Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ

---

Venture into one of the planet’s last great wildernesses, guided by an expert team of naturalists, historians and polar specialists who will bring this remarkable region to life. Explore a pristine world of ice, ocean and wildlife, encountering penguins, seals and whales while gaining insights into the history of Antarctic exploration, the science shaping our understanding of the continent, and the challenges facing its fragile ecosystems. Then, as your expedition draws to a close, enjoy a spectacular flight over Antarctica’s vast glaciated landscapes, offering a final perspective on this awe-inspiring and remote corner of the world.

Cross the famed Drake Passage, a rite of passage for any polar explorer, and set sail toward the frozen wilderness of Antarctica. Immerse yourself in a range of enriching experiences designed to deepen your connection with this remote region. Attend informative lectures by the onboard team of experts on Antarctic ecology, wildlife, and history, gaining a deeper understanding of the environment you’re about to explore. Discover the onboard Citizen Science Centre, where interactive exhibits and engaging discussions bring the science of the polar regions to life. 

A polar cruise that goes beyond awe

At New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ Discovery Tours, we create intelligent expeditions that move beyond wonder into deep understanding. Inspired by the world-renowned magazine, we make cutting-edge science engaging and accessible—no expertise required, just curiosity.

This voyage includes 3 major talk programmes:

• How the ocean shapes life â€“ How currents, ecosystems, wildlife, and climate interconnect to shape our planet, placing the polar regions in a dynamic global context.
• The latest in scientific thinking â€“ Connect with the latest and most interesting developments in science and technology.
• Charting the Cosmos – Discover how space exploration and cosmic phenomena mirror the polar regions, pushing human limits and revealing links between Earth’s extremes and the cosmos.

Travel aboard a new state-of-the-art polar expedition vessel, the Douglas Mawson where you will experience the serenity and grandeur of the most remote place on Earth, where penguins nest, whales feed and captivating seals frolic in ice-speckled seas. With only 130 guests, amazing viewing space and a ship designed to minimise negative environmental impacts, the Douglas Mawson guarantees a far more enjoyable guest experience than the other older and larger expedition ships.  

Accompanied throughout by New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ’s Chelsea Whyte and marine biologist and oceanographer Dr Russell Arnott. You will also have the opportunity to participate in onboard workshops with Russell, expert talks and guided Zodiac cruises with Chelsea and Russell that bring you closer to the natural world, and engaging onboard sessions exploring the latest in the oceans, science and health.

In addition to Chelsea and Russell, hear from the onboard expedition team where you will learn about topics including glaciology, botany, marine biology and the history of polar exploration, deepening your connection to this remote and rugged archipelago. Unlike standard expeditions, this journey offers deeper access to expert knowledge, more meaningful interactions, and a front-row seat to the wonders of science in action.

Travel with like-minded people who love to connect with the natural world and the wonder of science. An ideal environment for curious-minded couples, friends and solo travellers to relax. Your expedition is a carefully curated mix of daytime activity offboard, designed to immerse you in your polar surroundings, and talks while on board. During the day, the itinerary remains flexible as the captain and expedition leader will look at prevailing conditions and sightings to give you the best opportunity for wildlife encounters. 

In partnership with AE Expeditions and Discover The World.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, the End of the World

Ushuaia is set on a bay off Isla Grande between the Beagle Channel, the towering glacial peaks of Cerro Martial and Monte Olivia, and is the principal gateway to Antarctica. It is fondly known as El Fin del Mundo â€“ the End of the World.

Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative of AE Expeditions and transferred to your group hotel. In the evening, you can meet some of the ship’s team, who will prepare you for boarding the next day.

Day 2: Explore Ushuaia or optional tour to Lake Escondido, then board Douglas Mawson

The morning is at your leisure to explore the port town of Ushuaia.

There is an optional tour to visit Lake Escondido. This tour offers us an unforgettable panoramic drive through big valleys of glacial origin, evergreen and deciduous forests, waterfalls and rivers, in the vastness of the Andes Mountain Range. You will leave Ushuaia city to the north-east of Tierra del Fuego, driving through peat bog valleys to reach Garibaldi Pass, only accessible by a winding road that will take you to a panoramic point. From here you will have amazing panoramic views of Lake Escondido and, if weather conditions allow, of Lake Fagnano. You will start your descent towards the north-east to reach Lake Fagnano’s shore, where you will visit a local ranch. After appreciating the landscape, you will have the chance to enjoy the typical Fuegian lamb barbecue. Enjoy some free time there before returning to Ushuaia for ship embarkation.

