Bestmates Travel — Group Expedition

Antarctica Expedition 2028

January 7–18, 2028 · 12 Days · The Drake Passage & Beyond

"12 days at the end of the earth"

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Departure

Jan 7, 2028

Return

Jan 18, 2028

Duration

12 Days

Group Size

Limited

The Expedition

The last great wilderness on earth

Antarctica is not a destination — it's an experience that rewires you. Fewer than 100,000 people visit each year, making it one of the most exclusive destinations on the planet. Rand is going on this expedition in January 2028 — and this is your invitation to join him.

This trip is offered in partnership with Rick.Travel — bringing together two communities for the adventure of a lifetime. From Zodiac landings on the ice to watching humpback whales breach just meters from the bow, this is the trip people spend a lifetime dreaming about.

🐧

Wildlife Encounters

Get close — very close — to penguin colonies, leopard seals, and humpback whales in their natural habitat. No zoo glass, no crowds. Just you and them.

🛥️

Zodiac Landings

Step ashore on the Antarctic continent via inflatable Zodiac craft. Walk among penguin rookeries, hike to glacier viewpoints, and kayak through ice floes.

🌊

The Drake Passage

Cross the world's most legendary stretch of ocean — the Drake Passage — between South America and Antarctica. A rite of passage for any true expedition traveler.

🧊

Icebergs & Glaciers

Antarctica holds 70% of the world's fresh water as ice. Sail through fjords, past sculpted icebergs the size of city blocks, and walk on glaciers that have existed for millennia.

🔭

Expert Naturalist Guides

Every expedition includes naturalists, marine biologists, and glaciologists on board. They bring Antarctica to life with lectures, field notes, and on-the-ground expertise.

Pristine & Untouched

No development. No infrastructure. No other tourists on your beach. Antarctica is the last truly wild place on earth — and strict limits on visitor numbers keep it that way.

Itinerary Overview

12 Days, End to End

✈️
Jan 7 Depart

Fly to Ushuaia, Argentina

The southernmost city in the world. Overnight before boarding.

Jan 8 Day 2

Set Sail — Drake Passage

Board the expedition vessel in Ushuaia and begin crossing the Drake Passage southward.

🌊
Jan 9–10 Days 3–4

Crossing the Drake

Two days at sea. Wildlife briefings, naturalist lectures, and your first sightings of albatross and petrels.

🐧
Jan 11–16 Days 5–10

Antarctica — Expedition Days

Daily Zodiac landings, wildlife encounters, glacier hikes, kayaking, and exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula. Every day is different.

🌅
Jan 17 Day 11

Return Drake Crossing

Northbound through the Drake. Farewell dinner, recap lectures, final views of the ice.

🏠
Jan 18 Day 12

Arrive Ushuaia — Return Home

Disembark in Ushuaia and connect to your return flights. Changed forever.

What to Expect

The expedition experience

Polar expeditions are operated by dedicated expedition cruise operators — smaller ships (typically 100–200 guests) with expert naturalist teams. Rand is joining this expedition himself, alongside the Rick.Travel community. He'll handle all the advisor logistics and make sure the group has everything it needs.

  • All meals on board the expedition vessel
  • Zodiac landings and guided shore excursions
  • Expert naturalist guides and daily briefings
  • All port charges and conservation fees
  • Expedition parka (most operators)
  • Full expedition team: doctors, geologists, historians

90° South

The Bottom
of the World

Antarctica sits at 90° South — as far from everywhere as it's possible to be. No permanent human population. No time zones. Just ice, wildlife, and the most profound silence you will ever experience.

5.5M mi²

Continent size

<100K

Annual visitors

8

Species of penguin

~1.4 mi

Ice thickness

Antarctica 2028

Ready to go to the end of the earth?

Rand is going on this expedition — and this is your invitation to join him. In partnership with Rick.Travel, we're bringing together two communities for the adventure of a lifetime. Express your interest and we'll send full details as they're confirmed.

Join the Group

Email randy@bestmatestravel.com · No commitment required

In Partnership With

Rand Marsden · Bestmates Travel

& Rick.Travel

Questions

What people are asking

When will pricing be available? +
We're still evaluating expedition operators and ship options for January 2028. Express your interest and we'll share pricing as soon as it's confirmed — typically 12–18 months before departure.
What kind of ship will we be on? +
We'll be on an expedition-class vessel — a smaller, purpose-built polar ship (typically 100–200 guests). These ships are designed for ice navigation, with Zodiac launching decks, mud rooms for gear, and expert naturalist teams on board.
Is Antarctica physically demanding? +
Not especially — Zodiac landings are accessible to most people in reasonable health. There are optional kayaking and snowshoeing activities for those who want more adventure. Most shore excursions involve walking on uneven terrain, so some mobility is needed.
What's the best time of year to go? +
January is peak austral summer — 20+ hours of daylight, penguin chick season, whale feeding season, and the most accessible ice conditions. It's the prime month for wildlife and weather.
Do I need travel insurance? +
Absolutely required. Antarctic expeditions need comprehensive travel insurance including emergency medical evacuation coverage. We'll provide specific guidance and recommended policies when we send trip details.
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