Antarctica Adventure
New Trip Dates for 2024 TBA
Experience an epic Antarctic cruise with like-minded adventure-driven women
Photo Courtesy of Rosemary Koenig
Some have said that going to Antarctica is the closest you can get to leaving the planet. A journey to the southernmost continent is truly otherworldly; no words will ever do it justice. It is best to come and see this virtually uninhabited landscape for yourself.
There is no better time than in February when the Antarctic season is in full swing in the height of their summer. Ice and snow-capped terrains on the peninsula have begun to melt, exposing rocky beaches, making it ideal for Zodiacs to land.
Whales arrive en masse, and Penguin chicks are present and plentiful throughout the many colonies that we visit.
Our daily schedule while on board is based on the day’s location and weather dependent but tends to mirror a safari schedule with morning and afternoon excursions with sails through the night and between early and afternoon activity.
A ‘typical’ day may include whales swimming alongside the ship, fluking in the distance, or boldly breaching by your zodiac.
Or it may involve being struck by the quirky and intricate activity that takes place in a penguin colony, be it the Chinstrap, Adéelie, Rockhopper, or Gentoo penguins or the rare Emperor penguin that may appear on the path.
Ascents on landings provide spectacular 360-degree views. However, sailing under a pink skylight that never seems to turn off or sitting on the deck in silence so steely yet occasionally punctuated by glaciers calving in the distance provides a thin slice of what life may have been like for early explorers back in the day.
The notable polar plunge will awaken every sense, while stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking amongst icebergs will make you giddy as you glide by in disbelief. No two days are alike in Antarctica, but every day is remarkable.
We hope you can join us on this adventure to celebrate Gal-antine's Day and ourselves in a place that feels like the edge of the earth. It’s the best reset you could ever get.
(Don't let the faraway date fool you. Early commitments are essential for Antarctica. The ship will book up as there will be other travelers onboard.
That's why this is planned so far in advance. If interested, I suggest committing ASAP. It's well worth it!)
Antarctic Adventure
2024
Group size: Minimum of 12
New Dates for -
Antarctica Trip 2024 & 2025 TBA
Email us ASAP to Secure Your Spot
Gallery images- Mountain, Whale Watching & Kayaking courtesy of Jack Kerivan. Red House by Karen Loftus
Adventure Details
About the Trip
Antarctica has inspired explorers from all over the world for centuries. After your eleven-day Antarctic adventure, you are sure to see why. Quark and their esteemed team host this epic adventure to give you a big window into that world. We will sail to and step onto the seventh continent.
While there, we will be sharing our days with a bevy of whales, thousands (literally) of penguins, various kinds of sea lions, and an abundance of birds. The wildlife is all-encompassing, and the beauty seen throughout knows no bounds.
You will be taking in the Antarctic beauty and adventure alongside equally eco-curious and adventure-driven women who will be zipping around in zodiacs, ascending icy peaks with ease, and kayaking or stand-up paddling by your side. Aside from the Women’s Adventure Travels tribe of women on board, you will be in equally great company with Quark’s highly spirited team.
In addition, the ship will be filled with other like-minded intrepid travelers, photo buffs, eco-warriors, and all-around globally curious and vibrantly alive folks who come in from every corner of the globe for this otherworldly expedition. It’s pure bliss both on and off the ship and the greatest reset you could possibly get.
Trip Basics
Dates -2024
New Antarctica Trip Dates for 2024 TBA
Days - 11 Days/10 Nights
Size - Minimum of 12
Style - Wildlife, Adventure & Nature
Needs - A 20% deposit is due ASAP in order to hold your reservation and cabin.
Best to book soonest if interested as cabins do fill up well in advance. It's on a first-come basis.
The final trip deposit is due six months prior to departure.
Treats - A once-in-a-lifetime adventure filled with exceptional wildlife, stunning nature, and endless adventure options, including kayaking, stand-up paddling, hiking, and camping on an Antarctic island.
Accommodations- Luxury Lodges
Host- Karen Loftus
Fees - Shared accommodations
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1 | 2024
Arrival in Buenos Aires, Argentina
You will arrive in Buenos Aires, known for its Euro influence and its fabulous art, architecture, food, wine, and fashion. It’s home to the late diva Eva Peron, whom Madonna memorialized in a film years ago.
You are on your own to get from the airport to the included hotel in the city center. I strongly recommend arriving into Buenos Aires at least an additional day in advance to enjoy one of South America’s most celebrated cities.
