Antarctica Premium 2026
This expedition promises an unforgettable adventure, combining luxury, education, and unparalleled access to one of the planet’s most remote and captivating regions.
EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS
- 11 passengers only making for a unique experience
- Make your entry into Earth’s southernmost frontier: Celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime achievement as you cross the Antarctic Polar Circle —an exclusive accomplishment shared by only a select few who have ventured this far south.
- Penguin Encounters: Immerse yourself in the world of playful penguins, watching thousands in their natural habitat.
- Whale Watching: Experience the thrill of spotting these majestic giants of the ocean, as they glide gracefully through Antarctic waters.
- Seal Sightings: Get up close to sunbathing seals lounging on ice floes or watch them dive elegantly into the icy depths.
- Expert-Led Adventures: Gain unparalleled insights from seasoned guides and naturalists, enriching your journey with knowledge and expertise.
- Sail Through Lemaire Channel: Cruise through this iconic waterway, often called the “Kodak Gap” for its stunning photo-worthy vistas.
- Beyond the ordinary: Journey into Antarctica’s most remote waters as the icy landscapes intensify dramaticly with every mile south. Experience pristine wilderness and wildlife encounters in regions that standard Antarctic cruises simply cannot reach.
EXPEDITION
FACTS
13 Days
Dates
11
Eldorado
Starting at 19,995$
POLAR WONDER FOUNDED BY
ROIE GALITZ
Renowned wildlife photographer and polar expert, Roie is a Greenpeace ambassador, Nikon Europe Ambassador, and a member of The Explorers Club.
THE Voyage
The southern most continent has always fascinated the great explorers, from Shackleton, to Scott and Amundsen. Everyone‘s imagination was fired by the great unknown land in the south, some even gave their lives for it.
It‘s the most inhospitable land on the planet, and yet this is the magic and appeal for those who have seen it all, almost…
Arrive in Punta Arenas before 2:00 pm, where you will be welcomed by our staff and transferred to your hotel. Today, you will have a mandatory briefing with important trip information. In the evening, enjoy dinner of typical Chilean food with your fellow adventurers and guides.
Begin your Antarctic air-cruise with a scheduled two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island in Antarctica. Upon landing, the clear Antarctic air will fill your lungs. You will then walk 2km, passing Chile’s Frei Station, to reach the shore and board a Zodiac that will take you to your boutique expedition vessel. Immediately, We will start heading south, towards the peninsula, so that in the morning we will already be at our first landing site.
Discovering Antarctica
Already in the morning we’ll be in an enchanting bay that serves as home to various species of seals and penguins. During lunch we’ll sail south to Wilhelmina Bay, known for the large whale populations that come here to feed. The plan is to deploy the Zodiacs towards sunset and then return to the ship to sleep. During the night we’ll sail southward. Overnight on ship
The Southern Colonies
In the morning we’ll arrive at the Lemaire Channel, one of the most beautiful places in Antarctica, and cross it by sailing with breathtaking views. Towards noon we’ll land on Petermann Island, where the large colonies of the hardy Adelie penguin are located (photo 3) alongside the Gentoo penguin. They’re all raising their offspring who are already growing rapidly. We’ll return for lunch on the ship and explore the area famous as a magnet for whales and leopard seals. In the afternoon and evening we’ll continue sailing south towards the Antarctic Circle! Overnight on ship
Crystal Sound and the Antarctic Circle
During the night we’ll cross the famous Crystal Sound, where there are many bays and islands full of wildlife, and of course enormous icebergs that fill the waters we’re sailing through. We’ll land on shores during the day according to wildlife activity in this area. Very few ships venture this far south, so we have great freedom of operation. In the evening, we’ll already be at the southernmost point of our route – the Adelaide and Detaille Islands. These islands were home to research stations that have been abandoned, and in the area you can also find the southernmost colonies of cormorants and Adelie penguins. Tonight the sun will no longer set as we cross the Antarctic Circle. We’ll go to sleep after midnight and during the night we’ll sail northward. Overnight on ship
Port Charcot and Flanders Bay
After a somewhat late breakfast (after all, we stayed up late last night), we’ll arrive at a beautiful bay called Port Charcot on Booth Island and land on shores full of penguins and a place for a wonderful hiking trek for those who want. During lunch we’ll sail north to Flanders Bay, which we’ll reach in the late afternoon hours, and if the ice permits – we’ll deploy Zodiac boats since during our previous times there, we photographed dozens of whales in the bay. The Zodiac cruise will last several hours, depending on the action we find in this deep bay. During the night we’ll sail to Neko Bay. Overnight on ship
Neko Bay and the Northern Islands
