Antarctica Small Group Tours & Trip Packages

Antarctica Small Group Tours & Trips

113 Antarctica trips. Tours from 62 tour companies. 61 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

49 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Small Group Tour
Antarctica In Depth- M/V Greg Mortimer
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • A classic expedition voyage - exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
  • Penguin rookeries - see Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins
  • Enjoy the freedom of Antarctica - being in the vast, ice-sculpted Antarctic wilderness
  • Travel on a small, friendly expedition ship - capped at just over 100 passengers
  • Enjoy on-board lectures and presentations - from expert naturalists and guides

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Love love loved our trip to Madeira. Phillipe the guide was excellent; very personable, knowledgeable, passionate about his island, helpful and fun! 10 out of 10. The group was great fun too, my husband was one of only two men vs 12 / 13 woman which caused a lot of laughs (at his expense). The itinerary was full on which left little time between getting back to the hotels and going out for dinner which was poss the main downside. The hotel in Santana wasn't great but the ones in Porto Moniz and Funchal were much better. As a vegan I struggled in the North of the island but knew that might be the case, I had bread and my own peanut butter for breakfast and bread and hummus at lunch so not ideal. Thankfully Funchal has vegan restaurants and omni restaurants have vegan menus or dishes too so finally ate well. I loved all of the hikes, very varied and all not too far from hotels in the minibus. Loved the levada walks. All walks had steep drop offs so if you're scared of heights - don't do it! I'd highly recommend this trip. We had time in Funchal to do some additional activities and we chose to visit the Palace Gardens, take the downhill sledge from Monte and go on a dolphin watching catamaran trip - all fantastic!"

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In Shackleton's Footsteps - M/V Sylvia Earle
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Georgia, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Sail to the Falkland Islands - explore this magnificent archipelago
  • Follow in the footsteps of Shackleton - to South Georgia
  • Enjoy full daylight hours - soak up the near endless summer daylight
  • On-board lecture programme - enjoy informative lectures from expert naturalists and guides

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Love love loved our trip to Madeira. Phillipe the guide was excellent; very personable, knowledgeable, passionate about his island, helpful and fun! 10 out of 10. The group was great fun too, my husband was one of only two men vs 12 / 13 woman which caused a lot of laughs (at his expense). The itinerary was full on which left little time between getting back to the hotels and going out for dinner which was poss the main downside. The hotel in Santana wasn't great but the ones in Porto Moniz and Funchal were much better. As a vegan I struggled in the North of the island but knew that might be the case, I had bread and my own peanut butter for breakfast and bread and hummus at lunch so not ideal. Thankfully Funchal has vegan restaurants and omni restaurants have vegan menus or dishes too so finally ate well. I loved all of the hikes, very varied and all not too far from hotels in the minibus. Loved the levada walks. All walks had steep drop offs so if you're scared of heights - don't do it! I'd highly recommend this trip. We had time in Funchal to do some additional activities and we chose to visit the Palace Gardens, take the downhill sledge from Monte and go on a dolphin watching catamaran trip - all fantastic!"

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Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Visit the stunning Antarctic Peninsula
  • Cross the Antarctic Circle at 66° 33’ S
  • Witness abundant Antarctic wildlife, including penguins, seals, whales and more
  • Travel on a small expedition vessel
  • Accompanied by extremely qualified Expedition Staff

Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Friendly and helpful staff were happy to help with all our questions."

Trip dates & details
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Generous cancellation

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Classic Antarctica - Fly and Cruise - M/V Magellan Explorer
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Punta Arenas, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands

Highlights

  • Fly to Antarctica - maximising your time on the White Continent and with the wildlife
  • From South America to Antarctica - in just two hours
  • Explore the South Shetland Islands - enjoy the surrounding ice-choked waterways
  • Incredible wildlife - see penguins, seals and sea birds up-close on land and from your Zodiac
  • Visit an array of islands - on the Antarctic Peninsula

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"Love love loved our trip to Madeira. Phillipe the guide was excellent; very personable, knowledgeable, passionate about his island, helpful and fun! 10 out of 10. The group was great fun too, my husband was one of only two men vs 12 / 13 woman which caused a lot of laughs (at his expense). The itinerary was full on which left little time between getting back to the hotels and going out for dinner which was poss the main downside. The hotel in Santana wasn't great but the ones in Porto Moniz and Funchal were much better. As a vegan I struggled in the North of the island but knew that might be the case, I had bread and my own peanut butter for breakfast and bread and hummus at lunch so not ideal. Thankfully Funchal has vegan restaurants and omni restaurants have vegan menus or dishes too so finally ate well. I loved all of the hikes, very varied and all not too far from hotels in the minibus. Loved the levada walks. All walks had steep drop offs so if you're scared of heights - don't do it! I'd highly recommend this trip. We had time in Funchal to do some additional activities and we chose to visit the Palace Gardens, take the downhill sledge from Monte and go on a dolphin watching catamaran trip - all fantastic!"

