‘Snow Hill to the Peninsula: Shackleton’s Emperors’ | Travel News
Snow Hill to the Peninsula: Shackleton’s Emperors is an expedition offering guests the chance to witness the Emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island, accessed via the Weddell Sea on Antarctica’s lesser-visited eastern side.
First confirmed in 2004, this colony is home to over 4,000 breeding pairs and their fluffy grey chicks. Emperors, the largest and most elusive of all penguins, have fascinated early explorers like Sir Ernest Shackleton and continue to captivate modern adventurers with their striking appearance, exceptional diving abilities, and intricate colony dynamics.
This 18-day itinerary departs on October 30, 2025, with a charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, where guests will board the Ultramarine vessel to embark on their journey.
A special highlight of this expedition is the opportunity to refine photography skills under the guidance of renowned wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein. Winner of the Black & White category in the 2024 Nature Photographer of the Year Awards, Goldstein has led more than 30 exclusive photographic charters across six continents.
Throughout the voyage, photographers of all levels—from beginners to seasoned professionals—will receive hands-on instruction tailored to their preferred medium. Known for his boundless energy and eloquent storytelling, Goldstein brings over three decades of travel experience to his expeditions.
"Of all the expeditions I’ve led over the past 23 years, my two Emperor quests remain the most memorable,” said Goldstein. “After all these years in the industry, I can confidently say the Weddell Sea and Snow Hill Island is the most captivating wilderness I’ve encountered. Witnessing intricately sculpted icebergs adorned with chinstraps and Adélies is close to polar nirvana—but seeing Emperors on pristine ice is another level.”
Equipped with two onboard helicopters, the state-of-the-art Ultramarine vessel provides unrivaled access to Antarctica’s most spectacular sights. The combination of ship, helicopter, and Zodiac travel allows for an unparalleled perspective of the region’s iceberg-laden remote landscapes. Early November offers particularly stunning conditions, with ice at its most pristine and penguins climbing cobalt-blue bergs before diving into the depths in search of food.
Led by an expert expedition team, guests will marvel at vast tabular icebergs calved from some of the continent’s largest ice shelves, visit Adélie penguin colonies at Brown Bluff, Devil Island, or Paulet Island, and spot marine mammals among the floating ice. This is the only itinerary in the polar travel industry that allows guests to spend such an extended period immersed in the wonders of the eastern Antarctic Peninsula.
With an exceptional guide-to-guest ratio, the team—composed of Ornithologists, Marine Biologists, Historians, Glaciologists, Photographers, and elite polar experts—adapts plans dynamically to ensure the best possible experience, capturing extraordinary moments as they unfold.
For those serious about Antarctica, eager to see Emperor penguins up close, and looking to enhance their photography skills, this extraordinary itinerary is an adventure of a lifetime.
