Set sail on an Antarctica expedition cruise to discover the wild landscape of the ‘last continent’ in all of its glory. Discover a land of extremes, gliding by immense glaciers and icebergs, while coming across some of the rarest wildlife species on earth.
Antarctica is the ultimate bucket list destination. Hostile, remote and uninhabited, the frozen continent offers one of the most dramatic displays of nature on the planet. Largely inaccessible by land, Antarctica is best explored on a cruise.
Antarctica cruise ships are specially designed to navigate the region’s wild icy waters and access remote landing points that are otherwise unreachable.
What’s more, given that many of the continent’s most extraordinary wildlife species, such as penguins, seals, whales, and seabirds, are adept swimmers, Antarctica cruises provide a remarkable opportunity to witness some of the earth’s most magnificent creatures along the way.
Get active beyond the unmissable gorilla trekking to also include a full day chimpanzee habituation experience, exhilarating white water rafting on The Nile, hike end-to-end through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, explore the wild bush by foot and horseback, and enjoy many other outdoor activities around this enchanting country.
Embark on an epic 1000-mile road trip across one of Africa’s most beautiful countries, ranging from traditional safari grasslands to thick teaming jungle, via jaw-dropping lakes and mesmerising volcanos. Meet gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys and tree-climbing lions, alongside community projects and cultural initiatives that aim to provide a sustainable future.
Enjoy the wildlife wonders of Uganda in supreme comfort, staying at three of the country’s most luxurious and stylish lodges. You will have opportunities to track Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Golden Monkeys, as well as embark on game drives and boat trips to find large numbers of elephants, hippos, buffalo and of the course the famous local tree-climbing lions.
If you wanted to add the iconic Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda to your African adventures, this short luxurious extension to any Ugandan, Tanzanian or South African itinerary is a wonderful way to do it. Stay at one of the world famous 5-star eco lodges around Volcanos National Park for your gorilla trekking, where life-affirming experiences meet a world class conservation success story.
If you want to get beneath the skin of this unique country, then this is your itinerary. Spend a little longer in the capital, Thimpu, to explore the markets and local life. Continue to the Punakha, Gangtey and isolated Bumthang, switching between eco lodges, heritage hotels, and even a sustainable farm project. Add in hiking, rafting, and camping, finishing at unmissable Tigers Nest Monastery, and you have truly “done” Bhutan.
See the greatest sights in Bhutan in a more active way. Try white water rafting in Punakha Valley. Cycle your way through the countryside, with bicycles in your van throughout any road journeys. Hike and camp the four-day Druk Trail. And of course, ascend the walk to Tigers Nest Monastery.
Bhutan is Asia’s most exclusive sustainable travel destination, and as a result offers some of the most stunning eco-luxury properties we have ever laid our eyes upon. Explore this mesmerising country in upmost comfort from the sublime Six Senses, Uma, Taj and Aman lodges along the way, taking in all of the highlights of Thimpu, Punakha, Gangtey and Paro.
This slow travel Mexico culture holiday gives you time to soak it all up and experience your own version of Mexico. Journey from the sprawling metropolis of Mexico City down through the quaint colonial cities of Puebla and Oaxaca. Discover the real cultures of Mexico. See volcanoes in the distance, sail through vast canyons, walk amongst local villages and scale temples at sunrise in the jungle. Travelling overland you’ll reach lesser visited areas such as Palenque and Campeche where the way of life hasn’t changed for centuries. Head towards the coast via Chichen Itza (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), before ending on the stunning Caribbean Coast for some relaxation.
If you want to get active in nature, you have chosen the right country! Start your adventure by rafting-in to your first lodge, continue with hikes, hanging bridges, canopy walks and zip lines whilst visiting the Arenal Volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest, and finish with sea kayaking, snorkelling, and surfing lessons on the Pacific Coast. There’s even plenty of hot springs and beach time, to relax and recover.
