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
- Drake
Passage is known for rollicking conditions and strong westerly winds,
called the Roaring Fifties
- While
this passage may be challenging, you can rest confidently aboard our
expedition vessel, Ocean Albatros, which is purpose-built with
stabilizers, powerful engines, and the patented reclining bow, which
ensures stability and comfort in rough sea as well as having very low
fuel consumption
- Crossing
the Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view.
These nutrient rich waters lure a wealth of seabirds, albatrosses, and
several species of whales. Weather permitting, we catch our first sight
of 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
- See
a number of manned and unmanned research stations, which we aim to
visit before accomplishing our goal – crossing the Antarctic
Circle at 66°33' south
- Enjoy
sunshine as the sun is up for 24-hours a day during the austral summer
- Make
visits to sites such as Pleneau and Petermann Islands, Crystal Sound
and Fish Island
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1: ARRIVAL USHUAIA
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, Ocean Victory.
Our
journey begins as we navigate through the calms of Beagle Channel, a
strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.
Days
2-3: AT SEA - CROSS DRAKE PASSAGE
In
the Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view
with our first sight of seals, penguins, and albatrosses. As well as
the first icebergs as we approach the South Shetland chain of islands.
With
the unique X-BOW design, the Ocean Victory will offer you a smoother
sailing across the Drake passage than conventional expedition vessels
– and with a far less carbon emission.
Days
4-5:SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
Over
the next two days, we will explore to the sub-Antarctic islands of the
South Shetland chain.
Projected
landfalls could include: King George Island; Deception Island, an
extinct volcano; Half Moon Island with nesting Wilson's storm petrels
and chinstrap penguins.
The
itinerary and activities over the next few days depend on weather and
ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be determined by the
captain and expedition leader and communicated to guests through
regularly scheduled briefings.
Days
6-8:ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
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. Explore as far south as possible
towards 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. We
will also visit research stations if ice conditions allow us.
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.
Days
9-10: DEPART ANTARCTICA - AT SEA
Today,
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, and
it provides the perfect opportunity to socialize with fellow travelers.
Day
11: BACK TO USHUAIA AND DISEMBARKATION
This
morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia where our tour ends.
(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
- Lectures
- Zodiac
cruises & Shore Programs
