This 12-day Antarctica Trip Lets You Explore the Continent by Helicopter

For intrepid travelers seeking to journey where few have ever set foot—or flown—a new and extraordinary expedition is redefining the Antarctic experience. Quark Expedition’s “Antarctica by Helicopter: Icebergs, Mountains and Remote Lands” voyage opens up the rarely visited eastern coastline of the Antarctic Peninsula like never before.

This 12-day itinerary showcases the “frozen continent” from land, air, and sea, and explores the remote eastern reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula. Largely unreachable by ship alone, this region includes the Antarctic Sound, the Erebus and Terror Gulf, and the Weddell Sea.

A highlight of the experience is the inclusion of two helicopter flight-seeing excursions aboard two twin-engine Airbus H145 helicopters and a heli-landing, offering the rare opportunity to step directly onto some of Antarctica’s pristine, untouched terrain. The itinerary also includes zodiac and land-based excursions to icy fjords and remote beaches, where passengers can expect sightings of seals, whales, and emperor penguins, the largest of all penguin species.

Quark’s state-of-the-art Ultramarine vessel proves that venturing to the ends of the earth doesn’t mean leaving comfort behind. Designed for polar exploration, this 199-passenger ship features 102 spacious, well-appointed staterooms equipped with flat-screen TVs, heated bathroom floors, and large windows that frame the stunning landscape.

Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options, including a bistro, a full-service restaurant, and a stylish lounge with a bar. Between excursions, guests can unwind in the wellness center, enjoy the sauna, stay active in the fitness studio, or attend presentations in the lecture theater by world-class polar experts who bring the region’s ecology, history, and geology to life.

Scheduled for two departures on Nov. 27 and Dec. 7, this limited offering provides just a few hundred travelers the opportunity to experience parts of Antarctica that most itineraries don’t visit. With cabins starting at $13,352, it’s not merely a trip but a once-in-a-lifetime expedition.

To learn more about the trip, visit quarkexpeditions.com.