Voyage to Bouvet Island - once believed to be completely inaccessible. In 2006, the Ortelius managed to land there successfully with some of its most adventurous passengers. Return to this remote outpost on an unforgettable opportunity in 2015. The first leg of this discovery cruise starts in Ushuaia, Argentina and offers the South Shetland Islands, followed by the South Sandwich Islands (home to several millions of chinstrap penguins, together with smaller colonies of Adélie, gentoo and macaroni penguins) and Bouvet island, ending in Ascension.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
In the South Shetland Islands land on King George Islands, where you will visit the Chilean, Russian, Chinese and Korean stations. In this area chances are good for encounters with gentoo penguins, Weddell seals, leopard seals and orcas.
In the rarely visited and uninhabited South Sandwich Islands (British), land on Southern Thule Island, a volcano with a caldera, where you can land near the derelict Argentinian base. Other islands are Cook Island and Bellingshausen Island, named after the discoverers who reached them. These volcanic islands, with an ice cap on the top, are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins, and southern giant petrels. Elephant seals and sur seals also haul out at the beaches. Around the islands see large blue icebergs which have drifted there from the Weddell Sea. In blue ice grottos gentoo penguins congregate.
At sea in the westerlies have a pleasant tailwind. Near the Antarctic Convergence, observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds.
Due to the unpredictability of landings at Bouvet, 48 hours are being allocated to be able to have multiple opportunities to land at Bouvet Island (Norwegian territory), another volcano in Antarctic waters topped by an ice-cap, with a rich fauna of seabirds and seals near the coasts. At the southwest side of the island you should have the best opportunities to land at Larsöya and Kapp Norvegia, which have some protection from the swell from the west. A third possibility is at Nyröysa, but this area is more exposed and partly out of bounds, as it is a nature reserve. These two days are reserved for landings at Bouvet Island.
At sea in the westerlies witness side winds. On both sides of the Antarctic Convergence, observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds. You also arrive now in more temperate waters with their own brand of species.
Today plan to approach the unique Gough Island for zodiac cruising around the island, as always weather permitting. In previous years the ship has managed to circumnavigate all but four miles of the 33 mile circumference of the island in the ship, seeing spectacular scenery and an unprecedented abundance of wildlife.
In the Tristan da Cunha archipelago, plan to call on the settlement at the west side of the main island. Also try to make landings at Nightingale Island or Inaccessible Island with millions of seabirds ranging from yellow-nosed albatrosses to brown noddies. Please note that your expedition team will try and approach for landings, however due to the weather conditions this is not always possible. Since Ortelius began voyages to Tristan da Cunha in 1998, 30% of the voyages were not able to make landings in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago due to adverse weather.
St. Helena has a good anchorage and landing site. On this island, have ample opportunities to enjoy local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic plants and birds. Visit the place where Napoleon lived in exile. There will be opportunities to explore the Island on your own.
Spend these two days at sea heading towards Ascension Island.
Day 29: Ascension Island
1 Breakfast
Ascension Island is a dry volcanic island with a moist and richly vegetated top. The sooty tern (wide-awake) colony sometimes consists of more than 1 million breeding pairs. You may witness egg-laying sea turtles coming ashore in the evening. Disembark and fly with the scheduled RAF (Royal Air Force) flight to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, UK.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
4 quadruple cabins with bunk beds and private facilities (these can also be used as triple or twin cabins). Spacious outside cabins with a minimum of two portholes or windows per cabin
1 suite with 2 windows (minimum), 1 double bed, 1 single (sofa) bed, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, ample storage space.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the double occupancy rate.
- Children between the ages of 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Ortelius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
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7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.