HIGHLIGHTS
- Our
ship serves as a multi-activity base camp
- Choose
from a variety of activities including camping, kayaking, hiking,
snowshoeing, ski touring and more
- Visit
the Port Lockroy British Research Station and Historic Site and
possibly the Vernadsky Ukranian Scientific Research Station a bit
further south, near our second base camp
- See
abundant wildlife during shore landings including several species of
penguins, seals and seabirds
- Sail
through waters with humpback, Minke, fin, and Orca whales
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Dec 29, 2024 | Jan 10, 2025 | 9,900 |
10,286 |
| Jan 10, 2025 | Jan 22, 2025 | 9,900 |
10,286 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Dec 29, 2024 | Jan 10, 2025 | 9,900 |
10,286 |
| Jan 10, 2025 | Jan 22, 2025 | 9,900 |
10,286 |
ITINERARY
Please Note: The
itinerary below is for a 12-Day tour, some tours are 13-Day tours and
will spend an extra day exploring the Antarctic Peninsula.
Day
1: Ushuaia
In
the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the
southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail
through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.
Days
2-3: At sea
During
these two days, we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the
Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling
zone. In this area, we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed
Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses,
Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue
Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot
our first icebergs.
Days
4-9: Antarctica
We
will sail directly to "High Antarctica", passing the Melchior islands
and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. We will
sail to the Neumayer Channel, where we position our ship for the
multi-activity base camp. The protected waters around Wiencke Island
will become our playground for all activities. In this alpine
environment, there are great opportunities to scout the region on foot,
per zodiac and during kayak trips. Walkers will find opportunities to
use snowshoes on hikes near the shorelines and the mountaineers will
find their challenge by climbing hills and viewpoints further inland,
i.e. Jabet Peak (540 m). All climbs and excursions can only be
conducted in good weather conditions.
We
plan to stay two overnights at anchor in order to implement two camp
nights and two full activity days. We will visit the British research
station and the post office Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to
Port Lockroy, we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo
Penguins and Imperial Shags. We sail through the spectacular Lemaire
Channel to Booth Island, Pleneau and Petermann Island where we can find
Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. In this area, there are good
chances to encounter Humpback Whales, Minke Whales and Fin Whales. Our
second Basecamp night will be erected near the Continent; we choose a
campsite which is suitable and close to next day’s activity.
The mountaineers hope to reach the summit of Mt. Demaria (640 m) at
Waddington Bay. A visit to one of the scientific stations in Antarctica
will give you an insight into the life of modern Antarcticans working
on the White Continent. Further south we may have time to visit the
Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, where we will receive a warm welcome from
the station crew.
In
the afternoon at Neko Harbor, we will have the opportunity to set foot
on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of a huge glacier
and enjoy the landscape during zodiac cruises, hikes and kayak
excursions. A small group of mountaineers may climb up on higher
grounds of the glacier. We will spend the night at Neko or near
Paradise Bay with a camp erected ashore. We will leave Neko Harbor in
the early morning after breaking our last camp. We sail via Melchior
Islands towards the open sea of the Drake Passage. We have again a
chance of seeing many seabirds.
Days
10-11: At sea
On
our way north, we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds
while crossing the Drake Passage.
Day
12: Ushuaia
We
arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
Ortelius (Expedition, 108-guests)
Ortelius offers a comfortable hotel standard, with a u-shaped, a bar and a lecture room. Our voyages are primarily developed to offer our passengers a quality exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible. As the number of passengers is limited to approximately 116 on the Ortelius, flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities. Ortelius carries 10 zodiacs
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Voyage
aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff
- Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes
- Luggage
transfer from the pick-up point to the vessel on the day of
embarkation, in Ushuaia
- Pre-scheduled
group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly
after disembarkation)
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material
- “Basecamp”
departures offer all activities free of charge. Activities include
camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop, as
well as our included shore excursions and zodiac cruises
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Snowshoeing:
FREE (Includes
snowshoes)
- Camping:
FREE (Group size:
min 8, max 30 campers)
- Mountaineering:
FREE
- Kayaking:
FREE (Group size:
min 4, max 14 kayakers)
- Photo
Workshop: FREE
All
Adventure options must be pre-booked prior to tour departure