Alternatively, enjoy the day at your leisure and meet in the afternoon to be transferred to the pier for embarkation.  

Once you have been transferred to the Douglas Mawson, you’ll have time to settle into your cabin before a passenger briefing. 

As the ship pulls away from port, you’ll gather on the deck to commence your adventure with spectacular views over Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego. 

In the evening, get to know your fellow travellers and friendly New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ & expedition teams at a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure to Antarctica.

Days 3-4: Drake Passage crossing

As you commence the Drake Passage crossing, the expedition team will prepare you for your first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures and start the lecture program to help you learn more about Antarctica’s history, wildlife and environment. Plus, there will be additional talks throughout from Russell Arnott and Chelsea Whyte.

The wildlife experiences begin as you enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following the vessel. Throughout the voyage, you can enjoy the facilities on board the vessel including the gym, sauna and spa, or relax in one of the observation lounges. 

Nearing the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula on the afternoon of day 4, the excitement is palpable, with everyone converging on one of the observation decks watching for your first iceberg.

The ocean takes on a whole new perspective once you are below the Antarctic Convergence and are surrounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of your first big iceberg sighting is likely to remain with you for a lifetime. Time and weather permitting, the expedition team may attempt your first landing in Antarctica by late afternoon.

Days 5-8: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula

It is almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on Earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.  

Once you arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are yours to explore, and you have a host of choices available. You will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.  

Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. The expedition team will help you experience a range of activities centred on daytime exploration via Zodiac boat safaris (investigating coves, glaciers and wildlife), guided hikes (exploring pristine beaches and stunning wildernesses) and photography (helping you improve your skills with a camera).

You will generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to warmly wrap up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.  

While ashore, stretch your legs and wander along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. Speaking of the oceans below, keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters – conditions permitting! The polar plunge can take place at any time during the voyage, so listen out for the announcement from the expedition team and get ready for the most exhilarating dip of your life! 

In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, the ship cruises some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or lingers in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge (open at the captain’s discretion) for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Listen out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve into the sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of the pristine paradise of the splendid white continent. 

Join the team in the lecture theatre for presentations covering a broad range of topics to suit every interest. These lectures will cover polar science, wildlife, marine biology, glaciology, ornithology, exploration, history, photography and research, including specialist New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ talks. Regardless of the topic, they all have one thing in common: they all aim to engage, educate, entertain and turn you into an ambassador for the planet. Plus, both on board and in the Zodiacs, the expedition crew will give you introductions to and commentary on many of the Antarctic phenomena you are experiencing. 

You will have the opportunity to participate in the unique citizen science program offered throughout the voyage. It is designed to be a hands-on, immersive and transformative experience that helps you protect the beauty of our planet. Various sampling and data collection projects will be conducted on your voyage and a citizen science coordinator will be on hand to introduce and assist you. This expedition provides a unique platform to help collect high-quality data. With extended access to these remote regions and our expedition teams equipped with scientific backgrounds, you will have the potential to participate and engage our passengers in citizen science projects to provide valuable data to the global scientific community. For a greater understanding, visit the world-class Citizen Science Centre on board. You will be rewarded for your thirst for knowledge with one of the best views on the ship. 

Day 9: Fly King George Island to Punta Arenas

As you approach Frei Base on King George Island, your Antarctic adventure draws to a close. Surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of the South Shetland Islands, there is a final opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary wildlife encounters, scientific discoveries and breathtaking scenery that have made this journey so memorable.

From Frei Base, you board your flight to Punta Arenas, Chile (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes), leaving behind one of the most remote and remarkable environments on Earth. During the flight, there is time to share experiences and consider the profound impact of visiting a continent dedicated to peace, science and international cooperation.

We hope you return home inspired by all that you have seen and learned, becoming ambassadors for Antarctica and its unique ecosystems. By sharing your experiences with family, friends and colleagues, you can help foster a deeper appreciation for this fragile wilderness and the importance of protecting it for future generations.

On arrival in Punta Arenas, you will be transferred to your group hotel, where you will enjoy a final overnight stay together.

Please note: King George Island, located at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands, is one of the most remote places on Earth. Flight operations are entirely dependent on favourable weather conditions, and clear skies with excellent visibility are required for safe take-off and landing. While every effort is made to operate according to schedule, delays can occur, and we thank you for your patience and understanding should this be the case.

