Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill

A rare 14-day Antarctic expedition to Snow Hill Island, travelling aboard Ultramarine in search of one of the world’s most elusive wildlife encounters: the Emperor penguin colony of the Weddell Sea.

Snow Hill is one of the most difficult and coveted wildlife destinations on Earth.

Set deep within the frozen theatre of the Weddell Sea, Snow Hill Island is home to an extraordinary Emperor penguin colony of approximately 8,000 birds. Reaching this remote rookery requires more than a ship. It requires polar expertise, operational patience, advanced equipment, helicopter access, ice-reading judgement and the willingness to let Antarctica dictate the rhythm of the journey.

Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill is a 14-day polar expedition designed for travellers who understand that the rarest encounters cannot be scripted. The voyage travels aboard Ultramarine, a technologically advanced polar vessel equipped with two twin-engine helicopters and 20 quick-deploy Zodiacs. From the ship, helicopter transfers are used, weather and logistics permitting, to reach a safe landing area near the Emperor penguin colony. Guests then continue on foot across the sea ice, approaching the rookery at a responsible distance.

This is one of the most specialised Antarctic journeys available. It is not simply a voyage to the 7th Continent. It is a polar quest shaped around one defining objective: to reach the Emperor penguins of Snow Hill.

Journey at a Glance

Expedition Name: Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill

Region: Antarctica, Weddell Sea, Snow Hill Island, Antarctic Peninsula region

Duration: 14 days

Operational Start / End: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ship Embarkation / Disembarkation: Ushuaia, Argentina

Ship: Ultramarine

Ship Capacity: Up to 199 guests, with this Snow Hill voyage capped at 150 guests

Staff and Crew: 140 staff and crew

Ice Class: PC6

Core Experience: Weddell Sea expedition, Emperor penguin colony access by helicopter and guided walk, Zodiac cruising, polar lectures, science and discovery programming, photography, hiking and Antarctic field exploration

Pricing

Available on request, according to departure date, suite category, availability and any special offers valid at the time of proposal or reservation.

Departure Dates

3 November to 16 November 2026

14 days, start and end in Buenos Aires

15 November to 28 November 2026

14 days, start and end in Buenos Aires

16 November to 29 November 2027

14 days, start and end in Buenos Aires

Availability, cabin categories, final routing and applicable offers should be confirmed privately before proposal.

Why Snow Hill

The Emperor penguin is the symbolic monarch of Antarctica, yet very few travellers ever see the species in its true sea-ice environment.

Snow Hill Island offers one of the rare opportunities to encounter Emperor penguins and chicks in the wild. The colony lies off the south coast of Snow Hill Island on sea ice, in a part of Antarctica where conditions are highly dynamic. Ice thickness determines how close the vessel can safely position itself, while weather, visibility, sea ice and helicopter logistics shape the timing and feasibility of the colony visit.

The ambition is to give every guest the opportunity to reach the colony. The visit is expected as the defining goal of the expedition, although, as with all serious polar travel, it cannot be guaranteed. If conditions prevent or shorten access to the colony, the Expedition Team may redirect exploration toward other sites on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the Weddell Sea.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina

The journey begins in Buenos Aires, a city known for its architecture, European heritage, cultural confidence and layered urban character.

Guests arrive independently and make their way to the designated group hotel. The pre-expedition hotel night is included as part of the Charter Flight and Hotel Package. This first evening offers time to settle in, prepare luggage and receive information for the following day’s flight south.

Day 2: Fly to Ushuaia and Embark Ultramarine

After an early breakfast, guests transfer to the airport for the private charter flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.

Upon arrival, there is time to explore the port town before late afternoon embarkation aboard Ultramarine. The ship then sails along the Beagle Channel, leaving Tierra del Fuego behind. The next landfall will be Antarctica.

Days 3 and 4: Crossing the Drake Passage

The Drake Passage is part of the initiation into Antarctica. This legendary stretch of water lies where the Pacific, Atlantic and Southern oceans converge.

