Antarctica – Letter By Mandip Singh Soin

The 7th Continent of the world and the most fragile one ~ Antarctica!

20 February – 02 March 2026

Dear Fellow Traveler,

Going into Antarctica the 7th Continent will be our shared love of Discovery.

Looking back, I was standing on the ledge, harnessed safely with multiple ropes & carabiners, gazing at the horizon and was hooked!

Thus, began my adventure journey over 5 decades ago, from the Indian Himalayas to the Seven Continents of the world, opening my eyes to the beauty of our planet.

After over half a century of exploring, planning journeys, and leading several, my advice to all is to “Just Go”! Let the journey take you! Experiencing people and places is a great gift. Embrace it, as it widens our worldview.

It gives me the greatest pleasure to say that Anita and I will lead this last big adventure journey to a remote and astounding part of the Earth – Antarctica. 20th of February to the 2nd of March 2026 will take us on a deluxe expedition ship with a capacity of 128 passengers.

Ibex has carefully selected an amazingly comfortable ship with Quark Expeditions called the Ocean Explorer. The ship design may remind us of the movie ‘The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.’

Having successfully led a trip to the Antarctic in 2017 with Quark, our plan for 2026 is to cross the Drake Passage in the open sea only one way, as we return via an expeditionary flight to Punta Arenas in Patagonia, Chile!

Join us on this curated journey of like-minded travelers and become part of an initiative to raise awareness of leaving the Antarctic alone especially when the treaty for the mining ban

comes up for renewal in 2041 and the Antarctic treaty itself in 2048.

Travel is powerful. Adventure does not have to be adrenaline and thrill alone. Sometimes it comes in the form of unexpected connections. Sometimes adventure lies in the form of a new friendship forged over a shared journey.

Ibex Expeditions, dedicated to opening doors to people into the most pristine places of our planet, responsibly, encourages you to join us in a once-in-a-lifetime journey.

I promise when you take that leap and toss yourself into this epic adventure, you will surprise yourself. And for that alone, we go.

Your fellow adventurer,

Mandip Singh Soin FRGS
Founder
Ibex Expeditions
18 June 2024

Mandip in Arctic Svalbard 2023

2026 ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS

Deck Plan

Travel with Explorers, Mandip & Anita on this last great voyage. Explore Antarctica with the best expedition team in the industry.
This Infinity-class ship is a new standard for expedition cruise vessels for its eco-friendly design, construction and comfort.

Revel in a crossing of the infamous Drake Passage.

Embrace the speed and convenience of a northbound flight over the Drake Passage on your return.

Incredible wildlife viewing including whales, and iceberg watching. Enjoy onboard educational presentations by polar experts.

Anita & Mandip Soin in the Antarctic 2017

Gentoo penguin

Weddell Seal

Explorer Presentation Lounge

Observation Deck and Solar Bar

EXPEDITION SPIRIT

Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement
—of expedition travel. When travelling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice, wildlife, and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you will experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.
Similarly, wildlife encounters as described are expected, but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any species of bird or marine wildlife is not guaranteed.

Revel in the excitement of crossing the famed 800-km wide Drake Passage after embarking from Ushuaia, Argentina, with the convenience of a northbound return flight at the end of your 10- day expedition. Minke and humpback whales or Adélie penguins floating on ice floes may greet you as you pass, en route to the northernmost tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Sailing one way and flying the other gives you the best of both worlds!

The surreal silence in this vast wilderness may initially overwhelm you, but playful, charismatic wildlife and your intrepid travelling companions keep you grounded. You will develop a new appreciation and understanding of Antarctica’s extreme contrasts: harsh, rugged mountain peaks and fragile ecosystems; stark, lonely icescapes and incredibly large colonies of gregarious penguins.

Imagine…

A place on Earth where there has never been war Where the environment is fully protected
Where scientific research has priority

Where a land is a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science Where it isn’t a country & has no religion.

The Ocean Explorer

The route

Our Ship
OCEAN EXPLORER

Ocean Explorer, the newest addition to the fleet, is modern, elegant, and purpose-built for polar exploration. This is one of the 6 Infinity class ships operating in the Antarctic. The Infinity-class has set new standards for expedition cruise vessels and received numerous awards for its eco-friendly design and construction.

The 138-passenger vessel has been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology. One of the ship’s key features is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, a marine engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing experience thanks to the inverted bow. Located at the bow is the two-story, light-filled library, which introduces a welcome airiness to the expedition ship. Spacious cabins feature a modern, bespoke Scandinavian design and all have verandas. Guests can relax and find comfort in the spacious gym, sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis.

Ocean Explorer features ample outdoor viewing areas and multi- height outer decks, which are ideal for long-view photography and wildlife viewing. The vessel is equipped with a fleet of 15 Zodiacs that enable guests to get off the ship quickly and safely for off-ship adventures. In addition to the well-appointed and spacious public areas, Ocean Explorer has an industry-leading mix of sustainability systems, including fuel-efficient Rolls Royce engines.

Grand Verandah Stateroom

On a Zodiac cruise

ZODIAC CRUISING
Zodiacs—rugged inflatable watercraft— are the workhorses of polar expeditions, taking you to places the ships cannot access, allowing you to reach remote shorelines, explore shallow inlets and search for unique wildlife. Expedition staff step in and out of them safe and comfortable, and your Zodiac drivers will provide active interpretation, making the landscape come even more alive.

HIKING
Hiking in Antarctica is free-form and supervised by our expert staff, who set out a perimeter or paths at each landing site within which you are free to explore. While you hike, staff will be available to enhance your experience by answering questions about the wildlife, history, and geography of the area.

PRESENTATIONS
Enjoy daily chats with and presentations by our world-class onboard polar experts—expedition guides, specialists, photography guides and other special guests who will introduce you to the fascinating history, biology, ornithology, glaciology, and geology of the region, and much, much more.

POLAR PLUNGE
This rite of passage, scheduled only once per expedition, gives you the chance to jump safely into the bracing Antarctic waters under the watchful eye of our staff—and about every single camera on board!

PHOTOGRAPHY
Documenting your voyage so you can take the memories home is a rewarding experience. Our photography guide will help you hone your skills to capture the beauty of the polar regions.

Fin, sei, humpback, orca, and minke whales live in these waters

To receive the itinerary with details and prices, write to ibex@ibexexpeditions.com

The Ibex cabin inventory holding is guaranteed only for three months with the Early Bird offer up to the final booking date is 7 September 2024

Crab Eater seals