South Pole / Antarctica Tours
Picture yourself standing in Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica from Patagonia. The Beagle Channel at sunset leads toward Drake Passage's notorious waters, before Antarctica appears vast and white beyond. Wait for whales to breach nearby, spotting the seabirds that follow endlessly. The seventh continent remains Earth's last true wilderness, and only a few thousand reach it yearly. Will you be one of them?
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JackWalton • traveled in November
Amazing. It had been ten years since my last trip on MS Expedition with this company. It is evenbetter now. Superb staff at every level. The itinerary was always subject to the weather but there was always a plan ‘b’ or even ‘c’. Following in the footsteps of Shacleton, Tom Crean etc was brilliant made even better by the experts on board and in the field. The whole trip could not be faulted and for this full credit to all the staff.
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica - N
Nataly • traveled in February, 2025
The best adventure ever
Crossing 66º South Latitude - A
Adrish • traveled in January
Trip of a lifetime from Quark. Couldn't ask for a better experience - The Ocean Adventurer was the perfect ship for the voyage; the expedition team was knowledgable, fun, and took great care of us; the dining crew and the food were amazing.
Antarctic Explorer, Operated by Quark
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Table of contents
- 94 Antarctica / South Pole tours with 99 reviews
- Travel Antarctica / South Pole your way
- Best tour companies for Antarctica / South Pole tours
- Popular Antarctica / South Pole Cruise Ships
- Best places to start your Antarctica / South Pole tour
- Discover Antarctica / South Pole tours for every budget
- Antarctica / South Pole tours for every type of group
- Top Antarctica / South Pole travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Antarctica / South Pole
- Antarctica / South Pole travel guides - curated by our experts
- Contact our Antarctica / South Pole travel experts
94 Antarctica / South Pole tours with 99 reviews
Compiled by
MelissaAntarctica / South Pole travel expert at TourRadar
Antarctica Classic in Depth
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything is exceptionally well-organized, and I truly appreciate their hard work in making this an unforgettable experience.”
Naveen, traveled in November
The G Expedition reveals Antarctica's majesty over 13 days. Drake Passage crossing leads to South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula adventures. Penguin rookeries, seal encounters, and optional polar plunge await, while expert guides lead daily lectures.
Duration 13 days Destinations Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From
- US$10,899
Crossing 66º South Latitude
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The best adventure ever.”
Nataly, traveled in January
M/V Sea Spirit sails beyond 66° South, offering eight days among Crystal Sound, Lemaire Channel, and South Shetland Islands. Penguin colonies and marine mammals appear against comfortable suite accommodation with all-inclusive meals.
Duration 15 days Destinations Ushuaia, King George Island, Deception Island, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Poseidon Expeditions From $18,395
15% Off- US$15,636You save $2,759
Antarctic Explorer, Operated by Quark
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Antarctica is a very special place. Cannot be compared to any other travel experience.”
Janet, traveled in January
The Ocean Explorer carries passengers through Antarctica's wilderness over 11 remarkable days. Daily Zodiac excursions reveal spectacular icebergs, diverse wildlife including three penguin species, and dramatic landscapes. Evening lectures by expert naturalists enhance understanding of polar ecosystems.
Duration 11 days Destinations Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Hornos Island Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $13,195
26% Off- US$9,756You save $3,439
Portal Point and Deception Island welcome visitors on this Antarctic voyage. The Scenic Eclipse cruises through Lemaire Channel, offering luxury amenities including heated therapy lounges and gourmet dining while wildlife viewing.
Duration 23 days Destinations Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, Falkland Islands Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $71,430
56% Off- US$31,183You save $40,247
The 12-day voyage aboard MV Ushuaia sails across Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands, then pushes beyond the Polar Circle to Detaille Island. Daily Zodiac landings take you to Paradise Bay, Neko Harbour, and Petermann Island, where you'll find the southernmost Gentoo Penguin colony. The vessel holds up to 88 passengers in twin cabins for 11 nights. Onboard lectures from expert naturalists provide insights into polar ecosystems, and you'll visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Research Base during the journey.
Duration 12 days Destinations Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range Ages 10+ Operator On The Go Tours From
56% Off- US$17,015
Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake, Operated by Quark
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This trip surpassed ALL of our expecations. If you are looking for a high quality experience with like-minded individuals who love nature, wildlife viewing and adventure, Quark is definitely the company to sail with.”
Savannah, traveled in January
A 2-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island bypasses the Drake Passage, maximizing 4 full days in Antarctica. The Ocean Adventurer provides intimate zodiac excursions to Petermann Island and Neko Harbor, observing penguins and seals. At approx. $2,620 per day, all-inclusive meals, expert lectures, and waterproof expedition gear enhance exploration of the pristine Antarctic Peninsula.
