Antarctic Peninsula
The Peninsula is the first sight of continental Antarctica that greets travellers crossing the Drake Passage. It is a mere spit of…
Follow in the footsteps of great explorers. Discover a remote world filled with gigantic penguin rookeries, towering icebergs and stories of pioneering feats.
For the biggest variety of wildlife, visit the Antarctic Peninsula; for huge icebergs and emperor penguins, sail the Weddell Sea; or for sheer scale and remoteness, take to the Ross Sea.
For travellers to Antarctica, the continent’s giant proportions and pristine white wilderness leave a profound impression. Our Antarctic cruises will take you through towering glacial scenery and introduce you to a plethora of species, frozen landscapes and glassy waters. Nothing quite prepares you for this experience; as you cruise past sheer ice faces, and the cold air drawing into your lungs invigorates your mind, you will feel that same sense of adventure that Shackleton did.
We know that travellers bound for Antarctica tend to have a lot of questions – from what you’ll see to what socks you should wear – and our Polar Experts are always on hand to answer your specific questions. But in the meantime, we have compiled a series of guides to the Great White Continent to get you started. So have a pen and paper handy, and jot down any other unknowns you might have, ready for your next e-mail or phone conversation with your personal specialist.
Steppes Travel was one of the first UK-based tour operators to offer holidays and cruises to Antarctica. Since then we’ve built an impressive reputation for detailed first-hand knowledge and long-standing partnerships with all the leading small ship boat operators. This vast expertise means we can pick the boat, cabin and experiences which perfectly match your unique brief.
Traditional cruises begin in Ushuaia, Argentina (otherwise known as “The End of the World”), with the first two days spent crossing the infamous Drake Passage. This stretch of water can be rough, so those prone to seasickness might want to avoid it. Enter: the fly-cruise. With travel to and from Antarctica completed in just two hours each way, the trip is cut down by up to four days. Simply a must for anyone short on time and looking to maximise the opportunities to get snow on their boots.
For those travellers wishing to make more of their time in South America before or after an Antarctic expedition, we offer a plethora of tailor-made extensions. Perhaps spend time in Argentina, taking a scenic flight over Iguazu Falls or joining a wine-tasting workshop in Mendoza. Travel to Chile to hike in Torres del Paine or board a flight to Easter Island with its remote mythical Moai. For the ultimate wildlife holiday, join a cruise in the Galapagos Islands or consider travelling to Antarctica from New Zealand and add an extension to the Pacific Islands of Tonga, Fiji or Tahiti.
Things to do, places to explore and moments to experience.
Scroll to discover some of our most remarkable travel experiences in Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, from diving to photographing busy penguin rookeries.
The vast majority of people experience Antarctica by cruise, and choosing the right vessel for you is key. From expeditionary vessels to luxurious ships to sailing boats to state-of-the-art carriers, there is a boat to suit every type of traveller. We have stepped foot on almost all of the vessels that travel to the continent, so you can rest assured that we can match you to your ideal floating home. No matter your requirements, our hand-picked selection of vessels are varied enough to suit solo travellers, honeymooners and adventurous families alike.
Purpose-built for the extremes of polar exploration, Ultramarine is an impressive vessel that boasts two twin-engine helicopters, a walk-around deck, a panoramic lounge and multiple zodiac embarkation points. A well-stocked library, a lecture theatre, two dining…
Originally built in 1976 in Yugoslavia, Ocean Adventurer underwent extensive upgrades as part of a multi-million pound renovation in 2017. On this nimble, ice-strengthened vessel, facilities include a well-stocked library, a lounge area, a gym and…
Originally built in Poland in 1989 as an ice-strengthened passenger vessel, the 298-foot-long Ortelius spent many years plying the frozen waters of the Arctic and Northern Pacific before being totally refurbished in 2005. Sleeping a total…
Built in 1992 in Denmark and designed to navigate the ice-choked waters off Western Greenland, Ocean Nova has since undergone an extensive refurbishment of cabins. There is an upper glazed observation deck which is perfect for…
Antarctica is the highest, driest & windiest place on earth but as it is a continent the conditions vary considerably. The advisable travel season to this region is between the months of October and March. The vast majority of visitors will be experiencing the peninsula region where during the summer months the temperature is generally above 0° and rarely below -5°.
Arguably prime time to visit Antarctica, with substantial daylight hours and average temperatures of -6°C. The sea ice melts enough to allow access and it is one of the best times to spot whales, sea birds and fledgling penguin chicks.
Antarctica is the highest, driest & windiest place on earth but as it is a continent the conditions vary considerably. The advisable travel season to this region is between the months of October and March. The vast majority of visitors will be experiencing the peninsula region where during the summer months the temperature is generally above 0° and rarely below -5°.
Antarctica is the highest, driest & windiest place on earth but as it is a continent the conditions vary considerably. The advisable travel season to this region is between the months of October and March. The vast majority of visitors will be experiencing the peninsula region where during the summer months the temperature is generally above 0° and rarely below -5°.
Antarctica is the highest, driest & windiest place on earth but as it is a continent the conditions vary considerably. The advisable travel season to this region is between the months of October and March. The vast majority of visitors will be experiencing the peninsula region where during the summer months the temperature is generally above 0° and rarely below -5°.
Antarctica is the highest, driest & windiest place on earth but as it is a continent the conditions vary considerably. The advisable travel season to this region is between the months of October and March. The vast majority of visitors will be experiencing the peninsula region where during the summer months the temperature is generally above 0° and rarely below -5°.
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?