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
Our 51-member Arctic 2023 expedition cruise returned after a successful trip in May, accompanied by Mandip Singh Soin and Himraj Soin. Our 2024 journey was led by Himraj Soin.
The team braved the sub-zero temperatures and sailed along the western fjords of Svalbard, reaching 79.65 degrees North and mailed postcards from the world’s northernmost settlement at Ny Ålesund.
In the realm of the midnight sun, through sparkling ice formations, snowcovered mountains, fjord ice, they made their way in sturdy zodiac boats, dressed in polar suits, and had multiple sightings of polar bears, Arctic fox, reindeer, king eider ducks, puffins, rock ptarmigan, minke whales, ringed seals, and walruses.
They watched the archipelago come to life as they weaved through ice flows and glaciers that were calving, due to global warming.
The group was international, and the cuisine catered to all types of nonvegetarians, vegetarians, and vegans.
The polar bear is a threatened species due to the loss of sea ice habitat, climate change and trophy hunting in certain countries. The Ibex Expeditions Arctic team is joining us to launch an awareness campaign to ‘Save the Polar Bear’ with conservation organizations and every member of the expedition has pledged to be an advocate for this campaign.
We expect to have a similar immersive experience with the 2025 participants and the participants will pledge to join this initiative.
High points: ▪ Experience the Arctic Spring and stunning winter landscapes. magical midnight sun with 24 hours of daylight! ▪ Visit the 3 historic polar/adventure museums in Oslo—the Fram, Viking, and Kon Tiki—on May 11, 2025 afternoon.
▪ Welcome dinner in Oslo on May 11, 2025. ▪ Best time for Polar bear and King Eider sightings. ▪ Expedition cruising in a small expedition vessel with 50 passengers ▪ Experienced naturalist outdoor guides. ▪ Daily zodiac rides ▪ Lectures and knowledge sharing in this region ▪ Possibility of short hikes or snowshoeing. ▪ Polar plunge into the icy waters (optional but fun). ▪ Possible landing or visit to the northernmost settlement in the world ▪ Doctor on board ▪ The trip is 100% climate-compensated.
Length: 9 days—1 night in Oslo (11th May 2025), 1 night in Longyearbyen (12th May 2025), and 7 nights on the ship (13th–20th May 2025).
Himraj Soin—Journey Leader Himraj is Co-Founder and Producer at The Outdoor Journal and leads journeys for Ibex Expeditions.
He writes and shoots for international travel destinations, conservation issues, extreme adventure sports, athletes, gear, and more. His work has been published in Vogue, National Geographic Traveller India, Reader’s Digest UK, and Conde Nast Traveller.
An avid skier and climber, his expeditions have taken him to Bhutan, Tibet, Mongolia, Borneo, Madagascar, Peru, Morocco, Namibia, Argentina, Chile, Siberia, New Zealand, Tanzania, the Arctic, and Antarctica.
He was a team member on the International Antarctic Expedition, studying climate change and sustainability. Himraj is also a National Geographic Student Expedition Leader.
ITINERARY In our climate-compensated small ship, with our sturdy Zodiacs, we explore this winter wonderland, heading for Svalbard’s most magnificent fjords, and we try to make landings wherever the ice and snow allow us.
The Arctic is the most unusual region on our planet, and is called enigmatic and mysterious, because this region hides miracles. The Arctic has a unique nature- the giant expanses of ice and snow, and huge icebergs of the most incredible and bizarre forms, drifting in the Arctic seas.
May 11 Arrival Oslo Sunday (Approximate temperature expected: 11 Degrees Celsius high and 3 degrees Celsius low.)
After your arrival in Oslo, transfer on your own to a hotel. By 2 pm, we will be picked up by a bus and taken to the three Museums that reflect the polar and seafaring history of the Norwegians at the Fram & the Viking and the spirit of adventure at the Kon Tiki museums.
This evening at 1900 hrs., there will be a sit-down 3-course dinner amidst Jazz at the Ekspedisjonshallen at the Sommerro House.
