This expedition is a rare opportunity to experience what life was like for Antarctica’s early explorers, and to develop your own ‘Explorer Mindset’ along the way.
Team Building Weekend: 20-24 November 2025
Prior to the expedition, there will be a team building weekend held in Christchurch from 20-24 November, which the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ team members are required to attend.
The purpose of the weekend is to create a strong team, by forming bonds and connections, and enabling everyone to work towards a common goal. The weekend will involve practical activities and meeting with the Trust’s team, who will share insights into our programmes and the conservation work we do on the Ice, as well as start to grow your ‘Explorer Mindset’.
Other key areas that will be discussed over the weekend include Health and Safety, individual and group outreach projects, expectations for the expedition, what you should bring, what you need to prepare, and answer all the key questions you might have.
The team building weekend held in Christchurch for the Ross Sea 2025 expedition.
The Expedition: 10 January – 10 February 2026
The Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ Antarctic Peninsula 2026 will begin in Auckland, New Zealand on the 10th of January 2026, where the team gathers before flying to Ushuaia, Argentina. From there, you’ll sail aboard the tall ship Bark EUROPA to the Antarctic Peninsula, following in the footsteps of tall ships like Discovery, Nimrod, Terra Nova, Aurora, and Endurance. Step outside your comfort zone and become part of the crew — steering the ship, keeping watch, handling sails, and navigating one of the most powerful ocean passages in the world. As you cross the Antarctic Convergence and arrive among towering icebergs and wildlife-rich coastlines, you’ll be immersed in the extraordinary realities of exploration.
Expedition Day 1: Depart Auckland
Inspiring Explorers™ meet in Auckland, New Zealand, the official starting point of the journey. That evening, the team departs for Santiago and then on to Buenos Aires for their first overnight stop.
Expedition Day 2: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Touch down in Buenos Aires, a vibrant city that offers a welcome pause after the long flight. This overnight stay is a chance to reset, connect as a group, and prepare for the days ahead.
Expedition Day 3: Travel to Ushuaia
Departing mid-morning, the team will fly south to Ushuaia, Argentina—the southernmost city in the world and the departure point for their voyage aboard Bark EUROPA.
Expedition Day 4-8: Ushuaia Days
Rest and recovery post travelling. The team will spend these 5 days meeting the rest of the passengers on board the Bark Europa and experience the Antarctic sights and experiences of a gateway city – Ushuaia.
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Sail Day 1: Ushuaia
Arrive at the dock and board Bark EUROPA. Meet the crew, your fellow travellers and get yourself comfortable on the Bark Europa, the beautiful tallship.
Sail Day 2 – 5: Crossing the Drake Passage
The crossing will take approximately 4 days of sailing and during these days you will see Bark Europa showing off her strength and resilience. The watch system will be in full force. During your watch you will stand on look out, steer the ship and help with sail handling. Together with your fellow watch mates you will help the permanent crew.
Sail Day 6 – 13: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
Once in Antarctica we will start exploring and slowly make our way along beautiful locations. Every day we drop and lift anchor, slowly making our way more south. We make landings, zodiac cruises and hikes to explore the fascinating nature, wildlife and history of these islands. But not only ashore we encounter wildlife. The sight of whales from the ship feeding on krill is truly spectacular.
Sail Day 6 – 13: Cruising through icebergs
After a day of zodiac cruises, landings, hikes, lunch and dinner on deck, lectures and drinks with your fellow crew mates, you might call it time for bed, but waiting a little longer is definitely worth it. The night cruises are just as spectacular. The light, with the sun just below the horizon, could not be more beautiful.
Sail Day 6 – 13: Wildlife is overwhelming
In the Antarctic waters, the Europa will anchor in sheltered bays practically every day. The crew will take groups ashore in the dinghies to see glaciers, mosses and lichens, seals, birds and penguin rookeries. Our experienced guide will give you information about the flora and fauna and will also tell you where to find bird and sea elephant colonies.
Sail Day 13 – 18: Back on the Drake
After having spent the past weeks enjoy daily landings and hikes ashore, it is time to say goodbye to Antarctica and sink back into the rhythm of the sea watches. We finally have some time to absorb everything we have experienced, to let it all settle in on our way back to Ushuaia.
Sail Day 19: Back in Ushuaia
After 21 days since we departed on our adventure, we arrive back in the port of Ushuaia. What a strange feeling to return to the city after the quietness and calm world of Antarctica. It’s time to recap our extraordinary experiences, what were your highlights, your favourite pictures, your best memories?
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Expedition Day 27 – 30: Days back in Ushuaia
Spend some well-earned nights ashore in Ushuaia to rest and reset after another crossing of the infamous Drake Passage. Time to dry out your boots, scroll through your camera roll, and take one last look at the Beagle Channel.
Expedition Day 31: Return to New Zealand
The team departs Ushuaia and begins the long journey back to New Zealand — via Buenos Aires, Santiago, and finally Auckland.
Expedition De-brief Weekend: 17-19 April 2026
Following the expedition, we will hold a de-brief weekend in Christchurch from 17-19 April 2026. Our Inspiring Explorers™ team will get back together to share insights, work on their outreach (both as a team and individually) and share thoughts, impacts and feelings about the expedition. This is an opportunity to process our experiences and show you how to channel the things you learned on the expedition into valuable life skills, professionally and/or personally.
During the weekend, you will further develop your explorer mindset through engaging workshops, helping you grow. There will also be an opportunity to give feedback on our expedition, to ensure your views are used to continue evolving our programmes.
