HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore
the Peninsula's western side where Antarctica's more famous sites are
found such as the Lemaire Channel, Port Lockroy, and Paradise Harbour.
- Traverse
Antarctic Sound – a body of water that links east with west
and is often home to large tabular icebergs and startling scenery.
- Explore
the Antarctic Peninsula's remote and rugged east side with its sweeping
landscapes and enormous icebergs.
- You
might have the chance to visit Paulet Island, the Danger Islands, and
the Eagle Group – chains of islands famous for their enormous
penguin colonies, exploration history and geological features.
- Experience
daily Zodiac excursions and onshore landings and personalise your
expedition with our wide range of paid adventure options during your
voyage such as Kayaking and Day Paddle, Camping, Photography and
Snowshoeing.
- Benefit
from a variety of onboard activities including educational lectures on
history, geology and ecology and participate in our Citizen Science
Program, all led by our expert Expedition Team.
- Enjoy
the Ocean Endeavour's amenities including Aurora lounge, sun deck,
Polaris Restaurant, bar, Polar Library, saltwater pool, jacuzzi, gym,
spa and sauna.
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
Twin Porthole | CAT 4A
Single Porthole | CAT 5
Twin-Double Window | CAT 5A
Single Window | 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 5A
Single Window | (High-end) CAT 10 - Suite |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Arrival in 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. 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 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, Argentina
This
morning is free for you to explore Ushuaia, giving you time to wander
the streets of this quaint port town, or discover Tierra del Fuego
National Park. Transfer to the pier of Ushuaia for
embarkation in the late afternoon. You will be welcomed on board the
Ocean Endeavour by the Expedition Team and the Ship's Officers. This
evening we set sail through the Beagle Channel that was named after the
British ship the HMS Beagle.
This
famous channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the
extreme south of South America, and is rich in wildlife. Keep a look
out for Magellanic penguins, rock cormorants, petrels and black-browed
albatross from the deck as well as sea lion colonies. Enjoy your first
taste of life at sea and a welcome dinner. The air is likely to be
filled with anticipation, as your next view of land will be of
Antarctica - the White Continent.
Day
3-4: At sea, Drake Passage
On
day three of your voyage to the Antarctic, wake to the sights and
sounds of the famous Drake Passage where albatross and other seabirds
escort us south. In preparation for the days to come, your on-board
experts in biology, oceanography, history and photography will begin
their presentations in the Nautilus Lounge. Whether out on the Ocean
Endeavour's decks or from the warmth of the observation area on the
ship's bridge, keep your eyes peeled for the first sighting of an
iceberg as the continent of Antarctica appears on our horizon.
Day
5–9: South Shetland Islands & West Antarctic Peninsula
The
next four days, you will visit the more well-trodden western shores and
the volcanic cliffs of Brown Bluff, a viable landing point along the
way. From here on out, we are greeted by the familiar sights and sounds
of gentoo penguin colonies, a collection of Argentine and Chilean bases
observable on craggy points and we lower the zodiacs to explore famous
sites like Orne Harbour, Paradise Bay or Port Lockroy.
While
the east side of the Antarctic Peninsula affords us the truest sense of
isolation and wilderness observable on Earth, the western side has no
excursion that lasts long without the presence of Gentoo or Chinstrap
penguins parading through the early-season snow and marine mammals
hauling themselves onto ice-floes. After our five days of excursions in
this region, we will turn north to cross through Antarctic Sound for
the less known, but no less spectacular, eastern shores. As we attempt
to enter the sound, a collection of tabular icebergs typically serves
as a gateway and locations like the Argentinean research station
Esperanza Station are possible landing points along the way.
Day
10–11: East Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea
This
is a true exploration so, all going to plan, day ten will see the
ship's bow around the eastern end of Antarctic Sound and face you south
to the wild coastlines of the Peninsula's eastern side. The vast
Weddell Sea is edged by a seemingly endless coastline of basaltic
beaches, islands that tower from the sea, and collections of islands
that few humans have laid eyes on.
This
is where British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew began
their legendary journey north after their ship, ‘Endurance'
was crushed by sea ice and sank. There are so many potential landing
sites from this location, like Paulet Island with its large Adelie
penguin rookery and Swedish Antarctic Expedition history; the sweeping
Prince Gustav Channel to the south; and the
protected and glacier-lined coves of Duse Bay.
Spend
the next few days exploring via Zodiac cruises and onshore excursions
across a number of potential remote landing sites around the Eagle
Island group. No two days of any expedition are the
same, and landing sites are subject to change depending on the elements
and potential wildlife spotting opportunities, but our expert team of
Expedition Guides will ensure that each day is
memorable, offering you a sense of exploration and adventure unlike
anywhere else on Earth. An average day onboard begins with a wake-up
call from your Expedition Leader around 7 am, giving
you time to prepare for the day before joining your fellow
expeditioners for breakfast in the Polaris Restaurant. You will usually
have two excursions per day, one in the morning and one in the
afternoon, with a delicious lunch served on the Ocean Endeavour in
between excursions.
Day
12-13: At sea, Drake Passage
Over
days 12 and 13 we will watch as the outline of the Antarctic continent
disappears over the horizon and again the albatross and seabirds of the
open ocean join us for the voyage north. Whether
enjoying some time out on deck to take in the sea air or making the
most of our expert guides' presentations, this is a great time to
reflect on the journey behind us and all that we
discovered on the Antarctic Peninsula over the previous days. For those
still looking to brush up on their Antarctic knowledge, our guides will
be out on deck binoculars in hand to help identify the amazing sea life
that abounds in this part of the world. At night, we will take the
opportunity to celebrate together and to share stories about this once
in a lifetime voyage.
Day
14: Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
Following
a steady night in the protection of the Beagle Channel, the early
morning of our 14th day will see the Ocean Endeavour come alongside
Ushuaia's pier. Followed by breakfast, an 8am
disembarkation means plenty of time to wrap up your exploration of
Ushuaia before a short drive to the airport for any afternoon flight
departures. Our guides will join you on the dock to say farewell and to
wave goodbye to the ship's team and crew who have shared the journey
with you.
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
- All
meals onboard the Ocean Endeavour including snacks
- Onboard
lecture program from Expedition Team and Naturalists
- All
shore excursions and Zodiac cruising (except paid adventure options
that have an additional cost)
- Use
of rubber boots on land and waterproof outer shell jacket
- Insulated
inner jacket, yours to keep at the end of your voyage
- Transfer
from Ushuaia airport to hotel (Day 1) and pre-night hotel accommodation
with breakfast
- Transfer
from hotel accommodation to the Ocean Endeavour for embarkation
- Transfer
to Ushuaia airport on return to port
- All
port taxes
- Use
of onboard gym, sauna, pool, jacuzzi and yoga
EXCLUSIONS
- International
or internal flights unless specified
- Airport
transfers, taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified
- Meals
other than those specified in the pre-departure information
- Visa
and passport fees
- Travel
insurance
- Paid
adventure options and all personal expenses
- Tobacco,
alcoholic or special beverages
- Miscellaneous
extras
- Laundry
and communication charges
- Medical
care
- Life
jackets, waterproof outer shell jacket, insulated inner jacket and
boots for minors under 16 years of age at time of travel
- Waterproof
outer shell jacket, insulated inner jacket and rubber boots for guests
who require larger sizing
- Gratuities
for Expedition Team and crew
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking:
USD 1,299
- Camping:
USD 399
- Photography
Program: USD 1,299
- Explorer
Boats: USD 50
- Day
Paddle: USD 250
- Snowshoeing:
USD 150
- Yoga:
FREE