Duration 8 days Destinations Punta Arenas, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $22,642
20% Off- US$18,225You save $4,417
MV Hondius takes you to Pléneau Island's penguin colonies, through Paradise Bay's waters by kayak, and near massive glaciers at Neko Harbour. Activities include camping on Antarctic ice and guided mountaineering excursions.
Duration 13 days Destinations Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Inventia From
20% Off- US$10,401
Travel Antarctica / South Pole your way
Best tour companies for Antarctica / South Pole tours
Popular Antarctica / South Pole Cruise Ships
Best places to start your Antarctica / South Pole tour
Most Antarctic voyages start from Ushuaia in Argentina - it's the world's southernmost city and our main launching point with 51 tours heading out from here. Some folks prefer beginning in Buenos Aires where we have 13 departure options including the flights down to Ushuaia. You can also leave from Punta Arenas, Montevideo and Santiago, though these are less common with just 3 departures each. Based on what we've seen with bookings, you'll want to lock in your spot around 5 months ahead (that's 148 days) since these trips fill up fast, particularly in peak season. Yes, you'll cross the Drake Passage and it can get bumpy, but our travelers say the excitement of Antarctica makes it worthwhile. December to February brings temperatures around freezing which works well for spotting wildlife and getting out on activities. Our expedition staff runs thorough briefings on safety and gear use before you head out on zodiac trips and landings. Everyone loves those unexpected moments when we stop to watch whales or cruise past particularly impressive icebergs.
Discover Antarctica / South Pole tours for every budget
Antarctica / South Pole tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Antarctica / South Pole travel itineraries to fit your plans
10 Day Itineraries
2 Week Itineraries
3 Week Itineraries
Demographics
Solo Travelers25 tours- Couples24 tours
- Seniors (50+)17 tours
Best time to visit Antarctica / South Pole
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Our Antarctic winter trips run during the austral summer from November through March, when you get incredible light conditions - up to 24 hours of daylight for maximum wildlife viewing and photos. The most popular routes take you through the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. The ice-strengthened ships work perfectly as platforms for spotting whales and seabirds during Drake Passage crossings. You'll get really close to gentoo, chinstrap and also adelie penguin colonies during Zodiac trips. Our travelers love how the marine biologists and historians bring Antarctic ecosystems and polar exploration stories to life through their talks. Some routes push further south across the Antarctic Circle, which is pretty special - not many people can say they've done that.
- December 2026 popular 15 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Autumn brings amazing light for photographers as days get shorter. We take you through the Lemaire Channel and Neumayer Channel, where steep cliffs create natural frames around ice-filled waters. Most trips explore the Gerlache Strait, a favorite spot for watching humpback whales feed before heading north. You'll see elephant seals gathering on beaches and penguin chicks starting to fledge, all while getting to photograph landscapes in that special autumn light. Our small group shore landings mean everyone gets proper time to watch wildlife and take photos without feeling rushed - something our customers really appreciate. Based on what our Antarctic travelers tell us, G Adventures and Quark come up as solid choices for polar expeditions. G Adventures gets consistently good feedback about their "Quest for the Antarctic Circle" voyage - one of our recent travelers called it "life changing" and was particularly impressed with how knowledgeable the expedition team was. Their ships are comfortable and the itineraries well thought out. That said, some people have had frustrations with G Adventures' customer service, especially when trying to sort out last-minute cabin upgrades or dealing with pricing questions. Quark also stands out for their polar expertise and enthusiastic staff. Their teams are good at adjusting plans when Antarctic weather throws a curveball, which happens quite often down there. It's worth noting though that they use Aerolineas Argentinas for flights, and we've heard from travelers about schedule changes and confusing baggage rules with that airline. I should mention that both operators know their stuff when it comes to Antarctic waters, equipment, safety protocols and also wildlife spotting. The main difference often comes down to their specific departure dates, ship styles and pricing structures rather than the core expedition experience.
Antarctica / South Pole travel guides - curated by our experts
Best Time to Visit Antarctica
When contemplating this vast region, one needs to know the best time to visit Antarctica! From essential information to penguin mating season, we shed light on all of it!
Antarctic Wildlife: Animals You Can See in Antarctica
Discover all the animals you can meet in Antarctica! From adorable penguins and seal pups to magnificent whales, wildlife in Antarctica is one of a kind!
Kayaking in Antarctica: What to Know & What to Expect
Exploring Antarctica in a kayak is an unforgettable experience. Learn how the activity looks like, what to expect, how to prepare and what to pack!
Camping in Antarctica: Everything You Need to Know
Camping on the 7th continent, Antarctica, is not an accomplishment that many can claim. Learn what to expect, how to prepare and what to wear!
Contact our Antarctica / South Pole travel experts
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Expert in Antarctica / South Pole at TourRadar
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