Luxury Antarctica Holidays

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A bold and adventurous journey to the end of the world

antarctica_adelie_penguis_uopmug Come face to face with wild Adelie Penguins

Conquer the final frontier with an Antarctica holiday, navigating the same routes as pioneering explorers aboard an Antarctic vessel - crossing the famous Drake Passage, island-hopping around the South Shetlands, and stepping foot on the Antarctic Peninsula, leaving your footprints in the snow.

Antarctica Holidays

Travel deeper, though epic landscapes, as well as through time. Prehistoric fossil fields found on islands in the Weddell Sea provide lessons on our planet’s heritage, whilst stories of bold explorers, such as Sir Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott, inspire with their astounding tales of survival.Today, the least visited and most inaccessible continent on Earth is still playing an important role in our history, with the impacts of climate change clearly visible in melting ice, shrinking glaciers and collapsing ice cliffs. Yet, in this desolate and remote wilderness of freezing temperatures, stormy seas, seasons of total darkness and pure light, and home to one of the world’s driest deserts, there is an abundance of life. Hundreds of thousands of penguins dominate the icy shores, with fluffy chicks demanding to be fed in the spring and adults huddling together to keep warm in the winter.Elephant seals engage in deadly duels, whilst pods of hunting orca stalk the inky waters looking for prey. As you kayak past giant bergs across serene Antarctic bays, you might even be lucky enough to spot a humpback whale jumping out of the ocean.

Antarctica Cruises

Choose a route according to your preferences. If you’d rather skip the seasickness, then opt to fly the Drake and land on King George Island to start your Antarctic cruise from there. If you want to follow in the footsteps of Shackleton, then take a three-week tour of Antarctica, including stops at South Georgia and the Falklands. For a truly unique Antarctic experience, wildlife enthusiasts can even participate in citizen science on a research expedition, studying marine mammals. Your polar journey doesn’t end once you disembark your cruise ship, as seeing Antarctica in the flesh will totally transform the way you see the world. From adorable penguin encounters to the shocking frigid temperatures of a polar plunge, to a newfound appreciation for the planet - you’ve journeyed to the end of the world and back, and you’ll never be quite the same.

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Featured Antarctica Trips

A Classic Antarctica Holiday offers the highlights with a round trip from Ushuaia, time in the South Shetlands and on the Antarctic Peninsula. The Antarctic Circle Cruise follows a similar route, though an extra few days will take you further south and induct you into the elite group of adventurers who have crossed over into the Antarctic Circle. The unique Antarctica Wildlife & Whale-Watching Holiday offers more than just observation, as you’ll be participating in research about humpback whales.Though Antarctica doesn’t have much of a beaten path, there are still options to explore where few visitors tread, with a Wild Antarctica Expedition to the peninsula’s east coast and the Weddell Sea. The three-week Spirit of Shackleton Adventure places you in the snow boots of the legendary explorer, whilst the one-week Fly the Drake Holiday cuts out the nauseating Drake Passage and means you make the most of your time on the continent.

When to go to Antarctica

Antarctic cruises run from late October to late March, though not all are available during the full season, as route access depends on weather and ice conditions. October, November and March are shoulder seasons, although these months are popular with photographers who are looking to escape the crowds and make the most of the epic sunrises and sunsets of late spring and early autumn. December, January and February are the peak months to visit, so make sure you book well in advance to ensure availability for your dates. However, these months are popular for a reason, as wildlife watching is in its prime, with fluffy penguin chicks and migration whale pods aplenty.

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Need to chat?

Find out more and tailor your perfect trip with the help of our specialist team

Kat Macleod
Kat Macleod

Luxury Travel Specialist

01173133300 Enquire Online
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Where to go in Antarctica

You’ll likely start your Antarctic adventure in Punta Arenas, Chile, or Ushuaia, Argentina. From there, you’ll fly or sail across the Drake Passage until you arrive in Antarctica. The South Shetland Islands are a great introduction to Antarctica, populated by research stations, wildlife-watching opportunities, and mysterious volcanic activity. The Antarctica Peninsula is usually explored from the scenic west coast with the option to venture far south and cross the line into the Antarctic Circle, though the east coast and the Weddell Sea have their own treasures in fossil fields and ship-wrecking histories.Depending on your time and preferences, you might also like to add time in South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, extending your Antarctic expedition and following the trail and legacy left by Sir Ernest Shackleton.

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Where to stay in Antarctica

View a selection of our favourite Antarctica accommodations.

