Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness | Ocean Endeavour

Your adventure begins in Ushuaia, Argentina. Nestled within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Ushuaia boasts many shops, museums, restaurants and cafes that you can enjoy before your voyage. This Argentine town is the ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. If you feel adventurous, the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park offers plenty of outdoor activities.

Following your embarkation onto the Ocean Endeavour in the late afternoon, you begin your Antarctic journey south, passing through the infamous Beagle Channel. Named after the famed ship on which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents great photo opportunities of landscapes and seabirds.

The infamous Drake Passage is wild and unpredictable. Soak up some fresh air on one of the Ocean Endeavour's many outer decks while you feel the breeze of the roaring forties and furious fifties – waters not yet tamed even by the most intrepid of explorers. The Expedition Team will provide insights into the adventures ahead and offer educational lectures on everything from history and geology to photography and ornithology.
During these two days at sea, you’ll witness plenty of seabirds crossing the Southern Ocean. With favourable sea and weather conditions, the first sighting of land will appear on day four.

This is when your Antarctic adventures truly begin. The South Shetland Islands come into view – a region that has long captivated the attention of many explorers alike. The Expedition Team and Captain will scout for whales and seabirds and alert you to any new sightings. Enjoy in-depth explanations and more lectures on the glaciology, history, and wildlife of the region as we explore them.
Even more exciting will be your first land excursion. Daily Zodiac cruises and shore excursions take you to explore local bays, channels, and landing sites with wildlife opportunities always at the forefront of your Expedition Team's mind. Walk on beaches dotted with penguins, visit penguin rookeries, and search for southern seal species, including the fearless penguin eater, the Leopard seal.

No two days or landing are the same, with each day presenting new photo opportunities and sightings. But it won’t take long for you to spot the difference between an Adelie, Gentoo and Chinstrap penguin.

You might hike to a penguin rookery one day and take a Zodiac cruise among towering icebergs the next. From coming eye to eye with a Humpback whale to the sound of a calving glacier, you will wake up excited each day with a desire to explore this icy wilderness.

You also have the option to treat yourself to an overnight ice camping experience on land, a snowshoeing excursion to explore further afield, or hit the water for a day paddle excursion giving you a more intimate Antarctic experience.

An average day onboard begins with a wake-up call from your Expedition Leader around 7am, 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.

Your journey back across the Drake Passage provides a final opportunity to enjoy the Antarctic air. So make sure to spend some time on the outer decks scouting for whales, watching seabirds or enjoying a presentation by your Expedition Team. Celebrate the unforgettable experiences you have shared with your fellow passengers exploring the remarkable world of Antarctica.

After arriving in the port of Ushuaia, the Expedition Team will gather on the deck to farewell you as you disembark the Ocean Endeavour after breakfast. Your transfer to Ushuaia airport is included for all flights departing today.