Hotel Sommerro House, Oslo
May 12: Oslo-Longyearbyen, Svalbard, by morning flight Monday (Approximate temperature: minus 8 degrees Celsius high and minus 6 degrees Celsius low)
We depart for Oslo Gardermoen airport for the flight to Longyearbyen in the morning after breakfast.
A Polar Quest representative will meet the group on arrival in Longyearbyen and transfer everyone to the Radisson Blu hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Waterproof boots can be hired today from the renting agency.
For dinner, everyone is on their own, and you can eat at the hotel or book either of the two local restaurants recommended, which even serve reindeer steaks and salmon, of course.
May 13, Longyearbyen: transfer to the Polar Quest ship Tuesday (Temperatures expected from minus 10 degrees Celsius low to 0 degrees Celsius high.)
0700–1000 hours: Breakfast is at the hotel’s Radisson Blu restaurant.
1100 hours: Check out from the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel.
We will visit the Svalbard Museum, which collects, preserves, disseminates, and conducts research related to culture and natural history, the environment, and cultural heritage. In 1981, the museum was opened to the public for the first time.
1300 hours: We return to the hotel Radisson Blu Polar for lunch at the Restaurant Nansen, which serves Nordic fusion concept meals.
After lunch, we proceed in a bus to the pier in expedition gear to board the Zodiacs and embark on the ship.
Polar Quest ship anchored at Longyearbyen.
TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE SHIP Approximately 22 degrees Celsius (71 degrees Fahrenheit).
Cabin category Triple cabins, upper and lower beds [306, 312]
Double cabin superior Large double bed [301, 317, 319, 402]
Owner’s cabin, large double bed [401]
Owner’s Cabin
Double cabin Superior
Double cabin
Twin Cabin
Triple cabin
Inclusions 1 night in an Oslo hotel on May 11, 2025, on a room-sharing basis as per cabin configuration at Sommerro House. Museum visit in coach with entrance fees on May 11, 2025.
Welcome Dinner on 11th May at Sommerro House.
Breakfast on May 12 at Sommerro House.
One airport transfer in Oslo from the hotel to the airport on May 12, 2025, in one coach.
1 night in the Radisson Blue Polar hotel in Longyearbyen as per ship cabin configuration on May 12th, without lunch or Dinner.
Breakfast and Lunch on May 13 at Longyearbyen at Radisson Blu Polar
A guided visit to the Svalbard Museum on May 13 in the afternoon.
7 nights on board M/S Quest, 13th–20th May 2025, with all meals starting with dinner on the 13th and ending with breakfast on the 20th.
Welcome dinner on the 13th on board the ship.
Coffee (cappuccino/espresso), tea, and hot chocolate are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
An experienced Expedition leader and five knowledgeable guides. All Zodiac excursions and activities from the ship.
Comprehensive information material and consultation with Ibex before the expedition cruise an Insulated wind and waterproof one-piece polar suit for the duration of the cruise.
The cruise journey is climate-compensated.
Flights to/from Longyearbyen on May 12 and 20, 2025 (quoted above but subject to change)
Himraj Soin, an experienced adventure expert from Ibex Expeditions, provides overall coordination, gear, and safety advice.
Coordination by Ibex Expeditions P. Ltd.
Exclusions International air tickets. Schengen tourist visa. Travel cancellation, medical, and evacuation insurance. Arrival transfer in Oslo to the hotel on May 15 or earlier. Additional hotel nights in Oslo prior to May 15. Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges. Customary gratuity to the ship’s guides and crew. Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges. Meals are not included in Oslo except the welcome dinner on May 15 and breakfast on May 16. Boots hiring charges. Satellite phone charges on board the ship. Lunch and Dinner on May 16th en route and in Longyearbyen. Phone cards that can be bought on board. All personal gear and equipment. Waterproof knee-high boots hiring charges.
Any services after arrival in Oslo airport from the return flight from Longyearbyen on May 24.
