Discover the raw, untouched beauty of the Great White Continent on this 11-day expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula. During this magical time, landscapes are at their most pristine as the thawing of sea ice invites you into an unspoiled polar wilderness. Keep your camera ready as you cruise in a Zodiac in search of whales, seals, seabirds and astounding icebergs displaying a palette of snow white and deep aquamarine. Watch penguins squabbling over pebbles for their nests as they begin to court and scan for Leopard seals on ice floes. While the Ocean Endeavour edges its way through the fractured ice, perhaps entering the narrow, sheer-sided Lemaire Channel, you are invited onto the bow as we follow the continent's inhabitants further south into the untouched snowscapes of pristine Antarctica.
*Offers aboard the Ocean Endeavour 2022/23 season end 30 September 2022 and are subject to availability. Not combinable with any other promotion. Offers apply to new bookings only. Book cabin categories Cat 4 ad Cat 4a and save up to 20% off the regular retail price. Book cabin categories Cat 5, Cat 5a, Cat 6 and Cat 7 and save up to 25% off the regular retail price. Book cabin categories Cat 1, Cat 8, Cat 9 and the Owners Suite and save up to 30% off the regular retail price. Applies to selected departures only; cabins limited. Subject to availability and currency fluctuations. Further conditions apply, please contact us for more information.
PLEASE NOTE: Pricing is subject to change and availability at the time of booking. Contact us for more information.
**Please note that due to the recent increase in global fuel prices, there is a strong chance of fuel surcharges across Antarctic voyages for the 22/23 season. This has already been applied to departure dates: 12 November 2022 and 21 November 2022**
Optional Activities : Kayaking, Camping, Snowshoeing
Trip Code: ACOEBPW
Travel Style: Small Ship Expedition Cruise
Location: Antarctica
Ship: Ocean Endeavour
Flights: We offer a range of flight options to meet your cruise. Contact us today to discuss.
After the harsh winter, Antarctica awakens and a blanket of snow cloaks the continent in a pristine whiteness.
Admire breathtaking scenery such as icebergs and glaciated mountains.Penguin populations in the rookeries are thriving, and the birds are busy nest-building and courting.
A fantastic time for photographers as the lengthening days conclude with incredible evening light, noctilucent clouds and beautiful rose-coloured sunsets.
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.
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.
Departing | Ending | Duration | Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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12 Nov 2022 | 22 Nov 2022 | 11 | AUD 11,109 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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21 Nov 2022 | 01 Dec 2022 | 11 | AUD 12,539 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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02 Nov 2023 | 12 Nov 2023 | 11 | AUD 9,990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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11 Nov 2023 | 21 Nov 2023 | 11 | AUD 11,840 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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INCLUSIONS:
1 night hotel accommodation in Ushuaia, pre cruise
Cabin accommodation on board the ship
All meals whilst on ship
All scheduled landings/excursions
Guiding and lectures by English-speaking expedition leader and team
All port fees
All landing fees
Expedition jacket provided
A pair of expedition boots for use during your voyage
Group arrival and departure transfers in Ushuaia
EXCLUSIONS:
Airfares to/from embarkation and disembarkation city
Visa fees (if applicable)
Travel insurance (compulsory)
Beverages (other than coffee and tea)
Personal expenses such as laundry, onboard communication (telephone calls, faxes, email service)
Gratuities for the crew (recommended US$15 per person per day)
Pre or post cruise travel expenses
Optional activities
Contact us for details.
Please note this itinerary is subject to weather and ice conditions
Season and availability.
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We appreciate that voyages to the Antarctic to have an impact on this pristine environment. In light of this, all our voyages are double carbon offset. In addition, we strive to eliminate as many single use plastics as possible from our supply chain. In choosing this voyage you are also supporting the fantastic work done by the Antarctic Science Foundation (ASF) and their work in understanding and protecting this unique destination. In addition all voyages support the Mawsons Huts Foundation (MHF). The MHF support the legacy of Sir Douglas Mawson, the legendary Antarctic explorer and scientist. As a member of IAATO we follow strict guidelines appointed by the Antarctic Treaty System to go above and beyond in support of minimizing negative impacts on this pristine landscape. We also encourage clients to look to book pre-and post- accommodation with us, where local businesses will be supported. Our clients also receive restaurant recommendations which support locally owned restaurants.
We carefully select all ships we work with and choose smaller sized vessels to create less impact. We use a highly regulated, licensed vessel which is well equipped to operate in the Antarctic’s delicate ecosystem. We view the voyage to the Antarctic as an expedition, not a sightseeing trip. Smaller ships such as ours can navigate narrow waterways and are far less polluting than the larger ships in Antarctic waters. By carrying less passengers, we have far less waste. The waste is carried back to the home port to allow for environmentally conscious waste management and disposal.
For more information on our sustainability policies, including how we are striving towards being a paperless organisation, click HERE