Trip dates & details
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Classic Antarctica and Chilean Fjords - Fly and Cruise - M/V Sylvia Earle
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Punta Arenas, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • As Antarctica laps up the last of the summer sun and the landscape bathes in dappled light, its inhabitants show no signs of slowing down. Sail across the famed Drake Passage to and from Antarctica, admiring spectacular seabirds and approaching the ice as the explorers of old did - by sea. With one eye on the sky, watching for skuas, terns or cormorant chicks, you will also need one eye on the water's surface. This time of year is when humpback whales are peaking in numbers and when you may see penguin chicks heading out for their first swim.
  • Explore quiet bays and coves by Zodiac in search of wildlife - marvelling at dazzling icebergs.
  • Observe extraordinary wildlife - including hatching penguin chicks.
  • Sail the Chilean Fjords - keeping watch for the many seabirds and marine wildlife including dolphins, sea lions and whales

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Love love loved our trip to Madeira. Phillipe the guide was excellent; very personable, knowledgeable, passionate about his island, helpful and fun! 10 out of 10. The group was great fun too, my husband was one of only two men vs 12 / 13 woman which caused a lot of laughs (at his expense). The itinerary was full on which left little time between getting back to the hotels and going out for dinner which was poss the main downside. The hotel in Santana wasn't great but the ones in Porto Moniz and Funchal were much better. As a vegan I struggled in the North of the island but knew that might be the case, I had bread and my own peanut butter for breakfast and bread and hummus at lunch so not ideal. Thankfully Funchal has vegan restaurants and omni restaurants have vegan menus or dishes too so finally ate well. I loved all of the hikes, very varied and all not too far from hotels in the minibus. Loved the levada walks. All walks had steep drop offs so if you're scared of heights - don't do it! I'd highly recommend this trip. We had time in Funchal to do some additional activities and we chose to visit the Palace Gardens, take the downhill sledge from Monte and go on a dolphin watching catamaran trip - all fantastic!"

Trip dates & details
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Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea - Le Commandant Charcot
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Santiago, Ushuaia

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Love love loved our trip to Madeira. Phillipe the guide was excellent; very personable, knowledgeable, passionate about his island, helpful and fun! 10 out of 10. The group was great fun too, my husband was one of only two men vs 12 / 13 woman which caused a lot of laughs (at his expense). The itinerary was full on which left little time between getting back to the hotels and going out for dinner which was poss the main downside. The hotel in Santana wasn't great but the ones in Porto Moniz and Funchal were much better. As a vegan I struggled in the North of the island but knew that might be the case, I had bread and my own peanut butter for breakfast and bread and hummus at lunch so not ideal. Thankfully Funchal has vegan restaurants and omni restaurants have vegan menus or dishes too so finally ate well. I loved all of the hikes, very varied and all not too far from hotels in the minibus. Loved the levada walks. All walks had steep drop offs so if you're scared of heights - don't do it! I'd highly recommend this trip. We had time in Funchal to do some additional activities and we chose to visit the Palace Gardens, take the downhill sledge from Monte and go on a dolphin watching catamaran trip - all fantastic!"

Trip dates & details
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Classic Antarctica - M/V Greg Mortimer
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • A classic expedition voyage - exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
  • Penguin rookeries - see Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins
  • Enjoy the freedom of Antarctica - being in the vast, ice-sculpted Antarctic wilderness
  • Travel on a small, friendly expedition ship - capped at just over 100 passengers
  • Enjoy on-board lectures and presentations - from expert naturalists and guides