PLEASE NOTE: Do let Ibex Expeditions know of any medical conditions, allergies, and food preferences.
Dining room
Zodiacs
11–20 May: Today, we head out through Isfjorden on our Arctic adventure. Sunday-Tuesday
These are places we may visit, depending on the weather and the route.
For the next week, this is the time flow for each day (approximately, as it will depend on the weather, snow and ice conditions, and wildlife spotting).
As we are travelling in mid-May, when the Arctic winter landscape is stunning with a high chance of Polar bear sightings, it may happen due to snow conditions that some days we may not have landings and it will be Zodiac-based excursions.
0800–0845 hours Breakfast 0900 hours Depart from the ship. 0900–1130/1200 hrs. Zodiac excursion. 1230 hours Lunch on board. 1430–1630 or 1700 hrs. Zodiac excursion. 1845 hours Recap/lecture on board. 1930 hours Dinner
The 2025 Svalbard expedition and cruise will go along the Western fjords.
Zodiac experience
Alkhornet At the entrance of Isfjorden is the characteristic cliff, Alkhornet. Enjoy the beautiful tundra and its birdlife with barnacle geese, Brünnich’s guillemots, glaucous gulls, snow buntings, and tens of thousands of kittiwakes. Arctic foxes are seen in the rock crevices around the mountain.
Arctic Fox
Prins Karls Forland This narrow strip of land is covered by a magnificent snow-covered mountain chain. The island is also home to seabirds and harbour seals.
Ptarmigan
Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden The scientific village of Ny-lesund is situated in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. In the nearby Krossfjorden, we revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of the considerable number of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby cliffs.
King Eider
Raudfjorden Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty, dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is also a favourite spot for seals, and the bird cliffs are bursting with activity.
Arctic landscape
Virgohamna, Danskøya Two of the most courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskya. Swedish explorer Andrée tried with a hydrogen balloon, and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. There are still interesting remnants from these Arctic expeditions left on this site.
POLAR PLUNGE
The Polar Plunge is a fearsome rite of passage for visitors to the Arctic. All participants wear tethered harnesses and plunge into the icy polar waters from the gangplank, cheered on by fellow passengers.
Those wishing to undertake this iconic polar activity, which entails jumping into the icy waters under supervision from the ship on a designated ‘good weather ’ day, You must bring swimwear and courage!
Walrus
King Eiders in flight
Bellsund At the beautiful Vrsolbukta in Bellsund, little auks’ nest by the tens of thousands. We go ashore and walk across the tundra to take a closer look at these charming birds.
Hornsund The majestic Hornsund consists of magnificent fjords along the west coast of Spitsbergen, where enormous glaciers calve out shimmering blue ice. This is one of the favourite haunts for Svalbard’s polar bears, and if we’re lucky, we can spot one of them on the fjord ice. Polar bear
Polar Bear
Snowshoeing For the active, there is a chance to explore the areas we visit with snowshoes. This is an extra option that requires a proficient level of fitness. Please note that this activity is always dependent on weather, wind, and other safety precautions. The ship will have snowshoes to get into it.
By the 24th of May evening, our ship will return to the pier by late evening or night.
Please note: Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions, and wildlife. The places mentioned are just examples of the sites Svalbard has to offer. Polar Quest always strives to maximize our experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
May 24: Longyearbyen to Oslo
We will have an early breakfast at 0700 hours and between 0800 – 0830 hours, we will depart for the town by bus where all of us will be free to explore shops or cafes for last-minute souvenirs before leaving for the airport at around midday.
Our return flight to Oslo will be in the afternoon (TBD after 2024 flight schedules are announced) in a 2 hours 55 minutes nonstop flight duration.
A snack of sandwiches may be bought on the flight, but it is recommended to have this packed from a local café called Café Huskies.
ABOUT THE SHIP
The ship was built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland’s west coast. In 2004/2005 and was refurbished into a comfortable expedition ship and in 2018 she underwent a renovation of the passenger areas. The ship takes 53 passengers, and all 26 cabins are outside cabins with private facilities.
