The Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea (14D)
Highlights
- Encounter majestic emperor penguins in their natural habitat, an exceptionally rare and emotional wildlife encounter.
- Sail among colossal tabular icebergs in the heart of the remote and awe-inspiring Weddell Sea region.
- Rub shoulders with Nicolas Vincent, Endurance 22’s Expedition Sub-Sea Manager, and Cindy Miller Hopkins, American Photo Ambassador.
Set sail on an extraordinary polar odyssey into the Weddell Sea, a place of unparalleled majesty and profound remoteness, aboard the cutting-edge Le Commandant Charcot. Your journey begins with a relaxing stay in a 5* hotel the night before embarkation in Santiago before your flight to the port of embarkation, Ushuaia, Argentina, where the southern Andes dramatically meet the sea. From there, you’ll sail across the infamous Drake Passage, a rite of passage for polar explorers, where albatross and petrels soar above and marine life thrives below.
As you enter the Weddell Sea, prepare to be spellbound by its ethereal icebound landscapes. Here, immense tabular icebergs and drifting floes create a canvas of shifting blues and whites, home to Adelie penguins, Weddell seals, and elusive Ross seals. The crowning glory of this voyage is the chance to observe emperor penguins in their natural element, from adults gracefully traversing the ice to chicks taking their first tentative dives—a privilege granted to only a few intrepid souls.
With the expert guidance of renowned naturalists and special guests on select departures, like Nicolas Vincent—Endurance 22’s Expedition Sub-Sea Manager no less—and pro photographer Cindy Miller Hopkins, your days will be filled with thrilling adventures. Zodiac cruises will bring you close to the wildlife, while onboard lectures will deepen your understanding of the Antarctic’s fragile ecosystems. Every moment in this remote wilderness is an invitation to marvel, whether gazing at the luminous cerulean hues of icebergs or reflecting on the resilience of life in such an extreme environment.
This voyage is perfect for those seeking the ultimate in polar exploration. You’ll return not only with an indelible appreciation for Earth’s final frontier but with the rare distinction of having ventured into one of the planet’s most remote and captivating regions —a feat few can claim.
Standard Activities
About the The Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea (14D)
Set sail on an extraordinary polar odyssey into the Weddell Sea, a place of unparalleled majesty and profound remoteness, aboard the cutting-edge Le Commandant Charcot. Your journey begins with a relaxing stay in a 5* hotel the night before embarkation in Santiago before your flight to the port of embarkation, Ushuaia, Argentina, where the southern Andes dramatically meet the sea. From there, you’ll sail across the infamous Drake Passage, a rite of passage for polar explorers, where albatross and petrels soar above and marine life thrives below.
As you enter the Weddell Sea, prepare to be spellbound by its ethereal icebound landscapes. Here, immense tabular icebergs and drifting floes create a canvas of shifting blues and whites, home to Adelie penguins, Weddell seals, and elusive Ross seals. The crowning glory of this voyage is the chance to observe emperor penguins in their natural element, from adults gracefully traversing the ice to chicks taking their first tentative dives—a privilege granted to only a few intrepid souls.
With the expert guidance of renowned naturalists and special guests on select departures, like Nicolas Vincent—Endurance 22’s Expedition Sub-Sea Manager no less—and pro photographer Cindy Miller Hopkins, your days will be filled with thrilling adventures. Zodiac cruises will bring you close to the wildlife, while onboard lectures will deepen your understanding of the Antarctic’s fragile ecosystems. Every moment in this remote wilderness is an invitation to marvel, whether gazing at the luminous cerulean hues of icebergs or reflecting on the resilience of life in such an extreme environment.
This voyage is perfect for those seeking the ultimate in polar exploration. You’ll return not only with an indelible appreciation for Earth’s final frontier but with the rare distinction of having ventured into one of the planet’s most remote and captivating regions —a feat few can claim.
Itinerary Day to Day
Ushuaia
Capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely and the inaccessible…
Crossing the Drake Passage
North Antarctic Peninsula
The Weddell Sea exploration
Crossing the Drake Passage
Ushuaia
Route Map
No Single Supplement on Selected Cabins
The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.
Join Photo Ambassador and full-time professional travel and wildlife photographer with 25 years’ experience and over six thousand publications to her credit Cindy Miller Hopkins aboard L’Austral.
Her images can be seen on the pages of thousands of textbooks, travel brochures, calendars, fine art print...