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"Love love loved our trip to Madeira. Phillipe the guide was excellent; very personable, knowledgeable, passionate about his island, helpful and fun! 10 out of 10. The group was great fun too, my husband was one of only two men vs 12 / 13 woman which caused a lot of laughs (at his expense). The itinerary was full on which left little time between getting back to the hotels and going out for dinner which was poss the main downside. The hotel in Santana wasn't great but the ones in Porto Moniz and Funchal were much better. As a vegan I struggled in the North of the island but knew that might be the case, I had bread and my own peanut butter for breakfast and bread and hummus at lunch so not ideal. Thankfully Funchal has vegan restaurants and omni restaurants have vegan menus or dishes too so finally ate well. I loved all of the hikes, very varied and all not too far from hotels in the minibus. Loved the levada walks. All walks had steep drop offs so if you're scared of heights - don't do it! I'd highly recommend this trip. We had time in Funchal to do some additional activities and we chose to visit the Palace Gardens, take the downhill sledge from Monte and go on a dolphin watching catamaran trip - all fantastic!"

Trip dates & details
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King Penguins of the Falklands and South Georgia - Expedition
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Britain, Falklands Islands, Georgia, Montevideo, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • An epic Antarctic adventure - in the footsteps of Ernest Shackleton
  • View large colonies of iconic king penguins - on South Georgia
  • Variety of penguins - stand amid magellanic, macaroni and rockhopper penguins in the Falkland Islands
  • Get close to the marine wildlife - see whales and cavorting seals from your Zodiac
  • Montevideo - explore the delights of this vibrant city

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Hiking & Walking, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"Love love loved our trip to Madeira. Phillipe the guide was excellent; very personable, knowledgeable, passionate about his island, helpful and fun! 10 out of 10. The group was great fun too, my husband was one of only two men vs 12 / 13 woman which caused a lot of laughs (at his expense). The itinerary was full on which left little time between getting back to the hotels and going out for dinner which was poss the main downside. The hotel in Santana wasn't great but the ones in Porto Moniz and Funchal were much better. As a vegan I struggled in the North of the island but knew that might be the case, I had bread and my own peanut butter for breakfast and bread and hummus at lunch so not ideal. Thankfully Funchal has vegan restaurants and omni restaurants have vegan menus or dishes too so finally ate well. I loved all of the hikes, very varied and all not too far from hotels in the minibus. Loved the levada walks. All walks had steep drop offs so if you're scared of heights - don't do it! I'd highly recommend this trip. We had time in Funchal to do some additional activities and we chose to visit the Palace Gardens, take the downhill sledge from Monte and go on a dolphin watching catamaran trip - all fantastic!"

Trip dates & details
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49 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Group Tour

Antarctica Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
61  Reviews
See all Antarctica tour reviews
Excellent
45
Great
7
Average
1
Disappointing
1
Terrible
0
A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

Exodus and Quark had the perfect recipe for the adventure of a lifetime. Helpful and efficient pre-trip planning. The Vavilov, a great vessel for th...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

What can I say?! The most amazing trip, far exceeding the expectations that I had held for a lifetime! Each experience seemed to surpass the last , and I hold...

A

Anonymous

Jul 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

Our trip to the Antarctic Peninsula was simply 'mind-blowing' Any description of Antarctica is always full of 'expletives'. Quite honestly where do you start? ...

A

Anonymous

Jul 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

Wonderful trip.  Well worth the effort despite some stressful moments in the beginning.  Antarctica is a very special place.  Cannot be compared to ...

A

Anonymous

Jul 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

WE had a wonderful experience in the Antarctic and also spending a few days in Ushuaia before our departure on the Clipper Adventurer.    ...

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Antarctica Tour Selection Trips

  • The shortest (and most popular) sea crossing to Antarctica goes from Ushaia, Argentina, to the Antarctic Peninsula, via the often (but not always) tumultuous Drake’s Passage.
  • The Drake’s Passage crossing may take from 24 to 48 hours, and seasickness is common -- though waters in Antarctica itself are generally calm.
  • Some Antarctica tours leave from AustraliaNew Zealand or South Africa and visit the Ross Sea area, on the other side of the continent from the Antarctic Peninsula.
  • While most Antarctica tours go by ship, you can also fly in and/or out via the South Shetland Islands to shorten your trip and/or avoid Drake’s Passage.
  • Antarctica tours can be as short as a few days or as long as three weeks or more. Figure at least 10 to 12 days to complete a typical tour by ship.
  • Some Antarctica tours – primarily those that fly into the interior -- offer adventurous options such as camping, skiing, mountaineering, and trekking.
  • Other adventurous options include visits to emperor penguin colonies and the geographic South Pole. Kayaking and SCUBA diving may be available along the coasts.
  • While any trip to Antarctica is an adventurous trip, you don’t have to rough it. Some ships come with five-star amenities, while some land-tour operators offer luxury tent camping.
  • Cruise ships that carry more than 500 passengers are not allowed to make landings, so to set foot on Antarctica itself, you need to take a smaller vessel.
  • Generally speaking, the smaller your ship’s passenger load, the less time you’ll have to wait to go ashore, because ships are limited to landing 100 passengers at a time.
  • Some tours offer visits to the scientific research stations that are run by a number of different countries, including the United StatesGreat Britain, and Canada.
  • There are no “cheap” trips to Antarctica, but look for value such as included airfare, helicopter flights into the interior, and gratuities for the crew.
  • Prices vary considerably by length of trip, cabin, ship amenities, month of travel and other factors.