During the crossing, guests meet the Expedition Team, attend briefings and presentations, photograph seabirds from deck and begin to understand the conditions, history and ecology of the far south. The journey is also a period of anticipation, as the ship approaches the ice.

Day 5: Navigating into the Weddell Sea

As Ultramarine enters the Weddell Sea region, the tone of the expedition becomes more focused.

Onboard presentations deepen the context of the journey, covering polar exploration, the Weddell Sea, sea ice, tabular icebergs and the biology of Emperor penguins. Guests learn why this region is so difficult to access and why Snow Hill remains one of Antarctica’s most extraordinary wildlife objectives.

Days 6 to 10: Weddell Sea and the Quest to Land at Snow Hill

These are the central days of the expedition.

Ultramarine spends up to five days in the vicinity of Snow Hill Island to maximise the Weddell Sea experience and increase the possibility of reaching the Emperor penguin colony. The Captain and Expedition Leader provide regular weather briefings, sea-ice updates and operational assessments.

When conditions allow, the ship’s twin-engine helicopters transport guests from Ultramarine toward a landing site near the colony. The flight itself is part of the experience, crossing a polar landscape of sea ice, snow-covered peaks and immense tabular icebergs.

The helicopter landing is positioned as close as possible to the colony while maintaining a safe and responsible distance from the birds. From there, guests walk across the ice with guides toward the Emperor penguins.

This is the emotional centre of the expedition: the wind, the sea ice underfoot, the sound of penguins in the distance, the traces of penguin paths carved into the snow, and finally the sight of one of the planet’s most rarely observed wildlife communities.

When not attempting the colony visit, days in the Weddell Sea may include Zodiac cruising among icebergs, wildlife observation, ship operations insight, weather forecasting discussions, educational programming and time with polar experts. Guests may also experience the polar plunge or use Ultramarine’s wellness facilities, including spa, sauna and fitness areas.

Possible alternate landing or exploration sites in the region may include Brown Bluff, Devil Island, Hope Bay, Paulet Island and Seymour Island, depending on conditions.

Days 11 to 13: Cruising the Southern Ocean

The return journey across the Drake Passage offers time to absorb the scale of what has been experienced.

Guests may spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, attend further presentations, review photographs, speak with specialists and reconnect with fellow travellers after one of the most unusual wildlife quests in the polar world.

Day 14: Disembark in Ushuaia and Fly to Buenos Aires

Ultramarine arrives back in Ushuaia in the morning. After breakfast, guests disembark and transfer to the airport for the included group charter flight back to Buenos Aires.

The charter flight is scheduled to arrive at Buenos Aires’ international airport in the late afternoon. For the most secure onward travel planning, flexible international flights or an additional hotel night in Buenos Aires are recommended.

Ultramarine: Built for Snow Hill

Ultramarine is central to the success of this expedition.

The vessel was designed to go beyond familiar polar routes and support deep-field Antarctic exploration. Its PC6 ice classification allows it to navigate a range of Antarctic waters and ice conditions, while its operational design supports exploration in remote and shifting environments.

Key features include:

Two twin-engine H145 helicopters

Noise-reduction technology designed to minimise wildlife disturbance

20 quick-deploy Zodiacs

Water-level Zodiac hangars for faster deployment

Spacious suites and polar-view public areas

Science Hub for research, discovery and guest learning

Tundra Spa with VOYA treatments

Sauna, fitness centre and wellness spaces

Dining, lounge and presentation venues designed for expedition life

For this Snow Hill voyage, the helicopters are not an accessory. They are essential to the expedition design, making it possible to reach the vicinity of the sea-ice colony when conditions permit.

Included Activities

Activities are always subject to weather, ice, safety and operational conditions, but may include:

Helicopter transfer toward the Emperor penguin colony

Heli-landing near the colony area, at a responsible distance from wildlife

Flightseeing en route to the colony and back to the ship

Guided walk across sea ice toward the Emperor penguin rookery

Zodiac cruising among ice, shorelines and possible wildlife areas

Hiking and supervised walks at landing sites

Daily presentations by polar specialists

Photography guidance

Polar plunge, scheduled once per expedition if conditions permit

Science & Discovery programming

Citizen science activities, such as seabird surveys, whale observations and water sampling

Science & Discovery

A strong educational layer runs throughout the voyage.

