this trip right for you?

  • •Although our ice strengthened ships are big and sturdy, Antarctic waters can be unpredictable and rough. Some people may experience seasickness, especially through the Drake Passage and other open water crossings. Please be prepared with medications to combat this. There is also a doctor on-board should you need further assistance.

  • •As you’d expect, temperatures in the Antarctic are freezing. A warm parka will be provided along with waterproof boots and unlimited hot drinks, but you should also bring base layers and lots of warm clothing. Please see the trip notes for further important information about what to bring.

  • •Weather depending, you will be making regular excursions in a Zodiac boat to explore the local area and look for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you are dressed appropriately and that you keep your camera safe and dry. Sturdy sea legs are needed as you make wet and dry landings from the boat, and on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Some ships have a lot of stairs, so please hold on to the handrails if seas are rough.

  • •The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned for. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially to such a remote area. There are nearly 200 recognised sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands; the places mentioned in the itinerary may need to be changed to others (which are equally as interesting). We may also be confined to the ship during rough weather. The on-board library and educational lectures are ideal ways for keeping entertained.

Map of Photography Series: Crossing the Antarctic Circle including Antarctica, Argentina and Arctic
seals under the antarctic water
whale tail antarctic waters
whale swimming off the coast of the south shetland islands
tourist admiring the view in antarctica
happy sleeping seal in antarctica

Boats

Ocean Diamond

On this itinerary, you'll be travelling aboard the Ocean Diamond.

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Itinerary
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The small, bustling port town of Ushuaia, at the southernmost tip of South America, is the gateway for your Antarctic adventure. Here, surrounded by sea and mountains at the “end of the world,” you can explore southern Patagonia, hiking in the nearby national park, exploring the museums, or savoring tapas or a hot chocolate at one of the town’s many restaurants or cafés.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
You can arrive in Ushuaia anytime today, however there will be a welcome and information meeting at the joining hotel tonight at approximately 6.00pm so it is recommended to arrive in time for this.

As the ship sets sail in the late afternoon, you will begin your Antarctic journey, passing through the Beagle Channel, which opens up to the vastness of the Southern Ocean, where your next land sighting will be along the Antarctic Peninsula. Named after the famed ship on which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents great photo opportunities to capture seabirds hovering overhead and seals and sea lions lounging on land.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

The waters of the Drake Passage are unpredictable, so hope for clear skies and a calm ocean. You’ll have plenty of time to gaze out at the sea, spotting and snapping shots of seabirds swooping around the ship, and get to know your fellow travelers and chat with your Expedition Team.
You will spend this time preparing for the exciting days ahead, with numerous educational and informative lectures presented by your Expedition Team. During these sea days, you’ll have the chance to learn tips for photographing Antarctica, which can be a challenge, given its stark scenery (think: dramatic whites and darks and very little gray) and abundant light, which comes from all directions, reflecting off the snow and water. Whether you’re an amateur or hobbyist, your on-board experts will share tricks for making the most of your camera, such as using filters, bracketing exposures, framing icebergs and glaciers, capturing wildlife shots on land and sea, and shooting from the unique perspective of a Zodiac or kayak.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)

With the Drake Passage left in our wake, we make our approach to Antarctica. Get your cameras ready as the 7th continent’s coastline makes its first appearance, signaling the start of your adventure in the realm of the Antarctic. As plentiful floating icebergs pass by, you can put your newfound photographic skills to work. Icebergs come in all shapes and sizes, each uniquely shaped by its journey through the sea, but to truly capture their vast scale, you’ll need to create a sense of proportion, playing with angles and framing the bergs against their background. If you’re lucky, eyes fixated on the ocean surface, you may also have the chance to snap shots of curious whales as they spout and breach before us.
As exciting as it can be on the ship’s bridge and deck, with landscapes and scenery changing from moment to moment (photographers will want to capture everything!), your true exploration occurs when you disembark and set foot on the White Continent. There are several potential landing sites that we may visit, including Neko Harbour, Cuverville Island or Paradise Harbour. Although weather dictates which specific landing sites we can visit, each one presents a new collection of wildlife and natural attractions.
Your days will be busy spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the beauty of Antarctica. Watching penguins waddling on the beach will become your daily entertainment, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to capture the perfect portrait or, better yet, shoot them playfully interacting with one another. Listening to the crackling and crumbling of icebergs and glaciers will make for an eerie soundtrack as you try to capture their dazzling beauty.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (3)
  • Lunch (3)
  • Dinner (3)

Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula do not reach this far south, which is officially noted at 66°33´ S. If conditions allow us to cross this famed line, you and your shipmates will celebrate in style with a well-earned glass of champagne!
Make a toast and take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world visited by very few people.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)

By now, your knowledge of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins will be matched by your ability to differentiate between a leopard, fur or Weddell seal. Terms like bergy bits and pancake ice will seem normal, yet there are still many tales to be told and photos to be shot. As you head north, Zodiac excursions will fill your days, allowing you to explore and photograph lesser-seen areas of the 7th continent, from intimate perspectives you won’t experience from the ship. Your Expedition Team will continue offering presentations while giving you time to reflect on everything you’ve experienced. Don’t forget to take a moment to pause and simply take in all you’re experiencing.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)

As you recross the Drake, Antarctica fades away, leaving you with a collection of memories to last a lifetime. Excited conversations and the chance to share your favorite photos with your newfound friends will make the crossing fly by, regardless of the weather and sea conditions. Your Expedition Team will round up its series of lectures as well, perhaps with a slideshow of the great landing sites and wildlife you’ve witnessed over the course of your voyage, or by providing tips on how to improve your already-stunning photographs in postproduction.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)

Today, you’ll have lots of time to bid farewell to your shipmates and Expedition Team, disembarking after breakfast to catch your homeward flights.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
You will disembark after breakfast. We recommend that flights out of Ushuaia are not booked until after 11.00am as bad weather may delay the arrival of the ship. Please see the finishing point instructions for more information.

Meals

13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 12 dinners

Transport

Expedition cruise ship, zodiac

Accommodation

Expedition cruise ship 12 nights, hotel 1 night

Dates & availability

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Important notes

BOOKING CONDITIONS
Arctic and Antarctic bookings have an increased deposit requirement of 20% of the full voyage cost (before any discount). The balance is due 120 days before departure. If a booking is cancelled 120 days or more before departure - the cancellation fee is the full loss of the deposit paid. If a booking is cancelled between 119 days and departure - the cancellation fee is 100% of the total price of the voyage. Other fees may apply for air tickets and other arrangements booked in conjunction with a Polar voyage.

Kayaking is available to book on all Antarctic voyages. Some voyages also offer other activities such as camping, stand up paddle boarding, cross country skiing and mountaineering. All of these activities must be booked prior to departure and incur an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking. For kayaking, previous, recent experience is essential and a good level of fitness is required for cross country skiing and mountaineering. See the itinerary for Adventure options available on this voyage.

Your voyage is operated by our sister company, Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives.

Essential trip information

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