Several cultural offerings are easily available. Peruse the many chic boutiques in SOHO, where local designers are widely celebrated. Embrace the cafe society in the city at one of the famous cafes where long leisurely stays are highly encouraged versus frowned upon.
Pop into a city square to soak up the urban ambiance, or head over to Recoleta, one of the world’s most famous cemeteries where Peron has been laid to rest. T
There are countless theaters and an endless array of restaurants where dining is downright decadent and the atmosphere very vibrant. This evening, you are on your own to explore the city and the surrounds.
If you are staying back at the hotel, a Quark representative will answer any of your questions concerning the pending expedition.
Day 2 | 2024
Buenos Aires/Private Charter/Ushuaia /Embarkation
After breakfast at the hotel, the group will transfer to the airport, where we will board our flight, a private charter to Ushuaia. Upon arrival this morning, you will have time to explore the quaint port town of Ushuaia.
Ushuaia is the Southernmost city in the world and the capital of Tierra del Fuego. It’s a major port for Antarctic-bound vessels and a hip and interesting city to explore.
It’s also your last chance to pick up any Antarctic essentials you may have missed on the home front. The place is full of winter weather adventure shops, but it can be pricey, similar to other touristy towns like Park City or Aspen.
Highlights of Ushuaia include the award-winning Museo Marítimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia (Maritime & Prison of Ushuaia Museum), located in Ushuaia’s former prison in buildings dating back to 1906.
You can’t miss a walk along the main street of Avenida San Martin with its Argentine leather markets and its many cafes, shops, and restaurants.
Day 3 & 4 | 2024
Crossing the Drake Passage
Be prepared as we pass through the legendary Drake Passage, which can be the Drake Lake or the Drake Shake. The latter being intense and exciting, yet for those susceptible to seasickness, it’s a good time to throw a patch or two on.
Outside this potentially choppy window, the cruise tends to be as smooth as silk.
The lecture program will commence during this time and continue during the cruise.
Be prepared to be astounded as you hear the legendary tales of the explorers who came before you to learn more about the unique flora, fauna, geology, and biology of this part of the world.
If you’re a history buff, an eco-warrior, an animal lover, or simply one who loves to learn and appreciates a good story when you hear one, then you will revel in the lecture program.
The lectures and daily briefings onboard are informative but a great time to swap stories and share experiences from the day’s events and to bond with fellow passengers from our Women’s Adventure Travel tribe group and otherwise.
Day 5 to 8 | 2024
SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS & ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Once the Antarctic Convergence is left in our wake, we begin our Antarctic adventure. The first sight of land itself is the true beginning of an Antarctic expedition.
Once sailing into the world’s most pristine wilderness, we are witness to grey stone peaks, seemingly sketched into the sky as they greet us along the way together with snow and towers of broken blue-white ice showcasing dramatically different wildlife above and below the ice.
Every visit to Antarctica, you witness something new or unexpected, meaning that our expedition will be unlike any other—creating our unique, personal experience.
By day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels, and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds, we will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the cunning leopard seal.
Each day is undeniably different, and anything is possible, from a calving glacier crashing into the brilliant blue sea to a penguin waddling by to inspect our footwear or a group of penguins squabbling over prized pebbles.
Whatever they are up to, watching their behavior is truly mesmerizing, more than you could ever imagine. Each day and each landing, we are presented with something new and different to delight and to keep the cameras clicking. So keep your gear handy.
On board, between our twice-daily excursions, you can also pop into the gym or dip on deck in the pool, which is a definitive moment you don’t want to miss. Or you can pop into the spa for a well-needed treatment.
Photo Courtesy of Jack Kerivan
The day’s schedule typically plays out similar to a safari schedule, with early morning and late afternoon excursions that require you to “kit up” each time in wetsuit pants, boots, and waterproof jackets.
We watch for an array of Antarctic wildlife, including four types of penguins: Chinstrap, Adéelie, Rockhopper, and Gentoo. A lone male Emperor Penguin may make an unlikely appearance and perhaps an elephant seal. Humpbacks can be plentiful or elusive, and orca pods are not unlikely.
No landing is guaranteed as it is all weather dependent. One possible spot and often a highlight of any Antarctic expedition is Wilhelmina Bay, known as “Whale-mina Ba”.
It is one of the top spots to spot humpback whales en masse. If the timing is right, you may see an abundance of them fluking and breaching as the waters are filled with krill, a food staple for many whales.
