Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill

Voyage Overview

This incredible expedition offers one of the most exclusive wildlife encounters on the planet.

We invite you to share in the legacy and the true spirit of the explorer; embracing the unexpected, and pursuing one of the most jaw-dropping experiences imaginable.

Experience a true polar quest as we journey on our new ship, Ultramarine, which is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters that will fly guests to the vicinity of this rarely-visited rookery, whereupon they will walk across the thick sea ice to stand within meters of the most coveted penguin species on the planet. Anticipate scenes reminiscent of “March of the Penguins” and BBC’s “Frozen Planet.” Just imagine the penguins tobogganing across the ice towards the sea. Such wildlife moments are too precious for words!

Celebrate Snow Hill’s majestic moments on ice, alongside more than 4,000 pairs of breeding Emperor penguins and their chicks. Revel in the once-in-a-lifetime wonders of the Weddell Sea, and set foot on the seventh continent’s eastern Peninsula. Join us at Snow Hill. Be part of a legendary story, and write one of your own.

Trip Details

Duration: 14 Days

Ship: Ultramarine, Premium Ship, 199 passengers

Start: Buenos Aires, Argentina

End: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Upon arriving in this fascinating city, known for its architecture and rich European heritage, you will independently transfer to your group hotel (pre-expedition hotel night included in mandatory transfer package).

Day 2: Fly to Ushuaia and Embark
After an early breakfast at the hotel, your group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to a central downtown location to enjoy time on your own to explore quaint Ushuaia—the world’s southernmost city—before making your way to the pier. After a late afternoon embarkation, you will sail along the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Enjoy the air of anticipation as you depart—the next land you see will be the Antarctic!

Day 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage
The unpredictable and exciting Drake Passage, which lies at the confluence of the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Southern oceans, is an adventure unto itself. While being well taken care of by our expert onboard staff and expedition team, you’ll have plenty of time to gaze out at the expansive ocean waters, photograph seabirds as they swoop around the ship, and get to know your Expedition Team and fellow travelers.

Day 5: Navigating into the Weddell Sea
Onboard presentations by world-respected experts will enrich your polar quest, conveying what it was like a century ago for the brave polar heroes who embraced the unknown. You’ll also learn more about the ice-dwelling emperor penguins.

Day 6 – 10: Weddell Sea and the Quest to Land at Snow Hill
The journey toward Snow Hill Island puts you in true explorer mode, with the captain and Expedition Leader providing regular weather briefings, meteorological updates and sea ice reports. Ice conditions determine how close Ultramarine can approach; from there, its twin-engine helicopters take over—much like setting out from base camp on a summit attempt—flying guests toward the Emperor penguin colony.

As experienced by guests on our November 2023 voyages—and again in 2025, a rare double success—the adventure begins with an extended helicopter transfer over a striking polar landscape of snow-capped peaks and apartment-building-sized tabular icebergs. The rookery lies on sea ice off the south coast of Snow Hill Island. Landings are made as close as possible to the colony while maintaining a safe, respectful distance from the penguins.

Once on the ice, you’ll walk toward the fabled Emperor penguin colony—feeling the wind, hearing the crunch beneath your boots, and tracing paths carved by penguins before you. The sounds grow louder as you approach one of the rarest wildlife encounters on Earth: approximately 8,000 rarely seen Emperor penguins gathered on the sea ice.

The goal is to bring every guest to the colony at least once. The Expedition Team and onboard experts are on hand to interpret what you’re seeing—from the penguins’ tightly knit social structure to how they care for their young and even “body surf” across the ice in surprisingly agile fashion. This helicopter-supported search for the colony is, for many, the defining adventure of a lifetime.

Back on Ultramarine, you’ll be immersed in the Weddell Sea each day. Activities may include Zodiac cruising among icebergs or observing weather forecasting and ship operations alongside the Expedition Team. A standout feature of the voyage is its bespoke educational program, blending lectures with hands-on learning. Polar experts—including penguin scientists, biologists and historians—share insights into Emperor penguin behavior, the formation of tabular icebergs visible from the ship, and the legacy of early explorers who ventured into the Weddell Sea more than a century ago. You might also take the polar plunge, or unwind in Ultramarine’s spa, sauna or fitness room.

While the Emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island is the expedition’s goal, conditions ultimately decide our access. If weather or sea ice prevents or limits a visit, alternative sites may be explored. Possible landings occur along the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula—an extension of the Transantarctic Mountains and the continent’s northernmost reach—ensuring a rich and varied Antarctic experience regardless of conditions.

Day 11-13: Cruising
The journey back across the Drake Passage provides a final opportunity to enjoy the invigorating Southern Ocean air. Spend time on the deck watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, and celebrate the experiences you’ve shared getting off the beaten track in the remarkable world of Antarctica.

Day 14: Disembark in Ushuaia and Fly to Buenos Aires
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. You will then make your way towards your included group charter flight to Buenos Aires.

EXPEDITION SPIRIT: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team  must  consider  the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you may experience on this voyage; please  be  aware  that  no  specific  itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same  token,  wildlife  encounters  as  described  are  expected,  but  not  guaranteed.  Your  Expedition  Team  will  use  their  considerable  experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not guaranteed.