DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Jan 14, 2027 | Feb 07, 2027 | 24,500 |
26,671 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Jan 14, 2027 | Feb 07, 2027 | 24,500 |
26,671 |
ITINERARY
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 - 6: Antarctic Peninsula
Following
in the footsteps of the famous Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache, we
hope to land at Auguste Island, which was also the first landing site
of the expedition team aboard Belgica during their 1898 expedition.
Another
possible landing is Hydrurga Rocks, a small group of islets located
east of the much larger Two Hummock Island. Hydrurga Rocks offers a
chance to spot Adélie and chinstrap penguins, as well as
Weddell seals, leopard seals, and southern elephant seals.
Occasionally, humpback whales and Antarctic minke whales may also be
seen in the surrounding waters.
As
we continue exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, heading south, we may
visit some of the following locations:
Charlotte
Bay
– where we hope to make our first continental landing at
Portal Point.
Cuverville
Island
– A small, precipitous island nestled between the mountains
of the Antarctic Peninsula and Rongé Island, Cuverville is
home to a large colony of gentoo penguins and breeding pairs of brown
skuas.
Danco
Island
– Activities here may focus on the gentoo penguins nesting on
the island, along with the Weddell and crabeater seals that can be
found nearby.
Day
7: Flandres Bay and Renard Island
We
arrive at Flandres Bay, where we hope to land at Renard Island. Renard
Island is a steep and rugged island, named after Alphonse Renard, one
of the major scientific backers of Adrien de Gerlache’s
expedition. It was noted as the final landing site of the expedition
vessel Belgica along the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Days
8 - 11: Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Crossing
the Antarctic Circle, we arrive in the stunning area of Crystal Sound,
where we hope to see a range of Antarctic wildlife and witness the
sheer scale of the Antarctic landscape, with its vast expanses of ice
and towering mountains. If conditions allow, we will land on Detaille
Island, a listed historic monument and former research station. The
station remains as it was left, offering a rare glimpse into the early
days of scientific research in Antarctica, set against breathtaking
scenery.
Pourquoi-Pas
Island / Horseshoe Island
A
visit to one or both of these islands further deepens our appreciation
of the pioneering expeditions of the past. Pourquoi-Pas Island, named
by the famous explorer and scientist Jean-Baptiste Charcot, is often
home to penguins and seals. It offers a hike ashore and the opportunity
to see glaciers that shape the island’s topography.
Horseshoe
Island is also home to an abandoned research base, where the "Mary
Celeste"-like buildings provide an insight into a bygone era of
scientific exploration. This was a site of pioneering research and
long-distance expeditions using dog teams, and the remains of the
kennels can still be seen. This island is a favorite among our staff
and guests, offering breathtaking views of the vast landscapes and
harsh conditions that once served as home for researchers. The
landscape of Horseshoe Island never disappoints.
Stonington
Island
A
site of significant research activity from the 1930s to the 1970s,
Stonington Island was home to both American and British research bases.
It features a range of historic buildings and artifacts, telling the
story of Antarctic exploration. Once connected to the Antarctic
mainland by snow and ice, this sobering site now stands as a powerful
reminder of Antarctica’s remoteness and its delicate balance
between human history and untamed wilderness. The wildlife, vast
natural beauty, and man-made structures combine to make this an
unforgettable place, sure to leave a lasting impression.
Red
Rock Ridge
A
landing site on the Antarctic mainland, Red Rock Ridge is visible from
some distance, with its striking red-hued rocks standing out against
the icy backdrop. If conditions are favorable, we will attempt a
landing here. Adélie penguins have a breeding colony in the
area, and we also hope to see seals and Antarctic shags, which nest
nearby.
Days
12 - 14: Continuing southward through Marguerite Bay
As
the ship heads farther south, we will keep a keen watch for the giants
of the sea, as well as some lesser-seen wildlife, such as the elusive
Ross seal. We are now entering a region of true exploration, where few
have ventured before.
Days
15 - 18: Entering the Bellingshausen Sea
We
hope to enter the Ronne Entrance, an area first recorded during the
aerial flights of Lincoln Ellsworth and later charted by the British
Graham Land Expedition. This remote region is rarely visited, and we
will aim to land in one of the world’s most isolated places,
using either Zodiacs or helicopters. As ice and weather conditions can
vary significantly, our Expedition Leader will determine the best
options for activities in this area.
Along
Ellsworth Land, we will attempt to find a suitable landing site, either
by Zodiac or helicopter. As always, this depends on weather conditions
and will be decided by the Expedition Leader.
Days
19 - 20: A rare glimpse of Peter I Island
Known
as Peter I Øy in Norwegian, this uninhabited volcanic island
lies in the Bellingshausen Sea. It was discovered by Fabian von
Bellingshausen in 1821 and named after Peter the Great of Russia.
Though the island is claimed by Norway as its own territory, it is
rarely visited by passenger vessels due to its remote and exposed
nature.
Landing
here is challenging, but if weather and ice conditions permit, you may
have the extraordinary opportunity to land via helicopter on the
glaciated northern part of the island. This is a truly unique chance to
set foot on one of the most remote islands in the world.
Days
21 - 24: Northward bound: From Peter I Island across the Drake Passage
After
our unforgettable time exploring the remote and rarely visited Peter I
Island, we set our course northward, leaving Antarctica behind as we
sail across the Bellingshausen Sea and into the vast Southern Ocean.
As
the ship pushes through the Antarctic waters, our onboard experts will
continue to host engaging lectures, covering topics such as the history
of Antarctic exploration and marine ecosystems on this delicate
environment.
Wildlife
remains a constant companion as we sail. Keep an eye out for wandering
albatrosses gliding effortlessly above the waves, storm petrels
skimming the water’s surface, and occasional sightings of
whales—including humpbacks and possibly even blue
whales—feasting in these nutrient-rich waters.
The
vast Drake Passage stretches before us, marking our final stretch
before reaching South America.
Over
the following 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.
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.
Day
25: End of the world, last of the journey
Every
adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end.
It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, reputed to be the
southernmost town in the world, and return home with memories that will
accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
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 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).
