Classic Antarctica - M/V Sylvia Earle

12 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 4 photos
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Group Tour
The South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula form one of the most spectacular wilderness areas on earth. A remarkable collection of wildlife lives in the shadow of snow-capped mountains and blue icebergs; penguins, whales and a rich diversity of birdlife await you on this exploratory journey of the Great White Continent. Search for orca and minke wha...
$16,500
From$14,900
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • A classic expedition voyage - exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
    • Penguin rookeries - see Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins
    • Enjoy the freedom of Antarctica - being in the vast, ice-sculpted Antarctic wilderness
    • Travel on a small, friendly expedition ship - capped at just over 100 passengers
    • Enjoy on-board lectures and presentations - from expert naturalists and guides

What's this trip about?

    The South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula form one of the most spectacular wilderness areas on earth. A remarkable collection of wildlife lives in the shadow of snow-capped mountains and blue icebergs; penguins, whales and a rich diversity of birdlife await you on this exploratory journey of the Great White Continent. Search for orca and minke whales - as they hunt in icy bays Penguin rookeries - see Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguin busily building their nests Enjoy the freedom of Antarctica - being in the vast, ice-sculpted Antarctic wilderness

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityUshuaia
End CityUshuaia

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Antarctic Peninsula
  • Shetland Islands
  • South Shetland Islands
  • Ushuaia

Activities

  • Hiking

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Day 1 Join trip in Ushuaia

Arrive in Ushuaia (USH) where you will be met by a representative and transferred with your fellow expeditioners to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Ushuaia, we ask you to make your way to your hotel. Check-in is from 3 pm. The remainder of your time is at leisure.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Embark the M/V Sylvia Earle

This morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out. Please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Take your cabin luggage to hotel reception, prior to, or at check-out. Your luggage will be stored and transferred...

Day 3 Drake Passage

We head southbound towards the Antarctic Peninsula and across the Drake Passage. Join our Polar experts to learn about Antarctica's unique wildlife and history, talk to fellow passengers, staff and crew, and prepare for your landings with the environmental and safety briefings given on board.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 Drake Passage and South Shetland Islands

Spirits soar as air and water temperatures fall, marking our crossing into the 'White Continent.' Possible landings as we approach the South Shetland Islands include Aitcho, Robert or Deception Islands.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 Antarctic Peninsula

An overnight passage along Gerlache Strait delivers us to the stunning Antarctic Peninsula, an ethereal wonderland of vast proportions. Aboard robust Zodiacs, we explore penguin rookeries, historic sites and scientific stations, and cruise up close to intricately shap...

Day 6 Antarctic Peninsula

Over the next few days a host of choices are open to us, and depending on ice and weather conditions, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula is ours to explore. Our experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their experti...

Day 7 Antarctic Peninsula

There will be plenty of time to enjoy the sheer beauty and breathtaking scenery of this magical land, with it's impressive glaciers and rugged snow-capped mountains. Walk on shore among hundreds of penguins as you stop off at gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguin rooke...

Day 8 Antarctic Peninsula

If ice conditions allow, the ship will cruise along the narrow Lemaire Channel, one of the many highlights of our voyage. Cliffs tower 700 metres straight out of the ocean, on either side of the ship. The water can sometimes be so still that perfect reflections are mi...

Day 9 Antarctic Peninsula

Located on Goudier Island, British Port Lockroy is an important site for both scientific research and visitors to the Antarctic continent. Designated a historic site in 1994 and opened to the Antarctic tourism industry in 1996, it was discovered in 1904 and used by th...

Day 10 Drake Passage

Today, our landings come to an end as we re-enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to Ushuaia. With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that c...

Day 11 Drake Passage

As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 Trip ends in Ushuaia

During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia. The trip ends after breakfast on board the ship. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time after 12 pm. For those on morning fli...

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $14,900
Price per day$1,242
Last Updated: 4/9/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room
Availability
19 Nov 2025
30 Nov 2025
$16,000
$16,000
10 Dec 2025
21 Dec 2025
$18,410
$18,410
13 Mar 2027
24 Mar 2027
$14,900
$14,900

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,290
Great
3,299
Average
517
Disappointing
158
Terrible
82
Write a Review

Other Explore! Reviews

I

Iain

Apr 2025

Written on

Simply Japan

Our Explore Leader was excellent . His local knowledge combined with his rapport with the Group helped to make this a holiday to remember. His suggestions and recomm...

A

Alexandra

Apr 2025

Written on

Central American Highlights

Interesting trip, full of culture, beautiful scenery, volcanoes and lakes. Learning about the Mayan people. Difficult obtaining a visa for Honduras. The Mayan ruins ...

S

Sarah

Apr 2025

Written on

Discover Bali, Flores and Komodo Islands

I have been on 15+ tours with explore dating back to 1996. In recent years their pre trip/office based organisation and communication has been inaccurate, poor and f...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

M/V Sylvia Earle, Zodiac,

Transportation & flights

M/V Sylvia Earle, Zodiac
Guides
Expedition Crew, Naturalist(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. USA (If flights transit): you will need to apply for an ESTA if you are transiting the USA as you will have to disembark and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight. Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) - where you apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), which applies if you enter the country by sea or by air. This must be done on line - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. When completing an application for transit you should enter the words 'In Transit' with your final destination location in the address line You must have an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan in the past five years or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Programme. Instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. For further information please check out the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 11
  • Dinner : 10
  • Lunch : 9
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
explore-SEAP

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!