Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea - Le Commandant Charcot

14 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Map not provided by operator
Additional images not provided by operator
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Group Tour
The theatre of the greatest expeditions, a refuge for the rarest wildlife and an endless ice desert, the Weddell Sea promises to stir your emotions during this unique voyage of exploration aboard Le Commandant Charcot. This place is home to emperor penguins, majestic birds endemic to the Antarctic, rarely observed and only in the most southern latitudes. The ...
19% OFF
$33,456
From$27,200
See departure dates

Overview

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

What's this trip about?

    The theatre of the greatest expeditions, a refuge for the rarest wildlife and an endless ice desert, the Weddell Sea promises to stir your emotions during this unique voyage of exploration aboard Le Commandant Charcot. This place is home to emperor penguins, majestic birds endemic to the Antarctic, rarely observed and only in the most southern latitudes. The ultimate quest and the promise of new and unforgettable encounters. From the wind and waves of the Drake Passage, you will enter the southern seas, to the extreme and captivating Weddell Sea. Ice flows as far as the eye can see and gigantic tabular icebergs form the backdrop of the colonies of Adelie penguins that populate this wild expanse. Visiting these curious and quirky birds is a privilege in itself, yet the ultimate challenge of this exploration is the search for the majestic Emperor penguins. In this season, as the winter gradually makes way for the southern spring, you will hopefully, have the opportunity to encounter one of the largest penguins in the world. It is rare to discover their elegance and to encounter them in person, guarantees an equally fascinating and touching show. While exploring the Weddell Sea, we will follow in the footsteps of the great polar explorers like Sir Ernest Shackleton. Your passionate naturalist guides will share the history of the surrounding, gigantic, tabular icebergs, including their birth in the heart of the immense Larsen Ice Shelf. The ice here boasts all possible shades and the white takes different forms in the surrounding reliefs. Let yourself be guided and set off on an adventure into the heart of this extraordinary wilderness. Your Captain and expert crew, will seize any opportunities to ensure that they offer you an experience of a lifetime. An exploration into the Weddell Sea - in search of majestic emperor penguins See tabletop icebergs and immense glaciers - in this immaculate and dreamlike landscape Travel in the company of Nicolas Vincent - Endurance 22's Expedition Sub Sea Manager Rare Wildlife opportunities - with the possibility to observe emperor and Adelies as well as a variety of seals and whales

Details

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

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Activities

  • Hiking

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Day 1 Trip starts in Santiago

Arrive into Santiago and transfer to your included hotel in Santiago, where you will be greeted by a local representative. Check-in is available from late morning onwards. The rest of your day is at leisure.

Meals Provided : Dinner

Day 2 Fly from Santiago to Ushuaia. Embark Le Commandant Charcot

A light morning breakfast will be served before leaving for the airport for your flight from Santiago to Ushuaia - approximate flying time is 3 hours. You will be met on arrival and transferred to the ship, ready for embarkation at 4 p.m. Capital of Argentina's Tie...

Day 3 Crossing the Drake Passage

Use your days spent in the Drake Passage to familiarise yourself with your ship and deepen your knowledge of the Antarctic. The Expedition Leader will first present the IAATO rules of conduct that must be observed during landings in the region and will explain everything you need to know about the Zodiac outings.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 Crossing the Drake Passage

Lectures about the history and wildlife of the Antarctic will be an opportunity for you to learn more about this magical region, where every voyage offers a unique experience. Join the naturalist-guides on your ship's exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 North Antarctic Peninsula

Throughout your time in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, you will find yourself in the heart of spectacular scenery, surrounded by exceptional wildlife. You will sail through the Antarctic Sound, named after Swedish explorer Otto Nordenskjöld's ship, which was tr...

Day 6 Explore the Weddell Sea

Impassable, extreme and captivating: this is the best way to describe the Weddell Sea, much of which is covered by a layer of thick, densely packed ice. It is a challenge and a privilege to sail upon this sea. Polar exploration finds its full meaning here.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 Explore the Weddell Sea

Heading towards the South is a real quest, with the promise of highly-charged encounters with the continent's endemic fauna.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 Explore the Weddell Sea

In this southern sea, where the ice changes and is transformed continuously. You will sail into the heart of the immaculate ice floe, which is densely packed into an alley of icebergs. Among them are immense blocks of ice, tabular icebergs, that drift and illuminate the ocean with their cerulean blue halos.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 Explore the Weddell Sea

This is the kingdom of the emperor penguin, the largest penguin in the world, renowned for its elegance. Unlike other penguins that live on the rocks, the emperor nests on the ice floe which it needs for its reproductive cycle. It is therefore on the ice floe that you will be able to observe it walking around with its characteristic gait.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 Explore the Weddell Sea

On shore, or from your Zodiac, you will be as close as possible to the wildlife and will have plenty of time to explore this glacial wilderness.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 Explore the Weddell Sea

There is an abundance of wildlife here; colonies of Adelie penguins, Weddell seals, Minke whales and orcas to name a few. There is also exceptional birdlife which you will learn more about in the informative on-board lectures. With some luck, you might catch a glimpse...

Day 12 Crossing the Drake Passage

Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, the Drake Passage is the shortest route to connect Antarctica to South America. Seasoned navigators will tell you that you must earn your visit to the White Continent by travelling this unpredictable stretch of water.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13 Crossing the Drake Passage

As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses, the Drake Passage harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don't forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels, playfully floating about in the wind around your ship.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14 Disembark in Ushuaia and fly to Santiago. Trip ends in Santiago

We arrive into Ushuaia in the early morning and will disembark after breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Santiago, where your trip comes to a close. We recommend that you book your International flights for a day later incase there are any delays back to Ushuaia.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

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 $27,200
Price per day$1,943
Last Updated: 10/2/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room
Availability
30 Oct 2025
12 Nov 2025
$27,200
11 Nov 2025
24 Nov 2025
$30,260
23 Nov 2025
06 Dec 2025
$27,200

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
10,321
Great
3,322
Average
522
Disappointing
158
Terrible
79
Write a Review

Other Explore! Reviews

T

Trusted Customer

Mar 2025

Written on

Bangkok to Saigon by Bike

We had a fantastic trip with explore! Starting with a brief intro to Thailand with professional friendly experienced guides Koi, Tri and the fab support Team (Bus dr...

M

Mel

Mar 2025

Written on

Walking in Madeira

Great tour - everything was well organised but offered enough flexibility for people wanting to do their own thing in the evenings after the guided tours. Most of th...

D

Darren

Mar 2025

Written on

Efficient and easy to navigate online booking

Booked online. Very easy to do with full information abou...

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

Le Commandant Charcot, Zodiac,

Transportation & flights

Le Commandant Charcot, Zodiac
Guides
Expedition Crew, Naturalist(s)
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
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
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 : 13
  • Dinner : 13
  • Lunch : 12
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
explore-CCEP

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!