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TheOceanEndeavour - Guests

Shackleton's Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Explorer

Epic Antarctic Expedition

This is an epic voyage of discovery aboard the Ocean Endeavour, as you follow in the footsteps of Ernest Shackleton and unearth the secrets of Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands.

Marvel at spectacular rugged scenery, mingle with thousands of King penguins, seals and observe soaring albatross in the wildlife meccas of South Georgia and the Falklands. Glide through ice floes in a zodiac with expert guides among Antarctica's towering icebergs and majestic glaciers in search of whales and predatory leopard seals.

With optional adventures including camping, kayaking, snowshoeing and photography workshops; together with 5* touches thanks to an onboard saltwater pool, sauna, hot tub and spa treatments this journey of discovery will be etched in your memory forever.




HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore the penguin colonies, famous sites and glaciers of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.
  • Marvel at the breathtaking scenery and enormous King penguin colonies of South Georgia.
  • Explore Grytviken and Elephant Island—sites written into the legend of Shackleton's historic Antarctic voyage.
  • In the Falklands , wander the quaint British town of Stanley and explore its charming island farmsteads teeming with nesting seabirds, including numerous albatross and penguin species.
  • Experience daily Zodiac excursions and onshore landings and personalise your expedition with our wide range of paid adventure options during your voyage such as Kayaking and Day Paddle, Camping, Photography and Snowshoeing.
  • Benefit from a variety of onboard activities including educational lectures on history, geology and ecology and participate in our Citizen Science Program, all led by our expert Expedition Team.
  • Enjoy the Ocean Endeavour's amenities including Aurora lounge, sun deck, Polaris Restaurant, bar, Polar Library, saltwater pool, jacuzzi, gym, spa and sauna. 

DATES / RATES

Rates are listed per person
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Rates are listed per person
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ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Ushuaia, Argentina
On arrival at Ushuaia Airport, please make your way through to the Arrivals Hall where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel. He/she will be holding a sign with your name on it. The first night of your voyage is spent in the quaint town of Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world and the capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire). The remainder of the day is at leisure and you are free to explore, maybe making a few last-minute purchases from the many shops or artisan markets or relaxing in a café.

Avenida San Martin is the main street and there are some excellent museums to visit or you may prefer to wander the streets taking in the town's dramatic setting, with views of the mountains to the north and the Beagle Channel to the south.

Day 2: Embarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
This morning is free for you to explore Ushuaia, giving you time to wander the streets of this quaint port town or discover Tierra del Fuego National Park. Transfer to the pier of Ushuaia for embarkation in the late afternoon and you will be welcomed onboard the Ocean Endeavour by the Expedition Team and the Ship's Officers. This evening we set sail through the Beagle Channel that was named after the British ship the HMS Beagle. This famous channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America and is rich in wildlife. Keep a lookout for Magellanic penguins, rock cormorants, petrels and black-browed albatross from the deck as well as sea lion colonies. Enjoy your first taste of life at sea and a welcome dinner. The air is likely to be filled with anticipation, as your next view of land will be of Antarctica - the White Continent.

Day 3-4: At sea, Drake Passage
The infamous Drake Passage, named after the famous English explorer, Sir Frances Drake, separates the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula from the southernmost tip of South America. Enjoy the fabulous onboard facilities, maybe join a yoga class, or attend a presentation or two given by the Expedition Team to prepare you for what lies ahead - from the geology of Antarctica to the history, wildlife and even the ice! As we sail towards Antarctica, there is a fall in temperature as we cross the Antarctic Convergence and enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean.

The Antarctic Convergence is marked by an increased number of seabirds, whales and other species that are attracted by the nutrientrich waters pushed to the surface by the colder waters of the polar region flowing north and meeting the warmer equatorial waters flowing south. Head out on deck to look for the mighty albatrosses that fly overhead, scan the waters for breaching whales and icebergs, or gaze out from the panoramic windows of the observation deck. We continue our course south and hope to make landfall by the evening of Day 4, depending on the weather conditions. Keep on the lookout for the first sighting of land - that heralds your arrival to the White Continent!

Day 5–8: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
Based on weather and ice conditions, we aim to spend five days exploring the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, a region that has captivated explorers for centuries and now enthrals travellers. We explore by Zodiac, cruising amongst the magnificently sculpted icebergs and making shore landings where we mingle with penguins, climb to vantage points to absorb the spectacular panoramic views, maybe visit a scientific or historic base.

There may even be opportunities to kayak and ice camp and of course, learn more about photography with one of the experts. Antarctica will enchant you with its incredible scenery, from imposing glaciers to towering snow-capped peaks, vast icebergs and ice-strewn channels. Not to mention the wildlife - from extensive colonies of chinstrap, Gentoo and Adelie penguins, to crabeater, Weddell, fur and elephant seals and a plethora of fascinating birds. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the mighty crack of a calving glacier. Maybe you will be one of the brave few to take a polar plunge in the icy waters! Every day brings a new experience and a new landing site. As we cruise from one landing site to the next, enjoy the continued lecture programme and take in the scenery from the outer decks of the Ocean Endeavour. Make the most of the health and fitness facilities from the relaxing spa and saunas to the pool and gym.