Photo Courtesy of Rocio Oyarzun
Day 9 & 10 | 2024
Crossing the Drake Passage
The journey back across the Drake Passage provides final opportunities to enjoy the crisp Antarctic air.
You can wile the day away by spending time on the deck, watching for seabirds, scouting for whales, and gazing out at sea while sharpening your photography chops as you continue to observe the wildlife and the 360-degree landscape surrounding the ship.
Your return voyage is anything but uneventful, yet it is a wind down from the anticipation heading in and the epic activity experienced throughout your trip to Antarctica and the Peninsula.
The lectures continue as you cruise, as does the convivial ambiance, the conversations, and the onboard bonding among guests, friends, and fellow travelers.
This is also a great time to organize photos and thoughts before disembarking and a great time to chat with any member from the Expedition Team as they may be able to answer final questions regarding the expedition and adventure.
They will also conduct talks and presentations throughout the final leg of this journey.
This closing night and our final one on the ship, there will be an event for our group led by Karen.
Day 11 | 2024
Disembarkation in Ushuaia & Fly to Buenos Aires
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, after breakfast. If you’ve booked the transfer package, after disembarking you will get a little taste of Patagonia by touring Tierra del Fuego National Park before transferring to the airport for the return group charter flight back to Buenos Aires.
Until we travel together again...
Accommodations
The World Explorer
The World Explorer is a well-appointed small expedition ship expertly engineered to explore the Polar Regions. One of Quark's fastest ships, it has Zodiacs for exploration, remote landings, and advanced navigation equipment. The vessel is refined and roomy, with six tiers of deluxe accommodation. Every cabin comes with either a private walk-out or a private balcony for direct ocean views.
There is plenty of public areas to unwind, including the glass-domed Observation Lounge, the Explorer Lounge for giggles and drinks, and the library for relaxing, reflecting, and reading.
For adventure enthusiasts, add-ons include kayaking, camping, and stand-up paddleboard.
There is also an outdoor track, a small gym, and a sauna on board.
*All images of Antarctica are courtesy of Karen Loftus,
except for accommodations and if otherwise stated.
Accommodations, Rates, Availability
SHARED ACCOMMODATION
New Dates, Deadlines, and Prices for WAT's Antarctica Trip 2023 TBA
Pricing is based on a shared double-occupancy room
So, book soonest!
A deposit of 20% of the trip cost is due ASAP in order to hold your reservation.
The final deposit deadline is due six months prior to departure.
(First come, first serve, as most of these sailings do sell out.)
Availability - This program welcomes a minimum of 12 guests booked with WAT.
Email us ASAP to Secure Your Spot!
Inclusions
One pre-night’s hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires with breakfast
Group transfer from hotel to airport in Buenos Aires
Group flight departing from Buenos Aires’ domestic airport (Aeroparque/AEP) to Ushuaia, and returning to Buenos Aires’ international airport (Ezeiza/EZE)
Group transfer from Ushuaia airport to the ship, and return
Combined airport transfer and express bus tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park after disembarkation
in Ushuaia Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
Beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
A photographic journal documenting the expedition
A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings
An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
Exclusions
Transfer on arrival in Buenos Aires from airport to hotel at the beginning of the journey is not included.
The purchase of a transfer package, including charter flight and hotels in conjunction with the expedition, is mandatory. The applicable per person cost is $950
Passport and applicable visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance – strongly recommended
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
Laundry, bar, massage services and other personal charges, unless specified
Phone and Internet charges
Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
Additional overnight accommodation
Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
Adventure options on expeditions (all weather dependent) that are not included in the cost of the voyage (e.g., sea kayaking, camping, etc.)
Your Host
Karen Loftus is a well-known and respected luxury travel and lifestyle writer and photographer with a sense of humor, a wicked sense of adventure, and an insatiable appetite for off-the-beaten-path endeavors.
She hit her international stride twenty-plus years ago as an award-winning feminist playwright. She was also a groundbreaking international comedian in the US, Europe, Asia, and The Middle East.
Lofty, as she is globally known, also ran her own nonprofit, Body Comedy, where she used humor to heal. She worked with thousands of survivors of physical and sexual violence, women, and children in many facilities, juvenile halls, prisons, and shelters.
Ten years later, Karen ended up on Hollywood's raging red carpet, interviewing the celeb set and writing about travel, fashion, beauty, food and wine, and the Hollywood lifestyle. Since then, she has traveled to all seven continents and 70+ countries while working as a travel and lifestyle writer and photographer.
