HIGHLIGHTS
- Pilot
through the calm, gunmetal grey waters and sloping glaciers of Beagle
Channel
- Enter
Drake Passage - a body of water that marks the intersection of the cold
Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans - a passage that
is known for rollicking conditions and strong westerly winds, called
the Roaring Fifties
- Watch
seabirds, albatrosses, several species of whales, seals and penguins
- Weave
through the South Shetland Islands, a pearly necklace of glistering,
ice-covered islands and dormant volcanoes
- Enjoy
numerous Zodiac excursions, constantly looking out for whales, sea
lions, elephant seals and an unbelievable amount of sea birds and
penguins
- Enjoy
the calming silence and alluring beauty of the Antarctic mainland
during hikes and Zodiac excursions
- Visit
a number of manned and unmanned research stations before crossing the
Antarctic Circle at 66°33' south
- Enjoy
the sun 24-hours a day during the austral summer
- The
expedition may include visits to sites such as Pleneau and Petermann
Islands, Crystal Sound and Fish Island.
- Dense
pack ice forbids many ordinary vessels from reach this far south, but
with a high ice-class rating, Ocean Victory moves swiftly carrying us
on an adventure for life
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Nov 28, 2024 | Dec 09, 2024 | 8,952 |
9,735 |
| Jan 09, 2025 | Jan 20, 2025 | 9,733 |
10,585 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Nov 28, 2024 | Dec 09, 2024 | 8,952 |
9,735 |
| Jan 09, 2025 | Jan 20, 2025 | 9,733 |
10,585 |
ITINERARY
DAY
1: ARRIVAL USHUAIA, EMBARKATION
Arrive
in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s southernmost town.
Explore the quaint city or local countryside. Alternatively, consider a
day trip off the beaten path to the raw, natural archipelago of Tierra
del Fuego. It's a hiker's paradise with rugged snow-capped mountains,
glaciers, flower-filled meadows and boggy quagmires. In the afternoon,
we board our ship.
Our
journey begins as we navigate through the calms of Beagle Channel, a
strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.
DAY
2-3: AT SEA - CROSS DRAKE PASSAGE, SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
Sailing
onward, we cross the famed Drake Passage - a body of water that marks
the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans. Drake Passage is known for strong westerly winds, heavy
sea, and its nickname ‘The Roaring Fifties’. While
this passage may be challenging, you can rest confidently aboard our
expedition vessel, Ocean Victory/Albatros, which is purpose-built with
stabilizers, powerful engines and a highly qualified crew. The most
spirited sailors consider Drake Passage a lifetime achievement
– and soon you can tick it off on the list yourself! In the
Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view with
our first sight of seals, penguins and albatrosses. Having crossed the
Drake, we will explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland
chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we will encounter
along the way. Weather permitting, we hope to make our first landfall
on King George Island before continuing further south to the tip of the
Antarctic Peninsula.
With
the unique X-BOW design, the Ocean Albatros will offer you a smoother
sailing across the Drake passage than conventional expedition vessels
– and with far less carbon emission. Due to the speed of the
vessel, we might be able to do a first landing or activity in the South
Shetland Islands on the afternoon of day 3, weather permitting.
DAY
4-9: THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND ADVENTURE AWAITS
As
the white shimmer of Antarctica looms on our horizon, the presence of
wildlife multiples by tens of thousands with many species of lively
penguins, inquisitive seals, nesting birds and the spray of marine
mammals.
Wildlife
abounds on the Antarctic Peninsula: leopard, fur and Weddell seals of
Cuverville Island; humpback whales of Gerlache Strait; Paradise Bay;
the dramatic Lemaire Channel's orcas. Maybe we will explore as far
south as the Antarctic Circle at c. 66 deg 33 minutes south of the
Equator. Possible landfall in this wild and seldom visited area could
be Pleneau and Petermann Islands, Crystal Sound and Detaille Island.