Day 9–10: Elephant Island & at Sea
En route to South Georgia, weather and sea conditions permitting, we may attempt to call at Elephant Island, a halfsubmerged mountain cloaked with an ice sheet at the outer limits of the South Shetlands. We'll learn the story of Shackleton and hear how his ship, the Endurance, was crushed in pack ice in the Weddell Sea, before he and his men climbed into three open boats, spending 16 months at sea, before finally making landfall on this tiny toe of rock and ice in the vastness of the Southern Ocean on 14 April 1916. Attend lectures and presentations by the Expedition Team as they prepare you for what lies ahead in South Georgia - from the history and geology to the incredible wildlife. Take in the panoramic views from the observation lounge and spacious decks or make the most of the onboard facilities that include a spa, saunas, pool, gym and yoga classes.

Day 11-14: South Georgia
South Georgia captivates every traveller that steps foot on its shores. Home to the greatest concentration of wildlife on the planet, here penguins number in the hundreds of thousands,  blanketing beaches as far as the eye can see. We aim to spend four days exploring this stunningly beautiful island, an island that is not only overrun with an incredible array of fauna but one that is steeped in history. South Georgia was an intrinsic part of Sir Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated Endurance Expedition and was once the centre of the whaling industry. South Georgia is home to over 30 million breeding birds, thousands of seals, the introduced Norwegian reindeer, nesting sites of the wandering albatross, four breeding species of penguin and the largest colony of king penguins on this planet. It is known as the ‘Galapagos of the South'.

If the wildlife is not enough of a drawcard - then the spectacular scenery against which it is set can
only enhance your visit - emerald green bays, snow-covered peaks and blue glacier ice. We explore by Zodiac and kayak and on foot, with opportunities to learn more about photography from one of our expert guides. Every day provides a different experience and a different location. Stand in awe amongst tens of thousands of penguins, look out across beaches carpeted with elephant seals, visit the remains of abandoned whaling stations and even the grave of Shackleton himself.

Day 15-16: At Sea
Saying goodbye to the wildlife of South Georgia, we head west towards the isolated and sparsely populated Falklands archipelago, where the silence is broken only by the call of birds. Attend lectures and presentations by the Expedition Team, relax and unwind in the His and Hers saunas and spa and take advantage of all the other amenities onboard. Weather permitting, we should arrive in the Falkland Islands on the late evening of day 16.

Day 17-18: Falkland Islands
Have your camera at the ready as we approach the ruggedly beautiful Falklands archipelago to capture not only the abundant wildlife but also the incredible scenery. Over the next couple of days, we explore the Falkland Islands by Zodiac and on foot as we make daily shore landings and maybe even discover smaller inlets by kayak. Learn about the intriguing and controversial history of the Falkland Islands as we explore the quaint capital of Port Stanley, with its British outpost feel.

Near the town, you may see Southern giant petrels, the endemic Falkland steamer ducks, kelp gulls and dolphin gulls. There are also blackcrowned night herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons and turkey vultures. As we explore the islands, look out for the 5 species of penguins found here, large populations of black-browed albatrosses, elephant and fur seals, Peale's and Commerson's dolphins, orcas and a myriad of bird species including the Falkland's flightless steamer duck, imperial shags and Cobb's wrens.


Day 19-20: At Sea
After our exploration of the Falkland Islands, we set sail on a course west, bound for the city of Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world and the capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire).

Day 21: Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
We are scheduled to arrive in Ushuaia early this morning, and we disembark after a final breakfast aboard the Ocean Endeavour. After saying our farewells to our Expedition Team and the crew of the Ocean Endeavour, we transfer you to the airport for your onward flight, or you may like to spend extra days in Ushuaia, giving you time to explore this fascinating town and the surrounding areas.

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 Ocean Endeavour including snacks
  • Onboard lecture program from Expedition Team and Naturalists
  • All shore excursions and Zodiac cruising (except paid adventure options that have an additional cost)
  • Use of rubber boots on land and waterproof outer shell jacket
  • Insulated inner jacket, yours to keep at the end of your voyage
  • Transfer from Ushuaia airport to hotel (Day 1) and pre-night hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Transfer from hotel accommodation to the Ocean Endeavour for embarkation
  • Transfer to Ushuaia airport on return to port
  • All port taxes
  • Use of onboard gym, sauna, pool, jacuzzi and yoga
EXCLUSIONS
  • International or internal flights unless specified
  • Airport transfers, taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified
  • Meals other than those specified in the pre-departure information
  • Visa and passport fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Paid adventure options and all personal expenses
  • Tobacco, alcoholic or special beverages
  • Miscellaneous extras
  • Laundry and communication charges
  • Medical care
  • Life jackets, waterproof outer shell jacket, insulated inner jacket and boots for minors under 16 years of age at time of travel
  • Waterproof outer shell jacket, insulated inner jacket and rubber boots for guests who require larger sizing
  • Gratuities for Expedition Team and crew

ADVENTURE OPTIONS
  • Kayaking: USD 1,299
  • Camping: USD 399
  • Photography Program: USD 1,299
  • Explorer Boats: USD 50
  • Day Paddle: USD 250
  • Snowshoeing: USD 150
  • Yoga: FREE

 

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DISCLAIMER: Rates are per person, subject to availability and can change at any time