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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
Journey to Antarctica aboard the Plancius and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary learning environments. Crossing the Southern Ocean, you explore a frozen landscape of glaciers, icebergs and remote wildlife habitats while learning about climate science, polar ecosystems and environmental conservation firsthand. Travelling by small landing boats, you step onto the Antarctic continent surrounded by penguins, seals and dramatic mountain scenery. Along the way, students gain insight into geography, biology, sustainability, marine science and the challenges of scientific research in extreme environments. More than just an adventure, this expedition builds resilience, teamwork, curiosity and global awareness through immersive, real-world learning in one of Earth’s last great wilderness regions.
Countries:
Start and Finishing Point:
Ushuaia
Activities:
Grading:Discovery and Cruising
Addressing:
137kg of CO2-e PP per day
(1646kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Fly to Ushuaia and settle into hotel
After months of preparation, our Antarctic adventure finally begins! We arrive in Ushuaia - the southernmost city in the world - and travel by private transfer to our hotel. It's a chance to settle in and rest after our travel before venturing outside to get our first glimpse of this remarkable town and gateway to the Antarctic! Surrounded by rugged mountains and icy waterways, we begin to feel the excitement of what lies ahead as we prepare for our journey to the White Continent. Accommodation: Hotel in Ushuaia
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Explore Ushuaia
After a good night's rest, we wake ready to explore Ushuaia and soak up the atmosphere of this remote frontier town. We wander the waterfront, explore local shops and enjoy time together before boarding our expedition ship tomorrow. It’s a chance to relax, prepare our gear and build excitement for the adventure ahead. Accommodation: Hotel in Ushuaia
Meals: B
Day 3
Embark Plancius and begin cruise down Beagle Channel
By now we are well recovered from our long flight. After yesterday's day of exploring and preparing, we are better informed and fully ready to begin our boat tour. After a last morning of enjoying Ushaia town, we head to the dock where we are warmly greeted by the crew and expedition staff. We embark our boat - Plancius - and before long find ourselves sailing down the Beagle Channel. As the boat glides along, we get familiar with shipboard life, settle into our rooms, and enjoy our first meal on board. Accommodation: Plancius - Quad share rooms
Meals: B,D
Day 4-5
Crossing of the Drake Passage
Over the next two days we cross the legendary Drake Passage on our journey towards Antarctica. As we sail further south, we cross into cold Antarctic waters where wildlife becomes increasingly abundant. From the deck we keep watch for soaring Wandering Albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds gliding effortlessly above the Southern Ocean. Expedition staff help us identify wildlife while teaching us about Antarctic ecosystems, exploration history and conservation. Near the South Shetland Islands, we may catch our first glimpse of icebergs drifting across the horizon — our first real sign that Antarctica is close. Accommodation: Plancius - Quad share rooms
Meals: B,L,D
Day 6-10
Explore the Antarctic Peninsula
Over the next five days we journey deeper into the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the Plancius, exploring one of the most remote and spectacular wilderness regions on Earth. Each day we will use zodiacs - small expedition boats - to travel beyond the ship to weave through icebergs, cruise beneath towering glaciers and land on isolated Antarctic shores. Our route may take us through the Melchior Islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island, surrounded by dramatic snow-covered peaks and floating sea ice. We hope to visit incredible locations including Cuverville Island, home to large colonies of Gentoo Penguins, Danco Island with Chinstrap Penguins and seals, and Neko Harbour where we may step onto the Antarctic continent itself. In Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel, we explore breathtaking fjords and iceberg-filled waterways while searching for humpback and minke whales. If we get permission, we visit Port Lockroy and nearby scientific stations to learn about life and research in Antarctica. Every day brings new wildlife encounters, unforgettable polar scenery and opportunities to experience Antarctica far beyond the view from the ship. Accommodation: Plancius - Quad share rooms
Day 11-12
Return across the Drake Passage
After an incredible five days exploring Antarctica, we begin our journey back across the Drake Passage. These final few days at sea give us time to reflect on everything we have experienced while continuing to watch for seabirds, whales and passing icebergs from the deck of the Plancius. Expedition staff continue running presentations and discussions about Antarctic wildlife, climate science, exploration history and conservation, helping us connect our experiences with the bigger environmental importance of the region. It's a wonderful extended debrief phase of the trip where we can unpack all we've experienced, consider our response to what we've learned, and utilise our well-honed photography skills to get our last snaps of this remarkable natural environment. Accommodation: Plancius - Quad share rooms
Day 13
Return to Ushuaia, transfer to airport for flight home
This morning we sail back into Ushuaia through the spectacular Beagle Channel, marking the end of our Antarctic expedition aboard the Plancius. After docking, we farewell our expedition guides and crew who have shared this unforgettable journey with us. Before heading to the airport, we stretch our legs with some free time and lunch in Ushuaia, reflecting on the incredible experiences, wildlife and landscapes we have encountered in Antarctica before beginning our journey home.
Climate Action: Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.
Life Below Water: Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future.
Life On Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
Quality Education: Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development.
World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.The programs are designed to:• Build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet. • Increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.• Discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.• Give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.
What's included
What's not included
Our voyages are designed for curious travellers — not just passengers. While our itineraries offer a range of activities, from gentle Zodiac cruises to more challenging hikes and paddles, it’s important to understand the nature of this experience before you join us. These expeditions are suitable for most travellers with an adventurous spirit, good health, and the ability to move confidently around a vessel — especially in variable weather and sea conditions. Some shore landings and excursions may involve uneven terrain, wet landings, or light scrambling. Boarding Zodiacs and navigating the ship may require balance and agility, though our experienced team is always on hand to assist. Each trip may include a variety of optional activities, most of which require no prior experience.
Per Person, Twin Share
Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.
Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.
Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.
Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.
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Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.