The triple cabins have upper and lower berths. All other cabins have two lower berths or a double bed. In your cabin, you will find a desk with a chair and a cupboard for storage. The superior cabins are spacious and have armchairs and a TV. The owner’s cabin has a double bed, two large picture windows, a separate seating area and a TV.
In the dining room, we will enjoy delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge, we will enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape. Here we will listen to entertaining talks on the area’s flora, fauna, and history. In the lounge, there is a bar and a small library.
The ship has spacious observation decks, where we enjoy the beautiful vistas. Passengers are welcome on the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search for. An international crew welcomes us onto the ship, and we have five Zodiacs and five guides on board.
Photo courtesy: Ajit Dayal, Mandip Singh Soin, Himraj Soin, Yasho Saboo, Philip Hammick, Rahul Verghese, Vivek Srivastava, Vide Brandt.
The magical midnight Sun.
The eternal sun, polar day – the midnight sun is known by many names.
Regardless of what you choose to call this natural phenomenon, it is a unique experience to visit Svalbard during the summer months when the days never end. Most people know about the midnight sun, but do you really know what causes the phenomenon?
In Svalbard, the sun does not set between mid-April and the end of August. During this period, the North Pole faces the sun and the further north you are from the Arctic Circle, the longer the midnight sun shines. The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of approximately 23°, which means that the sun does not
The magical midnight Sun.
The eternal sun, polar day – the midnight sun is known by many names.
Regardless of what you choose to call this natural phenomenon, it is a unique experience to visit Svalbard during the summer months when the days never end. Most people know about the midnight sun, but do you really know what causes the phenomenon?
In Svalbard, the sun does not set between mid-April and the end of August. During this period, the North Pole faces the sun and the further north you are from the Arctic Circle, the longer the midnight sun shines. The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of approximately 23°, which means that the sun does not
The magical midnight Sun.
The eternal sun, polar day – the midnight sun is known by many names.
Regardless of what you choose to call this natural phenomenon, it is a unique experience to visit Svalbard during the summer months when the days never end. Most people know about the midnight sun, but do you really know what causes the phenomenon?
In Svalbard, the sun does not set between mid-April and the end of August. During this period, the North Pole faces the sun and the further north you are from the Arctic Circle, the longer the midnight sun shines. The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of approximately 23°, which means that the sun does not
The magical midnight Sun.
The eternal sun, polar day – the midnight sun is known by many names.
Regardless of what you choose to call this natural phenomenon, it is a unique experience to visit Svalbard during the summer months when the days never end. Most people know about the midnight sun, but do you really know what causes the phenomenon?
In Svalbard, the sun does not set between mid-April and the end of August. During this period, the North Pole faces the sun and the further north you are from the Arctic Circle, the longer the midnight sun shines. The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of approximately 23°, which means that the sun does not disappear below the horizon if you are at high latitudes. In Svalbard, this means exposure to the sun around the clock. When the Earth’s axis tilts the other way during the winter months, everything north of the Arctic Circle is hidden from the sun’s rays. You then talk about polar night or midwinter darkness.
The perfect light
Many who have experienced the midnight sun describe the phenomenon as a golden shimmer. This combined with the Arctic silence is something truly special to experience. The light from the midnight sun can be compared to the “golden hour”, the time just before or just after sunset, something that many photographers consider provides the perfect conditions. This also offers the perfect opportunity for capturing unforgettable photos!
Day and night flow together
It can be difficult to keep track of time when day and night flow together. The bright nights trigger us to stay up and enjoy everything that the dreamlike Arctic landscape has to offer. Many locals get an extra boost of energy during these months when the sun is constantly above the horizon and like to stay awake into the wee hours. As a visitor, it is important to use blackouts or eye masks to get the necessary sleep even though the magical light calls for attention!
TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY
The mean temperature is rising, and the glaciers are melting. Microplastics and chemicals are polluting our seas and the world needs to make an instant change. A journey through these spectacular wildernesses evokes feelings and creates memories for life. Help us to preserve it for generations to come!