Discover this incredible country beyond the highlights by exploring hidden gems such as Selva Verde Rainforest, Maquenque Wildlife Reserve, the Celeste River, and the surfing towns of the Nicoya Peninsula, as well as unmissable Tortuguero, Arenal and Monteverde. Visit chocolate plantations and agro-sustainable farms, kayak through mangroves, hike to waterfalls, bathe in hot springs, and fall in love with sunsets over black sand beaches.
The Polar Desert of Antarctica is nature at its wildest and most unspoiled, boasting frozen expanses, towering glaciers, and dramatic mountainscapes that remain largely untouched by humans. As you embark on Antarctic cruises to explore these spectacular landscapes, get ready for encounters with some of the Earth’s most remarkable wildlife species.
Few destinations rival the splendour of Deception Island. Nestled in the South Shetland Islands, this active volcano has steaming beaches, ash-covered glaciers, and breathtaking volcanic slopes and is a fantastic place to visit on a cruise to Antarctica.
King George Island is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Antarctic” as it is one of the more accessible destinations in the region. However, the landmass is much more than that. It has the only airport in the South Shetland Islands, numerous research stations and villages where scientists live with their families. In terms of wildlife, Weddell and leopard seals all reside on King George Island, along with colonies of Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins.
Port Lockroy lies on the small island of Goudier, off the Antarctic Peninsula. It once served as a British research base but has since been converted into a living museum where those on Antarctic cruises can see artefacts from historic bases.
The Lemaire Channel is always eagerly anticipated by travellers on Antarctica expedition cruises. This narrow passage spans just 1.6 kilometres at its narrowest point and is surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers. The experience of navigating through this famous channel is made all the more exciting by the abundant local wildlife which includes penguins, Weddell seals, crabeater seals, Elephant seals, and various seabird species.
Paradise Bay is a frozen wonderland where immense glaciers stretch out from the deep blue waters of the Antarctic Peninsula’s west coast. The harbour is situated near Lemaire and Bryde Islands and is home to many of Antarctica’s most popular animal residents such as whales, gentoo penguins and crabeater seals. Paradise Bay makes for an excellent spot to explore on a zodiac expedition during your Antarctic cruise.
A deep, rocky inlet of the Antarctic Peninsula, Neko Harbour is renowned for its hefty penguin colony and huge active glacier. Its magnificent wildlife residents and striking scenery make it a sensational place to explore on foot during your Antarctic cruise. You can set off on a hike across the frozen island, pausing intermittently to allow posses of penguins to pass by and to soak up unforgettable views of the glorious glacier.
Often hailed “the Galapagos of the Poles”, South Georgia is a wildlife lover’s paradise. The landmass boasts huge numbers of breeding seal and penguin populations, along with one of the densest examples of biodiversity on the planet.
The Falkland Islands is one of the most wild and unspoilt corners on Earth. The archipelago is blessed with a glorious landscape adorned with flawless white-sand beaches and azure waters. Alongside its dramatic natural scenery, the Falkland Islands are renowned for their bustling penguin population, which includes king penguins, rockhoppers, and gentoos.
Please reach us at info@traveldifferently.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.
You can rest assured that the thrilling adventure of your Antarctic expedition cruise will not come at the cost of the wildlife and landscapes you have come so far to explore when booking with Travel Differently. We offset our trips at 150% of their estimated emissions to provide net positive trips. We also exclusively partner with providers that share our commitment to sustainability.
Slow down and immerse yourself in this wild corner of the world on your Antarctic cruise. you’ll have the opportunity to leisurely soak up the dramatic scenery and uncover some of the continent’s least-visited spots, rarely seen by tourists.
Take a fairer approach to Antarctica expedition cruises. We carefully plan each itinerary to ensure each partner shares our commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment and ecosystems within this destination that you have come so far to explore.
We understand that travelling in a greener, slower and fairer way is not only more environmentally responsible but offers a more enriching experience, allowing you to establish deeper connections with the landscapes and creatures you encounter during your trip. Each of our Antarctica cruises is carefully planned and tailored to provide a bespoke journey that perfectly suits your preferences.
