Cruise & Helicopter: In Search of the Emperor Penguin

TAILOR-MADE

Duration

11 Days

Prices Start from

£10,550 (ex. flights)

An extraordinary expedition cruise to the ice-chocked Weddell Sea and the far side of the Antarctic Peninsula, this is an adventure-filled trip that is synonymous with British polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men. Focusing on exploring the range of the emperor penguins near Snow Hill Island, board helicopters to fly inland and land at their remote rookeries.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Ship-to-Shore Flights

Fly between the vessel and land, taking in views of the snow-covered landscape.

Remote Weddell Sea

Navigate the lesser-visited Weddell Sea, where Shackleton’s lost ship was trapped.

Emperor Penguin Colony, Snow Hill, Antarctica

Emperor Pengiuns

Search for emperor penguin colonies from the air in a 4-6 passenger helicopter.

Tabular Icebergs

Sail past colossal bodies of thick ice that have calved off of ice shelves and glaciers.

Why we like it

Designed to appeal to those who wish to experience unimaginable remoteness, this is a true expedition voyage that navigates into an area that is defined by colossal tabular icebergs and remarkable wildlife. In joining a boat journey set to sail the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula, intrepid voyagers sign up for an exhilarating and adventuresome passage that uniquely utilises helicopters to explore emperor penguin habitats. Owing to the expeditionary nature of this trip, on-board experts will determine the daily route and goings-on based on local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions – the thrill lies in snubbing prescriptive daily itineraries in favour of embracing the elements of the remote Southern Sea and Antarctica.

Explore our suggested itinerary

Map View List View

Embark

Ushuaia
10 Nights Sailing

Weddell Sea & Antarctic Peninsula
Disembark

Ushuaia

Embark

Ushuaia

Explore Ushuaia, the town at “the end of the world”.

10 Nights Sailing

Weddell Sea & Antarctic Peninsula

Navigate through the lesser-visited Weddell Sea, where Shackleton’s lost ship Endurance was trapped in ice.

Disembark

Ushuaia

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

Speak to our experts

Helicopter over Sea Ice, Weddell Sea, Antarctica

Fly above the Continent

Exclusive Helicopter Flights

Soar high above the surreal ecosystem of the Weddell Sea and observe the Antarctic wilderness from above, a unique opportunity that few vessels have the capability for. In helicopters that carry small expeditionary groups of 4-6 people, travel from an on-deck landing pad to the heart of untouched wilderness. In a landscape comprised of pristine snow and a thousand shades of blue and white, take birds’-eye-view photographs or simply contemplate the historic significance of the area.

Snow Island Colony

Walk with Emperors

In this remotest of environments, characterised by high altitude and bitter cold, it is easy to embrace the spirit of exploration. Against a backdrop of pristine white wilderness, attempt to rendezvous with majestic emperor penguins at their remote inland rookery. Snow Hill Island, only reachable by helicopter flight if the ice-conditions are favourable, is home to a rookery of 4,000 breeding pairs of emperor penguins. Aside from the ultimate goal of seeing the species from a short distance away, there are also opportunities to spot individual emperor penguins on ice floes.

Adelie Penguins on an Iceberg, Antarctica

The Antarctic Sound

Adelies of the Sound

Perhaps visit the western slopes of the Antarctic Sound, a place that is rarely viewed from the above, during a scenic flight that travels above little-seen lava flows, glaciers and icebergs. Huge colonies of Adelie penguins congregate on the ice floes, backed by shattered walls of ice and jagged mountain peaks. Other remarkable flights soar over Duse Bay, with its rocky terrain and old refuge hut, and Seymour Island, known for the Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901.

Penguin Colonies, Brown Bluff, Antarctica

Zodiac Trips

Step Foot on Brown Bluff

Depending on the specific departure, you might find yourself hiking to a vantage point on Devil Island or walking past chinstrap penguins on Gourdin Island. With each day comes another unique disembarkation, from traversing the fallen boulders and sheer canyon walls of Brown Bluff to landing at the Esperanza Base research station. Throughout the voyage, hear the stories of endurance synonymous with this region during lectures by naturalists and guides.

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Sue’s extensive first-hand knowledge of Antarctica was so apparent from our first phone call. She was able to help us select the ideal route and vessel for our needs, and with her guidance we were able to see the emperor penguins!