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HANSEATIC inspiration

FROM USHUAIA TO USHUAIA

Ushuaia - Ushuaia

Expedition Antarctica: wildlife worlds intensive

  • 24.01.27 to 13.02.27|20 days

  • HANSEATIC inspiration

  • INS2702

  • Bilingual cruise

Ushuaia - Ushuaia

24.01.2027 to 13.02.2027|20 days

from € 18.990

20 days Cruise incl. charter flights p.p.

What to expect

The highlights of this cruise

A delight for ornithologists and biologists: a route with plenty of time to discover the Falkland Islands – from the bird paradise to the capital Stanley. A true classic with many wildlife sightings and observations of nature.

  • On a flexible course through the white wonderland
  • Watch penguins, whales, seals and seabirds in their natural habitat
  • Spectacular passages – along majestic glaciers and mighty icebergs
  • Active experiences: numerous Zodiac rides, landings and hikes
  • Captivating presentations, precaps and recaps by experts
  • At anchor

  • The British overseas territory has more than just a turbulent history; discover its impressive birdlife. Experience this unique ecosystem, which is home to around 60 species, during Zodiac landings. Together with your experts, you can observe rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, who share their habitat with kelp geese, striated caracaras, king cormorants as well as black-browed and wandering albatrosses. Natural history walks take you past the island’s typical dwarf shrubs and tall tussock grass. The first human footprints on the Falkland Islands date back to 1690, and it wasn’t until 1764 that the first settlement was established. The small capital city of Stanley has a very British feel to it today. The former whaling and sealing settlement boasts Victorian houses, small gardens and the southernmost Anglican church in the world.

  • Days of adventure and great experiences lie ahead of you, when rugged peaks on the horizon signal your approach to this unique animal paradise. South Georgia is often referred to as the “cold Serengeti”. Hundreds of thousands of king penguins blanket the island’s coastlines and mountain slopes. On numerous trips and landings with the Zodiacs, you will experience the animal world from a respectful distance. With a little luck, you will see elephant seals fighting over a harem or gentoo and king penguins in their natural habitat. Your experts, who have extensive experience in the Antarctic, will familiarise you with the flora and fauna. The pioneering days of polar research will come to life for you in Grytviken: in the former whaling station, you will visit the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton and commemorate the heroic efforts with which he once saved his crew.

  • The South Orkney Islands, a small group of islands with a surface area of around 620 km² (239 mi²), are located in the Scotia Sea. A lonely, glaciated world with ice deserts – and more animal species than on the Galapagos Islands, as scientists have discovered. Who would guess there are around 1,200 animal species here? The South Orkney Islands are home to numerous varieties of penguin, whale and seal, as well as leopard seals. With luck, you will also see icebergs drifting off the rugged coast. In contrast, the Argentinian Orcadas research station – which has been staffed since 1904 – houses just a few people. Depending on the conditions and approval from the station, you will land in the Zodiacs to gain an impression of the isolated life of the polar researchers in the area.

    The South Shetland Islands form a long chain in the ocean. The island group opens up exciting chapters of Antarctic exploration and provides expert insights into geology. Here, your small manoeuvrable ship can again prove its expedition capability when it sails into the flooded caldera of the extinct volcano that forms Deception Island. Flanked by rock faces up to 50 m (164 ft) in height, the black sand in front of you gives off steam as a testament to a past eruption – and you in the heart of the scenery. Elephant Island, where history surrounds you, is legendary: polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew spent months here after abandoning their ship in the ice. You, too, will be enchanted by the scenery. Jagged crags loom fiercely on the horizon and the evening sun casts a delicate pink glow over the snowfields.

    This expedition takes you in a flexible route towards adventure through the Weddell Sea. The ice cracks and crunches around the ship’s reinforced bow, conveying just how challenging the hardships were that the pioneers of polar research had to endure. Where weather and ice conditions dictate the route, the experienced crew reacts flexibly and spontaneously to provide you with unforgettable expedition moments. The Weddell Sea is home to spectacular ice formations – from majestic tabular icebergs occupied by Adelie penguins to ice shelves as tall as white cliffs and dense carpets of pack ice. How far into this region can the expedition ship actually make it? On the volcanic Paulet Island, for example, you will be greeted by numerous penguins, providing vivid impressions.

