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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Clarence • traveled in April, 2025
It was a challenging adventure!! We weren’t quite prepared for Drake Passage, but staff let us remain in cabin and delivered our food until the boat stopped rocking. Antarctica is a breathtaking experience we would recommend it to everyone . The penguins are super cool and elephant seals were hilarious. Martín, Fabian , ship doctor José took beautiful care of us. Truly professional staff, all very competent and supportive. Highly recommended.
Classic Antarctica - 10 days - 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
Traveler Photos & Videos from Antarctica / South Pole tours
Table of contents
- 94 Antarctica / South Pole tours with 116 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
- What our customers ask about South Pole / Antarctica Tours
94 Antarctica / South Pole tours with 116 reviews
Compiled by
MelissaAntarctica / South Pole travel expert at TourRadar
Classic Antarctica - 10 days
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent service, great communication and friendly staff.”
Inga, traveled in December
The MV Ushuaia sails to Paradise Bay and Paulet Island's penguin colonies. Passengers cross Drake Passage to South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Package includes expert guides, twice-daily shore landings, and all meals for around $7,200.
Duration 10 days Destinations Ushuaia, Antarctic Peninsula, King George Island Age Range Ages 10+ Operator On The Go Tours From
- US$10,035
Antarctica Classic in Depth
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This expedition to Antarctica was brilliant and so special. A chance to see the last frontier and the unique flora and fauna of this amazing place.”
Elizabeth, 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
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
- US$17,015
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 $34,495
25% Off- US$25,871You save $8,624
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 $67,440
60% Off- US$27,188You save $40,252
South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari, Operated by Quark
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Overall the ship experience was excellent. Prior to the trip communication between Quark, Exodus and Tour Radar was poor.”
Douglas, traveled in December
The Drake Passage leads to 4 immersive days along the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the Ocean Explorer or World Explorer ships. Chinstrap, Adélie and Gentoo penguins appear while Zodiac cruising past calving glaciers and watching for minke whales. Key Peninsula sites offer close encounters with Weddell, Fur, and Leopard seals.
Duration 18 days Destinations Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego National Park, South Georgia Island, South Orkney Islands, Antarctic Peninsula Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $22,895
7% Off- US$21,235You save $1,660
Antarctic Explorer, Operated by Quark
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“For me, the most awe-inspiring moment was when the captain of the ship announced land ahoy, my first sight of Antarctica made my heart race.”
Mark, 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
25% Off- US$9,896You save $3,299
The state-of-the-art MV Hondius sails Antarctica's highlights from the Weddell Sea to the Peninsula, crossing the Antarctic Circle. Visitors tour research station Orcadas, walk Deception Island's volcanic landscape, and cruise through pack ice fields.
Duration 23 days Destinations Argentina, Falkland Islands, Chile, Antarctica Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator Inventia From
25% Off- US$23,057
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 $12,445
20% Off- US$9,956You save $2,489
M/V Sea Spirit carries travelers across Drake Passage to South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. A pre-voyage stay at Arakur Ushuaia Resort precedes wildlife encounters throughout Gerlache Strait and navigation through photographer's paradise Lemaire Channel.
Duration 12 days Destinations Ushuaia, Antarctic Peninsula, King George Island Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Poseidon Expeditions From $16,595
25% Off- US$12,446You save $4,149
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.
- popular 15 tours
- December 2026 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
Nadine
Expert in Antarctica / South Pole at TourRadar
Nadine 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!
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+1 844 311 8331What our customers ask about South Pole / Antarctica Tours
When Should You Plan Your Antarctic Adventure?
Summer in Antarctica runs November through March and that's definitely your sweet spot for visiting. The penguins are super active this time of year and you'll catch the whale migration too with temperatures actually pretty mild. December and February tend to be the busiest times with peak wildlife activity and the best conditions.
How Do You Pick the Perfect Antarctic Tour?
It really comes down to what matters most to you - how long you want to be away what kinds of activities you're after and of course your budget and comfort needs. Look at different routes like the Antarctic Peninsula South Georgia or the Falklands. G Adventures runs this awesome "Quest for the Antarctic Circle" that's 14 days with options for camping and kayaking. If you're after something more luxurious there's this amazing "Overnight Experience @ Chilean ANTARTICA" where you can fly-cruise and camp in thermal tents near Collins Glacier.
What Kind of Wildlife Will You Actually See?
Get ready for something spectacular! You'll definitely spot different penguin species like Gentoo Chinstrap and Adélie just hanging out in their natural habitat. Keep your eyes peeled for seals lounging on ice floes especially Weddell Crabeater and Leopard seals. During summer the waters fill with Humpback Minke and Fin whales and you'll often see albatrosses soaring over the Drake Passage. Ardley Island's particularly special with its colonies of Gentoo Chinstrap and Adélie penguins all in one place.