Additional details

Traveling to Antarctica is nothing like anything you will have experienced before, and is not for every traveler. The journey can be long, cold, and there are some restrictions that you will have to take into account. However, if you are brave enough to travel to the White Continent, it will make for an amazing dinner conversation. 

What to Expect from an Antarctica Tour

An Antarctica tour will largely be like a lot of other cruise trips. You’ll be on the ship making stops in harbors and exploring. Where Antarctica is vastly different than other cruises is that you’ll be docked longer in some places as there aren’t many harbors and you’ll be on small cruise ships, not large ones. 

You can expect to be in port on the continent of Antarctica for many days trips offered such kayaking, hiking, penguin watching, or Zodiac tours. You are able to get close to the wildlife on the island and kayaking right next to whales. 

You won’t be visiting any major cities on an Antarctica cruise. The only major city you’ll be in is Ushuaia, and that city isn’t large compared to most. Most inhabitants of Antarctica and surrounding islands are penguins and seagulls.

There are some smaller research stations and tourist towns, but the human population you will be interacting with will predominantly be your fellow travelers. Most of the ships are capped at around 100 people. 

Some activities unique to Antarctica tours are polar plunges into the polar waters, whale watching from the deck with the captain, and hear lectures from onboard scientists explaining about the beautiful and different world that is Antarctica.


Packing List for Antarctica

When researching which tour company you will be going with, double-check to see if they provide weather-proofed clothing. There are some cruises that provide waterproof boots, jackets, and pants for free (others you can rent). If you want to save some room in your suitcase, this may be something to consider when packing and planning your trip. 

Layers, layers, layers. The most important word to remember when starting your packing list for Antarctica. Layers mean taking along multiple fleeces, jackets, thermal clothing, and socks. If you weren’t aware, Antarctica gets cold, very cold. On the ship, you won’t need as many layers, but when you are on a Zodiac cruise or kayaking around Paradise Bay, these will come in handy. 

Hats, jackets, and scarves will also be very helpful. Comfortable clothes you can easily move around in will make your trip more comfortable. You don’t have to overpack as you will have multiple layers, but bringing some of these key items is essential. 

A note on electronics. Many of the activities on Antarctica cruises are in and around water. Make sure to pack a dry bag to keep your cameras and phones dry and safe from the cold. 

To Fly or Not to Fly the Drake? 

This will largely depend on how long your trip is and whether you want to see the Drake up close.

The Drake Passage is the stretch of water between South America and the Antarctica Islands. It is a vast body of water teeming with sea life and also one of the roughest waters in the world. This is why the Drake can be considered a double-edged sword for travelers, no matter how adventurous you feel. 

Flying the Drake offers you the chance to reach Antarctica in a few short hours and avoid the tumultuous waters of the Drake. You’ll be able to see the water and Antarctica from above before meeting a small cruise ship in Antarctica. However, when flying you won’t be able to see the whales or penguins swimming just off the side of your boat when you are in the air. Antarctica cruises that are shorter in duration often fly the Drake to save time. 

Sailing the Drake does take longer and can be rougher than flying. However, on the Drake, you get to experience the waters that Sir Francis Drake sailed in the 1600s and really feel what these waters are truly like, along with amazing sites off of the bow. Longer Antarctica tours typically include sailing the Drake.

The Drake Passage is infamous for rough waters, so if you are even slighly worried about getting seasick, the safest recommendation is to fly. 

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On Travelstride you can find 113 trips to Antarctica and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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