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Spirit of Antarctica | Douglas Mawson

Valid for new bookings until 30 Sep 25

See additional T&Cs below*

Offer applicable only in select (Balcony A cabins) cabin categories 

Valid for new bookings until 30 Sep 25

See additional T&Cs below*

12 Days
Save Up To 20%

WAS From AUD 28,145   Now From AUD 22,516

STYLE: Small Ship Expedition Cruise

Trip Code: ACAEDSOM

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

SHIP: Douglas Mawson

DestinationDestination

Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula

DestinationDeparture Date

17/02/2027, 27/02/2027

MealsMeals

All meals/snacks onboard the ship and beer/house wine with dinner. Juice and soft drink with all meals. Breakfast at hotel

TransportTransport

Group Transfers throughout

TransportAccommodation

Hotel & Cabin onboard a ship



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Included SightseeingIncluded Sightseeing

Half day Ushuaia tour, Daily Antarctica Excursions in location, Zodiac Cruising, Onboard Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Expedition Team

 

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather & ice conditions 

OVERVIEW

Take this memorable trip to the last truly unexplored place on Earth and experience the unique spirit of Antarctica. Begin by crossing the well-known Drake Passage, watching for hardy seabirds and ice. When you first see Antarctica, enjoy the stunning views of glaciers, frozen landscapes, and uniquely shaped icebergs. Explore the clear pack-ice, look for incredible animals, and take part in various exciting activities in one of the world's most remote areas.

ITINERARY

Arrive Ushuaia, Argentina

Arrive in Ushuaia, where you will be met by a representative and transferred with your fellow expeditioners to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Ushuaia, we ask you to make your way to your hotel. Check-in is from 3.00 pm. This afternoon, visit the hospitality desk in the hotel lobby, between 3.00 pm and 7.00 pm, to collect your luggage tags, and confirm if you wish to join our Lake Escondido pre-embarkation tour tomorrow. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information on where to dine or purchase last minute items.

Expeditioners arriving after 7.00 pm will find a welcome pack waiting for them at check-in. We ask you to visit our hospitality desk tomorrow between 8.00 am – 10.00 am.

The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.

Embarkation in Ushuaia

This morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out. Please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Take your cabin luggage to hotel reception, prior to, or at check-out. Your luggage will be stored and transferred directly to the port for clearance, to be placed in your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day.

Your morning is at leisure to explore Ushuaia.

Those wishing to join our afternoon catamaran cruise, meet back at the hotel lobby at 12.45 pm ready to transfer to the port at 1.00 pm. Here we board our catamaran and sail the Beagle Channel, towards the city’s iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. Crossing the Bridges Archipelago we’ll slow down to watch colonies of sea lions and imperial cormorants sun themselves on the rocky outcrops, while gulls, rock cormorants, skuas, petrels, albatrosses and cauquenes are often sighted. Our cruise offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountain range, in addition to hearing tales of the people and communities of the region.

Alternatively, enjoy your day at leisure and meet at your hotel lobby at 3.45 pm to be transferred to the pier for embarkation.

Once onboard, you’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important mandatory briefings. As the ship pulls away from port, we’ll gather on the deck to commence our adventure with spectacular views over Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.

This evening get to know your fellow expeditioners and friendly expedition team and crew at a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure to Antarctica.

Drake Passage - Day 3 & 4

As we commence the Drake Passage crossing, we make the most of our time getting comfortable with the motions of the sea. Our expedition team prepare you for our first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures and start our lecture program to help you learn more about Antarctica’s history, wildlife and environment.

Our wildlife experiences begin as we enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following our vessel. On sea days, you may can enjoy the facilities on board the vessel including the gym, wellness centre or the relaxing in one of the observation lounges.

Nearing the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula on the afternoon of day four, the excitement is palpable with everyone converging on one of the observation decks watching for our first iceberg. The ocean takes on a whole new perspective once we are below the Antarctic Convergence and are surrounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of your first big iceberg sighting is likely to remain with you for a lifetime. Time and weather permitting, we may attempt our first landing in Antarctica by late afternoon.

Antarctic Peninsula - Day 5 to 9

It is almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.

Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.

Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.

We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.

While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do participate in the activity whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting! The polar plunge can take place at any time during the voyage, so listen out for the announcement from the expedition team and get ready for the most exhilarating dip of your life!

In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge (open at the captain’s discretion) for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Listen out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve into sea. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of the pristine paradise of the splendid white continent.

Drake Passage - Day 10 & 11

Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we re-enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America.

With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here.

As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.

Disembarkation in Ushuaia

During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature. A transfer to downtown Ushuaia before continuing to the airport is included in the cost of the voyage.

NOTE: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.

*Cruise itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions, ice conditions and other factors.

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY PDF

WHY CHOOSE THIS CRUISE?

  • You will undertake this voyage on board the Douglas Mawson - This vessel offers the latest in X-bow hull technology, which offers a smoother cruising experience in the polar waters.

  • Search for incredible wildlife including orcas, whales, penguins and sea leopards. 

  • Undertake incredible adventure activities as you zodiac between glaciers and up close to immense icebergs. 

Important Information

  • *Early Booking Discount - 26/27 Season

    Save up to 20% on selected 26/27 season departures and select cabins. 
    Discounts are on sale until 30 Sep 25 and subject to availability. 
    Discounts are not combinable with any other promotions except back-to-back voyage or loyalty discounts. 
    Discounts and pricing are subject to change and may be withdrawn or varied at any time.


    **No Single Supplement Deal - 26/27 Season

    No Single Supplement offer is based on selected 26/27 departures & cabins. 
    Availability is limited and capacity controlled and available on select cabins categories only. 
    Available with no single supplement across Balcony A cabins.
    Promotion is based on the full fare and not valid with other promotions or discounts. 
    Offer is only valid on new bookings available until 30 Sep 25 unless withdrawn or sold out prior.
    Offer can be withdrawn at any time and not redeemable for cash. 

     

    Please Contact Us for the latest availability, pricing and details of your preferred voyage. Chimu Adventures are Antarctica experts and we will endeavour to find you the perfect Antarctica expedition cruise to ensure you have an unforgettable adventure!

    NOTE: Pricing is subject to change, currency fluctuation and availability at the time of booking and may be varied without notice by us or any of the operators and partners we work with. It is only confirmed and guaranteed at the time of making a booking, agreeing to our terms and conditions and paying a deposit. 

  • Prices are based on per person, twin share* (unless otherwise stated for triple/quad cabins) 

    Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time. 

    *Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions

  • INCLUSIONS

    All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.  
    One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Ushuaia on Day 1.  
    Lake Escondido tour in Ushuaia on Day 2, prior to embarkation.
    Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.  
    All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.  
    Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.  
    Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.  
    All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.  
    Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.  
    One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.  
    Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.  
    Comprehensive pre-departure information.  
    Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
    Wi-Fi (Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable) 

     

    EXCLUSIONS

    International or domestic flights, unless specified
    Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary 
    Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable) 
    Airport arrival or departure taxes
    Travel insurance
    Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
    Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
    Optional activity surcharges
    All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, wi-fi, email or phone charges.
    Gratuities for ship’s crew - (A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.)

  • 2 (light adventure)
  • Available upon request. Single occupancy cabins may be available with a surcharge. Subject to availability, contact us for more details. 

  • Departure date,  fuel surcharges, cabin category, currency fluctuations, seasonality and availability.

FROM PRICE & PROMOTIONAL DETAILS

  • From Price is based on a Triple on the 27 February 2027 Departure
  • Offer of 20% Off Discount available on this departure
  • Valid until 30 Sep 25 or until sold out/withdrawn
  • Please enquire for single pricing - Available with no single supplement across Balcony A Cabins


Please Contact Us for the latest availability, pricing and details of your preferred voyage. Chimu Adventures are Antarctica experts and we will endeavour to find you the perfect Antarctica expedition cruise to ensure you have an unforgettable adventure!

See detailed promotional T&Cs below

NOTE: Pricing is subject to change, currency fluctuation and availability at the time of booking and may be varied without notice by us or any of the operators and partners we work with. It is only confirmed and guaranteed at the time of making a booking, agreeing to our terms and conditions and paying a deposit.