The expedition will be an unforgettable voyage of a lifetime. A select group of Inspiring Explorers™ will sail aboard Bark EUROPA, a three-masted Dutch tall ship built in 1911 and carefully restored for modern exploration.
Departing from Ushuaia, Argentina in January 2026, the team will cross the Drake Passage, one of the most storied and challenging stretches of ocean on Earth. Bark EUROPA operates as a sail training vessel, which means our Inspiring Explorers™ will be active participants in running the ship. You will take the helm, handle sails, stand watch, and experience the rhythm and routine of traditional seafaring.
Once in Antarctic waters, the voyage will take the team through a spectacular and ever-changing landscape of icebergs, glaciers, and snow-covered mountains. You will explore the Antarctic Peninsula, an area rich in wildlife including seals, whales, and large colonies of penguins. Landings and zodiac excursions will offer opportunities to experience the Ice up close, through hiking, wildlife encounters, and moments of reflection in this powerful environment.
While you won’t be visiting the huts cared for by the Trust on this expedition, as they are located in the Ross Sea region, weather permitting, you may still sail past other heritage sites along the way.
Throughout the expedition, the Inspiring Explorers™ will reflect on the legacy of the early explorers who travelled to Antarctica aboard tall ships. On your return, you will share stories from the Ice and help connect others to the importance of conserving Antarctica’s cultural heritage. This experience will also form the basis of a group outreach project designed to inspire and inform new audiences back home.
Your journey will begin with a team-building programme in Christchurch, where the team will come together to learn about the Trust’s mission to conserve, share and encourage the spirit of exploration and prepare for the voyage. A post-expedition debrief will be held in early 2026 to reflect on the experience and explore how you can continue to share your insights and impact.
Because of changing sea ice, weather, and environmental conditions, the route and landings will be guided by the expertise of the Bark EUROPA crew. Flexibility will be essential, and every effort will be made to take advantage of the best opportunities the environment allows.
