Antarctica
Go Beyond
Antarctica is remote. The planning should not feel that way.
We coordinate the journey in its entirety, international air, preferred routing, private transfers, logistics, cruise line selection and booking. All this so that your focus remains on the experience itself.
Antarctica is served by a wide range of operators, each with a distinct style. Some emphasize scientific depth and expedition intensity; others pair exploration with elevated comfort and larger suites.
Most important is selecting the right expedition for you. Vessel size, suite category, season, and route all shape the experience — as does choosing the cruise line that best aligns with your expectations. Two voyages may follow a similar route yet feel entirely different in practice.
Beyond the voyage, we design thoughtful extensions across Argentina and Chile, from refined stays in Buenos Aires to Patagonian lodges overlooking Torres del Paine. Each element is composed to feel seamless, not appended.
With Posh Trips Antarctica is not simply reserved. It is arranged with intention.
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Very different than a cruise in the traditional sense, think adventure, think discovery.
Antarctica is a small-ship expedition. Ships typically carry 100-200 guests, and days revolve around Zodiac landings, wildlife encounters, and expert-led exploration rather than onboard entertainment
Most voyages include:
Zodiac Landings - Inflatable boats transport guests from ship to shore, allowing close access to penguin colonies, research stations, and ice formations.
Guided Shore Walks - Once ashore, expert naturalists lead small-group walks. These are not strenuous hikes but exploratory strolls across snow, rock, and coastal terrain.
Wildlife Observation - Encounters often include:
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Penguin rookeries (Gentoo, Adélie, Chinstrap)
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Seals resting on ice floes
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Humpback, Minke, and Orca whales
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Seabirds such as albatross and petrels
Kayaking - Allowing guests to paddle quietly among icebergs and along the coastline.
Polar Plunge - Many voyages offer a supervised cold-water dip — brief, controlled, and memorable.
Onboard Enrichment - When at sea, expedition leaders provide:
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Wildlife briefings
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Photography workshops
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Historical lectures on early explorers
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Scientific insights into climate and glaciology
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The cadence of each day is shaped by weather, ice conditions, and wildlife activity. Flexibility is part of the design; the environment determines the schedule.
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Most expeditions depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, at the tip of South America. Guests arrive via Buenos Aires before continuing onward to Ushuaia, where the voyage begins with the crossing of the legendary Drake Passage.
Some select itineraries operate as fly–cruise departures from Punta Arenas, Chile. In this configuration avoids the Drake Passage. Guests arrive in Santiago before connecting south, then board a charter flight directly into Antarctica.
The starting and ending points naturally invite a broader journey. Many Posh Travel clients choose to include curated time in Buenos Aires, or to explore the Patagonian landscapes of Argentina or Chile, or conclude the experience with a wine or cultural retreat in the region.
We guide you toward the route and surrounding journey that best aligns with your comfort, schedule, and interests.
Antarctica is served by a select group of expedition operators, each with a distinct approach to exploration and onboard experience.
Well-established names include Lindblad Expeditions, Silversea Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Ponant, HX Hurtigruten Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Seabourn, Viking Expeditions, and Antarctica21, among others.
Some emphasize scientific depth and smaller guest counts for maximum landings. Others pair expedition exploration with elevated service, spacious suites, and refined onboard environments. While itineraries may appear similar on paper, vessel size, guide-to-guest ratios, and overall atmosphere vary meaningfully.
We evaluate these distinctions carefully and recommend the operator best aligned with your priorities, comfort level, and desired style of travel.
The Antarctic season runs from November through March, and each month offers a distinct experience.
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Early season (November–December) reveals pristine ice formations and dramatic light, with penguin courtship and nesting underway.
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Mid-season (January) brings peak wildlife activity, including lively penguin colonies and longer daylight hours.
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Late season (February–March) is exceptional for whale sightings, as humpbacks and other species are highly active before winter returns.
There is no single “best” month — only the one that best aligns with the wildlife, light, and pace you hope to experience. We guide that decision carefully based on your priorities
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Fly–cruise departures are an excellent option for travelers who prefer to minimize sea time. Instead of crossing the Drake Passage by ship (approximately two days each way), guests fly from southern Chile directly to Antarctica and begin their expedition almost immediately.
This approach reduces overall travel time and avoids open-ocean conditions, which can be appealing for those sensitive to motion or working within a tighter schedule.
That said, the classic Drake crossing holds a certain mythology. Many travelers consider it part of the full Antarctic narrative — a gradual transition from South America to the White Continent. For some, that passage enhances the sense of arrival.
Neither option is inherently better; they simply offer different rhythms. We help you weigh comfort, time, availability, and overall experience before recommending the approach best aligned with your priorities.
Antarctica is a meaningful investment. Most expeditions begin around $15,000 per person and increase depending on length, suite category, vessel, and level of onboard refinement.
Luxury expedition voyages typically range from $25,000–$40,000+ per person, with specialty itineraries and premium suites exceeding that range.
Air travel, pre- or post-expedition extensions, and private arrangements are planned separately and tailored to your preferences.
We provide clear guidance early in the process so expectations and experience remain aligned.
South Georgia is a remote, wildlife-rich island located northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Though not part of the Antarctic continent itself, it is considered one of the most extraordinary destinations in the Southern Ocean.
It is accessible only on longer expedition voyages, typically 14–23 days in total length, depending on the route. Most South Georgia itineraries combine the Antarctic Peninsula with several dedicated days on the island, requiring additional sailing time across the Scotia Sea.
South Georgia is renowned for vast king penguin colonies numbering in the hundreds of thousands, dramatic alpine landscapes, elephant seals, fur seals, and significant exploration history — including the legacy of Sir Ernest Shackleton.
These voyages appeal to travelers seeking exceptional wildlife density and a deeper, more immersive expedition. While Peninsula-only sailings (8–11 days) offer remarkable scenery and wildlife, South Georgia adds scale, abundance, and true remoteness.
We help determine whether the additional time and investment align with the experience you hope to have.