Tourism holds a great responsibility when it comes to education and making observations and is one of the few businesses that gain from preserving the areas we visit. It is a necessity for our survival. We can observe both changes in the environment as well as other industries and how they act. We travel in small groups and strive to have minimal impact on the environment. Small expedition ships are the most sustainable way to explore the wildlife and nature of Svalbard.
Investing in the Environment We cannot avoid emitting greenhouse gases and until renewable fuels are available, Polar Quest invests in projects with positive effects on nature, to be transparent with our emissions, and to do our best to reduce our emissions continuously. We have measured all our emissions from flights, overland transport, expedition cruises, meals, and hotel nights. The same philosophy is reflected by Ibex Expeditions in our journeys.
The Responsible Tourism Society of India launched the Responsible Traveller guidelines which will be a National campaign by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme in India. We request all participants to support these guidelines.
SINGLE USE PLASTIC
One of the key points in our Responsible Traveller campaign is to carry your own steel insulated water bottle for the entire Ibex Expeditions Arctic journey.
As a responsible team, we do not use any single use plastic, the biggest destroyer of the planet. Please take a pledge to refill bottles at the Oslo and Longyearbyen hotels to minimize mineral water bottle plastic usage. We encourage all our team members to try, and carbon offset their international flights to Oslo and back.
We wish you an unforgettable journey to one of the planet’s greatest wilderness areas.
Springtime in Svalbard Artic Expedition featured on “The Straits Times, Singapore” organized by Ibex Expeditions.
Join us in our journey to the whitest, driest, coldest, windiest continent on earth, February 2020.
THIS EXPEDITION JOURNEY IN BRIEF:
1. Perfect for first time visitors to Antarctica 2. Explore the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula 3. Learn about the environment and wildlife from on-board lecturers and specialists 4. Experience abundant wildlife: penguins, seals, whales and more! 5.Become an Ambassador to help in spreading the message of protecting the Antarctica.
11 nights / 12 days
Trip Overview: The 12-day Antarctic Peninsula voyage offers an abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities as well as possible stops at active scientific or historic bases.
Detailed day wise itinerary
ArriveUshuaia
Day 1Arrive in Ushuaia anytime today, or take advantage of our complimentary flexible arrival program and arrive up to 24 hours in advance. You’ll be staying at the beautiful Arakur Hotel & Resort, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Today is all yours: explore some of the sights that Ushuaia has to offer, from museums to Argentinean leather markets, or continue relaxing at the lovely Arakur. Our optional evening briefing is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and to meet some of your fellow travelers.
Embarkation Day 2 After a complimentary buffet breakfast, you’re free to explore Ushuaia or unwind at the resort until our mid-afternoon transfer to the ship.
On board, you’ll be greeted by our Expedition Team and the Ship’s Officers. A concise safety and orientation briefing will be followed by the Captain’s welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the scenery on our early evening sail through the Beagle Channel, past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies.
Crossing the Drake Passage Day 3 and Day 4 As we make our way ever closer to the white continent, numerous Polar Experts will prepare us with presentations on everything Antarctic, from wildlife to history. Eventually, we’ll cross the Antarctic Convergence where we’ll notice a distinct drop in temperature as we enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean.
Those interested in Citizen Science can take part in Sea Bird sighting surveys, or help collect salinity samples and weather data along the way. We’re likely to witness some spectacular sights, from icebergs to an array of seabirds and whale species. If we’re lucky, we may see some of them fully breach from the sea.
South Shetland Islands Day 5 and Day 6 In the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, we will hope to make as much time as possible to explore by inflatable Zodiac boats and marvel up close at nature’s glory. Our Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. We will aim for the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas, as well as sites of historic and scientific interest.
Our first sight of land will likely be that of the South Shetland Islands. These highly volcanic islands offer amazing abundance and beauty. We may visit Half Moon Island nestled inside Livingston’s eastern shore, or conditions permitting visit historic Deception Island. Being further north, sub-Antarctic species are more commonly found here, including Chinstrap penguins and Southern Elephant seals.
