Enjoy one night in Buenos Aires, the tango capital of the world, before flying south to Ushuaia to board the Ocean Endeavour (QU) for a 10-day antarctic expedition. Cross the Drake Passage and prepare yourself to admire glistening icebergs and the looming peninsula. As you reach the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula keep your eyes opened for the abundant wildlife and the majestic landscapes of the most pristine region on the planet.
Highlights
Join daily Zodiac excursions to explore local bays, channels and land sites
Visit Orne Harbor and admire a chinstrap penguin colony high up on a ridge
Watch for seabirds, penguins, seals, whales, and leopard seals
Relax on board and enjoy presentations by your expedition team experts
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Upon your arrival in Buenos Aires, transfer independently to the group hotel (pre-night hotel price is part of the additional Buenos Aires flight and transfer package).
After breakfast, the group flies to Ushuaia (price of flight is part of the additional Buenos Aires flight and transfer package). Upon arrival, take a short city tour of the quaint port town before heading to the pier. Embark on your Antarctic journey in the afternoon! Sail down the historic Beagle Channel. This famous channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart—the next time you see land you are in the world’s most southern continent!
Spend your first days at sea getting to know your shipmates, listening to safety briefings and insights into what excitement lies ahead, and watching for wildlife. Prepare yourself for potentially rough waters, but hope for a smooth sailing as the Drake is unpredictable and always changing.
Day 5-7: South Shetland Islands | Antarctic Peninsula
When the Antarctic Convergence is left in your wake, you truly begin your Antarctic adventure. It is perhaps the first sight of land itself that is embraced as the true beginning of any Antarctic expedition. You can begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike.
Take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore remote bays, channels, and landing sites each day. Wildlife is present all around you as you visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of the southern seal species.
The majesty of the Peninsula’s mountains amaze you as you trek up snowy pathways to vantage points that offer 360° views of your surroundings. One of these incredible sightseeing opportunities, in Orne Harbor, invites you to visit a chinstrap penguin colony high up on a ridge. Here you have a choice between going for a mountain hike or spending time sitting quietly on a pebbled beach to enjoy the antics of the curious penguins.
Every day is different, having been carefully crafted by your expedition team so as to entertain and educate you about this wonderful part of the world.
The journey back across the Drake Passage provides you with some final opportunities to enjoy the crisp Antarctic air. Spend time on the deck watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy a few final presentations by your expedition team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.
Day 10: Ushuaia | Disembark | Fly to Buenos Aires
1 Breakfast
Arrive in Ushuaia after breakfast. After you disembark, take some time to explore Ushuaia before taking the group charter flight back to Buenos Aires (price of flight is part of the additional Buenos Aires flight and transfer package).
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.
$5,895
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Triple
Approximately 225 sq. ft. (20 sq. m), a Triple on Deck 4 is an interior cabin with three lower berths, and private bath. Cabin 4100 has four lower single beds and one private bathroom with a separate shower room.
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Twin Porthole
Approximately 95 to 105 sq. ft. (9-10 sq. m), a Twin Porthole on Deck 4 features a porthole window, two lower berths and a private bathroom.
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Twin Window
Approximately 95 to 105 sq. ft. (9-10 sq. m), a Twin Window on Deck 5 features a picture window, two lower berths and private bath.
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Upper Deck Twin
Approximately 140 sq. ft. (13 sq. m), an Upper Deck Cabin on Deck 7 features a window (obstructed view), one double or two lower berths and a private bathroom.
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Twin Porthole Plus
Approximately 190 to 200 sq. ft. (18-20 sq. m), a Twin Porthole Suite on Deck 4 is twice the size of a Twin Porthole, with one bathroom. It features two single beds, a separate living area with a pull out sofa bed, two porthole windows, and one private bathroom.
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Single Interior
Approximately 95 to 105 sq. ft. (9-10 sq. m), a Single on Deck 5 is an interior cabin with a lower berth and private bath.
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Superior Twin
A superior cabin on deck five features a large picture window, one double or two lower beds and a pull out sofa bed and private bathroom. Approximately 19 m² (205 sq ft).
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Top Deck Twin
Approximately 155 sq. ft. (14.5 sq. m), a Top Deck Cabin on Deck 8 features two large windows (one window with partial obstruction), one double or two twin beds and a private bathroom.
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Twin Window Plus
Approximately 190 to 200 sq. ft. (18-20 sq. m), a Twin Window Suite on Deck 5 is twice the size of a Twin Window, with one bathroom. It features two single beds, a separate living area with a pull out sofa bed, two windows, and one private bathroom.
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Junior Suite
Junior Suites on Deck 5 are at least 325 sq. ft. (30 sq. m), and at least 164 sq. ft. (15 sq. m) on Deck 7. All Junior Suites feature a picture window, one double bed and private bath.
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Owner´s Suite
Approximately 320 sq. ft. (30 sq. m), the Owner’s Suite on Deck 7 features two large bow-facing windows, one double bed, separate sitting room and private bath with tub.
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.
Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7x the double occupancy rate for cabin types except for Premium cabins (2x the double occupancy rate).
Mandatory medical insurance: Travelers should have a minimum of 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.
Initial deposit is 25% of cruise fare (minimum $1200) plus the cost of kayaking (if applicable), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.6 | 108 reviews
TrustScore 4.6 of 5
Based on 108 reviews on
1 day ago
Personal knowledge of the trip I was considering. Patience with our figuring out which dates we could travel.
Brian
2 days ago
Clara and Rhenee were gracious and available. Phone contact is so important to answer questions and discuss all aspects of trip. If not immediately available they scheduled a time to speak.
They were knowledgeable, honest, realistic and very friendly. They are both very professional and take their role seriously.
Happy Camper
2 days ago
Jason has been wonderful. He is full of information and was very willing to listen to what was of interest to us.
Lee
4 days ago
The ability (of Kassandra) to tailor a guided trip to my exact preferences is very valuable to me, as well as the ability (of Kassandra) to provide expert guidance on destinations and travel dates. I also appreciate the ability of the backup staff (Maria Ignacio, Exito Travel) to coordinate all the details to make the travel logistics easy for the customer.
Mark Whalen
4 days ago
Our Costa Rica trip was amazing! Kassandra planned everything and the excursions, hotels, overall organization were outstanding. Everything worked out smoothly, the excursions guides were knowledgeable allowing us to see so much of the fauna and flora of the country. The hotels were great as well, all in fantastic locations and with beautiful views.