HIGHLIGHTS
- Unspoiled
wilderness, uninhabited by man, where the penguins, seals, whales and
seabirds are the true rulers.
- 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
daily zodiac excursions and on-shore landings.
- Benefit
from a variety of onboard activities including educational lectures on
history, geology and ecology by the expedition team.
- Take
advantage of optional activities during the voyage such as kayaking and
snowshoeing.
- Enjoy
the amenities onboard including expedition lounge, restaurant, bar,
pool, jacuzzi, library, gym, sun deck, spa facilities and sauna.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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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.
Days 3 & 4: At Sea,
Crossing the 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 4, depending on the weather conditions. Keep on the lookout for the
first sighting of land – that heralds your arrival to the
White Continent!
Days 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 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 history’s most miraculous tales of Antarctic
survival and a story revered by explorers and sailors ever since.
Day 10: At Sea
With the historic Elephant Island behind us, we will start out tracing
of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s route by sailing north toward the
Island of South Georgia. Witnessing the rugged seas that Shackleton and
his men navigated in wooden tender is a marvel for history buffs. As
will be the animated lectures given by your onboard historians,
biologists and ornithology experts as we recap all we’ve seen
and learn about all that lays ahead on this sub-Antarctic archipelago.
Days 11 - 14: 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.
Days 15 & 16: 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.
Days 17 & 18: 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.
Days 19 & 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 unshuaia
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 some extra days in Ushuaia, giving you time to
explore this fascinating town and the surrounding areas.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All
meals onboard the vessel including snacks
- Onboard
lecture program (all voyages) from expedition staff and naturalists
- All
onshore excursions and Zodiac cruising (excluding optional activities
with cost)
- Free
use of rubber boots on land and use of waterproof outer shell jacket
- Pre-night
accommodation prior to embarkation, breakfast and transfer to The Ocean
Endeavour for embarkation
- Transfer
to airport on return to port
- Use
of gym, sauna, pool and onboard Jacuzzi
- Onboard
yoga
- Use
of expedition jacket
- All
Port taxes
Not Included
- Airfares
to/from embarkation and disembarkation city
- Visa
and passport expenses
- Travel
Insurance
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea)
- Personal
expenses such as laundry, on-board communication (telephone calls,
faxes, email service)
- Gratuities
for the crew (recommended US$15 per person per day)
- Optional
activities like Sea Kayaking or Ice Camping whilst onboard
- Entry
to the International Antarctic Centre in Punta Arenas
- Meals
ashore
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking:
USD 1,299
- Forward-facing
Zodiac:
USD 50 (Payable onboard)
- Private
Photography
Workshops: USD 1,299
- Snowshoeing:
USD 150 (Payable onboard)
- Camping:
USD 349
- Hiking:
Free
- Zodiac
Cruising: Free
- Yoga: Free
