Pioneering Polar Explorers
Visit the huts at Cape Royds and Cape Evans built by legendary explorers Shackleton and Scott.
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Boat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/01/25 | 03/02/25 | 28 days | £24,239pp | Heritage Adventurer | Reserve place |
| 02/02/25 | 01/03/25 | 28 days | £24,238pp | Heritage Adventurer | Reserve place |
As one of the most remote places on the planet and only accessible for two months of the year due to pack ice, expeditions to the Ross Sea are few and far between. This 28-day voyage from New Zealand encompasses spectacular scenes of Antarctic wildlife and colossal ice shelves that only a handful of people have seen.
Set sail on board the 1-A Super ice class rated Heritage Adventurer, with visits to historic huts associated with legendary explorers Shackleton, Scott and Borchgrevink, as well as engaging talks from expert naturalists on this once-in-a-lifetime expedition.
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Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Ross Ice Shelf
Sail past this colossal ice shelf with 50-metre high ice cliffs and tabular icebergs.
Zodiac Excursions and Kayaking
Close up wildlife encounters by zodiac and kayak in search of sea lions, penguins and whales.
Expertise
Naturalists, botanists and historians host onboard talks about conservation and biodiversity in the Antarctic.
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Day 1
Queenstown
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Day 2
Embarkation
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Day 3
The Snares Islands
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Day 4
Auckland Islands
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Day 5
At sea
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Days 6 - 7
Macquarie Island
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Days 8 - 10
At sea
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Days 11 - 22
The Ross Sea
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Days 23 - 25
At Sea
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Day 26
Campbell Island
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Day 27
At sea
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Day 28
Invercargill or Queenstown
Day 1
Queenstown
Settle into your hotel in Queenstown before enjoying dinner with other guests and the expedition team.
Day 2
Embarkation
After breakfast, spend the morning exploring Queenstown situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Head back to the hotel for lunch before departing for the Port of Bluff where you will board the Heritage Adventurer ship.
Day 3
The Snares Islands
Explore by zodiac (if weather permits) the UNESCO World Heritage Site and uninhabited Snares Islands. These highly protected islands are home to thousands of nesting seabirds, including Snares crested penguins, Snares Island tomtit, Antarctic terns and fernbirds.
Day 4
Auckland Islands
Land at Sandy Bay on Enderby Island, a breeding area for the world’s rarest sea lion; the New Zealand sea lion. Join an optional hike along a boarded path to the islands western cliffs when possible wildlife sightings include southern royal albatross, northern giant petrel and Auckland Island flightless teal.
Day 5
At sea
A day at sea with presentations about the biology and history of the Subantarctic Islands and one of the best chances on the trip for pelagic birding.
Days 6 - 7
Macquarie Island
The breeding spot for four species of penguins: king, rockhopper, gentoo and the endemic royal. Located along the Macquarie Ridge, exposed rocks reveal the Earth’s tectonic history. Activities include a zodiac cruise at Lusitania Bay and a guided tour of the Australian Antarctic Division Base.
Days 8 - 10
At sea
Watch soaring albatross and petrels from the ship as the voyage ventures into the Antarctic circle. Photograph impressive icebergs and notice the start of 24 hours of daylight.
Days 11 - 22
The Ross Sea
The captain and expedition leader assess the weather to determine the itinerary for the next few days, with possible visits to Cape Adare, Cape Hallett, Franklin Island, Possession Islands, the Ross Ice Shelf, Ross Island, McMurdo Station and Scott Base, and Terra Nova Bay.
Days 23 - 25
At Sea
En route to Campbell Island, learn about this Subantarctic island through onboard talks.
Day 26
Campbell Island
On foot from Perseverance Harbour, explore the rugged scenery, diverse flora and wildlife such as fur seals and Campbell Island shags. The highlight of the walk is the breeding site of over 6,000 pairs of southern royal albatross.
Day 27
At sea
Take in the breathtaking scenery of this remote voyage and enjoy a farewell dinner as the ship makes its way back to the Port of Bluff.
Day 28
Invercargill or Queenstown
After breakfast, disembark at the Port of Bluff and transfer to either Invercargill or Queenstown airport.
FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SHACKLETON AND SCOTT
Explorer Huts
Get a glimpse of life during the 1907-1909 Nimrod polar expedition led by Sir Ernest Shackleton at Cape Royds with a visit to Shackleton’s hut. Also on Ross Island is Cape Evans, the site of Captain Scott’s second hut which was built in 1911 and preserved by the Antarctic Heritage Trust. Inside, see how these polar explorers lived and endured some of the harshest environments on the planet.
ADELIE PENGUINS ON CAPE ADARE
Penguin City
See and hear the spectacle of over one million Adelie penguins on Cape Adare. These highly social and gregarious birds display courtship attempts, territorial disputes and feeding frenzies, and is one of the largest colonies in Antarctica. Amongst the crowd of penguins, discover Norwegian explorer Carsten Borchgrevink’s hut which contains original artefacts from his Southern Cross Expedition in 1898.
SPECTACULAR SCENERY
Ross Ice Shelf
Capture the enormity of the Ross Ice Shelf, which covers an area of about 200,000 square miles – about the size of France. Sail past 50-metre high ice cliffs and tabular icebergs that act as a barrier preventing the flow of ice from the Antarctic into the Ross Sea. Seals, penguins and seabirds often feed and breed amongst the ice.
LIFE ONBOARD HERITAGE ADVENTURER
Sea Days
With the highest passenger ship ice-class rating, the 124-metre Heritage Adventurer is the perfect expedition vessel for this 28-day voyage. 140 passengers are accommodated in spacious cabins across four decks, and guests can visit the captain and crew with the open bridge policy. Experience close up wildlife encounters from one of the 14 zodiacs and for days at sea take in the breathtaking scenery from the observation lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows. Time out can be spent in the saltwater pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room, or with a book in the library. Learn from naturalists, botanists and historians who host engaging lectures throughout the voyage.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Cruising with our partners at Heritage Expeditions helps support a scholarship program with True Young Explorer that offers scholarships to young individuals who would not usually have the means to travel, enabling them to participate in the expeditions and learn about conservation and responsible travel.
All waste generated during expeditions is disposed of responsibly. Onboard, waste is treated in accordance with MARPOL regulations and non-recyclable waste is carefully collected and taken to approved disposal sites for proper waste management.
Heritage Expeditions supports several conservation initiatives, including BirdLife International as a Species Champion to protect the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpiper, as well as donating annual contributions to the New Zealand Department of Conservation, the Tasmanian National Parks and Wildlife Service and Antarctic Heritage Trust.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
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Other available dates
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Boat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/01/25 | 03/02/25 | 28 days | £24,239pp | Heritage Adventurer | Reserve place |
| 02/02/25 | 01/03/25 | 28 days | £24,238pp | Heritage Adventurer | Reserve place |
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