Maybe
we will make our way to the Antarctic Sound, named in 1902 by the
Swedish vessel Antarctic, the captain and the expedition team would
then keep a watchful eye on the mighty tabular icebergs, born from the
floating Larsen Ice Shelf further south. We would aim to have both
continental and island landings on the shores of Antarctic Sound and
Weddell Sea, always on the lookout for some of the unusually large
penguin colonies, which have recently been observed.
Because
of the considerable sea ice and enormous bergs in the Weddell Sea,
navigation through this remote nature is at the edge of what is
possible; your captain and expedition leader are well aware that
shifting ice means that no individual part of this area can be
guaranteed as accessible at any time, so they will work together to
find the most magnificent opportunities. This is part of the
wonder of this part of the world, and you'll be visiting an area few
humans have ever seen.
The
Weddell Sea takes its name from the early British explorer James
Weddell, who by hunting seals through a break in the ice in 1823 got to
the southernmost point at his time. As we enter the Weddell Sea of
today, we grow accustomed to giant floating icebergs and witness the
sheer quantity of sea ice in these waters. Apart from penguins, the
wildlife here includes Weddell and elephant seals and seabirds.
Humpbacks feed in the nutrient-rich waters (caused by the upwell of
cold water from the ocean depths), so there are opportunities to see
whales, as well as the Antarctic’s largest predator, the
solitary leopard seal.
The
itinerary and activities over the next few days depend on weather,
swell and ice. The route and shore landings will be determined by the
captain and expedition leader and communicated to guests through
regularly scheduled briefings.
Maybe
as our journey draws to a close we end it by navigating to Elephant
Island, home to elephant seals, maybe even along parts of the same
route as Shackleton’s daring lifeboat escape (this route is
only possible if conditions allow it!). While a landing is unlikely, we
hope to see where the Elephant island party waited for rescue boat to
reach them at Point Wild. A famous part of expedition history, that
seems adequate to end our Antarctic explorations this time around.
There
is no set itinerary on this trip, which allows our staff onboard to
maximize the experience for all onboard. Whilst our suggestions above
are just possible routes and landings, we can be sure that this will be
the ultimate Antarctic experience.
DAY
10-11: DEPARTING ANTARCTICA - AT SEA
We
depart Antarctica and spend two days at sea on our way back to the
calms of Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, Argentina. En-route, we will cross
Drake Passage and cruise past Cape Horn, a legendary maritime landmark
and the southern tip of South America.
During
our time at sea, a variety of activities will be arranged on board
which will provide the perfect opportunity to socialize with fellow
travelers equally passionate for discovering the world, enjoy the
lectures by our expedition team on board, visit our shop, unwind in the
spa or enjoy the ship’s facilities designed to provide a
comfortable relaxing time.
DAY
12: BACK TO USHUAIA AND DISEMBARKATION
This
morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia for the conclusion of our expedition
cruise, where you can continue your adventures or begin your return
home.
Ocean Victory (Luxury Expedition, 184-guests)
With the highest Polar code 6 and Ice class 1A, Ocean Victory is the ideal vessel for small-ship cruising due to her sturdy construction.
With a total of 93 comfortable cabins for our guests, almost all with a view of the ocean, we ensure absolute comfort and sustainability for our guests.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 11-days/10
nights cruise with accommodation in a shared double cabin featuring
ensuite facilities
- All
Zodiac landings and excursions as per itinerary
- Expedition
parka
- Rubber
boot rentals
- Guiding
and lectures by our expedition leader and team
- Special
Photo Workshop
- English-speaking
expedition team
- Visual
Journal link after voyage including voyage log, gallery, maps, species
list and more!
- Full
board on the ship - breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon snacks
- Free
tea and coffee 24 hours daily
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails
- Port
and authority fees and taxes
Exclusions
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Single
room supplement and cabin upgrades
- Meals
not on board the ship
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea)
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
- Personal
expenses
- Anything
not mentioned under 'Inclusions'
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Snowshoeing
- USD 225 (Subject to Snow conditions Nov - Jan )
- Camping
- USD 385 (Subject to conditions, selected voyages Nov - Jan)
- Kayaking
- USD 345
- Photography - USD 1,095
- Zodiac
Trips
