Snow Hill to the Peninsula: Emperor Penguins and the 7th Continent

An expedition voyage to the Snow Hill Island emperor penguin colony and Antarctic Peninsula

This incredible adventure is the only one in the industry right now to visit the remote Snow Hill Island (home to 8,000 emperor penguins) plus the Western Antarctic Peninsula with glaciers, icebergs, snow-capped mountains, whales and seals, and the rarely-visited east coast of the Peninsula, where few operators ever visit. We sail on the technologically advanced Ultramarine, which is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters.

Prioritizing our time with five days near Snow Hill, our team factors in local ice conditions and the unforgiving Antarctic elements in our goal of getting everyone ashore to the emperor penguin colony. After, we explore the seldom-visited eastern coast of the peninsula, which has been compared to the planet Mars. Then we set course for the Western Peninsula, where we Zodiac cruise through glaciated bays and channels rife with jaw-dropping icebergs. Get ready to embrace the expedition spirit on one of the most unforgettable wildlife adventures imaginable.

Sustainability and Impact

At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.

As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.

• Learn more about our Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan, including our commitment to rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller

• Read about the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation.

• Find out how you can travel more sustainably here.

Is this trip for you?

Travelling conditions: The voyages are designed to be as flexible as possible, taking advantage of circumstances and events as they occur, as well as passengers’ wishes and particular interests wherever possible. The atmosphere on board is relaxed and friendly with expedition staff, including naturalists and Polar experts, on hand and the opportunity to mingle with people from around the world. The ship is kept warm, clean and comfortable with a wet/mud room in which to hang gear and store boots ready for the next adventure.

On the Zodiac cruises, you sit still most of the time with the potential for some sea spray and a cold headwind – if you are not dressed appropriately you will get cold. On the shore excursions, most landings are wet, which means the Zodiacs beach and you are helped to slide into the ankle-deep shore break before walking up onto dry land (wellington boots are issued to all passengers). There are, of course, no paths, so be prepared for slippery, rough terrain and sometimes fairly deep snow. Back on board the ship after each adventure, you can have a sauna and/or a hot shower and then relax with a tea, coffee, hot chocolate or something stronger from the bar.

Group: The Exodus group forms part of the ship’s complement, enjoying the relaxed, intimate and informal atmosphere, which breaks into smaller groups to facilitate the frequent excursions. We offer these cruises in conjunction with our partner, Quark Expeditions, and Exodus participants join an international group, not all of whom have booked through Exodus. Occasionally, some may be younger than 18 years old, our stated minimum age for this trip.

Flightseeing: While polar landscapes are spectacular from the sea, they’re even more stunning from the air, a view you can enjoy while seated in one of the two twin-engine helicopters stationed on Ultramarine. Typically in groups of seven to nine, you experience an unforgettable aerial tour of the Arctic during a 10 to 15-minute flightseeing excursion that’s included in the cost of the voyage. Additional helicopter activities may also be available for purchase onboard. Please note: all helicopter operations are weather- and logistics-dependent.

Adventure options

Paddling excursion: If you’re interested in kayaking but would like to try something a bit less demanding than sea kayaking, you’re the perfect candidate to sign up for a one-time paddle on our stable sit-on-top kayaks, perfect for anyone with minimal or no kayaking experience. Rotating groups of passengers will be taken out on calm days, with our expert guides always present to provide instruction and help connect you with the Polar sea.

Stand-up paddleboarding: Combining surfing with kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding gives you a very personal and unique perspective on Antarctica. Conducted in small groups, in calm bays and harbours, in good weather conditions, and accompanied by a safety Zodiac, one-time stand-up paddleboarding excursions can be prebooked in two consecutive priority groups. After the first two successful outings, this activity is offered via sign-up on the ship on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis for any subsequent outings.

Booking Conditions: As with all Polar trips and voyages, the booking conditions for this trip differ from our standard conditions. The required deposit is 25% per person of your selected travel arrangements (minimum £1,000 per person or equivalent in booking currency) and the balance of the price of your travel arrangements must be paid at least 133 days before your departure date. The deposit is non-refundable, and at 133 days before departure date, our cancellation penalties are 100% of the holiday cost.

Vaccinations and Health

Antarctica

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies (bat lyssaviruses). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Argentina

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid, and yellow fever (strongly recommended if you intend to visit the Iguazu Falls due to a recent outbreak in the Misiones province). Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.

Bilharzia is known to occur in some lakes or rivers in Argentina; follow advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim.

Dengue and zika, both mosquito‐borne viral diseases, are known risks in Argentina. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available; therefore, the best form of prevention is to take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Visa

Antarctica

It’s your responsibility to obtain any visas required for this trip. Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality and destination, so please check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. As a guide, some local governments provide information on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

Argentina

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Argentina. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/argentina
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/argentina
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/argentina/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Argentina.html

Please note, if you are crossing the border into Argentina from Chile on your trip, we will need to know your profession to provide when entering Argentina.

Food & Drink

All meals while on the ship included.

Typical meals

The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale.

• Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.
• Lunch: Three-course set meal, or the occasional buffet or barbecue.
• Dinner: Three courses with a starter of soup, salad or anti-pasto, a choice of three mains with at least one vegetarian and one seafood option and a dessert of sweet pudding or ice cream or fruit, tea and coffee.

Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday – please do inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local team can be well prepared.

Weather

Late spring and early summer: October-November

The start of the season and the most adventurous time to travel. You’ll encounter truly breathtaking, exquisitely sculpted icebergs emerging from their frozen hibernation. Many of these blue bergs house courting, nesting and brooding penguins.

High summer: December-February

Close to the solstice, you’ll experience almost perpetual daylight. These are the mildest months when the first Adelie and gentoo penguin chicks are hatched.  As the water warms the whale sightings also improve.

Late summer: February-March

This is the time for some incredible encounters with whales, especially minkes and humpbacks. The receding ice allows for further exploration and penguin colonies are very active with adults feeding their chicks.