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TheOceanEndeavour - Guests

Best Of Antarctica In Depth

Antarctic Expedition

Visiting Antarctica is nothing shy of mind-blowing! After a formidable journey across the Drake Passage, the endless seascape will give way to great white ethereal vistas, sculptured by ice, and weathered by isolation.

This journey will take you from Ushuaia to the South Shetland Islands and onto the Antarctic Peninsula where you will be swathed in the beauty of the most enigmatic place on earth and greeted by an abundance of wildlife.

On this complete encounter, you will go on a deeper exploration than your average peninsula cruise and with the right conditions, venture over to the Weddell Sea where tabular icebergs lay and the history of Antarctic Exploration sighs in echoes through the rarely visited landscapes.



 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore the Peninsula's western side where Antarctica's more famous sites are found such as the Lemaire Channel, Port Lockroy, and Paradise Harbour.
  • Traverse Antarctic Sound – a body of water that links east with west and is often home to large tabular icebergs and startling scenery.
  • Explore the Antarctic Peninsula's remote and rugged east side with its sweeping landscapes and enormous icebergs.
  • You might have the chance to visit Paulet Island, the Danger Islands, and the Eagle Group – chains of islands famous for their enormous penguin colonies, exploration history and geological features.
  • 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 DateEnd DateFrom EURFrom USD
Rates are listed per person
Start DateEnd DateFrom EURFrom 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 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. You will be welcomed on board 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 look out 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
On day three of your voyage to the Antarctic, wake to the sights and sounds of the famous Drake Passage where albatross and other seabirds escort us south. In preparation for the days to come, your on-board experts in biology, oceanography, history and photography will begin their presentations in the Nautilus Lounge. Whether out on the Ocean Endeavour's decks or from the warmth of the observation area on the ship's bridge, keep your eyes peeled for the first sighting of an iceberg as the continent of Antarctica appears on our horizon.

Day 5–9: South Shetland Islands & West Antarctic Peninsula
The next four days, you will visit the more well-trodden western shores and the volcanic cliffs of Brown Bluff, a viable landing point along the way. From here on out, we are greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of gentoo penguin colonies, a collection of Argentine and Chilean bases observable on craggy points and we lower the zodiacs to explore famous sites like Orne Harbour, Paradise Bay or Port Lockroy.

While the east side of the Antarctic Peninsula affords us the truest sense of isolation and wilderness observable on Earth, the western side has no excursion that lasts long without the presence of Gentoo or Chinstrap penguins parading through the early-season snow and marine mammals hauling themselves onto ice-floes. After our five days of excursions in this region, we will turn north to cross through Antarctic Sound for the less known, but no less spectacular, eastern shores. As we attempt to enter the sound, a collection of tabular icebergs typically serves as a gateway and locations like the Argentinean research station Esperanza Station are possible landing points along the way.

Day 10–11: East Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea
This is a true exploration so, all going to plan, day ten will see the ship's bow around the eastern end of Antarctic Sound and face you south to the wild coastlines of the Peninsula's eastern side. The vast Weddell Sea is edged by a seemingly endless coastline of basaltic beaches, islands that tower from the sea, and collections of islands that few humans have laid eyes on.

This is where British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew began their legendary journey north after their ship, ‘Endurance' was crushed by sea ice and sank. There are so many potential landing sites from this location, like Paulet Island with its large Adelie penguin rookery and Swedish Antarctic Expedition history; the sweeping Prince Gustav Channel to the south; and the protected and glacier-lined coves of Duse Bay.

Spend the next few days exploring via Zodiac cruises and onshore excursions across a number of potential remote landing sites around the Eagle Island group. No two days of any expedition are the same, and landing sites are subject to change depending on the elements and potential wildlife spotting opportunities, but our expert team of Expedition Guides will ensure that each day is memorable, offering you a sense of exploration and adventure unlike anywhere else on Earth. An average day onboard begins with a wake-up call from your Expedition Leader around 7 am, giving you time to prepare for the day before joining your fellow expeditioners for breakfast in the Polaris Restaurant. You will usually have two excursions per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a delicious lunch served on the Ocean Endeavour in between excursions.

Day 12-13: At sea, Drake Passage
Over days 12 and 13 we will watch as the outline of the Antarctic continent disappears over the horizon and again the albatross and seabirds of the open ocean join us for the voyage north. Whether enjoying some time out on deck to take in the sea air or making the most of our expert guides' presentations, this is a great time to reflect on the journey behind us and all that we discovered on the Antarctic Peninsula over the previous days. For those still looking to brush up on their Antarctic knowledge, our guides will be out on deck binoculars in hand to help identify the amazing sea life that abounds in this part of the world. At night, we will take the opportunity to celebrate together and to share stories about this once in a lifetime voyage.

Day 14: Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
Following a steady night in the protection of the Beagle Channel, the early morning of our 14th day will see the Ocean Endeavour come alongside Ushuaia's pier.  Followed by breakfast, an 8am disembarkation means plenty of time to wrap up your exploration of Ushuaia before a short drive to the airport for any afternoon flight departures. Our guides will join you on the dock to say farewell and to wave goodbye to the ship's team and crew who have shared the journey with you.

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