[Latest! 2027 Antarctic Travel Leave Guide] You can go to Antarctica with as few as 7 days of leave!
A trip to Antarctica is undoubtedly on many people's bucket list. However, Antarctic journeys have fixed schedules, long distances, and require at least 12 days of travel time. A classic single-island Antarctic itinerary takes approximately 8 to 10 days; multi-island itineraries require 16 to 19 days or more. If we include the round-trip journey from Hong Kong to the meeting point in South America, a total of 12 to 24 days is needed.
For busy working professionals with limited holidays, taking more than ten days of annual leave at once is no easy feat. However, if an Antarctic trip coincides with Hong Kong's public holidays, taking the 2027 Antarctic trip as an example, it only requires taking a minimum of 7 days of leave to enjoy a 13-day vacation, fulfilling the dream of visiting Antarctica!
The following breakdown shows how to combine leave requests for Hong Kong public holidays in 2027 with Antarctic cruise schedules, and highlights 4 single-island and multi-island itineraries that can be departed with minimal leave.
How much leave do I need to take to go to Antarctica?
It depends on the type of flight you choose and whether the flight coincides with a public holiday.
Basic number of days:
- Single island (Antarctic Peninsula): The shipboard journey will take approximately 8 to 12 days. Including the round-trip voyage from Hong Kong to the South American embarkation city and one night in a pre-departure hotel, it is recommended to allow 13 to 17 days for the total trip.
- Two islands (Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia Islands)The cruise will take approximately 16 to 18 days, and it is recommended to allow 21 to 23 days for the total trip.
- The three island groups (Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, and the Falkland Islands): The shipboard trip will last approximately 20 days or more, and it is recommended to allow at least 25 days for the total trip.
4 Antarctic trips that require minimal leave to embark on!
1. Antarctica 21: Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise (8-day combined sea and air travel, please book 7 days and leave 13 days)
- Trip Dates: February 8, 2027 - February 15, 2027 (8 days)
- RoutesSingle Island Itinerary
- Total travel days (including round-trip airfare and one night's hotel stay at your own expense before departure): 13 days
- Leave request combination: I'll take 7 days off, then have 13 consecutive days off.
- Leave date: February 5 (Fri), February 10 (Wed) – February 12 (Fri), February 15 (Mon) – February 17 (Wed)
- Covering the red sun: February 6th (Sat) - Lunar New Year's Day; February 8th (Mon) - Lunar New Year's Day 3; February 9th (Tue) - Lunar New Year's Day 4 (Make-up holiday)
Antarctica 21's itinerary is a "fly-to-cruise" trip within the Fly-Cruise program. Passengers will meet in Chile and fly to Antarctica, then explore Antarctica by cruise ship, and return to Chile by plane. This trip takes one day less than a cruise-only trip.
This trip happens to span the Lunar New Year holiday. By taking only 7 days off, you can have a 13-day holiday, which is enough time to travel from Hong Kong to Antarctica. Even with a limited holiday, you can still fulfill your dream of landing in Antarctica.
However, it's important to note that airplanes are more susceptible to weather conditions, making delays more likely than those on cruise ships. To be on the safe side, it's advisable to allow an extra day for buffer time.
II. Oceanwide Expeditions: Antarctica - Whale Watching (10-day whale watching tour, please add 8 to 15)
- Trip Dates: March 26, 2027 - April 4, 2027
- RoutesSingle Island Itinerary
- Total travel days (including round-trip airfare and one night's hotel stay at your own expense before departure): 15 days
- Leave request combination: Take 8 days off, then have 15 consecutive days off.
- Leave date: March 23 (Tue) – March 25 (Thu), March 30 (Tue) – April 2 (Fri), April 6 (Tue)
- Covering the red sun: March 26 (Fri) Good Friday, March 27 (Sat) the day after Good Friday, March 29 (Mon) Easter Sunday, April 5 (Mon) Qingming Festival (compensated holiday)
Oceanwide's itinerary spans the Easter and Qingming Festival holidays, allowing you to enjoy a two-week vacation by taking 8 days off.