Nicolas Vincent is an underwater engineer and specialist in underwater robotics. With 30 years experience, he is now the Operations Director of Deep Ocean Search Ltd and leads all the unusual special underwater projects in ultra deep waters. Nicolas and his team have been involved in many famous projects from the di...
Donna is an Australian ultra-marathon runner, pain scientist and physiotherapist.
In 2024, she set a World Record for the longest run in a polar region – running 1402km (871 miles) in Antarctica, the coldest, windiest and driest desert on earth.
Donna ran 50 kms (31 miles) per day for 28 days, enduri...
No Single Supplement on Selected Cabins
The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.
Join Photo Ambassador and full-time professional travel and wildlife photographer with 25 years’ experience and over six thousand publications to her credit Cindy Miller Hopkins aboard L’Austral.
Her images can be seen on the pages of thousands of textbooks, travel brochures, calendars, fine art prints, consumer products, U.S. and international magazines, and newspapers. Her freelance, assignment and workshop career has taken her to all seven continents and to over 150 countries. Her 2018 shot of 5-species of penguins in one frame is thought to be the only one like it in the world and is currently the lead image in a campaign to fully protect South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
Along with her stock photography business, Cindy teaches digital photography classes, works as a professional photographer & guest lecturer on expedition ships and leads photo safaris around the world. She is past president of the NANPA (North American Photography Association) Foundation Board and is an active Foundation Board member for over 20 years.
On average, Cindy is out of the country over 200 days a year. When not traveling, she lives at home with her husband in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.
Nicolas Vincent is an underwater engineer and specialist in underwater robotics. With 30 years experience, he is now the Operations Director of Deep Ocean Search Ltd and leads all the unusual special underwater projects in ultra deep waters. Nicolas and his team have been involved in many famous projects from the discovery of Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s plane to the ship Endurance.
They have also covered since 2001 all the aerial incidents in deep water, but also, located famous wrecks like the AJA San Juan and Minerve submarines. They also hold some world records, such as the world’s deepest rescue at 5,200m of the SS City of Cairo, where 100T of silver coins belonging to the British government were recovered, and the discovery of the USS Samuel B Roberts at a depth of 6,800m on board the submarine Victor Vescovo, Limiting Factor.
For Endurance22, he is the Subsea Project Manager for the expedition. It took him three years of preparation to invent and deploy the technological and operational solutions to reach the iconic Endurance wreck.
Donna is an Australian ultra-marathon runner, pain scientist and physiotherapist.
In 2024, she set a World Record for the longest run in a polar region – running 1402km (871 miles) in Antarctica, the coldest, windiest and driest desert on earth.
Donna ran 50 kms (31 miles) per day for 28 days, enduring temperatures of -20°C (-4° F), winds of up to 80 km/hr (50 miles/hr) and poor visibility. To prepare for the attempt, she ran in a refrigerated shipping container, industrial wind tunnel and along sandy beaches for up to 6 hours at a time.
Donna and the Run Antarctica team used the World Record run to raise awareness about the important and ongoing need to educate and empower females to be active and involved in sport. The campaign reached 950 million people worldwide with over 1000 media publications and has led to the establishment of a not-for-profit organization, EmpowerHer Sport.
Donna is currently based at Monash University in her position as an Associate Professor and pain scientist. Donna has worked in the field of pain for over 25 years, publishing 150 publications, securing national competitive funding across 2 decades and serving on international editorial and grant committees.
Donna is fascinated with understanding pain – how it works and how we can effectively treat it. She has a particular interest in investigating a holistic approach, including harnessing mental strategies, to manage pain and optimize wellbeing.
Donna lives with her family in Melbourne, Australia and they love spending time together playing, coaching and watching sport.
What's Included
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Transfer from airport upon flight arrival.
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1-night accommodation in a 5* hotel the night before embarkation.
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Your hotel will be confirmed few weeks before your cruise.
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Early check-in available from late morning.
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Hospitality desk at the hotel in Santiago.
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Return flight Santiago/Ushuaia/Santiago selected by Antarctica Cruises, in economy class.
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Seats in business class may be available, please contact your travel agent.
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Meals as mentioned in the programe and beverage package.
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Transfers as mentioned in the programe.
What's Excluded
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Mandatory travel insurance.
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Tips for the local guide.
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Personal expenses.
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Other meals and services not mentioned in the programe.
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