DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Feb 03, 2027 | Feb 13, 2027 | 9,600 |
10,397 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Feb 03, 2027 | Feb 13, 2027 | 9,600 |
10,397 |
ITINERARY
Long
hikes: -
Long
walks in Antarctica are designed for small groups of up to 24
passengers, accompanied by at least two expedition staff with
experience in this terrain. These walks offer an immersive experience
in the pristine polar landscape, requiring participants to be prepared
for up to six hours of hiking on semi-rough, rocky and snowy terrain
with notable elevation changes. While the pace will be steady and
manageable, the conditions can be demanding and change quickly. A good
level of fitness and willingness to walk for extended periods are
essential. The total duration will vary depending on site conditions
and explore the untouched expanses of the Antarctic wilderness. For
those who prefer not to join the long hikes, alternative activities or
shore landings will be available during this time.
Day
1: End of the world, start of a journey
Your
voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to
be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern
tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this
small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of
the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for
the remainder of the evening.
Days
2 - 3: Path of the polar explorers
Over
the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same
experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted
these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale
spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence
– Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when
north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas
– you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone.
Not
only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. 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
are a few of the birds you might see.
Days
4 -5: Exploring the Weddell Sea
Today
you enter the wondrous Weddell Sea, a relatively unvisited area in
which we hope to carry out activities in Erebus and Terror Gulf. We may
also visit such places such as Beak Island and Devil Island, which
boast some stunning scenery as well as the pack ice for which the
Weddell Sea is famous.
As
we continue to explore the area of Erebus and Terror Gulf, we look for
new opportunities for landings. You may also visit Vega Island,
experiencing the wilderness of Antarctica in its most remote places.
Days
6 - 7: Orleans Strait and Gerlache Strait
Now
we sail down the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, entering the
Orleans Strait and the Gerlache Strait. Here we hope to see humpback
and orca whales as we sail toward Mikkelsen Harbor for our afternoon
activities.
Sites
you may visit include:
Danco
Island –
Activities here may focus on the gentoo penguins nesting on the island,
in addition to the Weddell and crabeater seals that can be found nearby.
Neko
Harbour
– An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless
wind-carved snow, Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise
and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine
peaks.
Paradise
Bay
– You may be able to take a Zodiac cruise in these sprawling,
ice-flecked waters, where there’s a good chance
you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales.
Day
8: Scenes of South Shetland Islands
The
volcanic islands of the South Shetlands are windswept and often cloaked
in mist, but they do offer subtle pleasures: There’s a wide
variety of flora (mosses, lichens, flowering grasses) and no small
amount of fauna (gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins, southern giant
petrels).
During
our visit, we may visit Deception Island, where the ship can plunge
through Neptune’s Bellows and into the flooded caldera. Here
you find an abandoned whaling station, and thousands of cape petrels
– along with kelp gulls, brown and south polar skuas, and
Antarctic terns. A good hike is a possibility in this fascinating and
desolate volcanic landscape.
As
an alternative, you may be able to engage in activities near Half Moon
Island. Here chinstrap penguins and Weddell seals often haul out onto
the beach near Cámara Base, an Argentine scientific research
station. Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of
departure.
Days
9 - 10: Familiar seas, familiar friends
Your
return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake,
you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered
from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you
now, and you to them.
Day
11: There and back again
Every
adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end.
It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that
will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
Hondius (Expedition, 170-guests)
MV Hondius offers luxury accommodation for up to 180 passengers. The ship has a luxury standard while Oceanwide's signature cozy and informal atmosphere. Hondius the strongest ice-strengthened vessel will be in the polar regions and will be equipped with stabilizers, and great trips for advanced, innovative exploratory quality in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
(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 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 programme.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
- During our “Basecamp” departures, all
offered activities as well as our standard included shore excursions
and zodiac cruises) are free of charge.
Excluded
from this voyage:
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre- and post- land arrangements.
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Government arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals ashore.
- Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is
strongly recommended).
- Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature
such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for
stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be
provided).