    The Antarctic Peninsula, part of the coldest continent on Earth, may seem inhospitable at first glance, but it is actually a paradise for countless animal species that have adapted perfectly. Enjoy unforgettable moments when, for example, you set foot on the Antarctic mainland near to Paradise Bay. Snow-covered peaks, imposing icebergs and towering glaciers surround you. Unbelievable views also await you in the bay of Neko Harbor with its rocky massifs. The monumental dimensions are emphasised by the tuya or flat-topped volcano Brown Bluff: its tuff cliffs, towering more than 700 m (2,297 ft) high, rise between two mighty volcanoes. This panorama is accompanied by the cries of countless Dominican gulls, Cape petrels and snow petrels. One of the most impressive shipping passages in the world is the Lemaire Channel: mountains up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft) high line the strait of water. The Neumayer Channel provides panoramic views of glaciers that are no less breathtaking.

The itinerary depends on official approval, weather and ice conditions. The described natural experiences and animal sightings are possibilities on this expedition and are not guaranteed.

Arrival and departure | optionally bookable

    • Fri, 22.01.2027

      Scheduled flight from Germany to Buenos Aires

    • Sat, 23.01.2027

      Buenos Aires/Argentina
      City tour
      Overnight stay with breakfast

    • Sat, 13.02.2027

      Buenos Aires/Argentina
      Overnight stay with breakfast

    • Sun, 14.02.2027

      Scheduled flight from Buenos Aires to Germany

    • Mon, 15.02.2027

      Arrival in Germany

Extend your trip

  • Our popular before and after programs include a wide range of excursions and are usually accompanied by experienced Hapag-Lloyd Cruises tour guides. Recommended for travelers who like to share their experiences with a group of like-minded people. Experience selected highlights of your holiday destination and enjoy the amenities of a group trip - we take care of transfers, excursions and overnight stays.

  • Our travel concierge will be happy to put together tailor-made travel arrangements for you according to your wishes. From design hotels to luxurious beach resorts to ticket reservations for theater visits or restaurant recommendations for the most exciting cities. The Travel Concierge is available to you before your trip and of course on board.

Price special

Special offer for solo travellers

There surcharge for solo travellers on this cruise (cruise only, Categories 1 – 8, applies to the PLATINUM fare) is only 25 %.

Included services

Expedition and knowledge
  • All landings and rides in the ship’s own Zodiacs (Use of the Zodiacs depends on the destination and on official permits)
  • Experienced experts from various disciplines accompany every cruise, give presentations and multimedia lectures, provide well-informed answers to questions about the cruising area and take part in the Zodiac landings/rides and hikes from/to ship
  • Use of the interactive Ocean Academy with individual knowledge formats
  • Comprehensive information before the cruise – for example about the Arctic, Antarctic, the South Seas and the Amazon, as well as expedition maps
Cabin
  • In every cabin: champagne to welcome you, mini bar restocked daily with non-alcoholic beverages (additional selection in Grand Suites and Junior Suites), coffee machine (tea on request), 24-hour cabin service
  • Equipment for loan: one pair of binoculars and two sets of Nordic Walking poles in the cabin itself, furthermore warm parkas, rubber boots, snorkelling equipment
  • Flat-screen TV with information and entertainment programme, personal email account and Internet access via Wi-Fi (free of charge for one hour per guest and day, satellite-dependent especially in polar areas)
  • Information about harbours and destinations (where available) in the cabin
Restaurants
  • International gourmet cuisine – full board: breakfast (early-bird and late riser breakfast), bouillon, afternoon coffee/tea time, lunch and dinner (three restaurants to choose from in the evening with flexible opening hours)
For all cases
  • German ship and expedition management as well as a mostly German-speaking service crew
  • Harbour and airport fees
  • Cancellation fee insurance (20% excess) in the PLATINUM and GOLD fares
Spa and fitness
  • Extensive sports programme: fitness area with ocean view, course programme, additional sports activities on shore depending on the destination (Personal training for an additional charge)
  • OCEAN SPA with Finnish sauna with an ocean view, steam sauna, indoor and outdoor relaxation area (spa treatments and hairdresser at a surcharge)