GROUP TRIP- Antarctica, Feb 2026

Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent

If Antartica is on your bucket list, this is the trip for you!

  • Dates: February 18- March 01, 2026
  • Duration: 12 Days
  • Departure/ Return point: Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Visit: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands

I have managed to secure an UNBELIEVABLE DEAL for you- with prices up to 35% off! You’ll not see prices this low again!

Join me on a group trip to Antarctica and the South Shetland Islands. I can’t wait to share one of my favourite places on the planet with you.

Spend 12 days with me as we join a luxury expedition to explore the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. We’ll see hundreds of penguins, whales, seals and some of the most pristine and breathtaking landscape in the world.

Even better, you’ll get to leave the ship EVERY SINGLE DAY once we’ve crossed the Drake Passage, something few other polar expedition companies can offer. You’ll get to step foot on Antarctica and experience the smell and feel of a place less than 1% of the population ever visit.

The expert guides onboard will be there to share their knowledge and experience, help us find incredible wildlife and photography opportunities AND provide incredible commentary during the zodiac rib rides, landings and wildlife spotting.

And I’ve managed to negotiate us a deal which is UNBEATABLE! Prices up to 35% off all cabins, including the balcony ones 🎉

Seriously, if Antarctica is somewhere you’d like to visit, NOW is the time! You’ll not find an offer like this again.

Why you should choose THIS trip:

  • It’s the BEST TIME of the year to see wildlife in this area, including penguin chicks and whales!!
  • Travelling on the luxurious Ultramarine, one of the best exploration ships in the WORLD and one of the only ones which has a helicopter for better viewing opportunities!
  • Under 199 passengers on board, giving you the opportunity for up to TWO adventure excursions each day (on bigger cruise ships you won’t get any chance to leave the ship at all)
  • Continuous access to professional guides and wildlife experts, who are constantly searching for sightings and events to share with you (I can personally vouch for the quality of the guides with Quark- they were exceptional.)
  • HELICOPTER FLIGHTS! You rarely get an opportunity to do this in Antarctica- and it’s INCLUDED in your package price!
  • Responsible Travel: Quark is one of the founding members of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), which means they adhere to many strict conditions for touring and exploring this fragile environment.
  • Built in companions– we’ll travel as a small group within the Quark group, so you’ll be among friends, even if you’re a solo traveller.
  • Help and support from me. I’ll help you with gear choices, luggage restrictions and answering the thousands of questions which I had before I went earlier this year. Trust me- you’ll want someone to help you navigate the packing; it can be overwhelming to do on your own!

All photos taken by iphone in Antarctica. Kathryn Bird

About the Adventure

I went to Antarctica for the first time in February 2024. I went to tick it off my bucket list and travel to the 7th continent, to see penguins and whales and glaciers.

But it’s so much more than that.

I can’t explain how it feels to be standing on the deck of a ship, surrounded by glaciers, watching a whale play and leap in the water next to you. Or how it feels to watch an albatross swooping low over the waves, or watch baby penguins learn how to swim for the first time, or watch an iceberg larger than a house slowly turn over…

Antarctica is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before.

It’s one of those places you need to experience, not just to tick it off your list, but to see the world in a whole new light. And to experience the utter quiet of the region, and the incredible stars on a clear night.

These hi-tech jackets are included & yours to keep!

All photos taken by my phone in Antarctica. Kathryn Bird

The Trip

We’ll meet in Buenos Aires, where we’ll start the tour proper. Our small group will meet for a meal the night before, but if you have time arrive a day or two earlier and spend some time enjoying Buenos Aires.

On February 18th, we’ll join the mandatory transfer flight to Ushuaia and be taken to our ship, the beautiful Ultramarine. All suitcases and bags will be taken to your cabin for you.

On arrival, we’ll be greeted by the friendly crew and settle onto the ship which will be our home for the next 11 days. From here, we’ll set sail down the famous Beagle Channel and out into the Drake Passage.

