HIGHLIGHTS
- View
a rare total solar eclipse in the Antarctic from the deck of the Ocean
Endeavour
- Hear
from world-leading experts on the significance of this event in our
on-board presentation series
- Explore
the Peninsula’s rugged and remote east side including the
Weddell Sea and Erebus & Terror Gulf
- Witness
the historic Elephant Island – a focal point of Sir Ernest
Shackleton’s epic Endurance saga
- Visit
the Peninsula’s western shores – abundant in
penguin colonies and stunning marine life
- Explore
the sweeping vistas of landing sites on the South Shetland Islands
- View
albatross and spot for whales at sea en route to the eclipse zone
- Take
advantage of optional activities during the voyage such as sea
kayaking, ice camping, photography workshops and snowshoeing.
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 & 2 - Ushuaia, Argentina
Start
your journey by exploring the charming streets and rugged mountain
backdrop of Ushuaia, Argentina – the world’s
southernmost city. Start out with a coffee and local souvenirs on the
main street before hiking out of town to the foot of the martial
glacier, enjoying views of the Beagle Channel that awaits you below.
Embarkation will take place late in the day so you can take in a sunset
while we wave goodbye to South America.
DAY
3-5 – At Sea
En
route to the Eclipse location, your time at sea can be filled with
presentations from our onboard team of experts or enjoy photography and
bird watching from the warmth of the viewing space on the Ocean
Endeavour’s spacious bridge as albatross and other seabirds
circle the ship and we spot for whales. On this special voyage, talks
from our resident astrophysicists and meteorologists will prepare you
for the incredibly rare event that lays ahead and evening programming
will see a chance for a casual drink at the bar while you get to know
your shipmates
and
guides.
DAY
6 – Total Solar Eclipse
During
the early hours of our fifth expedition day, you will be invited onto
the deck of the Ocean Endeavour to view the incredibly rare spectacle
that is an Antarctic Total Solar Eclipse. During the night, our ship
will have sailed well into the zone of 100% obscuration, our navigators
precisely measuring longitude in conjunction with local weather events
to allow a viewing for approximately 1 and a half minutes - the longest
possible for the region. Also on deck will be our resident experts in
astrophysics and meteorology as well as our team of photography
guides
to interpret this astronomical phenomenon and instruct on how best to
capture a once-in-alifetime moment. Following the early start to the
day, the ship will turn back to face the west and we’ll give
you an opportunity to rest and review your photographs while we aim to
reach the historic Elephant Island.
DAY
7 – Elephant Island
Join
us on the bridge this morning as we scan the horizon for our first
sighting of land since South America, when icebergs may well appear in
numbers and when we first lay eyes on the continent of Antarctica. The
Ocean Endeavour’s navigators will be aiming for the historic
Elephant Island – a place central to the incredible survival
story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men who used this very island as
a camp and rendezvous point during the final and harrowing legs of
their epic Endurance saga. Either from the ship or from zodiacs,
we’ll witness Point Wild –
the very place where Shackleton’s men clung to rocks for
several months in anticipation of his return from South Georgia.
Ashore, a monument marks this site and the incredible feat of survival
that surmises their astonishing journey.
DAY
8 – Weddell Sea
The
eighth day of our voyage will see us turn south and sail toward the
eastern side of Joinville Island, at the tip of the Antarctic
Peninsula. Far less trodden than the western shores, this area affords
us time to truly explore some of the world’s most remote and
rugged beaches and islands. This area is home to some of the largest
Adelie penguin colonies on Earth which attracts an abundance of leopard
seals and other marine fauna. On this day, we’ll be in true
expedition mode as we take the opportunity to reconnoitre this remote
region on our way further south.
DAY
9 & 10 – Antarctic Peninsula
Perhaps
the most profound experience and when the sights and sounds of the
Antarctic really come to life is upon visiting one’s first
gentoo penguin colony. Here, on the Peninsula’s western side,
we’ll explore some of the continent’s most famous
locations where tens of thousands of penguins find a rare piece of bare
rock on which to nest for the summer months. At this time of year,
penguins will be sharing incubating responsibilities and perhaps a few
tiny penguin chicks will be appearing. Jumping out of a zodiac onto a
beach laden with these vast congregations of birds makes for an
unforgettable ITINERARY immersion into the Antarctic ecosystem and a
sensory experience like none other! In addition to the penguins, on
this voyage we will be exploring glacial faces, channels and bays of
the Peninsula offering us the chance to witness icebergs of every
description and to get up close and personal with the various seal
species that call this part of the continent home.Along the way, our
expedition team will be constantly scouting for those leviathans of the
ocean – the thousands of humpback whales that migrate to this
part of the world at this time of year to feed on krill.
DAY
11 – Shetland Islands
After
turning north again, our voyage will take us to the rugged, windswept
vistas of the South Shetland Islands. Home to some peculiar species
including elephant seals and fur seals, these islands also boast a
water-bound volcano, a string of scientific bases and some of the best
sunsets the Antarctic has to offer – making for a fantastic
way to round out our excursions and take to the deck of the Ocean
Endeavour for a toast to the Antarctic at sundown.
DAY
12 & 13 – At Sea, DRAKE PASSAGE
Looking
back at the 10 days of Antarctic experiences behind us, we’ll
sail north across the Drake Passage with South America again in out
sights. This stretch of water offers good chances to spot for orca,
seabirds and whales but also a great opportunity to recap the journey
with your guides, partake in workshops for photo editing or simply gaze
out the window in contemplation of what the Antarctic has just
delivered us. Our guides will be out on deck spotting birds and other
wildlife but you can also find them in the lounge at night for a last
few chances to share stories
about the polar regions and swap photos of the incredible event that
marked the start of our journey.
DAY
14 – Ushuaia, Argentina
An
early morning disembarkation from the Ocean Endeavour allows plenty of
time to resume your exploration of Ushuaia or to make a leisurely drive
to the airport for connecting flights home. Our guides will join you on
the dock to farewell the ship and crew that have taken us to the last
continent and back.
PLEASE NOTE:
You are advised not to book a flight out of Ushuaia before midday on
disembarkation day, in case of delays caused by unfavourable weather
conditions.
(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