Whether you’re a busy professional, family on a budget, intrepid traveller wanting to add a small ship expedition to a longer itinerary or you want to test your sea legs, there are many reasons to choose an expedition that’s shorter but still packs a punch.
Our range of short itineraries take you straight into the heart of some of the world’s most wild and remote places onboard purpose-built expedition ships. Now there’s no excuse not to immerse yourself in an unforgettable adventure full of stunning landscapes, spectacular wildlife and rich history!
Explore our collection of itineraries that are 12 days or less.
Antarctic Explorer Express
Antarctic Peninsula | 9 Days | Sail/Fly or Fly/Fly Expedition
Travellers who are short on time can fly across the Drake Passage in at least one direction for a condensed version of the Antarctic Explorer voyage (11-12 days). This voyage is tailored for travellers seeking a quick adventure straight to the heart of the frozen continent. Enjoy Zodiac excursions to explore rugged coastlines and through narrow passages, where unexpected appearances from curious whales are known to occur.
Activities
Discover from sea level or underwater adding snorkelling or kayaking to your expedition (additional costs apply).
Spirit of Antarctica
Antarctic Peninsula | 12 Days | Sail/Sail Expedition
Embrace the spirit of polar exploration on this classic itinerary that includes sailing across the Drake Passage. Be on the lookout for playful seals and whales as you Zodiac-cruise through sea and brash ice, observe busy penguin colonies building their nests and experience setting foot on the continent. This is the quintessential Antarctic voyage for adventurous travellers.
Activities
Spend an unforgettable night camping under pastel polar skies, falling asleep to the sound of raw nature (additional costs apply).
Svalbard Odyssey
Svalbard Archipelago | 12 Days | Expedition
Enjoy the best of Svalbard, a world of endless daylight where polar bear sightings quicken your pulse, guillemot cries echo from sea cliffs and beluga whales rise from the sea. Explore vast tundra adorned with wildflowers, look out for fluffy arctic fox, and visit historic camps that belonged to explorers and hunters. Push through pack ice for a glimpse of walrus and bearded seals, or simply enjoy Norway’s breathtakingly fjords.
Highlights
- Venture close to 80° north looking for polar bears on pack ice
- Enjoy tundra hikes amid stunningly beautiful scenery
Iceland Circumnavigation
Iceland | 11 Days | Discovery
Explore the ‘Land of Ice and Fire’, where snow-capped peaks rise above glaciers and active volcanoes rumble. Walk along a black sand beach strewn with glittering ‘bergy bits’, discover geysers and bubbling mud pools, and visit spectacular fjords and impressive waterfalls in one of the most geologically active places on earth. Our specialist naturalists and historians will reveal the Iceland below the surface – a land rich in wildlife, culture and fascinating human history.
Highlights
- Keep watch for blows, breaching and tail flukes as we whale watch in Húsavík
- Visit Vatnajökull National Park, featuring Europe’s largest glacier, iceberg-speckled glacial lakes, black sand beaches, reindeer and rich birdlife
Wild Scotland
Hebrides, Orkney & Shetland Islands | 12 Days | Discovery
Discover the wild isles of Scotland, from the windswept Hebrides, inhabited for over 8,000 years, to the verdant Orkney Islands, where ancient Neolithic and Viking sites conjure images of civilisations long gone. Zodiac-cruise past sea-sculpted coastlines, watching for dolphins, seals. Hone your skills photographing seabirds in one of Europe’s largest seabird colonies. Visit charming villages, meet friendly locals and maybe even sample a wee dram of Scotland’s finest.
Highlights
- Visit Britain’s highest sea cliffs at the World Heritage-listed St Kilda
- Discover some of Scotland’s off-the-beaten-path islands, where few adventurous souls dare visit
Trekking Holidays
Patagonia | 8-10 Days
Our immersive treks, which range from 8 to 10 days, promise a new level of adventure. Combine your voyage with a Trekking adventure to immerse yourself in the nature and culture of your chosen destination, or choose a standalone Trek.
AE Expeditions can take you straight to the heart two of the best trekking destinations in the world.
In Patagonia, trek through the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park and enjoy close encounters with resident guanacos.
Or choose a hike in Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park, designated by National Geographic as one of the World’s Last Great Places.