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
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
11 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Upon boarding, passengers receive an internet voucher, providing 1.5 GB of free internet per day. This daily allowance resets every 24 hours. Supplementary internet vouchers are available to purchase on board for those requiring additional internet availability.
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
Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
Meals ashore
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
Medical travel insurance — including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage — is required, with a minimum of EUR/USD 50,000 per person for Arctic trips, EUR/USD 100,000 per person for Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands, and EUR/USD 300,000 per person for the Ross Sea. A comprehensive travel insurance policy should typically meet these requirements.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
