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Kayaking in antarctica

Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition

Example 14 Day Cruise aboard Ocean Diamond
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Not only does this 14-day expedition include the most in-depth exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula, it also offers the opportunity to venture further south across the Antarctic Circle. As you head towards a milestone few travelers reach, you feel you are in a world without borders, sailing through an endless stretch of sea, snow, and ice.
Wander vast ice fields on your polar expedition cruiseAdelie PenguinsLeopard seal, showin' some teeth!Minke whale swimming in the oceanKayaking in antarctica
Highlights
  • Spot wildlife and be mesmerized by the beauty of Antarctica
  • Watch penguins waddling on the beach and listen to calving icebergs
  • Visit historic research stations in the area of Marguerite Bay
  • Learn about Antarctica’s geology and wildlife from onboard lecturers
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

Begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small, bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentinean town is an ideal gateway to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy some hand crafted chocolate at a café in town.

Day 2: Ushuaia | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
The Beagle Channel sets you on your way as the ship sails in the late afternoon. The channel opens up to the vastness of the Southern Ocean, where your next land sighting is along the Antarctic Peninsula. Named after the famed ship in which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents many great photo opportunities to capture seabirds hovering overhead.

Day 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
The waters of the Drake Passage are unpredictable, so hope for clear skies and a calm ocean. Gaze out across the sea and get to know your shipmates and Expedition Team as you sail. Time over these two days are spent preparing for the exciting days ahead, with numerous educational and informative lectures from your Expedition Team. Learn about everything from safety procedures to the history of whaling in Antarctica.

Day 5-7: The Antarctic Peninsula | South Shetland Islands

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
With the Drake Passage left in your wake, make a final approach to Antarctica. Get your cameras ready as the continent’s coastline makes its first appearance, signaling the start of your adventure in the realm of the Antarctic. See plentiful icebergs floating by and admire the surface of the ocean as curious whales spout and breach before your eyes.

As exciting as it can be from on-board, true explorations occur when disembarking and setting foot on the great continent. There are several potential landing sites, including Neko Harbor, Orne Harbor, or Paradise Bay. While weather dictates which specific landing sites are visited, each one presents a new collection of wildlife and natural attractions.

Spend your days spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the beauty of Antarctica. Watching penguins waddling on the beach and listening to the crackling and crumbling sounds of icebergs and glaciers become your daily entertainment, while kayaking with whales and camping in Antarctica are a couple of optional activities available on selected voyages.

Day 8-9: Antarctic Circle

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Peninsula do not reach this far south, which is officially noted at 66° 33’ S. Celebrate in style with a well-earned glass of champagne!

Make a toast and take pride in knowing you have made it to a part of the world still visited by very few people.

Day 10-11: Northbound along the Peninsula

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
By now, your knowledge of Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins is matched by your ability to differentiate between a leopard, fur or Weddell seal. Terms like ‘bergy bits’ and pancake ice seem normal too, yet there are still many tales to be told. As you head back towards the Drake, Zodiac excursions continue to fill your days, while the Expedition Team helps to fill any blanks that remain in your newly acquired knowledge of the Antarctic.

Day 12-13: Drake Passage to Ushuaia

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Re-crossing the Drake, Antarctica fades away. Excited conversations with your new-found friends make the time passing the Drake Passage fly by, independent of weather and sea conditions. Your Expedition Team round up their series of lectures as well, perhaps with a slideshow of some of the great landing sites and wildlife you’ve visited over the course of your voyage.

Day 14: Ushuaia, Argentina | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Say goodbye to your Expedition Team and your fellow travelers. Disembark in the morning so that you may catch your homeward bound flights.

Ship/Hotel

Ocean Diamond

Albatross cruising the Drake Passage to Antarctica
A young seal rests on the shore
A huge colony of king penguins.

Ushuaia - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$11,895
Ocean Diamond's Triple Cabin.
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Triple
Lower Deck, 200 sq feet. Two twin beds and an upper bed, two portholes, and private bath with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Twin Cabin.
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Twin Obstructed View
Captains & Upper Decks, 200 sq feet, one double bed or two twin beds, picture window with a partially obstructed view, and private bathroom with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Twin Cabin.
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Twin Window
Upper, Main & Captain´s Decks, 183-200 sq feet. One double bed or two twin beds, picture window, and private bathroom with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Single Porthole Cabin.
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Single with Porthole
Lower Deck, 200 sq feet, one double bed, two portholes, and private bathroom with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Single Cabin.
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Single Obstructed View
Captain's Deck, 200 sq feet, one double bed, picture window with obstructed view, and private bathroom with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Suite.
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Suite
Main Deck, 400 sq feet, one double bed or two twin beds, two picture windows and separate sitting area with sofas, two easy chairs, small table and two private bathrooms with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Balcony Suite.
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Balcony Suite
Observation Deck, 325 sq feet, one double bed or two twin beds, window and sliding glass door, private 96 sq ft deck, and private bathroom with shower.

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.

- Standard Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the double occupancy rate. The supplement for a Premium Cabin is 2 times the shared rate.

Insurance: Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a maximum benefit of US$500,000 per person is included. Travelers should have a minimum US$50,000 (or equivalent) of emergency medical coverage prior to embarkation. It is recommended that you and all members of your party have comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage, and repatriation. Contact us for details.
 
Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 12 Dinners
  • 13 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Coffee, Tea and Cocoa Available Around the Clock
  • Leadership throughout the expedition by our experienced Expedition Leader
  • Loan of Waterproof Boots for Landings
  • Official Expedition Parka to Keep
  • Select Beer and Wine During Dinner
  • Photographic Journal Documenting the Expedition
  • All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
  • Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
  • All shore landings as per the daily program
  • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
  • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
  • All luggage handling aboard the ship
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Internet & Phone Charges
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Mandatory Waterproof Pants for Zodiac Cruising & Any Other Gear Not Specifically Mentioned
  • Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
  • Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge

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