Venture into one of the most remote and historically rich regions of the Southern Hemisphere aboard the luxurious Douglas Mawson. This extraordinary expedition blends breathtaking wildlife encounters, epic landscapes, and the legacy of polar exploration into one unforgettable journey.
Your adventure begins in the subantarctic islands, where you’ll explore lush rātā forests and windswept moorlands blanketed in vibrant megaherbs. Watch as yellow-eyed penguins shuffle through the underbrush and royal albatrosses nest gracefully atop rolling hills—an enchanting prelude to your Antarctic odyssey.
As you cruise southward across the Antarctic Circle, the scenery transforms into a world of towering ice and glittering pack ice. Scan the ice edge for emperor and Adélie penguins porpoising across the surface, while orcas hunt below and snow petrels soar overhead against the stark, white expanse of the Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Continue along the wild and rarely visited Victoria Land Coast into the heart of the Ross Sea—home to the world’s largest floating ice shelf. This is Antarctica at its most extreme and awe-inspiring.
Here, history comes alive. Sail the same legendary waters navigated by Heroic Age explorers, such as Scott and Shackleton, who launched their daring quests toward the South Geographic Pole from this very region. With favorable conditions, you’ll have the rare opportunity to visit their remarkably preserved expedition huts, frozen in time and echoing with the courage of early polar exploration.
Throughout your voyage, expert guides and historians will share their knowledge, ensuring a deep, enriching experience. With the Douglas Mawson’s cutting-edge design and luxurious comforts, you’ll explore this raw frontier in style—without sacrificing the spirit of adventure.
Unsure if this Douglas Mawson: Ross Sea Odyssey itinerary is right for you? Review our Antarctica destination overview for full details on seasonality, routes, ship selection, pricing, expedition inclusions and how North South Voyages can help make your Antarctica dream become reality.
Planning your Antarctica adventure? Don’t miss the chance to explore more of South America while you’re here. Extend your journey with one of our unforgettable pre- or post-cruise itineraries through Costa Rica, Guatemala, or the legendary Galapagos. Click through to North South Journeys for expertly curated extensions that perfectly complement your polar expedition — turning a once-in-a-lifetime trip into a truly epic journey.
