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From USD 13,450 pp (shared quadruple cabin) | Ask for special promotions | 3 departures (15 Nov 2026–5 Dec 2026) | Vessel: Ortelius.
Who This Antarctica Expedition Cruise Is Designed For
This voyage is designed for travelers who want a rare early-season Weddell Sea expedition with the added reach of helicopter operations in the search for emperor penguins. It suits guests who value wildlife-driven exploration and don’t mind flexible routing, as ice, weather, and flight conditions ultimately shape each day. Ideal for people comfortable with expedition travel basics—Zodiac landings, short walks on uneven terrain, and time at sea—while enjoying expert lectures and a strong educational focus onboard.
The voyage begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, sailing the Beagle Channel before crossing the Drake Passage and the Antarctic Convergence toward the South Shetland Islands. From there, the expedition continues into the Antarctic Sound and the Weddell Sea, a realm of vast tabular icebergs and early-season sea ice that shapes every decision.
This itinerary focuses on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, with potential landings or Zodiac operations at sites such as Devil Island, Brown Bluff, Gourdin Island, Seymour Island, and (as an alternative) Esperanza Base—always subject to ice, wildlife, and IAATO site availability. The key differentiator is helicopter support: when conditions allow, scenic flights and helicopter landings may open access to areas otherwise out of reach, with the ultimate objective of searching for emperor penguins (a highly weather- and ice-dependent outcome). The return route heads north via Deception Island for a final landing opportunity, then back across the Drake Passage to Ushuaia.
For a broader overview of Antarctic routes and expedition formats, see our Antarctica Travel Guide.
Ortelius was built in Gdynia, Poland (1989) and originally served the Russian Academy of Science as the Marina Svetaeva.
Later re-flagged Dutch, it was renamed after cartographer Abraham Ortelius (1527–1598), author of the first modern world atlas (1570).
Classed by Lloyd’s Register (London), Ortelius carries up to 108 passengers in 50 cabins and averages 10.5 knots.
With UL1 ice class (equivalent to 1A), it is built for one-year sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice.
The ship offers generous open-deck space and operates with an experienced expedition team (8 guides + doctor onboard).
A proven polar platform combining solid ice capability with a compact, expedition-focused guest experience.
All landings, Zodiac operations, and wildlife encounters are conducted under the strict guidelines of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).
Zodiac landings and Zodiac cruising form the core of the daily programme, allowing close-up wildlife viewing and flexible shoreline exploration whenever conditions permit.
In the Weddell Sea sector, helicopter operations may add scenic flights and, when ice and weather allow, landings in otherwise inaccessible areas to support the search for emperor penguins.
Guided shore walks are planned at key sites such as Brown Bluff, Devil Island, Gourdin Island, and (conditions permitting) Deception Island toward the end of the voyage.
Onboard lectures and expert guidance deepen the experience, helping guests understand Antarctic wildlife, sea ice, and the expedition’s day-to-day decision-making in accordance with the environmental and operational procedures followed by the expedition operator as an IAATO member.
All activities follow strict environmental and safety standards, in line with our Sustainability at KMS Travel – Ethical & Responsible Tourism framework.
This expedition starts and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina. We can arrange optional pre- and post-expedition services to make your journey smoother, including hotel nights, airport transfers, and assistance with logistics before embarkation and after disembarkation.
If you would like to extend your trip, we can also help you add a short stay in Patagonia or Buenos Aires, combining the expedition with a city break and coordinated flight planning, depending on your travel dates and preferences.
Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.
You may sail into the Weddell Sea via the Antarctic Sound. Here huge tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. During this part of the cruise, the search is on for emperor penguins. Using both the vessel and helicopters, there’s a good chance you’ll find them. You might also enjoy scenic flights, and if conditions allow, helicopter landings in locations otherwise out of reach this time of year. Helicopter flights are a true trip changer, and may include:
If conditions allow for deeper ventures into the Weddell Sea, Zodiac trips may include:
(Alternative program if the route to Snow Hill Island is free of multi-year pack ice – less than 50 % probability).
Helicopters provide an advantage in reaching the emperor penguin colony, but our ability to use them depends entirely on ice, sea, and weather conditions. If conditions are favorable, we will visit the colony. If conditions are exceptionally favorable, we will attempt to visit more than once. Helicopter operations take a full day, and flight duration depends on local conditions. Each helicopter can accommodate 4 – 5 passengers per flight. The landing site is carefully chosen so that the penguins are not disturbed. Upon arrival to the site, we will walk to the colony. This may take up to 45 minutes and can be challenging in places. Please keep in mind that you are in the world’s most remote region, so there are no guarantees: conditions may change rapidly, which can impact on helicopter operations. It is important to understand and respect this fact. Safety is our greatest concern, so no compromises can be made. We aim for all groups to spend an equal amount of time at the colony. The time at the colony (and the time to get there from landing site) will often vary, however, due to local conditions and flight times.
In the morning, you sail to Deception Island for the last landing of the voyage, either at Pendulum Cove or Whalers Bay. Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies. Group transfer to the airport.
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