AntarcticaDiscovering the 7th Continent, with Kayleigh & Cam Grant

Twelve days, starting and ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina. You arrive on Day 1 and stay at the group hotel, fly by private charter to Ushuaia on Day 2 and embark Ultramarine in the late afternoon, cross the Drake on Days 3–4, explore the South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula on Days 5–9, re-cross the Drake on Days 10–11, and disembark in Ushuaia on Day 12 before flying back to Buenos Aires.

Days 5 through 9, five full days in the South Shetland Islands and along the Peninsula, typically with Zodiac excursions and shore landings each day, weather and ice permitting.

Days 3–4 and 10–11 are the Drake crossings, which are part of the experience in their own right: seabird watching from the decks, presentations from the Expedition Team, and getting to know your fellow travellers.

No, and that is the nature of expedition travel. Sea, ice and weather guide the route, and your Expedition Team adjusts daily to make the most of conditions.

Landing sites such as Cierva Cove, Cuverville Island, the Lemaire Channel, Neko Harbour, Paradise Harbor, Port Lockroy, Deception Island and Half Moon Island are examples of where you might go, not a fixed schedule. Wildlife sightings are expected but never guaranteed.

Yes. The package includes the outbound group flight from Buenos Aires’ domestic airport (Aeroparque/AEP) to Ushuaia and the return into Buenos Aires’ international airport (Ezeiza/EZE), one night’s pre-expedition hotel with breakfast, the hotel-to-airport transfer in Buenos Aires, and the transfers between Ushuaia airport and the ship in both directions.

You need to be in Buenos Aires on Day 1. The presentation room at the group hotel is open from 12pm to 8pm that day for luggage weighing and tagging.

Coming home, the return charter lands at Ezeiza at approximately 5pm on Day 12. Only book onward flights departing EZE after 9pm. If your flight leaves from Aeroparque (AEP), allow for Buenos Aires traffic and book nothing earlier than 10pm.

Safest of all: book an extra hotel night and fly home the following day. Expedition travel is unpredictable, so flexible international tickets are strongly recommended.

Arrival transfers from your international flight are not included, so you make your own way to the group hotel. The hotel-to-airport transfer for the charter flight is included, as are both Ushuaia airport transfers. Provide your flight details at least 30 days before travel.

One checked bag and one cabin bag. Weight restrictions on the Buenos Aires–Ushuaia charter are lower than on international carriers and there is no option , so pack to the charter limit, not your long-haul allowance. Soft-sided luggage is easiest to transport and fits cabin storage better than rigid suitcases.

Yes, and many guests do, as you are travelling a long way. Included accommodation begins on Day 1, so earlier nights are your own arrangement.

Popular extensions include a Buenos Aires city stay, Iguazú Falls, or time in Ushuaia for Tierra del Fuego National Park. Accommodation is limited, so ask early.

Ultra Suites, Owner’s Suite, Penthouse Suites, Terrace Suites, Deluxe Balcony Suites, Balcony Suites, Explorer Suites, Explorer Triples, Solo Panorama Balcony cabins, and interconnecting suites. An accessibility-modified cabin is also available.

Note that if you reserve a suite on board, the pre-expedition hotel room in Buenos Aires is a standard room, and triple rooms may not be available at the hotel.

Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi on one device, permitting basic browsing, email, social media and voice apps. Premium packages are available to purchase.

Because this is satellite equipment in some of the most remote places on earth, occasional degradation and outages happen and connectivity cannot be guaranteed. Complete any pending device updates before you board.

Every meal on board is included: ten breakfasts, ten lunches and ten dinners across the voyage. Breakfast and lunch are typically buffet; dinners are plated with à la carte dishes prepared to order. Coffee, tea, cocoa and water stations are free and open 24/7.

Select beer, wines and cocktails are complimentary during bar hours and at dinner. Premium wines and champagne are available to purchase. Let us know about dietary requirements well before departure.

Heli-flightseeing, Zodiac cruising, supervised hiking at landing sites, the once-per-voyage polar plunge, photography guidance, daily expert presentations, and the full Science & Discovery programme including citizen science activities.

Four Adventure Options: sea kayaking (a voyage-length programme for experienced kayakers, requiring prior experience and the ability to perform a wet exit), the paddling excursion (a one-time paddle on stable sit-on-top kayaks, suitable for complete beginners), stand-up paddleboarding, and the heli-landing, which sets you down at a remote site no ship can reach.

Book as early as possible. Pre-booking is required and spaces fill quickly. Paddling and paddleboarding are pre-booked into priority groups, and further excursions are assigned on board by lottery.

On select Ultramarine itineraries in 2027/28, Quark sails with leading scientists and researchers. You can meet researchers actively collecting data, join citizen science projects in partnership with the Polar Citizen Science Collective, FjordPhyto and Happywhale, and collect data yourself: seabird surveys on deck, whale sightings from the Zodiacs, water sampling.

The onboard Science Hub is where findings, samples and interactive displays come together.

Eight hundred kilometres of open ocean, and everyone reacts differently. Some crossings are rough; plenty are smooth. Consult your own physician and bring preventative seasickness medication, and know there is a doctor on board.

You need a good level of mobility. You will be getting in and out of Zodiacs from a moving platform, stepping ashore onto rocky or snowy beaches, and hiking uneven terrain.

These destinations are genuinely remote. Beyond the ship’s infirmary and onboard doctor, adequate medical facilities could be 72 hours away or more. Assess your mobility and medical requirements honestly, and talk to us if you have any concerns at all.

You receive a complimentary Quark 3-in-1 parka to keep (a waterproof outer shell with a removable insulated liner) and waterproof insulated expedition boots on loan. You select sizes on your passenger forms.

You bring the rest: waterproof pants (mandatory, not included), wool or synthetic base layers, mid-layer fleece, warm socks with spares, waterproof gloves or mitts plus liners, a warm hat that covers your ears, a scarf or buff, polarised sunglasses, ski goggles for snowy Zodiac cruising, a dry bag, and a swimsuit for the polar plunge. No formal wear needed, though something slightly dressier is nice for the Captain’s cocktails.

You will be riding open Zodiacs through spray and swell in near-freezing conditions, and getting wet is likely. They must be fully waterproof, not merely water-resistant. Inexpensive rain pants over your normal trousers work perfectly well; waterproof ski pants are also fine.

Spare batteries (the cold drains them fast), spare cards, and a laptop or drive for backups. Two lenses cover most situations: something wide for landscape, a telephoto for wildlife. A waterproof bag or rain sleeve is essential on Zodiacs. Tripods are generally unnecessary unless you are shooting a lot of video.

Drones are not permitted on any Quark vessel.

Insurance yes. Every passenger must carry medical insurance with a minimum of USD $50,000 of cover. Given the remoteness and the amount committed in advance, a comprehensive policy covering medical evacuation, cancellation and delay is strongly recommended.

Visas and entry documentation are your responsibility. The itinerary begins and ends in Argentina, so check Argentine entry requirements for your nationality with your local consulate.

Visa, Mastercard and USD cash are accepted. Tell your bank you are travelling before you leave, and note charges originate from the USA. Register your card at reception within the first three days. Gratuities for expedition staff and crew are entirely voluntary and at your discretion.