Should your flight not proceed due to local conditions; you will remain on the ship until it is deemed achievable to return to Punta Arenas.

Day 10:

After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers as you continue your onward journey, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature (breakfast included). A transfer to the airport is included in the voyage fare.

---

Your onboard experience

Your flexible day-to-day itinerary is guided by the captain and expedition leader, who adapt plans to current conditions and wildlife activity, ensuring that every moment maximises your experience.

Engage in daytime explorations aboard Zodiac boats, gliding through secluded coves, past majestic glaciers and across wildlife-rich waters. Take guided hikes along pristine beaches and through awe-inspiring wilderness, immersing yourself in the untouched beauty of the Antarctic landscape. Photography enthusiasts will benefit from expert guidance, capturing breathtaking images and honing their skills. With a commitment to two engaging shore excursions per day, every day promises discovery and inspiration.

One of the key advantages of sailing aboard a smaller vessel is the efficiency it offers – less time spent boarding and disembarking for daily excursions means more time immersed in the breathtaking beauty of the Antarctic wilderness.

You will have the opportunity to participate in New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ-led workshops with marine biologist Russell Arnott and Chelsea Whyte.

Throughout the cruise, enjoy all-inclusive dining, featuring delicious meals, a selection of snacks and unlimited tea and coffee. Dinner is accompanied by beer, house wine and soft drinks, ensuring a delightful and worry-free culinary experience. 

Forget about formal dress codes. With a relaxed and informal atmosphere on board, you will feel at home as you attend a comprehensive programme of talks and intimate fireside chats. Delve into the intricacies of polar systems, explore how they influence the global climate and hear captivating personal stories from those who have lived at Earth’s extremes. 

Your expedition can be as active or as leisurely as you want it, and no activity or talk is mandatory.

Booking information

The cruise is operated by AE Expeditions while all bookings and travel arrangements are managed by Discover The World on behalf of New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ Discovery Tours. Please note that all pre-departure communications, documentation and customer service relating to your booking will be provided by Discover The World.

Highlights

• Gain a deeper understanding of Antarctica on this special departure
• Clean, pristine conditions allow for postcard-perfect photographs
• Observe busy penguin colonies building their nests and perhaps catch a glimpse of penguin chicks as they hatch
• Immerse yourself in polar science workshops and enriching talks led by marine biologist Dr Russell Arnott
• Hosted throughout by New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ’s Chelsea Whyte with talks on the latest in scientific thinking and charting the cosmos
• Complimentary twice daily zodiac and shore excursion programme during your time in Antarctica
• Enjoy interesting talks from onboard expedition crew covering an array of topics including polar exploration, glaciology, marine biology and geology
• With a maximum of just 130 guests, you are guaranteed a far more intimate and personalised experience than larger vessels
• Explore the region through Zodiac cruises, gliding through secluded bays and quiet coves filled with brash ice
• Experience the majesty of the Antarctic with a a flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas

Pricing details

Route map

Meet the experts

Chelsea Whyte – New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ host

Chelsea is a Senior Editor at New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ. She has been at the magazine for more than a decade, first as a reporter covering everything from animals to US science policy to quantum computing. After that, she was the Physics and Space News Editor during an exciting era, including the end of the Cassini mission to Saturn, the first picture of a black hole, and the beginnings of the 21^st century space race to return to the moon. She also served as the US Editor in the magazine’s New York bureau for two years. Her reporting has taken her to some of the biggest and most advanced scientific instruments in the world, including the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, and the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile. 

Chelsea is the co-host of the New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ podcast Dead Planets Society, where she investigates mind-blowing and outlandish what-ifs about the universe. As a child, she wanted to be an astronaut; as an adult, she wanted to live in the deep sea; getting to write about both of these extreme worlds is as close as she has gotten, so far. Before joining New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ, she worked at Brookhaven National Laboratory, home of the only particle collider in the US.

Dr Russell Arnott – New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ guest expert

Russell holds a combined master’s degree in oceanography from the University of Southampton, UK, and a PhD in marine biology from the University of Bath, UK, where he studied phytoplankton morphology and its influence on turbulent interactions.