Antarctica Day 7 to Day 9 As we head south across the Bransfield Strait, we enter the Trinity Coast and Gerlache Strait. Here we may explore picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the Humpback whale favored Wilhelmina Bay,the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. We may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well as a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House.
Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins abound, and Weddell and Crabeater seals are often found hauled out to rest along with predatory Leopard seals and the assertive Antarctic Fur Seal. Minke and Humpback whales are frequent visitors in the late season and Orca sightings are also common.
Crossing the Drake Passage Day 10 and Day 11 As we leave this magical place and make our way north, heading again across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage, we will continue our presentation series and wildlife spotting. Sailing back to Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel, we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow.
Disembarking at Ushuaia Day 12 Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.
Himali Singh Soin writes about ten places on Earth that feel like outer space. This article was originally published by vice.com. Images by Himraj Soin.
Like every child, I wanted to touch the moon, wear stars on my face and blow bubbles into supernovas. Growing up on a diet of David Cronenberg and Star Wars movies, it always felt like the stars were so close and yet so far. But, like you, I soon learnt that the stars aren’t what they seem. They’re just hot, dying stones instead of lit masses of wonder. So I decided to go in search of the most distant, faraway and paranormal places on this planet instead.
I stocked up on warm jackets, cool hats, canvas, wool, muslin and rope, waterproof cameras and barometers. A plane, a train, a bus, a boat and a yak later, and I was at the peripheries of the planet. There, I found breathtaking views, monolithic outcrops, and vegetation that looked like something from another world. But I was on Earth, held by the same blue sky, feeling like I’d travelled light-years away.
If you want your Instagram to look like Nasa’s ISS feed, then check out these 10 landscapes on Earth that could definitely belong to other planets.
Ikh Nartiin Chuluu, Mongolia
This is an arid region in which traces of dinosaur eggs and fossils have been found. Rocky outcrops look like fallen meteorites that have been flattened and smoothened over time. From the top, the semi-desert steppe is solitary and the only signs of life are rare sightings of the elusive wild Argali sheep in a ravine or an abandoned mine.
Tsingy and Baobabs, Madagascar
Disney aside, the raw romance of Madagascar makes for a perfect inter-galactic love story. The Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is a UNESCO world heritage site, made of sharp limestone formations that seem to tear the sky open.
The upside down trees on Avenue de Baobab looks as if Calvin and Hobbes walked into the Jataka Tales, like currents of electricity, hanging on their own accord.
Sossusvlei and Damaraland, Namibia
Sossusvlei, which means marsh of no return, is a salt clay pan with burnt-camel thorn trees protruding out of the parched earth. The dunes are also covered in tiny shrubs growing in perfect circles, referred to by locals as ‘fairy circles’ because scientists have yet to learn the reason behind them.
Klip River Valley in Damaraland is the land of rhinos, the unicorns of the earth. Flanked by the Namib Desert in the west and the Kalahari in the east, it looks like a crater where tectonic plates rift and part in pleasant separation. The flat plateaus would make a perfect spot for a UFO landing.
Referred to as ‘moonland’, the high altitude mountain desert is filled with mineral deposits. Its purple and teal hues, combined with the famous Lamayuru Monastery—known as the ‘eternal monastery’—carved out of the mountain, lends that divine sense of the grand unifying theory that everything is one.
At the southern tip of the Chilean Patagonia is a wall of warm blue ice, rising up as high as fifty feet, giving way to fjords, horns and glaciated valleys. To experience this sense of distance shortening, scale and sculpture is to experience the periphery.
Atacama, Chile
If Saturn was on Earth, here it is. In the driest, most uninhabitable part of the world, the stars look like sheet of silver and the sand is layered in snowy-looking salt. The meteorites found there help astronomers trace the beginning of the Big Bang, and here is where we can actually touch a thing that has burst through from outer space.