The map above is a suggested itinerary. The exact route will vary, but destinations will be selected for optimum wildlife viewing opportunities, glaciers and an appreciation of the weather. We’ll focus our time on the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. I spoke to many of the guides and leaders on my trip there, and they love the area because there’s so much to see. Every trip brings something new and different —a unique, personal experience.

Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of the plan, you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the cunning leopard seal.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL: One of the reasons I’m happy to partner with Quark is their strict adherence and respect for this incredible environment. Their ship is eco-friendly, they only land in approved areas and they never let guests go too close to the wildlife (although some of the penguins were curious enough to come to us!) The team works so hard to inspire and educate you about this unique region of the world. They are also one of the founding members of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), which means they adhere to many strict conditions for touring and exploring this fragile environment.

At the end of the trip, we’ll return across the Drake Passage and be flown back as a group to Buenos Aires. If you have time, you could continue your adventure to the spectacular Iguazu Falls in Brazil, or return to the UK (I have some tips to make the flights cheaper for you too- joys of being an ex air-traffic controller! 😉)

📸 If you enjoy photography, this trip is a dream. Even if you only have a small camera, or even just your phone, you’ll be amazed at the images you can capture to wow your friends (and yourself!) with.

And don’t worry if you’re not a confident photographer; at the end you’ll receive a photo journal with hundreds of photos taken by the onboard photographer during the trip, so you’ll have a permanent reminder of the adventure and what you saw 💖

Yep, that’s a humpback near our zodiac!

Trip Includes:

ONBOARD

  • Transfers between Buenos Aires and port on embarkation and disembarkation day (part of the transfer package)
  • An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
  • All luggage handling aboard the ship
  • FOOD & DRINK: All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
  • Free beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data intensive applications.)
  • Experienced Expedition Leaders, who will plan shore landings and other activities
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
  • All shore landings per the daily program
  • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
  • One 10-to15-minute helicopter flightseeing excursion (weather and logistics permitting)
  • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
  • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
  • Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
  • A photographic journal documenting the expedition

Trip does not include:

GETTING THERE

  • International airfare to/ from Buenos Aires
  • Arrival and departure transfers to airport from hotel outside of mandatory package
  • Passport and visa expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
  • Meals ashore (unless otherwise specified)
  • Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended!
  • Excess-baggage fees on international flights
  • Additional travel/ overnight accommodation

ONBOARD

  • Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
  • Laundry, bar and other personal charges unless specified
  • Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
  • Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew (cards are taken- you don’t need any cash onboard)
  • Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities

The Ship:

This is another trip onboard the Quark ship ‘Ultramarine’, the exact same ship I went to Antarctica on in February 2024- and it is fantastic.

Ultramarine in Antarctica. Photo Credit: Kathryn Bird

Ultramarine is a new, very modern ship, which has plenty of unique attributes. The best things about it are:

  • Friendly and professional crew. (Seriously, I’ve never met a crew so polite and helpful)
  • SMALL numbers. Polar exploration is strictly regulated. Bigger ships may be cheaper, but they’re not allowed to go a lot of the things which smaller ships (under 200 passengers) are. Things like going out on the zodiacs, getting closer to the wildlife and even shore landings (in approved area)
  • 360 viewing. Ultramarine is one of the few ships which you can walk ALL the way around. Which means you can easily get to the side of the ship where the whales/ penguins are!
  • HELICOPTERS. Yes, the Ultramarine is the ONLY ship in the Quark fleet (and one of only a handful in the WORLD) which carries helicopters (flown by ex-British military when I was onboard). This is an incredible opportunity to see Antarctica in a way many other people never will- and a helicopter trip is INCLUDED in the price of your trip.
  • Spa and sauna onboard. Yep- you can get a massage and then relax in the sauna with HUGE picture windows.
  • There’s also a gym, bar, presentation theatre, two restaurants (which serve a HUGE selection of delicious food three times a day, plus snacks throughout the day), shop and 24/7 reception.