He has worked as a commercial oceanographer and his research has taken him all over the world, from the Southern Ocean with the British Antarctic Survey up to the Gulf of Bothnia in northern Sweden. Having worked as a science consultant on a number of books, Russell recently co-wrote his first book, Ocean Endangered, with researcher Celine Van Weelden.

Russell works with the charity Incredible Oceans, appearing on TV and radio, and speaking at science events around the world. He is currently a Teaching Fellow in Oceanography at University of Exeter’s Centre for Geography and Environmental Science and an Associate Lecturer in Ocean Science and Conservation at Falmouth University.

---

Onboard expedition team

Alongside your dedicated New Å®ÉúСÊÓƵ Discovery Tours experts, you will benefit from the knowledge and experience of the ship’s onboard expedition team. 

Onboard expedition team talks

Throughout the voyage, members of the expedition crew will present a fascinating programme of talks and briefings, providing deeper insights into the regions’ geology, glaciology, marine wildlife, history, environment and other topics. These engaging presentations will enrich your understanding of the landscapes and wildlife encountered during the expedition, adding valuable context to your polar adventure.

What’s included

• 1 night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Ushuaia on Day 1
• 8 night’s accommodation aboard the Douglas Mawson, including daily cabin service  
• 1 night’s accommodation including breakfast, Punta Arenas on day 9
• Lake Escondido tour in Ushuaia, on Day 2
• All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary including the flight from King Georges Island to Punta Arenas
• All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
• Soft drinks and juices throughout all meals
• Beer and house wine with dinner 
• Captain’s farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages 
• All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
• Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team 
• Complimentary 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
• Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage
• Comprehensive pre-departure information 
• Port surcharges, permits and landing fees
• Wi-Fi (connection can be limited in some of the more remote regions)
• All zodiac cruising and landing activities led by the expedition team
• Digital photo log book
• Port surcharges, permits and landing fees
• 24-hour support

What’s not included

• Travel insurance
• International flights to Ushuaia and from Punta Arenas
• Visa/ETA (if applicable)
• Premium drinks available to buy on board
• You can choose any of the double cabins for solo use at a supplement. If you would prefer, we can try and match you with another solo traveller of the same gender who is willing to share a cabin
• Gratuities
• Items of a personal nature including but not limited to alcohol and soft drinks outside of dinner, laundry, medical expenses and phone charges
• Further appointments with the ship’s doctor including any prescribed medication

How to get there

The cruise starts in Ushuaia, Argentina. Your first night will be spent there in a hotel before boarding the ship. The expedition then ends in Punta Arenas, Chile. Our partner Discover The World can advise on flights and also arrange extra nights in Ushuaia or a brief stay in Buenos Aries and Iguazu on the way down or Chile on your return.

Pace and physciality

The emphasis of our Antarctic expedition is for you to get you off the ship as much as possible. Zodiac boats will be used to transfer you to landing sites for hiking and exploring, as well as Zodiac cruising. 

The ship is very comfortable, and you can enjoy the majestic scenery and abundant wildlife from the decks at your leisure throughout the cruise.

To join most excursions, you need to be able to climb down into a Zodiac boat.

Accommodations

The Douglas Mawson

The newly launched Douglas Mawson is a state-of-the-art expedition vessel designed to provide unparalleled comfort and exploration in the polar regions. Named after the renowned Australian explorer Douglas Mawson, this advanced ship combines cutting-edge technology with eco-friendly features to navigate the most remote polar regions. The impact reduction features include hybrid engines, efficient hull design, low sulphur fuels, energy recovery systems, optimized waste management and the CounterCurrent route optimisation system to reduce fuel usage.

With spacious, modern cabins, exceptional dining options, and an onboard team of expert guides, the Douglas Mawson offers a luxurious yet intimate experience.

Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® and purpose-built with enhanced sustainability features, it takes a maximum of 130 guests. It is equipped with advanced icebreaking capabilities and a fleet of Zodiac boats, it allows passengers to explore the icy wilderness up close while ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the journey.

Cabins

Balcony staterooms (Categories B and C) – Bright, contemporary staterooms offer floor-to-ceiling balcony access, inviting in natural light and spectacular vistas. With thoughtful layouts and modern finishes, they’re perfect for guests who want to stay closely connected to the environment while enjoying a comfortable private sanctuary.

Staterooms (Twin, Triple and Single) – Providing cosy accommodation with clever use of space, modern bathrooms, and either porthole or window views. Ideal for solo travellers, friends, or families, these cabins offer excellent value without compromising comfort or convenience.