Emperor Penguin Quest: Snow Hill | Ultramarine
14 Days
Save Up To 19%
WAS From AUD 41,800 Now From AUD 34,124
STYLE: Small Ship Luxury Expedition Cruise
Trip Code: ACQEEPQ
DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)
Start: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Finish: Buenos Aires, Argentina
SHIP: Ultramarine
Destination
Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Accommodation
Cabin on board ship
DEPARTURE DATES
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OVERVIEW
Save up to 10% on Antarctica 23/24 Departures
Snow Hill Island is home for up to 10,000 Emperor Penguins and is the northernmost location these iconic Penguins can be found on the continent. Venture into the Weddell Sea onbaord the luxurious Ultramarine and travel by helicopter to the otherwise inaccessable Snow Hill Island and be one of the very few lucky people in the worth that get to experince these giant penguins up close in their own natural environment.
Every consideration is taken into account to have minimal impact on these penguin colonies, requiring passengers to walk distances up to 1km from where Helicopters touch down so the penguin's environments are unaffected and disturbed when guests visit. Contact us for more information.
*Offers are correct at the time of publishing and are available for sale on selected cabins and departure dates until 04 July 2023 or sold out. Discounts are subject to change, availability will be confirmed at time of booking. Current in market offers may be combinable and Shackleton Club Past Passenger and multi trip discounts may be applied subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Prices are subject to change based on currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, and other external factors. No discount applies to any transfer packages, additional activities or pre/post services. Please enquire for Single and Triple Cabin promotions. The advertised prices may also include a 'Pay in full at time of booking' which is a 5-10% early payment bonus. Further conditions may apply, contact us for more information.
ITINERARY
Upon arriving in this fascinating city, known for its architecture and rich European heritage, you will independently transfer to your group hotel. Your pre-expedition hotel night is included in mandatory transfer package. Why not arrive early and spend some time exploring this remarkable city? Contact us for some ideas.
After an early breakfast at the hotel, your group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to a central downtown location to enjoy time on your own to explore quaint Ushuaia—the world’s southernmost city—before making your way to the pier. After a late afternoon embarkation, you will sail along the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Enjoy the air of anticipation as you depart—the next land you see will be the Antarctic!
The unpredictable and exciting Drake Passage, which lies at the confluence of the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Southern oceans, is an adventure unto itself. While being well taken care of by our expert onboard staff and expedition team, you’ll have plenty of time to gaze out at the expansive ocean waters, photograph seabirds as they swoop around the ship, and get to know your Expedition Team and fellow travellers.
Onboard presentations by world-respected experts will enrich your polar quest, conveying what it was like a century ago for the brave polar heroes who embraced the unknown. You’ll also learn more about the ice-dwelling emperor penguins.
The journey toward Snow Hill Island will put you in explorer mode as the captain and Expedition Leader keep you updated through weather briefings, meteorological and sea ice condition reports. The thickness of ice will determine how close Ultramarine can get to Snow Hill Island, then our twin-engine helicopters will take over.
Like summitting a mountain from base camp, parties will set out from Ultramarine towards the emperor penguin colony. Their adventure begins with an extended helicopter transfer that will reveal a landscape of snow-capped peaks and apartment-building-sized tabular icebergs. The rookery itself is located on the sea ice off the south coast of Snow Hill Island and the landing will be as close to the penguins as possible, yet at a safe distance to avoid disturbing the birds. Upon landing, your party will walk across the ice to the fabled emperor penguin colony. The wind. The ice beneath your feet. Walking next to paths in the snow carved by penguins that came before. And then there are the incredible sounds of the penguins in the distance as you march toward one of the rarest wildlife opportunities on the planet: the colony of thousands and thousands of rarely-seen emperor penguins.
The goal of the expedition is to get every guest to the remote rookery once. The Expedition Team and special experts will be close by to answer your questions and ensure you take in everything there is to see. You’ll observe close up how the emperor penguins behave as a tight-knit community, how they care for their young, and how they body surf across the ice in a way that can only be described as quirky yet efficient. The helicopter expedition in search of the emperor colony might just be the adventure of a lifetime
And while at base on Ultramarine with your attentive Expedition Team, you’ll be immersed each day in the polar experience of the Weddell Sea. Daily activities will include Zodiac cruising among the icebergs, adventuring and learning while atop the ice, paddle-on-top kayaking, or working with our team to observe the weather forecasting and ship operations up close.
A particularly enriching component of your voyage will be the bespoke educational programs tailored specifically for this expedition that offer both traditional (lecture format) and hands-on opportunities for learning about this fascinating region. Each day our polar experts, who include penguin scientists, biologists and polar historians, will present on various aspects of emperor penguins and their behaviors, ice formations such as the tabular icebergs which you’ll see from the deck of your ship, and the experiences of polar explorers who braved the Weddell Sea over a century ago. Or you might, on one of these days, decide to take the polar plunge, or test your balance on a stand-up paddleboard. Then again, maybe you’ll enjoy a little pampering. If so, you can choose from Ultramarine’s excellent onboard amenities, including the spa, sauna and fitness room.
The emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill is the goal of this expedition. However, if weather or ice conditions prevent us from visiting the colony or shorten the duration of our visit, we may explore some other sites. Your possible landings in Antarctica will take place on the eastern side of the Peninsula, which is an extension of the Transantarctic Mountains and is the most northern stretch of Antarctic land.
