'Once in a lifetime' Antarctic Adventure with WWF
Exploring Whale Superhighways
The WWF network is bringing philanthropists, science, conservation and thought leaders together on an awe-inspiring expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, experiencing whale research in action, and driving global action to protect the Southern Hemisphere Oceans.
This adventure to the Antarctic Peninsula is like no other, it is a once in a lifetime wildlife experience. This is an invite only exclusive opportunity to experience the majesty of Antarctica and its epic marine life, guided and informed by passionate and world-leading whale and ocean experts. You will share in the discovery as our global science and conservation team undertakes critical whale research. It is also a unique opportunity to be in the field with global conservation leaders from WWF, including the Director General, and be part of the planning on WWF’s global efforts to protect our Southern Hemisphere Oceans.
This experience offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the protection of the Southern Hemisphere oceans whilst getting up close to Antarctic giants—humpback, Antarctic minke and endangered fin whales—in their natural habitat. Learn more about how climate change and human activities affect their survival and gain a front row view of how we can all work together to improve their chances.
WWF Whales Team
Your expedition will be guided by the team at Aurora Expeditions with the WWF Whales Team, led by Chris Johnson, WWF’s Global Lead for Whale and Dolphin Conservation and Professor Ari Friedlaender of the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Professor Ari Friedlaender
Professor Friedlaender is a renowned marine scientist with over 150 scientific publications and appearances in international documentary films. His work focuses on understanding whale behaviour, advancing conservation solutions, and inspiring future scientists using digital and satellite tags.
Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson has studied whales in over 30 countries, including the Antarctic, and leads global efforts to protect whale migration routes through WWF’s Protecting Blue Corridors strategy. An experienced drone pilot, he will offer a bird’s-eye view of whale activity while demonstrating how innovative technologies and AI are transforming marine conservation.
Whale breeching from the Icy Water
Antarctica | Credit: Lina Stock
Antarctic Explorer Itinerary Map
Antarctic Explorer
Departing 20 January 2027 | 12 Days | Expedition
Early Antarctic explorers returned from their voyages to the deep south with tales of a magnificent, ice-covered land teeming with life. Experience the awe-inspiring immensity of Antarctica, reducing your time on the high seas by flying across the Drake Passage in one direction. Immerse yourself in the unimaginable beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula, where vast glaciers tumble into the sea, penguins are dwarfed by soaring peaks and humpback and minke whales feast on abundant krill.
The Douglas Mawson is your comfortable base camp for this adventure. Carrying a maximum of 130 expeditioners, we aim to get you off the ship as often as possible so you can experience the natural environment in smaller, more intimate groups.
Highlights:
- Witness extraordinary Antarctic wildlife, including fledgling penguin chicks.
- Embark on a Zodiac cruise through secluded bays and tranquil coves navigating brash ice.
- Search for the majestic whales, spotting their patterned flukes as they dive feeding on Antarctic krill.
- Experience the sea coming alive with porpoising penguins and watch leopard, Weddell and crabeater seals resting on ice floes.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas
Arrive in Punta Arenas, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our hotel. We ask that you arrive no later than 2.00 pm so that you may attend our important briefing this evening.
Please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby between 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm to collect your luggage cabin tags. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information about where to dine or purchase last minute items.
Overlooking the Straits of Magellan, the city sits astride one of the world's most historic trade routes. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great blend of cultural backgrounds, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors. It remains an utterly fascinating testament to Chile's rich history. Modern day Punta Arenas is home to many popular restaurants, and bars, offering a mix of local and international fare (meals at your own expense today).
At 7.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a voyage briefing where we will reconfirm your transfer times for tomorrow, explain the procedures for your flight to King George Island and outline important IAATO regulations for visitors to Antarctica.
Day 2: Embarkation
This morning we will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport for our charter flight to King George Island, Antarctica (weather permitting). The flight will take approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. On arrival into King George Island our expedition team is on hand to greet you and to prepare you for your Zodiac transfer to the vessel. You will have time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings.
Note: King George Island is located at the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. A contingency plan will be applied to your itinerary should your flights not proceed today. Your safety is our utmost priority. We apologise in advance for any delays caused due to this unpredictable situation. Please refer to our terms and conditions for a more detailed explanation.
Days 3–9: Antarctic Peninsula
It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.
Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.
Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.
While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do that whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting!
In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.
Days 10-11: Drake Passage Crossing
Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we re-enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America.
With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here.
As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.
Day 12: Depart Ushuaia
During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.
Upon disembarkation, for those continuing their travels in the region, transportation to the hotel will be arranged exclusively for guests who have booked their accommodations through Aurora or for those staying in downtown areas near the port. Expeditioners departing on flights prior to 12.30 pm will be directly transferred to Ushuaia Airport, those with flights after 12.30 pm will have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia before an afternoon airport transfer, and the transfer procedures and details will be communicated onboard before disembarkation.
Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.
Kayaking Past Penguins
Pleneau & Port Charcot, Antarctica | Credit: Matt Horspool
Adelie Penguins
Devil Island, Antarctica | Credit: Pia Harboure
Included Activties
Bird watching
Lectures on wildlife, our environment, history and destinations
Trips Ashore
Photography
Polar Plunge
Zodiac Cruising
Walking
Wildlife Watching
Add-on Activities
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Snorkelling
Paddling
Sea KayakingWhat's Included & Pricing
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Punta Arenas on Day 1.
- Charter flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island.
- Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
- All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.
- Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
- Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
- All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
- Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
- Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
- One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
- Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
- Comprehensive pre-departure information.
- Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
- Wi-Fi. Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable.
Exclusions
- International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Airport arrival or departure taxes.
- Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
- Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.
- All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges.
Note: A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.
Staterooms & Pricing
| Aurora Stateroom Single | US$22,135.50 |
| Aurora Stateroom Superior Single | US$24,295.50 |
| Aurora Stateroom Superior | US$17,756.00 |
| Balcony Stateroom C | US$18,236.00 |
| Balcony Stateroom B | US$19,196.00 |
| Balcony Stateroom A | US$20,636.00 |
| Balcony Stateroom Superior | US$22,556.00 |
| Junior Suite | US$26,876.00 |
| Captain's Suite | US$30,716.00 |
Book this Voyage