Itinerary
Day 1: End of the world, beginning of the adventure
Hondius, Svalbard, July
Your journey begins in the place where the world seems to end. Ushuaia, Argentina, known for being the southernmost city on the planet, is located at the southern tip of South America. In the afternoon, you will embark from this small tourist town in Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” to sail through the mountain-lined Beagle Channel for the rest of the night.
Days 2 - 3: Following in the footsteps of polar explorers
Over the next two days in the Drake Passage, you'll experience some of the same sensations as the great polar explorers who charted these regions: cool, salty breezes, rolling seas, and maybe even spot a fin whale breaching.
After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, a natural boundary where cold southern waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic waters, you will enter the circumpolar upwelling zone. Here, marine and bird life changes markedly. You might spot wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, Cape petrels, southern fulmars, Wilson's petrels, blue petrels and Antarctic petrels, among others.
Days 4 - 10: Entering Antarctica
Grey snow-capped mountains, towers of blue-white ice and drastically different wildlife both at sea and in the air. You will first pass the Melchior Islands and the Schollaert Channel, sailing between the Brabant and Anvers islands.
Places you could visit include:
- Neumayer Canal: Here the boat can be positioned to launch various basecamp activities from the sheltered waters around Wiencke Island. You can enjoy the alpine splendour with Zodiac and kayaking tours, or if you prefer walking, there are options for snowshoeing and gentle mountaineering. Of course, weather conditions will determine the possible activities.
- Port Lockroy: After cruising through Neumayer Channel, you could visit the former British research station, now a museum and post office, on Goudier Island. You can also take part in activities at Jougla Point, where you can encounter Gentoo penguins and blue-eyed cormorants. At nearby sites such as Damoy Point, there may be the opportunity to snowshoe to the former ski slope, one of our favourite camping spots.
- Pléneau and Petermann Islands: Ice permitting, you will cruise through the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed cormorants. Here there are also good chances of spotting humpback and minke whales, as well as leopard seals. Kayaking, glacier hiking and more challenging mountaineering are just some of the activities possible here.
- Neko Harbor: An epic landscape of towering glaciers and wind-sculpted snow, Neko Harbor offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that will allow you to get up-close views of the surrounding alpine peaks.
- Paradise Bay: Here you will have the opportunity to camp like a true polar explorer, enjoying a unique overnight adventure in Antarctica.
- Errera Channel: Possible sites in this area include Danco Island, Cuverville Island, as well as the lesser-known but equally picturesque Orne Island and Georges Point on Rongé Island.
On your final day of coastal activities, you'll cruise past the Melchior Islands into the open sea. Keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales in Dallmann Bay. You could also head toward Half Moon Island in the South Shetland Islands for more opportunities for activities.
Conditions in the Drake Passage will determine the exact departure time.
Days 11 - 12: Familiar seas, familiar friends
The return trip is far from lonely. As you cross the Drake Passage again, you will be greeted by the same variety of seabirds that accompanied your journey south. However, they will now look a little more familiar to you, as you do to them.
Day 13: Back to the beginning
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must come to an end. It's time to disembark in Ushuaia, taking with you memories that will accompany you on your next adventure.
Included in this trip
- Cruise aboard the ship indicated according to the itinerary.
- All meals on board the ship, including snacks, coffee and tea.
- All excursions and activities on Zodiac during the trip.
- A program of talks by leading naturalists and leadership by an experienced expedition team.
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Luggage transfer from the pick-up point to the ship on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the ship to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
- All miscellaneous service and port taxes during the program.
- Pre-departure briefing material.
- During Basecamp departures, all activities offered (including camping, kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering and photography workshop) as well as standard shore excursions and Zodiac cruises are included at no additional cost.
Not included in this trip
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights.
- Pre- or post-land management.
- Passport and visa fees.
- Government taxes on arrival and departure.
- Meals on land.
- Luggage insurance, cancellation and personal insurance (highly recommended).
- Excess baggage charges and all personal items such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunications charges.
- The usual tip at the end of the trip for waiters and other service personnel on board (guidelines will be provided).
ACTIVITIES YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN
Camp - FREE
Antarctica; Camping; bivvy bags; Feb
Special equipment and field supplies will be provided. Camping is subject to weather conditions, local regulations and environmental regulations.
Kayak - FREE
Basic kayaking experience is advantageous, although not a requirement. Physical fitness is essential. Kayaking is subject to prevailing weather and ice conditions.
Walk - FREE
There will be easy, moderate and more challenging walks available in the vicinity of the landing sites. Rubber boots with suitable walking soles will be provided on our motorised vessels, but not on our smaller sailing vessels; for the latter, you will need to bring your own sturdy hiking boots and gaiters.
Snowshoes - FREE
Mountaineering; Basecamp; Antarctica; Feb
Snowshoeing is easy and requires no technical skills. Snowshoes fit all boot sizes and can be used in combination with Oceanwide rubber boots.
Photography workshop - FREE:
Participants interested in photography should bring their own photographic equipment. The workshop must be booked in advance.
Mountaineering - FREE:
Mountaineering experience is preferred, but not required. Fitness is essential. Mountaineering must be booked in advance and is subject to weather and local conditions.