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
|
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 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