Mahabalipuram, India
In a small town in the state of Tamil Nadu this 5 meter wide, 250-ton round monolith has been precariously balanced on another rock for over a thousand years. Local residents quip that the rock is the god Krishna’s butter ball. It’s believed that at this spot the forces of this world give way to the mysterious, the miraculous and the marvelous.
Beside quinoa fields and hummingbirds and orchids, in one of Peru’s sacred Incan valleys there’s a stunning white natural stairway of evaporated salt ponds. It looks cold like Heaven (or Jupiter), and tastes like tears. Maybe it was a natural metaphor for the core, the source of things, like a lesson in the idea of the essence.
Borneo, Malaysia
You know those movies about alien plants from nearby galaxies colonizing us? In the deep rainforests of Kota Kinabalu’s forest reserve are the most bizarre and terrifying plants. Beside the giant meat-eating pitcher plant there’s a parasitic flower with leathery petals and no roots, no stems and no leaves. The Rafflesia is the world’s largest and most putrid smelling flower, one meter in diameter and blooms for about a week every year. As the forests dwindle, its status has changed from rare by nature to endangered by humans, but who knows, it may take over the world next week.
Lemaire Channel, Antarctica
The biggest tabular iceberg, over half a mile long and half a mile wide, broke off the Antarctic Larsen B Ice Shelf and is floating in the Antarctic Ocean. Climate change caused the complete collapse of this ice shelf in 2002, making it the largest disintegration event in 30 years. Witnessing a massive and heavy thing floating with only a third of its structure visible, inverts everything we know to be true. You feel a simultaneous sense of beauty and alarm from seeing it.
Scientists recently discovered a massive cavity under Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier. The cavity is a result of rapid melting of ice, according to NASA. The Thwaites Glacier has been considered unstable by scientists. The discovery of the underwater cavity could cause a rapid decay to the glacier. The cavity itself is two-thirds the area of Manhattan and about 1000 feet tall. It is big enough to hold about 14 billion tons of ice, most of which melted in three years, say researchers.
Rising sea levels are caused by melting of ice sheets, and thermal expansion of the oceans. A NASA press release stated that the melting of the glacier is responsible for 4 percent of the world’s rising sea levels.
Keeping the urgency to protect this pristine land in mind, we at Ibex Expeditions, in partnership with Polar Latitudes, will be taking our second expedition to Antarctica in March this year. Led by artist and explorer Himali Singh Soin, this journey with a purpose is meant to turn all participants into Antarctica Ambassadors, pledging to support all causes related to preserving the big white continent.
Previously, our Antarctica journey has been supported by United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNTWO), Ecotourism Society of India (ESOI), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Skal International, and World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
Two adventurers are attempting to cross Antarctica alone, without support, without being resupplied by food, or assisted by any means of transport other than the power of their legs. If either or both succeed, they will be the first to do so. No one has been able to cross Antarctica on foot, unsupported, yet.
The two adventurers are attempting this feat separately, and couldn’t be more different than each other.
Mr. Rudd is a grizzly British Army adventurer, carrying hot chocolate powder, dried porridge, along with the rest of his kit.
The second explorer is a 33-year-old American mountaineer and explorer—Colin ‘O’ Brady. Mr. Brady is a chiselled professional triathlete-turned-mountaineer. He has over 70,000 Instagram followers, a YouTube channel, and brought his own custom-made energy bars called Colin Bars.
While for Mr. Rudd the reason for taking on this journey is a personal one, Mr. Brady wants to win the race, and make history. 16 people have attempted to cross Antarctica so far. All failed. Waiting to see what happens now.
We are going on an epic voyage to this expansive continent in March 2019. The journey aims to create ambassadors for Antarctica, who will pledge to protect and preserve the region from exploitation of all kinds. Check this link for more details of the journey, and send in your enquiries to us at ibex@www.ibexexpeditions.com
UPDATE: Colin O’Brady eventually won the race in 53 days. For more, read this BBC story.
