HIGHLIGHTS
- Unspoiled
wilderness, uninhabited by man, where the penguins, seals, whales and
seabirds are the true rulers.
- Experience
the White Continent and encounter an incredible variety of wildlife.
- Take
in the Sub-Antarctic South Shetland Islands and the spectacular
Antarctic Peninsula.
- Discover
the top wildlife destination in the world where you can see penguins,
seals, whales and albatrosses.
- Admire
breathtaking scenery such as icebergs, glaciated mountains and
volcanoes.
- Enjoy
regular zodiac excursions and on-shore landings.
- Benefit
from a variety of onboard activities including educational lectures on
the history, geology and ecology by the expedition team.
- Your
cruise is full-board including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
- Take
advantage of optional activities during the voyage such as kayaking and
snowshoeing.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | CAT 2 - Triple Inside | CAT 1 - Single Inside | CAT 3 - Interior Twin | CAT 4 - Exterior Twin | CAT 5 - Main Twin | CAT 6 - Comfort Twin | CAT 7 - Select Twin | CAT 8 - Superior Twin | CAT 9 - Junior Suite | CAT 10 - Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
CAT 2 - Triple Inside | (Mid-range)
CAT 6 - Comfort Twin | (High-end)
CAT 10 - Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
DAY
1 - Ushuaia, Argentina
On
arrival at Ushuaia Airport, please make your way through to the
Arrivals Hall where our representative will be waiting for you to
transfer you to your hotel. He/she will be holding a sign with your
name on it. Should you not be able to contact them, please refer to the
front of your itinerary for emergency contact details of our
representative office. The first night of your voyage is spent in the
quaint town of Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world and the
capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire). The remainder of the day is
at leisure and you are
free
to explore, maybe making a few last-minute purchases from the many
shops or artisan markets, or relaxing in a café. Avenida San
Martin is the main street and there are some excellent museums to visit
or you may prefer to wander the streets taking in the town’s
dramatic setting, with views of the mountains to the north and the
Beagle Channel to the south.
DAY
2 – Embarkation in Ushuaia
This
morning is again free for you to explore Ushuaia further, or maybe
discover Tierra del Fuego National Park, the most southerly national
park of South America. The park offers a range of hiking trails that
lead you through the stunningly beautiful and dramatic scenery of
snow-capped peaks, lush meadows, rugged coastline, glaciers, waterfalls
and lakes. Look out for guanaco, Andean foxes, muskrats and the North
American beaver. Birds found here include the Andean condor, Magellanic
oystercatcher, kelp goose, austral parakeet and torrent duck. Late this
afternoon we transfer to the port of Ushuaia in time for embarkation on
board the Ocean Endeavour. The Expedition Team and the Ship’s
Officers will be waiting to welcome us aboard. As we set sail,
familiarise yourself with the layout of the Ocean Endeavour and its
great amenities and enjoy a welcome dinner. This evening we sail along
the wildlife-rich Beagle Channel, towards the White Continent of
Antarctica. As we leave the lights of Ushuaia behind, look out for
Magellanic penguins, rock cormorants, petrels and black-browed
albatross from the deck as well as noisy sea lion colonies.
DAY
3 & 4 – AT SEA, DRAKE PASSAGE
The
infamous Drake Passage, named after the famous English explorer, Sir
Frances Drake, separates the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula from the
southernmost tip of South America. It is often rough and turbulent, but
sometimes as calm as a lake. It is unpredictable, so be prepared! Enjoy
the fabulous onboard facilities, maybe join a yoga class, attend a
presentation or two given by the Expedition Team to prepare you for
what lies ahead – from the geology of Antarctica to the
history, wildlife and even the ice! As we sail towards Antarctica,
there is a fall in
temperature
as we cross the Antarctic Convergence and enter the waters of the
Antarctic Ocean. The Antarctic Convergence is marked by an increased
number of seabirds, whales and other species that are attracted by the
nutrient-rich waters pushed to the surface by the colder waters of the
polar region flowing north and meeting the warmer equatorial waters
flowing south. Head out on deck to look out for the mighty albatrosses
that fly overhead, scan the waters for breaching whales and icebergs,
or gaze out from the panoramic windows of the observation deck. We
continue our course south and hope to make landfall by the evening of
Day 12, depending on the weather conditions. Keep on the lookout for
the first sighting of land – that heralds your arrival to the
White
Continent!
DAY
5-8 – South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
The
next four days are spent exploring the South Shetland Islands and
Antarctic Peninsula, a region that has captivated explorers for
centuries and now enthrals travellers. We explore by Zodiac, cruising
amongst the magnificently sculpted icebergs and making shore landings
where we mingle with ITINERARY penguins, climb to vantage points to
absorb the spectacular panoramic views, maybe visiting a scientific or
historic base. There may even be opportunities to kayak and snowshoe
and of course learn more about photography with one of the experts.
Antarctica will enchant you with its incredible scenery, from imposing
glaciers to towering snow-capped peaks, vast icebergs and ice-strewn
channels. Not to mention the wildlife – from extensive
colonies of chinstrap,
Gentoo and Adelie penguins, to crabeater, Weddell, fur and elephant
seals and a plethora of fascinating birds. Keep your eyes and ears
peeled for the mighty crack of a glacier calving. Maybe you will be one
of the brave few to take a polar plunge in the icy waters! Every day
brings a new experience and new landing site. As we cruise from one
landing site to the next, enjoy the continued lecture programme and
take in the scenery from the outer decks of the Ocean Endeavour. Make
the most of the health and fitness facilities from the relaxing spa and
saunas to the pool and gym.
