Classic Antarctica Self-Launched: Ushuaia to the White Continent
10 days · Antarctica & Ushuaia
On The Go Tours charges £6,650
No-markup version: ~£5,200 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Antarctica is one of the last true wilderness frontiers, and while there's no fully DIY way to get there — you will need a ship — you can book independently at significantly lower cost by cutting out the tour operator markup. This self-launched version follows the same classic route aboard a budget-conscious polar expedition vessel: departing Ushuaia, crossing the Drake Passage, and exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands via Zodiac shore excursions. By booking directly with smaller expedition operators (e.g. Antarpply Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions, or last-minute Antarctica deals via sites like Chimu Adventures or Punta Arenas-based agents), skipping the tour operator layer, and staying in budget accommodation in Ushuaia before/after, solo travellers can save substantially. All meals are included aboard the ship. Costs below are per person estimates in GBP and assume booking a shared cabin berth.
Day-by-day
Arrive Ushuaia & Board Your Polar Vessel
Ushuaia, Argentina
Fly into Malvinas Argentinas International Airport (USH) — budget flights from Buenos Aires (Aerolineas Argentinas or LATAM) run around £80–120 return. Spend the morning exploring Ushuaia: the 'end of the world' town is compact and walkable. Visit the Museo del Fin del Mundo (free/low cost) or grab centolla (king crab) at the Mercado Municipal. In the late afternoon, transfer to the port (walkable or ~£5 taxi) and board your independently-booked polar expedition vessel. Attend the mandatory safety and zodiac briefing, meet your fellow expeditioners, and enjoy dinner as the ship departs through the Beagle Channel past Mackinlay Pass.
🚌Fly Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) to Ushuaia (USH) with Aerolineas Argentinas or LATAM, ~£80–120 return. Walk or take a short taxi (~£5) from airport to town/port.
🛏Aboard expedition vessel (shared twin cabin berth — included in cruise cost). If arriving a day early, try Los Cormoranes Hostel or América Hostel in Ushuaia (~£20–30/night).
- →Walk the Beagle Channel waterfront and explore Ushuaia town centre
- →Visit Museo del Fin del Mundo (~£3 entry)
- →Board your independently-booked polar expedition ship at the port
- →Attend mandatory safety and Zodiac briefing
- →Enjoy dinner on board as the ship departs through the Beagle Channel
Drake Passage — Heading South
Drake Passage
The Drake Passage is legendary — either a 'Drake Lake' (calm) or 'Drake Shake' (rough). Either way, this is one of the most dramatic ocean crossings on Earth. Spend the day on open-air decks spotting albatrosses, petrels, and potentially humpback whales. Join officers on the bridge to watch navigation. Most expedition ships include expert naturalist lectures throughout the voyage — attend sessions on Antarctic ecology, wildlife identification, and expedition history. Anti-seasickness medication (cinnarizine or scopolamine patches) is wise to bring from home (~£5–10). All meals included on board.
🚌At sea aboard expedition vessel — all included in cruise cost.
🛏Aboard expedition vessel (shared twin cabin).
- →Observe seabirds (albatross, petrels, cape petrels) from open-air decks
- →Visit the bridge with officers to learn about polar navigation
- →Attend naturalist lecture on Antarctic wildlife and ecology
- →Watch for humpback and fin whales from deck
Drake Passage — Approaching Antarctica
Drake Passage / Antarctic Convergence
As you cross the Antarctic Convergence — the invisible biological boundary where sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters meet — the temperature drops noticeably and the wildlife changes dramatically. Continued birdwatching from deck, more expedition lectures, and excitement builds as the first icebergs appear on the horizon. Your expedition team will brief you on Zodiac (inflatable boat) protocols and landing procedures ahead of your first shore excursions. Conditions permitting, you may sight the South Shetland Islands by late afternoon. All meals on board.
🚌At sea aboard expedition vessel.
🛏Aboard expedition vessel (shared twin cabin).
- →Cross the Antarctic Convergence — watch for the sea temperature change
- →Spot first Antarctic icebergs from deck
- →Attend Zodiac safety and landing procedure briefing
- →First possible sighting of South Shetland Islands
- →Attend naturalist lecture on penguin species and identification
South Shetland Islands — First Landings
South Shetland Islands
Your first Antarctic landings! The expedition team will select the best sites based on weather and ice conditions. King George Island hosts several international scientific research bases — you may visit one. Livingston Island offers spectacular penguin and elephant seal colonies. Two Zodiac shore excursions per day are standard on most budget expedition ships. Landings are wet — you'll wade ashore from the Zodiac in waterproof boots (usually provided by the ship). Dress in warm, waterproof layers. Photography opportunities are extraordinary — chinstrap and gentoo penguins at close range. All meals included on board.
🚌Zodiac inflatable boat transfers from ship to shore — included in cruise cost.
🛏Aboard expedition vessel (shared twin cabin).
- →Zodiac shore excursion to King George Island — visit an international scientific research base
- →Zodiac landing on Livingston Island — observe penguin and elephant seal colonies
- →Attend evening naturalist debrief and lecture
- →Wildlife photography from Zodiac and on shore
Deception Island — Inside a Volcano
Deception Island, South Shetland Islands
One of the most dramatic stops on any Antarctic itinerary. Deception Island is an active volcanic caldera — the ship sails through the narrow Neptune's Bellows entrance into the flooded crater of an ancient volcano. The black volcanic beaches are home to thousands of chinstrap penguins and the ruins of an old whaling station. On a clear day this is utterly surreal. Two Zodiac excursions allow ample time to explore on foot. The geothermal activity means you can sometimes dig into the volcanic sand and find warm water beneath. All meals on board.