Since penguin chicks have grown up and molted by March, penguins will gradually leave their land nests and return to the ocean, significantly reducing the number of penguins that can be seen. At the same time, whale watching season begins, so this trip focuses on whale watching, offering the opportunity to witness whales swimming up close in the sea.
3. Silversea: Antarctica - Exploring Peninsula & South Georgia (17-day double island tour, please visit 14 days before leaving 22 days later)
- Trip Dates: February 11, 2027 - February 27, 2027 (17 days)
- RoutesTwo-island tour (Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia Island)
- Total travel days (including round-trip airfare and one night's hotel stay at your own expense before departure): 22 days
- Leave request combination: Please take 14 days off, then have 22 consecutive days off.
- Leave date: February 10 (Wed) – February 12 (Fri), February 15 (Mon) – February 19 (Fri), February 22 (Mon) – February 26 (Fri), March 1 (Mon)
- Covering the red sun: February 8th (Monday), the third day of the Lunar New Year; February 9th (Tuesday), the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, are make-up holidays.
A typical two-island trip lasts 22 days. However, the Silversea trip, which takes place during the Lunar New Year, only requires 14 days of leave, allowing you to visit both the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia Island in one trip, witnessing classic Antarctic landscapes and seeing thousands of king penguins on South Georgia Island.
IV. Oceanwide Expeditions: Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica (19 days, 3 islands, please visit 16 days prior to departure, leave 24 days prior)
- Trip Dates: November 22, 2027 - December 10, 2027 (19 days)
- RoutesThree-Island Itinerary (Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, Falkland Islands)
- Total travel days (including round-trip airfare and one night's hotel stay at your own expense before departure): 24 days
- Leave request combination: Please take 16 days of leave, then have 24 consecutive days off.
- Leave date: November 19 (Fri), November 22 (Mon) – November 26 (Fri), November 29 (Mon) – December 3 (Fri), December 6 (Mon) – December 10 (Fri)
- Covering the red sun: none
The three-island tour offers a comprehensive view of the diverse landscapes of three Antarctic islands: the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, and the Falkland Islands. The two-island tour adds a touch of British charm, two penguin species not found on other islands, and the unexpected contrast of penguins and seals standing on the beach.
While Oceanwide does not cover public holidays other than weekends, it will be the three-island trip that can be taken with minimal leave in 2027.
These are four Antarctic itineraries that can be departed in 2027 with minimal leave required. There are also more single-island itineraries that require only 8 or 9 days of leave, or double and triple-island itineraries that require even less leave. Cabin availability is limited; please contact us for inquiries.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Antarctic Tourism
When should I book a trip to Antarctica?
Cruise lines typically release tickets for the new season approximately two years before departure. Booking during the early bird period immediately following the release of the new season offers the best deals, and there are also last-minute offers available up to three months before departure. However, with the increasing number of travelers to Antarctica, itineraries sell out quickly, causing ticket prices to rise. For example, many itineraries for the 2027-2028 season on the three islands are already nearly sold out. Even though last-minute offers offer discounts, the trade-off is limited itinerary options and a wider variety of cabin types. If you want an Antarctic itinerary that perfectly matches your needs, we recommend booking as soon as tickets are released.
What's included in an Antarctic cruise ticket?
Most Antarctic expedition cruises are all-inclusive. The ticket price includes all shore excursions and inflatable boat tours, onboard accommodations and daily housekeeping, all meals, snacks and drinks (including alcohol), onboard lectures, rental of polar coats and waterproof boots, taxes and port fees, and baggage handling. Some cruise lines also include airport transfers, one night's stay at a pre-departure hotel, and onboard Wi-Fi.
What is NOT included in an Antarctic cruise ticket?
Personal travel insurance (must include Antarctic coverage and emergency medical transport of at least USD 250,000), waterproof pants, gratuities (included on some itineraries), international airfare, onboard internet, and all add-ons.
Can I pay for my Antarctic trip in installments?
Most Antarctic itineraries allow for a deposit upfront, with the balance due approximately 150 days before departure. Some cruise lines offer discounts for full payment upfront.
Last updated: November 2026
Let's Go to Antarctica. Specializing in Antarctic and Arctic expedition cruises. Virtuoso Member Travel Agency.