The 18-day “Snow Hill to the Peninsula: Shackleton’s Emperors” itinerary is for those who dream of witnessing the legendary Emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island—and are also drawn to the austere beauty of the remote Weddell Sea, as well as the rarely visited east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The crown jewel of this unique expedition, of course, is the rare opportunity to visit the storied colony of approximately 4,000 pairs of breeding Emperor penguins and their adorable chicks at Snow Hill. These ice-dwelling penguins—which captivated early explorers like Sir Ernest Shackleton—thrive in temperatures as low as-50C. They’re the largest and most beautiful of all penguin species. On this expedition, you will spend five days exploring this iceberg-choked paradise by ship, helicopter and Zodiac before exploring along the east coast of the Peninsula.
This is the only itinerary in the polar industry that enables guests to spend this amount of time totally immersed in the spell-binding wonders of the eastern coast—vast stretches of which resemble the planet Mars. A special feature of this voyage: we’ll be joined by Paul Goldstein, winner of the Black & White category in the 2024 Nature Photographer of the Year Awards, who has shared his passion for polar photography on 30 expeditions to the Antarctic and Arctic. Goldstein, who first explored the Weddell Sea in 2005, considers his two previous Emperor expeditions to be among the top highlights of his 40 years of travel (see his biography, page 7). Guests will have hands-on opportunities to hone their wildlife photography skills throughout the voyage.
You will sail on the technologically-advanced Ultramarine—the same ship that brought our guests to Snow Hill on two separate voyages in 2023. Ultramarine’s two helicopters will enable you to explore in ways no one else can. And, with a maximum of 150 guests, you can expect an intimate on-ship experience.
Prepare to be captivated—just as Shackleton and his companions Worsley, Crean and Wild were a century ago—by the sight of Emperors as they scale the cobalt-blue icebergs before plunging into the depths of the Weddell Sea in their relentless hunt for food.
The next stage of our specialized itinerary focuses on the rarely visited east side of the Antarctic Peninsula—where few operators visit. We will spend time each day in stunning locations that allow us to enjoy off ship opportunities shaped by the weather. Our ultimate goal is to maximize your experience of Antarctic wildlife, ice and landscapes.
Our time exploring the Antarctic Peninsula will showcase the flexibility and technical prowess of our industry-leading expedition team, pilots and crew. They will look for opportunities to experience Antarctica beyond the coast and over the expansive glacial terrain of the last great wilderness. Much of this will be achieved on helicopter flightseeing excursions, which are included in your trip. These heli-flightseeing experiences differ from the helicopter ride that transported you between the ship and the Emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island. Helicopter flightseeing enables you to soar freely among the icy peaks of Antarctica while looking out over vast expanses of ice, rock, coast and sea.
Within the eastern Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic Sound, Erebus and Terror Gulf, and the northwestern Weddell Sea are the main theater for this venture. As we sail though Antarctic Sound, pausing to view stunning fields of tabular icebergs, we’ll set our sights on visiting Paulet Island, located in the Weddell Sea. This small, circular island is home to a large Adelie penguin colony. The iconic cone rising up 353 meters (1,158 feet) is a reminder that Paulet Island was once home to active volcanoes.
In addition to penguins, you may be interested in visiting the historic hut built by members of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901-04. Shackleton was aware of this hut—and of the provisions stored there. When he and his crew were forced to abandon the Endurance, Shackleton’s objective became clear: to reach the safety, shelter and supplies at Paulet Island. Alas, as history attests, the ice and current of the Weddell Sea had other plans.
We will visit two towering geological features: Madder Cliffs on Joinville Island, and Brown Bluff on the most northerly tip of the Antarctic continent where we plan to set foot. Brown Bluff is believed to be an exposed volcano that once erupted beneath the glacial ice, causing the lava to spread laterally and create the stunning geological layering that’s visible on the imposing 745-metre bluff walls. The base of the bluffs is home to rookeries of both Adelie and gentoo penguins, which number in the thousands.
During our standard excursion days, we aim to offer a variety of off-ship experiences tailored to the location and weather. These include Zodiac cruises, shore landings on islands and the continent, as well as our paddling programs.
Also featured in this portion of the itinerary: the James Ross Island archipelago, adjacent to Erebus and Terror Gulf, which is highly valued geologically. On these islands we’ll find fossilized specimens, ventifacts (ancient rocks polished smooth over time by wind and grains of sand), and the remains of the KT Boundary, which marks the transition between the Cretaceous Period (dinosaurs and reptiles) and the Tertiary Period (mammals). Our goal is to provide opportunities for guests to see ventifacts up close, and to better appreciate the significance of wind erosion—by sand or ice particles—over long periods. Ventifacts provide valuable information about the climatic history and prevailing wind patterns of the region.
A highlight of the eastern side of the peninsula is Devil Island, marked by its twin towering cones of ash and hardened lava that emerge from a bay on the north shore of Vega Island. At low tide, grounded bergy bits and sea ice reveal the extraordinary visual formations on the underside of the ice—shapes uniquely sculpted by brine channels and ocean waves.
Before returning back across the Drake Passage, we intend to visit the wildlife- rich South Shetland Islands. As with any polar expedition, our team has devised multiple plans for our visit to this region. Our ultimate goal, however, is to set foot on Livingston Island, which showcases the most spectacular mountains of the South Shetland Islands, as well as the chinstrap penguin colonies along the rugged coast. The towering peaks you’ll see are the Tangra Mountains (stretching 32 kilometers long by 8.5 kilometers wide), Mount Friesland (rising to a height of 1,700 meters/5,578 feet), Bowles Ridge (822 meters/2,697 feet), and Pliska Ridge (667 meters/2,188 feet).
One other fascinating landing option is Deception Island. In addition to waddling penguins and lounging seals, visitors can also see the rusting remnants of long-abandoned whaling operations on the beach. We hope to offer guests longer walks leading to breathtaking viewpoints on Deception Island. The stark contrast between the snow and dark volcanic sand—with geothermic steam along the shoreline—creates a uniquely atmospheric feel. Additionally, Deception Island is home to one o the most renowned chinstrap penguin colonies in the world. Estimates range from 50,000 to 70,000.
The journey back across the Drake Passage provides a final opportunity to enjoy the invigorating Southern Ocean air. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, and celebrate the experiences you’ve shared off the beaten track in remote Antarctica.
This expedition will have a separate (and mandatory) Transfer Package charge. Mandatory Transfer Package Includes:
Prices are paying in full at time of booking
This Expedition Includes:
This Expedition Excludes:
This expedition will have a separate (and mandatory) Transfer Package charge. Mandatory Transfer Package Includes:
