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?
Excellent
- Choose from 50+ Antarctica / South Pole tours
- 50+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
- N
Naveen • traveled in January, 2025
The crew is incredibly caring and shares a wealth of knowledge about Antarctica and its unique biosphere. Everything is exceptionally well-organized, and I truly appreciate their hard work in making this an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend this tour! With six days on the Antarctic Peninsula, you’ll have ample opportunities for kayaking and landings, weather permitting. I would absolutely love to do it again!
Antarctica Classic in Depth - 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
Traveler Photos & Videos from Antarctica / South Pole tours
Table of contents
- 96 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
96 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“G expedition team members are very passionate, professional and knowledgeable!”
CHEN-WEI, 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
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
15% Off- US$10,352
Antarctic Explorer, Operated by Quark
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Seeing penguins really close up - they came even closer to us than I thought possible.”
David, traveled in February
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
Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake, Operated by Quark
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The pristine environment in Antarctica needs to be seen and felt to be appreciated. Quark provided a platform to conduct the trip in a sustainable manner.”
CK, traveled in February
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 $23,092
15% Off- US$19,705You save $3,387
Extended Antarctic Circle Crossing
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This trip was an 'excursion', not a 'cruise', so do not sign up if you are expecting multiple restaurants, live entertainment, or other such luxuries.”
Jana, traveled in December
A 14-day voyage from Ushuaia aboard Ocean Endeavour, crossing Drake Passage and Antarctic Circle. Zodiac landings at Neko Harbour and Petermann Island reveal wildlife including multiple penguin species. Onboard amenities include spa, sauna, and educational programs.
Duration 14 days Destinations Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $13,395
15% Off- US$11,386You save $2,009
A 12-day Antarctic expedition aboard M/V Sea Spirit provides spacious suite accommodation and gourmet dining. Drake Passage crossing leads to South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula exploration, with wildlife viewing and Christmas celebrations in polar settings.
Duration 12 days Destinations Ushuaia, Antarctic Peninsula, King George Island Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Poseidon Expeditions From $15,595
15% Off- US$13,256You save $2,339
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 Travelers21 tours- Couples20 tours
- Seniors (50+)14 tours
Best time to visit Antarctica / South Pole
- 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
Melissa
Expert in Antarctica / South Pole at TourRadar
Melissa is one of our seasoned Antarctica / South Pole Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Antarctica / South Pole tours answered!
- Choose from 96+ Antarctica / South Pole tours
- 99 verified reviews by TourRadar customers
- 24/7 customer support
Call us
+1 844 311 8331