9 nights · Argentina · Departs Ushuaia (Argentina) · Visiting Antarctic Peninsula, King George Island Antarctica, Punta Arenas · Aboard Quark Expeditions on the Ocean Explorer
Image courtesy of Quark Expeditions ©
| Cruise line | Quark Expeditions |
|---|---|
| Ship | Ocean Explorer |
| Duration | 9 nights |
| Port calls | 4 |
| Departures | 3 sailings |
| From fare | $16,826 per person |
| Year built | 2021 |
| Guests | 162 |
| Cabins | 80 |
| Crew | 99 |
| Length | 104 m |
| Beam | 18 m |
| Cruising speed | 16.0 kn |
Ushuaia sits between the Beagle Channel and the snow-streaked Martial Mountains, at Argentina’s far southern edge. Its harbor has long served as a gateway to Antarctica, while the town itself rewards a slower look. Ride the End of the World Train into Tierra del Fuego National Park, or tour the former prison museum. Here, wild landscapes begin just beyond the last streets.
The Antarctic Peninsula brings you within reach of Antarctica’s most dramatic scenery: mountain-backed glaciers, blue icebergs and sheltered bays. Most voyages cross the Drake Passage from Ushuaia, then explore by expedition ship and Zodiac, weather permitting. Watch for gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, seals and whales. Shore visits follow strict environmental rules, and plans can change with conditions. Expect few comforts ashore; the reward is a rare encounter with a continent still governed by ice and weather.
King George Island, in the South Shetlands, is one of Antarctica’s most accessible gateways. At Fildes Bay, expedition ships can bring you ashore among research stations, stark headlands and wind-shaped beaches. Look for gentoo and chinstrap penguins, along with seals resting near the waterline. Here, the scale of the continent becomes tangible: ice, ocean and weather set the terms of every visit. This is no town to browse; it is a rare landing on a working scientific frontier.
At the edge of the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas feels like a city built for crossing oceans. Its broad avenues and ornate mansions reflect the fortunes of sheep farming and trade. The Maggiorino Borgatello Museum traces Patagonia’s natural and human history. Climb Cerro de la Cruz for views across the harbor and rooftops. From here, boats reach Magdalena Island, home to thousands of Magellanic penguins.
Published September 23, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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