The journey back across the Drake Passage provides a final opportunity to enjoy the invigorating Southern Ocean air. Spend time on the deck watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, and celebrate the experiences you've shared getting off the beaten track in the remarkable world of Antarctica.
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. The mandatory transfer package includes a tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park for a taste of Patagonia, after which you’ll transfer to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires.
WHY CHOOSE THIS CRUISE?
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Experience a bucketlist encounter with Antarctica's iconic Emperor Penguins.
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Snow Hill Island is only accessible by Helicopter and is one of the only sites tourists can witness Emperor Penguins in their natural habitat
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The state-of-the-art and sustainable Ultramarine is operated by one of the best and most experienced Expedition teams in the industry
Ultramarine
The newest ship of this expedition fleet; Ultramarine; takes guests to the most isolated and breathtaking wildernesses on the planet. The ship has been purpose-built to meet the specific demands of the polar regions and is well appointed to let guests explore The Arctic and Antarctica safely and comfortably. It offers a robust portfolio of adventure activities. The mix of sustainability features create innovative operations to offer ultra-immersive polar experiences to guests on board . Experience the Antarctic in comfort as you sail aboard Ultramarine. The Expedition Ship can accommodate a maximum of 199 passengers and offers the most spacious suites in its category . The cabins are all elegantly designed and feature oversized windows with sleeping views, flatscreen TV’s and DVD players and spa - inspired bathrooms. Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the region has to offer. Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. It also features a best-in-class 70-day operational range and an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards.
Ice Class:
Length: 128m (420ft)
Breadth: 21.5m (70.5ft)Max
Draft: Cruising
Speed:
Electricity: Passenger
Capacity:199
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Accommodation
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Standard
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Superior
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Deluxe
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Optional Activities vary for each itinerary. Limited spaces available. Contact your Destination Specialist for pricing & availability.
Kayaking
Experience the unforgettable thrill and serenity of kayaking in Antarctica as part of a small, expertly guided paddling group.
Learn More
Camping
Fall asleep amid the snow-capped mountains as you watch the colours of the Antarctic twilight bounce off the ocean and surrounding glaciers.
Learn More
Stand-up Paddle Boarding
Stand-up Paddle boarding, commonly known as SUP originated in Hawaii and is now available as an optional activity in Antarctica. What a way to explore!
Learn MorePricing per person
 | Explorer TripleFeatures:-
| 10 % off AUD 40,400 AUD 36,500Unavailable Enquire Now
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 | Explorer SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 41,800 AUD 34,124Available Enquire Now
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 | Balcony SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 48,700 AUD 39,713Available Enquire Now
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 | Deluxe Balcony SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 55,700 AUD 45,383Available Enquire Now
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 | Terrace SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 66,800 AUD 54,374Unavailable Enquire Now
|
 | Solo PanoramaFeatures:-
| 10 % off AUD 64,000 AUD 57,740Available Enquire Now
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 | Penthouse SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 70,900 AUD 57,695Available Enquire Now
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 | Owner's SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 84,800 AUD 68,954Unavailable Enquire Now
|
 | Ultra SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 91,800 AUD 74,624Available Enquire Now
|
| Explorer TripleFeatures:-
| 10 % off AUD 40,400 AUD 36,500Unavailable Enquire Now
|
| Explorer SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 41,800 AUD 34,124Available Enquire Now
|
| Balcony SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 48,700 AUD 39,713Available Enquire Now
|
| Deluxe Balcony SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 55,700 AUD 45,383Available Enquire Now
|
| Terrace SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 66,800 AUD 54,374Available Enquire Now
|
| Solo PanoramaFeatures:-
| 10 % off AUD 64,000 AUD 57,740Available Enquire Now
|
| Penthouse SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 70,900 AUD 57,695Available Enquire Now
|
| Owner's SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 84,800 AUD 68,954Available Enquire Now
|
| Ultra SuiteFeatures:-
| 19 % off AUD 91,800 AUD 74,624Unavailable Enquire Now
|
Important Information
All Zodiac transfers, shore landings and cruising as per the itinerary with an experienced Expedition Team
10 nights accommodation onbaord with daily housekeeping
All meals, snacks, soft drinks, tea, coffee hot chocolate and juices on board
Selected beer and wine during dinner
Schduled presentations by an experienced Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
A photographic journal documenting the expedition
Complementary waterproof expedition boots hire
An Expedition parka to keep
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
1 x 10- to 15-minute helicopter flightseeing excursion (weather and logistics permitting)Exclusions:
Mandatory Transfer Package
International airfares
Passport and applicable visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
Meals unless otherwise specified
Travel insurance
Excess-baggage fees on domestic flights
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions,
Any other gear not mentioned
Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
Phone and Internet charges
Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
Arrival and departure transfers, except where stated
Optional adventure activities such as Kayaking, ice camping, stand-up paddleboarding and day paddling
- 2 (light adventure)
Available upon request. Contact us for more info
Maximum of 150 people per voyage.
Please note this itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions
MANDATORY TRANSFER PACKAGE NOT INCLUDED (Additional $995 USD/ $1,380 AUD) *subject to change
Departure dates, seasonality, availability & currency fluctuation