DAY
9 – Elephant Island
We
leave the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands behind us
as we chart a course for historic Elephant Island. If conditions
permit, we will attempt to take the Zodiacs to Point Wild. Elephant
Island has its place firmly etched in polar history, as this is where
Shackleton’s crew from the 1914-17 Trans-Antarctic Expedition
took refuge when their ship, The Endurance, was crushed by pack ice in
the Weddell Sea. They set up camp at Point Wild, a harsh and
inhospitable place and waited for over four months, whilst Shackleton
sailed with 5 other men in the James
Laird lifeboat to South Georgia. This is one of the most incredible
adventure stories and most heroic survival stories of all times.
DAY
10 & 11 – At Sea
Having
crossed the Antarctic Circle, we set a course north, exploring the
Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands further by Zodiac and
shore landings, scanning the waters for whales and seals and looking
out for the seabirds that soar above the ship.
DAY
12 - 15 – South Georgia
South
Georgia captivates every traveller that steps foot on its shores. Home
to the greatest concentration of wildlife on the planet, here penguins
number in the hundreds of thousands, carpeting beaches as far as the
eye can see. We spend four days exploring this stunningly beautiful
island, an island that is not only overrun with an incredible array of
fauna, but one that is steeped in history. South Georgia was an
intrinsic part of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated Endurance
Expedition and was once the centre of the whaling industry. South
Georgia is home to over 30 million breeding birds, thousands of seals,
the introduced Norwegian reindeer, nesting sites of the wandering
albatross, four breeding species of penguin and the largest colony of
king penguins on this planet. It is known as the ‘Galapagos
of the South’. If the wildlife is not enough of a drawcard
– then the spectacular scenery against which it is set can
only enhance your visit – emerald green bays, snow-covered
peaks and blue glacier ice. We explore by Zodiac and kayak and on foot,
with opportunities to learn more about photography from one of our
expert guides. Every day provides a different experience and a
different location. Stand in awe amongst tens of thousands of penguins,
look out across beaches blanketed with elephant seals, visit the
remains of abandoned whaling stations and even the grave of Shackleton
himself.
DAY
16 & 17 – At Sea
Saying
goodbye to the wildlife of South Georgia, we head west towards the
isolated and sparsely populated Falklands archipelago, where the
silence is broken only by the call of birds. Attend lectures and
presentations by the Expedition Team, relax and unwind in the His and
Hers saunas and spa and take advantage of all the other amenities
onboard.
DAY
18 & 19 – Falkland Islands
Have
your camera at the ready as we approach the ruggedly beautiful
Falklands archipelago to capture not only the abundant wildlife but
also the incredible scenery. Over the next couple of days we explore
East and West Island by Zodiac and on foot as we make daily shore
landings and maybe even discover smaller inlets by kayak. Learn about
the intriguing and controversial history of the
Falkland Islands as we explore the quaint capital of Port Stanley, with
its British outpost feel. Near the town you may see Southern giant
petrels, the endemic Falkland steamer ducks, kelp gulls and dolphin
gulls. There are also black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks,
peregrine falcons and turkey vultures. As we explore the islands, have
your camera at the ready as we look out for the 5 species of penguins
found here, large populations of black-browed albatrosses, elephant and
fur seals, Peale’s and Commerson’s dolphins, orcas
and a myriad of bird species
including the Falkland’s flightless steamer duck, imperial
shags and Cobb’s wrens.
DAY
20 – At Sea
After
our exploration of the Falkland Islands, we set sail on a course west,
bound for the city of Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world and
the capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire).
DAY
21 – Disembarkation in USHUAIA, Argentina
We
are scheduled to arrive into Ushuaia early this morning, and we
disembark after a final breakfast aboard the Ocean Endeavour. After
saying our farewells to our Expedition Team and the crew of the Ocean
Endeavour, we transfer you to the airport for your onward flight, or
you may like to spend a extra days in Ushuaia, giving you time to
explore this fascinating town and the surrounding areas.
PLEASE NOTE:
You are advised not to book a flight out of Ushuaia before midday on
disembarkation day, in case of delays caused by unfavourable weather
conditions.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 1
night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Ushuaia
- Group
transfer from hotel to pier
- Shipboard
accommodation
- All
meals whilst on-board including snacks
- All
shore excursions and zodiac cruising (*excluding forward facing zodiac)
- Guiding
and lectures by expedition team and team
- English-speaking
expedition team
- Free
use of rubber boots on land
- Use
of gym, sauna, pool and on-board Jacuzzi
- On-board
yoga
- Wind
and water resistant jacket
- All
Port taxes
- Transfer
airport to hotel on day 1 and pier to airport on day of disembarkation
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking:
USD 1,299
- Forward-facing
Zodiac:
USD 50 (Payable onboard)
- Photography
Workshops: USD 1,299
- Snowshoeing: USD 150 (Payable
onboard)
- Camping:
USD 349
