4 women stand on upper deck of expedition ship on cloudy day of an Intrepid Antarctica Journey to the Antarctic Circle voyage.
A man in teal jacket paddles a blue single kayak next to another man in yellow jacket and red kayak as it snows in Antarctica
A massive tabular iceberg floats in the Antarctic ocean as the back of a whale breaks the surface and blows air from blow hole
A black inflatable boat carried cruise guests in royal blue parkas and cruises through icebergs in Antarctica landscape
A polar circle cruise group stands on snowy shore watching a group of Gentoo penguins against the Antarctic ocean
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Polar Regions Antarctica Cruise

Journey to the Antarctic Circle

Set sail for an adventure like no other. Spend 14 days following in the wake of Captain Cook as you cross the Antarctic Circle, home to the midnight sun and towering icebergs.

On board the cozy Ocean Nova, leave Ushuaia and civilization behind and journey towards the hauntingly beautiful icy wilderness of the Antarctic Continent. Experience the thrill of witnessing seals lie on ice floes, whales breaching the frigid waters and penguins patrolling the rocky shoreline in vast numbers. Enjoy jaw-dropping views witnessed by seldom few as you explore ice-filled bays by Zodiac, landing on Antarctica itself for onshore excursions.

Take advantage of extra days at the Antarctic Peninsula for more places, more landings and more time to see Antarctica’s incredible wildlife and landscapes. Enjoy daily Zodiac excursions to iconic landing sites, abundant with birdlife and busy penguins, and witness icebergs in a thousand different shades of blue. Experience almost endless daylight in high summer once you are inside the Antarctic Circle. And push farther south than most Antarctic expeditions, exploring the remoteness of this less-visited part of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Passage is aboard 80-guest Ocean Nova: Intrepid, a comfortable small expedition ship expertly engineered to explore the polar regions. This ship offers a top-deck, glass atrium Panoramic Lounge, fun guides, a gym and library. On board, benefit from a variety of activities including educational lectures on history, geology, and ecology by the expedition team.

Read on for details about this voyage, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Antarctica cruises and trips to Antarctica, including other Antarctic Circle cruises.



Itinerary

Journey to the Antarctic Circle Itinerary

These 14-day departures sail round-trip from Ushuaia, Argentina, with visits along the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, and an attempt to reach the Antarctic Circle.

Route map of Journey to the Antarctic Circle voyage by Intrepid Antarctica, round-trip from Ushuaia, Argentina with visits along the western Peninsula, South Shetland Islands & the Circle.
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Day 1
Arrive Ushuaia, Argentina

Welcome to Ushuaia – the gateway to Antarctica. Located at the southern tip of Argentina, these parts are known as Tierra del Fuego, often called ‘The End of the World’, but this is just the beginning of your Antarctic adventure. Those with a day or two may want to head to Tierra del Fuego National Park on a full day’s adventure, or if you’ve only got a few hours to kill, why not stroll around town and visit the waterfront overlooking the Beagle Channel. You might also like to sample some handcrafted chocolate at a local cafe in town. Tonight, you’ll have a welcome meeting at about 5:00pm at your hotel, then you’re free to get ready for an early morning tomorrow!

Accommodations

Hotel TBA

Meals

n/a

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Day 2
Embark Ushuaia

Enjoy some free time to explore Ushuaia and the surrounding area before boarding the ship this afternoon. Once settled, you’ll cast off and make your way through the Beagle Channel towards the infamous Drake Passage. Named after Charles Darwin’s historic ship The Beagle, the deep open water of the channel presents many great photo opportunities. Be sure to wave goodbye to South America if you’re not too busy snapping away at the incredible landscapes–your next land sighting will be the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands.

Accommodations

Ocean Nova: Intrepid

Meals

breakfast, dinner

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Days 3 - 4
Drake Passage

The Drake Passage is one of the planet’s most famous bodies of water. It can be rough, but if weather conditions are reasonable, you can head out on the outer decks to spot ocean dwellers like whales, dolphins or seabirds, including the wandering albatross, prions and petrels. Over the next 2 days, you’ll get to know your expedition team as your comprehensive lecture program gets underway. Your polar experts will share their knowledge of the Antarctic region so you can understand its wildlife, history and geology and help prepare you for the adventure. Your expedition team consists of experts on the marine and bird life that inhabits these parts. They will help you scout for sightings as you join them on the outer decks. Step onto the ship’s bridge and take advantage of the open bridge policy, inviting you into the ship’s command center. This is your chance to observe the captain and the expedition in progress from an ideal viewpoint for spotting wildlife.

Accommodations

Ocean Nova: Intrepid

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 5 - 8
South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula

Over the next few days, you’ll make Zodiac cruises through the icy waters. There are several potential landing sites, and while weather dictates which specific site you’ll land at, each presents an opportunity to get up close with some incredible wildlife. Look out for chinstrap, gentoo and Adelie penguin colonies as well as crabeater, Weddell, fur and elephant seals. When you are on board the ship, your expedition team will keep the education going with a range of wildlife and history presentations and documentary screenings. A typical expedition day begins with a wake-up call from your expedition leader around 7:00am, followed by breakfast. Weather permitting, you can anticipate at least two excursions daily, providing ample opportunities to take in the breathtaking Antarctic landscape. For those who crave even more adventure, treat yourself to an optional paddling excursion that offers a new perspective of this frozen expanse. You’ll also be able to take a polar plunge off the ship. There’s nothing like a quick dip in the Antarctic’s icy depths to wake you up!