The onboard Science Hub allows guests to engage with scientists, researchers and Expedition Guides. Programming may include interactive digital displays, researcher-led sessions, field learning, citizen science and data collection connected to polar ecosystems.

Activities may involve documenting whale sightings, conducting seabird surveys, reviewing samples collected during science Zodiac cruises, and learning how drones, wildlife tags, biopsy and guano sampling help researchers understand Antarctic wildlife, migration and ecosystem health.

This scientific dimension is especially relevant in the Snow Hill context, where Emperor penguins, sea ice, marine mammals and climate-sensitive habitats are inseparable.

Your Expedition Team

This journey depends on human expertise as much as vessel capability.

The Expedition Team is composed of polar specialists with experience in Antarctic navigation, wildlife interpretation, marine biology, ornithology, glaciology, polar history, photography and field safety. Staff are trained to handle the unexpected, with specialist polar expedition training supporting both onboard education and off-ship operations.

For Snow Hill, the team’s role is particularly important. Conditions can change quickly, and every landing attempt requires judgement, patience and respect for wildlife. Guides interpret the region in real time, support safe movement across ice and help guests understand the rarity of the encounter.

The voyage is capped at 150 guests, creating a more intimate expedition profile and a high level of expedition-team attention.

Inclusions

Rates generally include:

Helicopter transfer to the Emperor penguin colony, weather and logistics permitting

A 3-in-1 expedition parka to keep

Leadership throughout the voyage by an experienced Expedition Team

Zodiac transfers and cruising according to the daily programme

Shore landings according to the daily programme

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping

All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board

Complimentary select beer, wines and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner

Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock

Formal and informal presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers

Photographic journal documenting the expedition

Loan of waterproof expedition boots for landings and Zodiac cruising

Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin

Basic complimentary Wi-Fi on one device, where service permits

Miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme

Luggage handling aboard the ship

The Charter Flight and Hotel Package generally includes:

One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires with breakfast

Group flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia

Group flight from Ushuaia back to Buenos Aires

Group transfer from hotel to airport in Buenos Aires

Group transfer from Ushuaia airport to the ship and return

Exclusions

Rates generally do not include:

International airfare

Passport and visa expenses

Government arrival or departure taxes not specifically mentioned

Travel insurance, including baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical cover

Excess baggage fees on international and domestic flights

Mandatory waterproof pants or other personal gear not listed as included

Laundry, bar, spa and personal charges unless specified

Premium Wi-Fi packages

Voluntary gratuities for expedition staff and shipboard crew

Additional overnight accommodation

Arrival and departure transfers unless explicitly stated

Optional adventure activities not listed as included

Possible Extensions

Because the journey begins and ends through Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, pre- or post-expedition travel can be arranged privately.

Options may include:

Buenos Aires private cultural stay

Tango evening and historic neighbourhoods

Recoleta, Palermo and San Telmo

Argentine dining and parrilla experiences

Iguazú Falls extension

Ushuaia Maritime Museum

Tierra del Fuego National Park

Patagonian hiking and nature experiences

These extensions are best selected according to flight routing, available time and preferred level of rest before or after the expedition.

Exclusive Elite Travel Perspective

For Exclusive Elite Travel clients, Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill is one of the most compelling polar experiences in the Antarctic portfolio.

Its value lies in rarity. Many Antarctic voyages offer icebergs, penguins, seals and Zodiac cruising. Snow Hill offers the possibility of standing on sea ice near one of the world’s most remote Emperor penguin colonies, reached through a combination of specialised ship operations, helicopter logistics, polar expertise and environmental patience.

This expedition is suited to travellers who want more than an Antarctic introduction. It is for those drawn to the edge of possibility: a journey where the goal is clear, the outcome remains subject to nature, and the privilege lies in attempting something few will ever experience.

A request begins with preferred departure year, suite category, flexibility, fitness level and desired pre- or post-expedition arrangements.

Available via Private Consultation