Board the ice-strengthened vessel Ortelius for a 12-day expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, a land of countless opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. Learn about the history of Antarctica, cruise among icebergs, navigate through famous bays and channels, and maximize your polar voyage by stepping on the frozen continent in the company of expert naturalist guides.
Highlights
Explore the best sites of the Western Antarctic Peninsula
Land at Neko Harbour and visit a gentoo penguin rookery
Venture into Wilhelmina Bay where humpback whales are often found feeding
Experience encounters with humpback, minke and fin whales
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 afternoon, embark in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located in the shadow of the Andes mountains and right at the shore of the Beagle Channel. Sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.
During these two days sail across the Drake Passage. When crossing the Antarctic Convergence, arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area you may see 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, spot your first icebergs of the voyage.
Arrive in the heart of the Western Antarctic Peninsula and spend five days exploring the best sites around. Sail past the Melchior islands into the Gerlache Strait and be surrounded by spectacular scenery any way you look. Steep mountains and endless glaciers covering the land. Aim for the southern Gerlache Strait where you can start your adventures in and around the stunning Errera Channel and Andvord Bay.
Neko Harbour is a continental landing with nice dive opportunities set in the most amazing scenery as well as being home to a sizeable gentoo penguin rookery. The adequately named Paradise Bay offers great opportunities for your activities with excellent chances for a variety of wildlife. Equally spectacular is the Neumayer Channel and the area around Port Lockroy, the British Antarctic base A which is now a living museum.
Navigate through the famous Lemaire Channel as you venture south to explore the area around Pléneau Island and Petermann Island. Here you can find great opportunities for your activities in a setting of icebergs and with a good chance to encounter leopard seals. Further north, venture into Wilhelmina Bay where humpback whales are often found feeding and the wreck of the whaling factory ship Guvernøren is located, which burned and founded on the rocks in 1915. The wreck is almost submerged and offers some cool wreck diving in an unusual setting.
Around Melchior Islands amidst a beautiful landscape with icebergs, where you may encounter more whales but also leopard seal and crabeater seals. This area offers excellent opportunities for kayaking and camping in the pristine Antarctic environment. Depart for the Drake Passage around noon.
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 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 90 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
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
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.