🚌Zodiac inflatable boat transfers — included in cruise cost.
🛏Aboard expedition vessel (shared twin cabin).
- →Sail through Neptune's Bellows into the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island
- →Walk the black volcanic beaches among chinstrap penguin colonies
- →Explore the ruins of the historic Hektor whaling station
- →Optional: dig into geothermal volcanic sand to find warm water
Antarctic Peninsula — Gerlache Strait & Paradise Bay
Antarctic Peninsula
Today you reach the Antarctic mainland — one of the most remote and pristine places on Earth. Zodiac excursions to Paradise Bay offer the chance to stand on the actual continent of Antarctica. The scenery — towering blue-white glaciers, iceberg-filled bays, and absolute silence broken only by penguin calls — is unlike anywhere else on the planet. Navigate the Gerlache Strait and Neumayer Channel by ship, passing some of the most dramatic ice scenery in the world. Naturalist lectures continue in the evening. All meals on board.
🚌At sea and by Zodiac — all included in cruise cost.
🛏Aboard expedition vessel (shared twin cabin).
- →Zodiac landing at Paradise Bay — set foot on the Antarctic continent
- →Cruise the Gerlache Strait and Neumayer Channel by ship
- →Observe humpback whales and leopard seals from Zodiac
- →Photography of glacial calving and iceberg formations
- →Evening naturalist lecture on Antarctic geology and glaciology
Paulet Island, Lemaire Channel & Peninsula Highlights
Antarctic Peninsula
Paulet Island is home to one of the largest Adélie penguin rookeries in Antarctica — over a million birds. The Lemaire Channel, known as 'Kodak Gap' among expedition cruisers, is a jaw-dropping 11km-long passage flanked by sheer 900m cliffs of ice and rock. Conditions permitting, additional landings may include Cuverville Island, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island, or Petermann Island (southernmost Gentoo penguin colony). The exact itinerary is always weather-dependent — this flexibility is part of the adventure. All meals on board.
🚌At sea and by Zodiac — all included in cruise cost.
🛏Aboard expedition vessel (shared twin cabin).
- →Zodiac landing on Paulet Island — witness the massive Adélie Penguin and Blue-eyed Cormorant colonies
- →Navigate the spectacular Lemaire Channel by ship
- →Possible additional landings: Cuverville Island, Neko Harbour, or Petermann Island (ice conditions permitting)
- →Zodiac cruising among icebergs in glassy Antarctic waters
- →Final evening lecture and recap with naturalist team
Drake Passage — Heading North
Drake Passage
The ship turns north and the Drake Passage crossing begins again. The mood is often bittersweet — Antarctica has a profound effect on almost everyone who visits. Use the crossing time to review your photos, attend final expedition lectures, swap contact details with fellow travellers, and reflect on the experience. Naturalists are available for Q&A sessions and the ship's expedition library is worth exploring. All meals on board.
🚌At sea aboard expedition vessel.
🛏Aboard expedition vessel (shared twin cabin).
- →Continue birdwatching as sub-Antarctic seabirds return
- →Attend final expedition recap and naturalist lectures
- →Photo editing and journalling on the crossing
- →Swap contacts and debrief with fellow expeditioners
Drake Passage — Final Day at Sea
Drake Passage
The final day of the crossing. The Beagle Channel and the green hills of Tierra del Fuego appear on the horizon by late afternoon — a striking contrast after days of ice and white. The ship's team typically holds a final gathering or slideshow of expedition highlights. Dinner on board is the last included meal. Arrive back in Ushuaia late evening or overnight. If disembarking tonight, taxis to town run ~£5–8.
🚌At sea aboard expedition vessel, arriving Ushuaia port. Taxi to town ~£5.
🛏Aboard expedition vessel (final night) or disembark to Ushuaia hostel/guesthouse (~£20–30/night).
- →Final day of wildlife spotting in Drake Passage
- →Attend the expedition slideshow and farewell gathering
- →Spot the first green hills of Tierra del Fuego
- →Arrive Ushuaia — taxi or walk to accommodation in town
Disembark Ushuaia & Depart
Ushuaia, Argentina
Disembark after breakfast (included on the ship). If you have time before your flight, Ushuaia is worth one more morning — Tierra del Fuego National Park is just 12km from town (bus ~£3 return, park entry ~£10) and offers stunning Patagonian scenery, beaver ponds, and Beagle Channel views. The Tren del Fin del Mundo (End of the World Train) is a fun tourist add-on (~£15). Book your return flight to Buenos Aires well in advance. Aerolineas Argentinas and LATAM both serve the USH–BUE route.
🚌Local bus to Tierra del Fuego National Park ~£3. Taxi to airport ~£8. Flight USH to BUE ~£80–120 with Aerolineas Argentinas or LATAM.
🛏N/A — depart today.
- →Disembark after breakfast
- →Optional: visit Tierra del Fuego National Park by local bus (~£3 return, entry ~£10)
- →Optional: ride the Tren del Fin del Mundo (~£15)
- →Fly back to Buenos Aires (USH–BUE, ~£80–120) or onward destination
Self-launched vs. On The Go Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | On The Go Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£5,200 | £6,650 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,450 per person (22%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more On The Go Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£5,200
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Classic Antarctica Self-Launched: Ushuaia to the White Continent cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £5,200 per person for 10 days in Antarctica & Ushuaia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with On The Go Tours?+
Yes — On The Go Tours charges around £6,650 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £5,200 — a saving of roughly £1,450 (22%) per person.
How long is the Antarctica & Ushuaia trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Antarctica & Ushuaia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, wildlife, slow-travel trip through Antarctica & Ushuaia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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