If you’d like to see a deck-by-deck walkthrough of the ship, here’s the link – be sure to select the ship ‘Ultramarine’ (you can also compare prices there and see what a good deal you’re getting! 🙂

Meals on Board

If there’s one thing I can promise on this trip, you won’t go hungry! While meal times may change each day due to landings and wildlife encounters (don’t worry- you’ll be kept well informed!), you’ll be served three delicious meals every day. Breakfasts and lunches are normally served buffet style, while dinners can be buffet or plated. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated by letting Quark know prior to your expedition.

Soft drinks and juices are available during meals and when the bar is open; beer and wine are served with dinner; and coffee, tea and water stations are available 24/7 – all included in the cost of your package. The tea/ coffee station also has biscuits and cakes available throughout the day.

Spirits, premium wines and champagne are available at extra cost which can be billed to your shipboard account. You can also try a drink with some real Antarctic ice!

Standard Balcony ensuite cabin

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I come as a solo traveller? Absolutely! You can either choose to share a cabin and will be put with someone of the same gender and similar age, or you can choose to pay a single supplement on any of the cabins below. And you’ll be part of our group, so won’t be lonely 🙂

How fit do I need to be? You need to be moderately fit- able to get into and out of the zodiacs if you want to go ashore. But when I went, there were some couples in their 80s who chose to stay onboard (and enjoyed the helo flights!)

Do I have to do all the activities? Nope. You can choose to skip any of the activities in order to relax (and perhaps enjoy the spa onboard!)

What is the weather like in Antarctica? In a word, changeable. We had little rain but some cloud and also some stunning calm and sunny days. Coldest it got was about -2c, so not as cold you might think!

🤢 I get seasick… can I enjoy it? Me too my lovely, me too. I was so scared about the Drake Passage before I went, but it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I feared. I wore seabands and took seasick tablets, and there’s a qualified expedition doctor onboard at all times. But don’t let the fear of being seasick put you off- once you’re over in Antarctica it’s quite sheltered and the crew do a fantastic job of finding calm spots for us to stay in.

Do I need to be a proper photographer? God no. I only had my iPhone and a GoPro with me. But if you have a proper camera, it’s a fantastic place to practice and improve!

Have another question? Email [email protected] and ask me ☺️

How much does it cost?

I’ve been able to secure INCREDIBLE DEALS of up to 35% off for you (which is why I’m only allowed limited spaces!)

Please note, all prices below exclude the mandatory transfer package price of £800 from Buenos Aires, which must be paid when booking.

Cabin CategoryPublished rate
(£GBP)		EXCLUSIVE WB RATE
(£GBP)
Triple Suite£13,895£8,512
Solo Panorama£22,295£13,972
Explorer Suite£16,095£9,942
Balcony Suite£17,695£10,982
Deluxe Suite£20,795£12,997

Price is pp, based on shared/ double occupancy, (plus transfer package)

How to Book

Easy. Just follow the steps below.

It’s important to ensure your money is protected, which is why it’s best for you to book directly with Quark Expeditions. That way, your deposit and balance are secure with a regulated company.

But don’t forget to tell them you’re part of the Wandering Bird group or you won’t be allocated with us, or get access to our discount!

STEP 1– Call Quark Expeditions on 0203 514 2712 and book. Be sure to tell them you are part of the Wandering Bird group and use code WANDER (they might also need code 158652) to get your exclusive Wandering Bird discount. The trip is called Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent.

STEP 2– Once you’ve paid your deposit, send me an email to [email protected] so I can make sure we’re all together as part of the WB group and can include you in the pre-trip emails and calls. 🎉🎉

As the trip approaches, I’ll help you with kit advice and any issues or questions you have and we’ll have a zoom call so we can get to know each other better. We’ll also have a Whatsapp group for any last-minute issues or questions.

Technically, we’ve used up our allocated quota on this trip, but so far Quark are agreeing to honour the discount for extra spaces, so book FAST! You won’t see these prices again and I’d hate for you to miss out!

If you have any questions or concerns, email [email protected] and ask me 🙂