Today you arrive in the bustling city of Ushuaia. Here you can explore the vibrant streets and many boutique shops and cafes on display. If you have some extra timer you could also consider visiting the stunning Tierra Del Fuego National Park.

After a morning relaxing you will board your cruise ship in the late afternoon. You begin by sailing out into the Beagle Channel. The channel cuts through the small islands of the Tierra Del Fuego National Park. You will straight away have the opportunity to photo seabirds before heading out into the open seas. You won’t see land again until you reach Antarctica!

The Drake Passage is often seen as a right-of-passage for Antarctic travelers due to its notoriously rough seas. You should hope for calm waters, however, if you do experience rough weather, it is a great chance to get your sea legs before reaching the continent. The first day will be taken up with meeting the crew, safety procedures and simply taking in the fresh sea air.

The second day will be lecture day! You’ll be given a wide variety of lectures from geography to history by professional experts. These lectures are great way to get into the spirit of Antarctica before arriving.

Today the White Continent will come into sight, so get your cameras ready! Immediately you’ll spot enormous blue-hued icebergs as you cruise towards the peninsula. If you’re lucky you’ll see a curious whale or two popping up to look at your cruise ship.

However, the real adventure begins when you make your first shore landings. This is when you experience Antarctica at her best. Depending on weather, you’ll be landing at sites like Neko Harbor, Paradise Harbour or Orne Harbour. Here you’ll get close to penguin and seabird colonies and finally feel the cold ice beneath your feet. You’ll have the option to photograph the wildlife or take short hikes up in the local hills.

The more adventurous among you may want to take optional activitiessuch as kayaking, snow-shoeing or camping!

This is what you have come for, to reach a part of the world that few have or will ever reach – 66 degrees 33.7′ South. You’ll celebrate in style with a well-earned glass of champagne on deck as you drift past rarely seen ice-bergs. The wildlife is unsurpassed down here and you’ll be hard pressed to miss some of the large pods of whales or lounging seals.

By now you will be proficient in telling the difference between penguin species and you’ll be able to spot a Weddell seal or leopard seal from way off. Your lectures will continue to enlighten you as you head back up north and you’ll continue to take small zodiac excursions into unknown territory. Every turn is different, even for the crew as the landscape of Antarctica changes almost daily.

Today you begin your journey home, leaving behind the White Continent. You’ll have pictures and memories that will last a lifetime and the two day crossing will seem to pass very quickly as you reflect with your fellow passengers on what an incredible experience you have had. The lectures will continue and you’ll be able to witness a slideshow of the great sites and species you’ve seen along your voyage.

All good things must come to an end. Today you arrive back in Ushuaia port early to allow you time to connect to your flights. The team say one last farewell before leaving for home.

The Antarctica Circle Cruise is often one of the less expensive options and you certainly get a great deal of bang for your buck. Most operators offer the circle cruise on a 14 day itinerary for around US$9,000. However, if you wish to have a suite or accommodation ion the upper deck, you should expect to pay upwards of US$13,000.

Please make sure you do your research before purchasing a ticket. There are many operators out there and some are definitely better than others. We generally find that with Antarctica cruise, you get what you pay for. An Antarctica cruise is no small thing and finding out specifically what each operator offers is vital before deciding. If you want the cheapest option possible then you can try purchasing a last minute ticket. However, this is inhibiting in the sense that you have no idea when you’ll be leaving and you often need to actually be ready in Ushuaia to take advantage of such offers. This is not a luxury we can all afford sadly.

Please see our detailed page on Antarctica cruise costs.

Please note here that all cruises will offer slightly different packages. The list below is what we would expect from a standard Antarctica Circle Cruise of 14 days.

•1 night hotel stay in Ushuaia before departure

•12 nights on-board the ship

•13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners (some operators will not include food)

•Arrival and departure transfers to and from airport

•Waterproof boots for shore landings

•Daily zodiac excursions once in Antarctica

•Expedition parka

•Expert on-board lectures

•Ratio of at least 1 expedition member per 10 guests

•Destination guidebook

•Optional activities offered at extra cost – kayaking, hiking etc.

Like all Antarctic cruises, the Antarctic Circle Cruise runs throughout the continent’s summer period. This is generally from early November to late March. When you going during the summer should really depend upon what you want to see. If you want to see huge ice-bergs before they have had a chance to melt then go as early as possible. The early season is also great for seeing penguin and seabird courtship rituals.

The middle part of the season is often the ideal time to view young chicks and see parents hard at work bringing in food. This period is also the warmest and temperatures along the peninsula often exceed 10 degrees Celsius! The latter part of the season is great for whale watching. You’re guaranteed to see tons of whales in the latter part of the season and have a far better chance of getting up close and personal with them. It’s an astonishing feeling to feel the spray from a whale’s blowhole! No matter when you go though, your trip will truly be an unforgettable experience.

Please see our detailed page on when to visit Antarctica.

Cold weather gear is the main concern for any Antarctic voyage. Whilst it is summer there, weather is still extremely cold at times and you will need to bring some nice thermal clothing with you. The key is layering up. Gloves and parka are often included by operators, but you will still need some base layers and a fleece or two.

The other major piece of gear is your camera! Most people want to photograph the stunning landscape and wildlife and you’ll need certain cold weather gear for your camera gear, including several dry bags! For more information on Antarctica photography please click here.

Please read our full Antarctic packing list.

Yes. Travel insurance is a must for all Antarctica cruises. Cruise operators will not allow you on the boat without it. Make sure to read the policy wording closely however as some policies don’t actually cover you when you leave the ship for shore-landings! Make sure you have a high enough cover for emergency evacuation at sea.

Please see our detailed article on Antarctica travel insurance.

The Antarctica Circle Cruise does not require any real level of fitness. Only light activity is conducted throughout the cruise and you will always have the option to stay aboard or sit down if you feel the need. People with slightly more energy will have the option to do some hiking, however, this is by no means mandatory.