Antarctica by Helicopter: Crossing the Circle and the Peninsula

Upon arriving in this splendid city, known for its vibrant Argentinian culture, European architecture and cosmopolitan vibe, independently transfer to your pre-expedition hotel.

After an early breakfast, the group transfers to the airport and boards our private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Upon arrival, transfer to a central downtown location with free time to explore this quaint port town before heading to the designated meeting spot near the pier, where you are transferred to the ship for embarkation. After a late afternoon embarkation, we sail along the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart—the next time you see land, you’ll be in the remote Antarctic wilderness.

Crossing the legendary 500mi (800km) stretch of water is a must for many travellers. Prepare for dramatic seascapes as you stand on the deck of Ultramarine and gaze at the water stretching beyond the distant horizon. Be on the lookout for dolphins, whales and seabirds, especially albatrosses, petrels and skuas as they glide over the sometimes-rough waters. As the ship approaches the Antarctic Peninsula, keep your eyes peeled for your first glimpse of towering, multi-shaped icebergs.

Today, as we continue crossing the Drake Passage, experience the Antarctic Convergence, where the warmer waters of the sub-Antarctic meet the cold Antarctic. Your days at sea are filled with presentations led by your Expedition Team on photography, wildlife, glaciology, and history. In between presentations, spend time on deck looking for wildlife or chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.

The most common reaction upon reaching the Antarctic Peninsula is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travellers alike. Every visit to Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means your expedition will be unlike any other, creating a unique, personal experience. Each day, you take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds, you visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the elusive leopard seal. Your Expedition Team takes care of you at each landing, whether you are exploring the Antarctic terrain, visiting a research station or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with five different seal species. Zodiac cruising can offer opportunities to view some of the larger local marine mammals more intimately, such as Antarctic minke and humpback whales. Days 5 and 6 are also ideal times to experience Ultramarine’s portfolio of helicopter-supported adventures exclusive to Quark Expeditions. Your days are busy spotting wildlife and being astounded by the beauty of Antarctica. Listening to the cracking and crumbling of icebergs and glaciers, while watching penguins waddling on the beach will become your daily entertainment. That’s in addition to the spectacular experience of soaring in a helicopter over the Antarctic landscape.

Helicopter operations in Antarctic are acutely weather-dependent. We have designed this itinerary so we can spend time each day in stunning locations that allow us to enjoy helicopter opportunities if the weather allows and, alternately, to maximize your experience of Antarctic wildlife, ice and landscapes when flying conditions are not favourable. Each day near the Antarctic Circle showcases the flexibility and technical prowess of our industry-leading expedition team, pilots and crew, who look for opportunities to experience Antarctica well beyond its coasts. As Ultramarine gains access to the Antarctic Circle, you’ll have accomplished an impressive achievement as most expeditions to the Peninsula do not come close to navigating this far south. Toasting the first explorers who ventured here over a century ago, you can raise a glass and take pride in the knowledge you’ve reached part of the world visited by a relative few. Next on our itinerary are Crystal Sound and Marguerite Bay, which comprise the geographical theatre of focus on this incredible venture into the “deep south” of Antarctica. After visiting some of the region’s iconic penguin colonies and glacial features, we continue south into Crystal Sound to cross the Antarctic Circle. Crystal Sound is known for its massive expanse of steep mountains that rise directly out of the sea. We hope to visit Detaille Island and, weather-permitting, fly into the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula at the Antarctic Circle. Our goal is to visit the British Antarctic Survey’s historical hut, and the adélie penguin colony of Detaillle Island. We also hope to Zodiac cruise in this area to see the colossal icebergs that formed from the glaciers fed by the snowfall in the coastal mountains of Antarctica. Seals frequently roam this coastal area. There will be time to marvel at the impressive topography, which features Castle Peak, a 7,800ft (2,380m) massif. If weather allows, we may add to our marine operations and embark on our flightseeing experiences. What you will have just seen from sea, you will now experience from the sky as you witness the vastness of Antarctica and Crystal Sound. Continuing further south, we set out toward Marguerite Bay, which is rich in human history, stunning geological features, and expansive ice fields. The bay is separated from Crystal Sound by Adelaide Island. Ice conditions permitting, we may be able to transit slowly through the narrow passage between the mainland and the island. This channel is known as The Gullet, known for pulsing currents that can lodge and dislodge ice throughout summer. Keep your eyes focused off-ship for potential marine mammal sightings. To the west of Adelaide Island, Fuchs Ice Piedmont stretches out like a long ice tongue to east Arrowsmith Peninsula with multiple peaks rising 6,000ft-7,000ft (1,800m-2,100m). We also hope to explore Debenham Islands, named after Frank Debenham, a member of the advisory committee for the British Graham Land Expedition of 1934-37. The six main islands are named after Debenham’s children.

By now, your knowledge of adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins will be matched by your ability to differentiate between a leopard, crabeater and Weddell seal. Terms like ‘bergy bits’ and ‘pancake ice’ will become part of your vocabulary. As you head north, Zodiac excursions will occupy your days, and your Expedition Team continue looking for species of seabirds, seals and whales that may have eluded us on this journey south.