For many, witnessing the Emperor penguins of Antarctica will remain a life-long dream, a journey only to be encountered through film maker Luc Jacquet's magical portrayal of this incredible species in his Oscar-winning 2005 film
‘March of the Penguins’The film gives a magical portrayal of the Emperor penguin’s raw existence, hardships and endurance in its yearly drive to ensure the birth and survival of its young in the extreme Antarctic climate.
But witnessing this incredible animal is easier than many may believe. If you are in search of the Emperor Penguin then look no further, Discover the World offer a range of spectacular voyages listed below – ideal for photographers as well as budding naturalists. Onboard passengers will enjoy lectures by an expert Expedition Team, specific to the nature of the Great White Continent. To access full details on each voyage, please click on the individual links. Our specialist polar team at the office will also be happy to discuss your travel plans with you.
Emperor Penguin Safari (14 days)
By far our most popular voyage to see Emperors on the sea ice at Snowhill Island, in the Weddell Sea. Early booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment - this voyage fills up very quickly thanks to the success of the Oscar-winning documentary film 'March of the Penguins'.
East Antarctica Voyage (26 days)
Journey to one of the lesser-visited areas of the White Continent, the wild and windy East coast. One of the first areas to become 'ice-free' each season, wildlife is abundant in this region. The ice-strengthened ‘Spirit of Enderby’ hopes to reach the French base Durmont d’Urville, where the documentary film ‘March of the Penguins’ was filmed. Over the course of 26 days you'll experience the wildlife rich sub-Antarctic islands, witness the ice-clad coast of the continent's eastern region, visit the site of Mawson's hut and reach the Magnetic South Pole.
The Great Explorer's Voyage (26 days)
Departing in December 2008, this 26-day voyage aboard the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov pays homage to the mythic reputations of Antarctic explorers - Cook, Scott, Shackleton, and, of course, Amundsen. Highlights include a visit to the Bay of Whales, the closest area to the South Pole accessible by ship, plus a visit to the humble remains of century old base camps, as well as a variety of unique wildlife.
Epic Antarctica Voyage (31 days)
(Semi Circumnavigation of Antarctica)
This 31-day epic voyage really is a once-in-a-lifetime expedition. The icebreaker’s epic route begins in South America, before crossing the Drake Passage, reaching the South Shetland Islands and the awe-inspiring glaciers and frozen channels of the Antarctic Peninsula. Here visit chinstrap, gentoo and Adelie penguin rookeries, before crossing the Antarctic Circle. Minke whales and orcas as well as a variety of seal species may also be seen. Follow in the footsteps of some of the world's greatest explorers, visiting the well known research stations of the Australasian side of the continent, and Scott and Shackleton's Antarctic huts in the Ross Sea region, as well as the wildlife-rich Sub-Antarctic Islands enroute to New Zealand. This itinerary literally crosses the bottom of the globe!
Emperors and Kings (22 days)
This one-of-a-kind expedition takes you to both an Emperor Penguin rookery and a King Penguin rookery – beautiful birds with colourful markings and both a majestic and comical quality. The expedition sails from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Weddell Sea, where you spend three days at an Emperor penguin rookery. After five days exploring the magical wildlife-rich South Georgia, the icebreaker crosses the Southern Ocean to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), home to swathes of King penguins, albatross, elephant and fur seals as well as other penguin species. This voyage is a photographer and naturalist’s dream!
Further Information
For further information about any aspect of these voyages please contact our expert team on +44(0)1737 218 800 who would be delighted to hear from you.