Experience a unique 14-day cruise focused on marine mammals of the Antarctic Peninsula. During your expedition capture stunning images, work with the Citizen Science team and learn about active marine mammal research projects. Observe migratory whales species like the humpback whales, and resident species like the minke and orca, and watch leopard seals as they hunt native penguin chicks and make their first journeys to the sea.
Highlights
Look for pelagic whales as you approach the nutrient rich upwelling areas
Explore the mountainous and glaciated Livingston Island
Stop at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies & whale feeding areas
Visit areas with amazing marine mammal viewing opportunities
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Ushuaia anytime today. Stay at the beautiful Arakur Hotel & Resort, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Explore the trails, take a spa, relax and soak in the surroundings, or head into Ushuaia and browse the Argentinean leather markets. Your optional evening briefing is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and to meet some of your fellow travelers.
This morning, you are free to explore Ushuaia or unwind at the resort until your mid-afternoon transfer to the ship. On board, be greeted by your Expedition Team and the Ship’s Officers. A concise safety and orientation briefing is followed by the Captain’s welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the scenery on your early evening sail through the Beagle Channel, past Magellanic penguin, rock cormorant, and sea lion colonies.
As you make your way ever closer to the white continent, your Expedition Team and Marine Mammal experts are out on deck and on the bridge, looking for the whales and dolphins that may be seen as you travel south. They prepare you with presentations on everything Antarctic, from wildlife to history, including helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety. Eventually, cross the Antarctic Convergence where you can notice a distinct drop in temperature as you enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean.
The length of your journey depends on sea conditions, but you should approach the South Shetland Islands in the evening of Day 4. Keep especially keen watch for pelagic whales as you approach the nutrient rich upwelling areas of the Continental Shelf.
Exploring the South Shetland Islands, you may visit Half Moon Island with its stunning backdrop of mountainous and glaciated Livingston Island. Or perhaps sail the ship into an active volcano with an opportunity to take a dip in the relatively balmy waters that surround Deception Island. Bransfield Strait, once the site of an abandoned whaling station, gives you an excellent chance to see whales, who often return to its rich waters.
In the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, your Expedition Leader, Captain, and Marine Mammal experts create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and previous sightings to maximize your whale watching opportunities, while also exploring some of the lesser travelled areas of the Peninsula. Aim for the most scenic bays and channels, with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas, as well as sites of historic and scientific interest.
Heading further South, be sure to explore the Gerlache Strait and its surrounding channels and islands. This may include trips to picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the humpback whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. You may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well as a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House.
At this time of year, most areas have amazing marine mammal viewing opportunities with Weddell, crabeater and elephant seals often found hauled out to rest along with predatory leopard seals and the assertive Antarctic fur seal. minke and humpback whales are frequent visitors during this season and orca sightings are also common.
As you leave this magical place and make your way north, heading again across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage, continue your presentation series and wildlife spotting. Sailing back to Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel, celebrate the conclusion of your expedition with a special slideshow.
Day 14: Ushuaia | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.
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.
$9,995
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Single Suite
Averaging 225 sq. ft. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds and a third berth, window and sitting area.
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Triple Suite
Averaging 225 sq. ft. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds and a third berth, window and sitting area.
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Porthole Suite
Averaging 240 sq. ft. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds, porthole and sitting area.
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Window Suite
Averaging 225 sq. ft. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds, window and sitting area.
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Promenade Suite
Averaging 220 sq. ft. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds, window and sitting area.
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Deluxe Suite
Averaging 240 sq. ft. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds, bow & side windows and sitting area.
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Veranda Suite
Averaging 260 sq. ft and a 40 sq. ft. balcony. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds, private balcony and sitting area.
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Penthouse Suite
Averaging 325 sq. ft and a 80 sq. ft. balcony. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds, private balcony and sitting area.
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Owners Suite
Averaging 385 sq. ft and a 110 sq. ft. balcony. Two room suite with sitting area and bedroom, queen size bed or two twin-sized beds,
Notes
Single supplement - Single occupancy of a twin cabin is available at 1.7 times the twin occupancy rate.
Travel Insurance - All passengers are required to carry valid travel insurance which must contain medical and evacuation coverage of no less than $150,000 as well as cancellation and trip interruption.
Initial deposit is $1500, 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. 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
13 Breakfasts, 12 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
Expedition Parka
500 MB WiFi for personal devices
Digital Voyage Log
Citizen Science program: participation in a variety of scientific activities that support important research projects
Beer/wine/soft drinks with lunch and dinner
All scheduled landings and excursions
A pair of loaner boots for use during the voyage
All port and landing fees
All gratuities
World-class lecture and expedition team
Daily activity options including cultural tours, nature walks, and Zodiac cruises
Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
Gift certificates for recommended expedition gear and reading materials
Port Surcharges, Permits, and Landing Fees
Excluded
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Pre- or post-voyage expenses
All passengers that travel with Polar Latitudes, the operator of your ship, are required to carry valid travel insurance. This insurance must contain medical and evacuation coverage and should include cancellation and trip interruption as well. As any potential evacuation from Antarctica can cost up to $150,000 no policy should carry less than this amount of coverage.
Onboard communication charges such as outgoing phone calls or more than 500 MB WiFi from personal devices
Airport Departure Tax - Airport arrival or departure taxes
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 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day 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
3 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
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.