In the morning we’ll already be in the famous Neko Bay, where we’ll land in one of the most beautiful places in Antarctica. For those interested in mountain climbing, there’s a spectacular route for viewing the landscape, and for those interested in wildlife – hundreds of penguins and seals spend time on the bay’s shores. During the day we’ll sail towards Cuverville Island, where we’ll land to observe masses of wildlife in wonderful landscapes. We’ll return for dinner on the ship and land at Orne Bay and sail into Orne Bay for photographing Chinstrap penguins in evening light. During the night we’ll sail towards the South Shetland Islands. Overnight on ship
South Shetland Islands
After breakfast we’ll enter through “Neptune’s Bellows” into the heart of the volcano with our ship. We’ll walk on the shore and learn about the colony that was here and about the two major volcanic eruptions that occurred here during the 20th century. There are multiple photography opportunities, as well as hiking trails towards “Neptune’s Window” and among the preserved buildings. For those who want to swim, this is an excellent place to do so. From here we’ll sail to Half Moon Island, a crescent-shaped island, which we’ll reach in the evening, to the enormous colonies of Chinstrap penguins, as well as various seals, fur seals and sometimes elephant seals. During the night we’ll sail towards King George Island. Overnight on ship
King George Island
In the morning we’ll arrive at King George Island, probably very tired after a very busy schedule of activities, experiences and excitement. In coordination with the aircraft crew, we’ll know the schedule for landing and preparation for the return flight. If the flight departs in the afternoon, we’ll still use the morning for a final shore landing for photography, and if we don’t have time – then we’ll land and go through the Chilean base towards the airstrip where we arrived on the first day and take off back to Punta Arenas. During the two-hour flight, we’ll see the stormy waves of the Drake Strait from a bird’s eye view while we eat and drink comfortably. After landing, we’ll transfer by buses back to our hotel for end-of-trip relaxation. Overnight – Cabo del Hornos, Punta Arenas
After breakfast, there will be transfers to Punta Arenas airport where you can continue your journey home. Or, if you may decide to stay, you will be able to discover the best that Tierra del Fuego and the pristine landscapes of southern Chile have to offer you.
If you prefer to continue exploring this amazing region, we have spectacular workshops and wonderful tour suggestions in the area for you.
- The itinerary is an example, the expedition is flexible and its course will be defined daily sustained by the opportunities presented by weather, ice and wildlife.
EXPEDITION FACTS
Around 75°–85° south
None. Managed through international cooperation
14 million km² (5.4 million mi²)
−20°C to −30°C (−4°F to −22°F)
~1,000
~12 million
What
our travelers say
"This trip was the best gift I could ask for myself"
Rachel Nachshon
01.01.2024
“This trip was the best gift I could ask for myself, from the magical landscapes to the spirit of the group, the top-notch hotels, the itinerary and its extreme activities, and the outstanding organisation by the entire system and especially Dor, who conducted this orchestra with a perfect balance of assertiveness, resolve, professionalism, friendliness and humor, making this an unforgettable experience”.
"It’s hard to describe such a powerful experience"
Moshe Bivas
27.07.2023
“It’s hard to describe such a powerful experience. The joy of the adventure is poignant and full of satisfaction in the successful completion of the journey to Spitsbergen. Witnessing and feeling the forces of nature; the wild, white beauty floating away. The bears, the foxes, the birds, the whales, the elk, and of course the ship and crew that were almost part of the landscape. And most of all, our guide Yarin Klein, who made this an unforgettable experience.”.
"I will cherish the experiences for life"
Yehudit Rosenthal
22.06.2023
“It was indeed a wild journey and I will cherish the experiences for life. The landscapes were wonderful, the guides were excellent, the group was great and the atmosphere was fun and cheerful. I enjoyed everything, and have no complaints. Here’s to the next trips :)”.
THE SHIP
more cruises
antarctica
Cruises FAQ
How comfortable are the boats?
How is the food on board?
We are working with awesome chefs, which have received amazing reviews on our previous expeditions. They make our meals with a personal touch, since we’re such a small party. But, since we are on a boat in the high Arctic, please remember that it won’t be like a restaurant in Provence, but we will do the best we can. The chef will make adjustments to your requirements in terms of allergies and food requirements (vegetarian, vegan etc.)
What should I wear?
Inside the boat we keep temperatures at a warm +22°C / 70°F, so bring some short sleeved shirts and indoor shoes for the indoors. Outside it’s nice and cool, so bring layers: base layer and mid layer plus a warm coat, hat, gloves etc. We would rather have you complain on the heat, rather than on the cold. No need to bring classy clothes, we would prefer you’re feeling as comfortable as you can be.
What are we doing while cruising on the boat?
We have a packed schedule with talks, presentations and information on the magical land we’re visiting, also we plan our schedule to make the large distances while we’re sleeping, so we don’t “waste” our uptime for cruising between locations.
How often do we go on land?
We will go on land as often as we need/desire and depending on the activity and opportunities. It can be even twice a day. We won’t do long hikes, and concentrate on the areas of highest interest for our expedition without wasting time at the boring locations other vessels must visit to pass the time.