Antarctica - Polar Circle - Whale watching
12 Days - Plancius
This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula cruise passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to hike, kayak, and dive in the iceberg-heavy waters.
from USD $7700pp
Home » 12 Day M/V Plancius: Antarctica – Polar Circle – Whale watching
Itinerary Highlights
- Discover the true emotions of Antarctic wilderness
- Observe the wildlife in its natural habitat
- Learn about and witness Antarctic whaling history
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Departure from Ushuaia
- Day 2-3: At sea crossing the Drake Passage
- Day 4-9: Antarctica
- Day 10-11: At sea crossing the Drake Passage
- Day 12: Arrive in Ushuaia
Day 1: Departure from Ushuaia
Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
Day 2 - 3: At sea
Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.
Day 4 - 9: Antarctica
Options for Antarctic Peninsula activities are many, and no less great during the late summer. Humpback whales are prolific in this region, gorging themselves on krill before their migration north. The penguin chicks are also fledging, stirring up activity on the beaches while sleek leopard seals lie in wait, poised to attack the less fortunate ones.
Sites for your Antarctic adventures may include:
Livingston Island – Here you find a wide variety of gentoo and chinstrap penguins on Hannah Point, as well as southern giant petrels and elephant seals hauling out onto the beach.
Deception Island – Actually a subducted crater, this island opens into the sea and creates a natural harbor for the ship. Hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, and multiple bird species – cape petrels, kelp gulls, brown and south polar skuas, and Antarctic terns – can be seen here. Wilson’s storm petrels and black-bellied storm petrels also nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.
Cuverville Island – A small precipitous island nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Rongé Island, Cuverville houses a large colony of gentoo penguins and breeding pairs of brown skuas.
Neko Harbour – An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow, Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks. You might also be able to set foot on the continent here.
Paradise Bay – You could take a Zodiac cruise in these sprawling, ice-flecked waters, where you have a good chance of seeing humpback and minke whales.
Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If the ice allows it, you may sail through the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. There’s also a good chance you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales as well as leopard seals.
Crystal Sound – Your journey takes you south along the Argentine Islands to this ice-packed body of water, and from here across the Polar Circle in the morning.
Detaille Island – You may make a landing at an abandoned British research station here, taking in the island’s lofty mountains and imposing glaciers.
Fish Islands – Further north you encounter one of the southernmost Adélie penguin and blue-eyed shag colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula.
Melchior Islands – These islands offer a beautiful landscape rich with icebergs. Leopard seals, crabeater seals, and whales are found here, and there are excellent opportunities for kayaking and diving.
Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
Day 10 - 11: At sea
Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.
Day 12: Ushuaia
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
23 Mar 2025 - 03 Apr 2025 | USD $7700pp | ||
Quadruple Porthole Cabin | USD $7700pp | Contact us | |
Twin Porthole Cabin | USD $9450pp | Contact us | |
Triple Porthole Cabin | USD $9450pp | Contact us | |
Twin Window Cabin | USD $9900pp | Contact us | |
Twin Deluxe Cabin | USD $10600pp | Contact us | |
Superior Cabin | USD $11200pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Quadruple Porthole Cabin
Two upper and two lower berths, one porthole, private shower and toilet, desk and chair, flatscreen TV, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), hair-dryer and ample storage space.
Triple Porthole Cabin
One upper and two lower berths, one porthole, private shower and toilet, desk and chair, flatscreen TV, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), hair-dryer and ample storage space.
Twin Porthole Cabin
Two lower berths, one porthole, private shower and toilet, desk and chair, flatscreen TV, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), hair-dryer and ample storage space.
Twin Window Cabin
Two lower berths, one window, private shower and toilet, desk and chair, flatscreen TV, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), hair-dryer and ample storage space.
Twin Deluxe Cabin
Two lower berths, two windows, private shower and toilet, desk and chair, flatscreen TV, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), hair-dryer and ample storage space.
*corner cabins which are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins
Superior Cabin
One double bed, one sofa bed, two windows, private shower and toilet, desk and chair, flatscreen TV, telephone and Wifi (supplemented), refrigerator, coffee and tea maker, hair-dryer and ample storage space.
Plancius Deckplan
Specifications
- Passengers: 108 in 50 cabins
- Staff & crew: Crew 40 | Guides 8 | Doctor 1
- Length: 89 meters (293 feet)
- Breadth: 14,5 meters (47 feet)
- Draft: 5 meters (16 feet)
- Ice class: 1D (Plancius has a Lloyds class notation 100A1 Passenger ship, Ice Class 1D at a draught of 5 meters)
- Displacement: 3211 tonnes
- Propulsion: 3x Diesel-Electric
- Speed: 10.5 knots average cruising speed
Whats included?
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
- Free internet: daily allowance of 1.5 GB of free internet connectivity
What’s not included?
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre- and post- land arrangements.
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Government arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals ashore.
- Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Notes
PLEASE NOTE:
All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per IAATO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with IAATO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is 10.5 knots.