G Expedition

G Expedition

The G Expedition is one of the smaller ships sailing in Antarctic waters with a capacity for just 13...

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Greg Mortimer

Greg Mortimer

Offering intimate luxury accommodation along the banks of the Zambezi River, guests will enjoy stunn...

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 Hebridean Sky

Hebridean Sky

With 59 suites for 118 guests plus room for 70 crew it underwent a ten-million-dollar refurbishment ...

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Ocean Adventurer

Ocean Adventurer

This nimble ship, with a cruising speed of 12.5 knots, is one of the faster ships out there, and wit...

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Read what our customers say about their trip with Wayfairer

“This is the second time Wayfairer has planned a trip, the first being a Safari and we will definitely have them plan another trip. Our journey to Antarctica exceeded our expectations".
"This was a dream trip I had thought about for years and somehow they managed to exceed what I had hoped for. Could not have asked for more."
"An outstanding experience with Wayfairer, Cat and Juan helped to organise, and manage, an amazing safari for a group of six. Their meticulous planning, endless enthusiasm and huge knowledge of the area meant that we had a truly unforgettable experience, we even had a fabulous birthday party in the middle of the Mara. The highest recommendation is that we plan to use Wayfairer again and again!"
"This was my second trip with Wayfairer - my first (to Africa) was so amazing, I was worried that I would be disappointed.....not a chance. Once again, the itinerary, the guides, the little touches, were superb. I am already thinking about what trip I will have Wayfairer plan next! For anyone trying to decide where to go - Peru was absolutely amazing! It may be one of the most under-rated countries. Machu Pichu was breathtaking, but there was also so much more to see and do....let Wayfairer take you on amazing journey!"
"Our trip was a dream come true. The arrangements made by Wayfairer exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were as good or better than the descriptions in our trip documents. The staff at each camp were wonderful and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly. We will highly recommend Wayfairer to any of our friends who are considering an adventure vacation."
"Wayfairer are absolutely superb - from our initial consultation, the advice on destination, the booking process, the concierge service, the recommendation of hotels, organisation of transport, advice on activities to the friendliness of stay it could not have been better. We will look to book all big holidays with Wayfairer from now on and will recommend them to everyone."
"Incredibly helpful service and access to the best facilities and great rates. Don't book anywhere else."
"Recently returned from an amazing safari trip inc Vic falls, Chobe, Okavango Delta and the Kalahari desert. Right from the first engagement with Wafairer and all the way through the trip has been so smooth. The recommendations and attention to detail on the itinerary were incredible. Thankyou on this once in a lifetime trip."
"Wayfairer and Juan assisted planning our trip to South Africa. They were very knowledgeable and professional. Juan was very responsive with answers when I had any questions at all. It was very nice working with Juan and will definetly use this company again. I have recommended them to friends and family. The vacation was perfect thanks to Juan and Wayfairer."
"Excellent service throughout. A wonderful trip and truly a holiday of a lifetime. Thank you."
"We just returned from a fabulous Kenya vacation for our family..ages 3 thru 70. Jess gave us great advice, offered wonderful accommodations, was really flexible, was willing to work with our budget. June helped us implement the trip. Thanks to both of them."
"Wayfairer organised our trip to Tanzania & Zanzibar. From initial contact Leonie and the team were very professional & informative. They listened to our requirements and put together an amazing itinerary within our budget. We were kept informed every step of the way. The holiday was amazing and all went smoothly. We felt confident that Wayfairer were only a call away should an issue arise. We wouldn't hesitate to use Wayfairer for our next holiday!"
We booked our honeymoon to Tanzania with Wayfairer. Tom gave us excellent suggestions for accommodation and itinerary and organised it all, including transfers. It all went very smoothly and the trip was fabulous. We stayed at Lake Manze in the Selous game reserve, an open safari camp with very knowledgeable and helpful guides and managers, followed by all-inclusive at the Sea Cliff Resort in Zanzibar. The Sea Cliff was wonderfully relaxing and welcoming. Thanks to Tom for an incredible honeymoon experience. We would definitely use Wayfairer again and have already recommended to friends.
I wanted to take my aging father on a safari in Kenya, but the task of organizing the trip seemed daunting. I wanted to make sure he was comfortable and that we chose the right tour to go on. Wayfairer stuck with me every step of the way, patiently asked all my questions and worked with me through several last minute changes. I recommend them highly.
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99% of reviewers recommend Wayfairer. (4.9* rating & 335 reviews on Reviews.IO)

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