Accommodations

Ocean Nova: Intrepid

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 9 - 10
The Antarctic Circle

Weather and ice conditions permitting, you’ll celebrate reaching the latitude of 66°33’S and crossing the fabled Antarctic Circle. Toast to the sheer rawness of the surroundings and take it all in – while not a typical landing, the crossing of the Antarctic Circle leaves a lasting memory. Travel past colossal icebergs to a point on Earth where only a few travelers have sailed. Home to Weddell seals that are specially adapted to this icy environment, they use their canines and incisors to rasp open new ice and maintain holes in the ice through which to breathe. They also have highly accurate powers of navigation, enabling them to seek out breathing holes when their teeth are worn down, and they can no longer maintain or create breathing holes in the ice.

Accommodations

Ocean Nova: Intrepid

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 11
South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula

As the ship begins heading north, you’ll be more familiar with the Antarctic waters. Test your newfound knowledge of penguin species and fine-tune your wildlife spotting skills as you differentiate between fur, leopard and Weddell seals. Zodiac cruises and landings will continue to ensure you make the most of the peninsula’s wildlife opportunities and capture the perfect photographs.

Accommodations

Ocean Nova: Intrepid

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 12 - 13
Drake Passage

The journey’s final leg offers an opportunity to reflect on the spectacular scenery and prolific encounters. During the final days at sea, join additional onboard lectures and view a slideshow featuring captivating images captured by your expedition photographer throughout your journey—yours to keep as a cherished reminder of your incredible Antarctic expedition. By the evening of Day 13, you’ll enter the relatively calm waters of the Beagle Channel, signaling the start of your return home. That evening, enjoy a final celebration with your fellow travelers and expedition team to mark the end of this Antarctic adventure.

Accommodations

Ocean Nova: Intrepid

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 14
Disembark Ushuaia, Argentina

After breakfast, disembark the ship as your Antarctic expedition ends. A morning transfer to Ushuaia Airport or downtown is included, but if you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Accommodation as listed in itinerary; arrival transfer from the airport to group hotel on Day 1; pre-night hotel accommodation with breakfast on Day 2; transfer from group hotel to the ship for embarkation; departure transfer from the ship to the airport on final day; all meals on board including snacks; onboard lecture program from expedition staff and naturalists; all shore excursions and Zodiac cruising (except optional activities with cost); use of rubber boots on land and use of waterproof outer shell jacket; insulated inner jacket, yours to keep at the end of the cruise; all port taxes.

Exclusions

Airfare; visa and passport fees if needed; taxes and excess baggage charges; meals other than those specified; optional activities; all personal expenses including alcoholic beverages, gratuities, communication charges aboard and WiFi via pre-paid data card (coverage intermittent); life jackets, waterproof outer shell jacket, insulated inner jacket and boots for minors under 16 years of age at time of travel; waterproof outer shell jacket and insulated inner jacket for guests who require sizing larger than 3XL; boots for guests who require sizing larger than men’s size 14 boots; medical care; travel insurance (required) and insurance of any kind; possible fuel surcharge. Note: Your passport must be valid 6 months after your international trip concludes.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a nonrefundable deposit of 20% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 95 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 95 days – 100% of deposit
94 to 0 days – 100% of monies paid

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

This Journey to the Antarctic Circle voyage begins and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina (USH). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Ushuaia ahead of the 5:00pm welcome briefing on Day 1. A complimentary arrival transfer is included from Ushuaia Airport to the group hotel on Day 1 of this trip. Disembarkation is after breakfast on the final day. A transfer from Ushuaia Port to the airport is also included. Plan flights to depart Ushuaia no earlier than 12:00pm noon on disembarkation day. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit ourBooking Flights resource page.

Activities

Various optional activities may be available on your Journey to the Antarctic Circle voyage. Per-person prices for the 2026-27 season: one-time “day paddling” $349. Day paddling may be booked and paid for on board. Minimum age requirements may be in place. Please contact AdventureSmith for details and to reserve activity space with your booking.

Room Configuration

Select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a Triple or Explorer Twin cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender, subject to availability. Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at 1.8x (Classic Twin cabin) or 2x (Explorer Twin/Double & Comfort Twin cabins) the per-person listed rate in select cabins based upon availability.

Families & Children

The minimum age for this cruise is 12 at the time of travel. There are no child discounts. All travelers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveler under the age of 18’s day-to-day care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document, to delegate their authority.

If you are a parent or representative travelling with a minor under 17 years of age or under, you must return a completed Minor Waiver and, if applicable, a Minor Travel Consent Form prior to embarkation of the cruise. Due to the nature of the optional activities, including the polar plunge, minimum ages and pre-approval requirements also apply.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for this cruise. This trip requires that at a minimum you are covered against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$250,000. You must provide your travel insurance policy number and the insurance company’s 24-hour emergency contact number ahead of embarkation; you will not be able to join the trip without these details. We strongly recommend policies that also cover personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. For best value and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, consider purchasing a policy at time of booking. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes 

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Antarctica expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Rates are variable per remaining availability and are subject to change. Please contact AdventureSmith for the most up-to-date pricing.

Feb 04 - Feb 17, 2027
Ocean Nova: Intrepid • 14 days
A brown kayak paddle icon depicting a one-time paddle activity option
From $13685USD
Per Person
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Feb 26 - Mar 11, 2027
Ocean Nova: Intrepid • 14 days
A brown kayak paddle icon depicting a one-time paddle activity option
From $12445USD
Per Person
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A brown kayak paddle icon depicting a one-time paddle activity option One-Time Paddling
Accommodation

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Expedition Ship
Ocean Nova: Intrepid

For her charters with Intrepid Travel, the Ocean Nova carries up to 80 guests. This simple, small and comfortable ship enables all guests to go ashore at the same time, and will leave you with lifelong friends.

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Journey to the Antarctic Circle

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