Antarctic Peninsula

From Ushuaia to Ushuaia
  • All Antarctic Cruises
  • Antarctic Peninsula
  • Small Ship Cruising
  • Wildlife and Nature
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Tour Description

The 'Classic Antarctic' route. This cruise delivers you to wondrous landscapes found in one of the harshest environments on Earth. Explore both the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands in 11 days; some highlights that you might experience include: Neko Harbour, Deception Island, Port Lockroy and Paradise Bay. We will encounter rugged landscapes, pure white snow, and a wonderful variety of wildlife; penguins, birds, seals and whales!

Voyage to Antarctica on the  ice-strengthened vessels Ortelius and Plancius, both excellent choices for Polar expedition cruises, these vessels have comfortable accommodation for 108 guests, as well a excellent facilities.  This voyage allows you to explore the frozen continent and observe wildlife in their own habitat with a very small number of other passengers. Truly a once in a lifetime experience that is not to be missed.

Viva's Best Bits...

Set foot on one of the last untouched places on Earth on this Classic Antarctica itinerary

Witness large colonies of penguins, wandering albatrosses and vast seal colonies resting on ice

"Watch the Chinstrap penguins fight over nesting space, these guys have a reputation for being quarrelsome!" Tara, Team Viva

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Ushuaia

In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, from where we sail off along the Beagle Channel.

Day 2-3
Drake Passage

Sail across the Drake Passage. looking for wandering albatrosses, grey headed albatrosses, black- browed albatrosses, light- mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels and Antarctic petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs.

Day 4-8
Antarctica

View a large colony of gentoo penguins, breeding pairs of brown skuas and possibly eddell and crabeater seals. You will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic continent surrounded by a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers and we will go on a few zodiac cruises. Keep your eye out for humpback whales, minke whales and fin whales as well as leopard seals and crabeater seals. View adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags and visit one of the scientific stations in Antarctica that will give you an insight into the life of modern Antarcticans working on the white continent.

Sites you may visit include:
Danco Island – lookout for gentoo penguins!
Neko Harbour - opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks.
Paradise Bay – cruise these icy waters
Port Lockroy – now a museum and post office, this was a former British research station

Day 9-10
Drake Passage

On our way north we are followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.

Day 11
Ushuaia Depart

We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 10 nights Accommodation onboard M/V Plancius or Ortelius
  • Included Copy 31 Cabin upgrades available
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
  • Included Copy 20 Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
  • Included Copy 20 Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
  • Included Copy 20 Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
  • Included Copy 20 Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia ( after disembarkation)
  • Included Copy 20 All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
  • Included Copy 20 Comprehensive pre-departure material.
  • Included Copy 7 Airfares & travel insurance
  • Included Copy 7 Gratuities, laundry, additional drinks, telecommunication charges.
Transportation

MV Hondius | Arctic & Antarctic Cruise Ship

176 + 72 Staff & Crew Passengers

Activities

  • Included Wildlife viewing and shore landings
  • Included Optional camping
  • Included Optional kayaking
  • Included Zodiac exploration
  • Included Visit Penguin colonies: chinstrap, gentoo
  • Included Explore the South Shetland Islands
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Duration

11 days

Price from

$8,650 USD

Per person, sharing

Based On Lowest Cabin, quad

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