Her compelling and entertaining stories have appeared in Vogue, Architectural Digest, Forbes, Robb Report, American Way, Hemispheres Magazine, The NY Daily News, The Globe & Mail, South China Morning Post, The Gulf News, Huffington Post, and Men's Journal among many others.
This serial entrepreneur has produced comedy tours and theatrical events worldwide through her production company, Goddess Productions, and lifestyle and fashion-driven events in LA through her event company, The Lofty Style Lounge.
As a nod to Karen's nonprofit past, there is a five percent give-back factor in WAT's trips, with five percent of the profits of the trip returning to the local community. Karen believes two hands are better than one and welcomes non-profits to work with WAT.
Lofty loves hitting the road, sharing her wild, rocky Hollywood ride and entrepreneurial endeavors with other women. She has spoken at college campuses, women's conferences, and corporate events. She was also the keynote speaker at the West Chester QVC-sponsored Global Women in Entrepreneurship event.
In addition to WAT, she arranges well-curated travel for individuals, groups, and companies under her travel advisor umbrella, Lofty Traveler. Lofty Traveler is a part of Cloud 10 Travel - An Independent Affiliate of Cadence Travel, a Virtuoso Agency.
Tour Operator
For this expedition, we are working with a top operator. Since 1991, the company has been blazing trails in polar adventure travel. Their passion and purpose in this landscape have brought more explorers to more places where one can’t easily get to alone for a quarter of a century now.
They are profoundly committed to environmentally responsible tourism. As a long-time, active member of both the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), they adhere to stringent guidelines designed to ensure the Polar Regions remain pristine for generations to come.
They support the Polar Bears International (PBI) , which is dedicated to the worldwide conservation of polar bears through research, education, action programs, and stewardship.
They also support Clean Up Svalbard, a partnership between tourists, tour operators, and the Governor of Svalbard. Clean up Svalbard’s mission is to help preserve and “clean up” some of Svalbard's stunning and unique wilderness.
On top of all of the integrity and commitment to the wildlife and the environment, their esteemed team is sharp and kick ass on the fun front as well. What more could you ask for?
Final Notes
Eight years ago, I finally made my way to my seventh continent. I barely made it out the door, let alone on the trip, as I was in the midst of the mega-tundra that took over the East Coast at the end of January in 2014.
It was bone-chillingly cold weather with whipping winds, piles of snow, and sheets of ice on every street. I literally almost didn’t make it out of my then apartment as cabs were not running, trains to the airport were delayed for days as were many flights. It felt like a disaster.
So, tip number one, if you are traveling from a winter-weary city where the weather can be crippling, you may want to arrive in Buenos Aires a day or two in advance for your Antarctic adventure. Regardless, it’s summer there so it will be a welcomed break weather-wise.
Wicked weather aside, I made it to Argentina unscathed, but my luggage did not. I was in a state of panic as we were cruising the next afternoon, and all I had was a carry-on with my camera equipment. Luckily, my bag did arrive on the one and only flight the next day. So, my bag and I made it on the ship on time, and off we went.
The good news for us is that with our trip, we have a private charter from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia with Quark Expeditions. So you and your bag are in the best of hands. The other good news is that February is one of the best times of the season to be in Antarctica. The weather is stunningly beautiful. It’s incredibly mild, with bright blue skies and plenty of sunshine.
Don’t get me wrong, you still need a case filled with winter weather gear, but it’s a brisk, beautiful cold, at least it was for us, so much so that I often took my lunch outside on deck wearing nothing but a puffy or a vest. Once on the zodiac, things can get crisp with the whipping wind and by being so close to the water and ice. So, pack up an array of gear to be sure.
Timing-wise, January and February are both good times for the whales. Earlier in the season, the prices may be better, but you may get much colder weather, overcast gray skies, and not nearly as much whale-watching activity.
January and February are also ideal times for the chicks to be hatched, as they are absolutely everywhere in the penguin colonies. Bear in mind that there are no guarantees regarding wildlife as you can’t predict or control it, but January tends to be a great time for weather, whales, and penguins. On my trip, we had 55 humpback whales in Wilhelmina Bay, known as Whale-a-mina, one day. It was the single best day in Quark history!
Antarctic trips are ever popular, so if you're interested in joining us, secure your space ASAP.
I'll see you on deck!
