Enter the frozen wilderness of the White Continent, where you see amazing, sculptured icebergs, thunderous calving glaciers, imposing mountain ranges and ice-strewn waters, all lie in wait. Explore on foot, by kayak, snowshoe and Zodiac. Sailing and cruising by Zodiac, scan the icy waters for the silhouettes of these mighty marine mammals as it glide alongside the vessels or surface the waters in a spectacular breach. Can you imagine the thrill and excitement of kayaking alongside one of these majestic creatures? Not forgetting encounters with curious penguins, basking seals and many fascinating seabirds. This is the trip of a lifetime for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike.
Highlights
Admire breathtaking scenery such as icebergs, mountains, and glaciers
Take in the sub-Antarctic South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Visit unspoiled wilderness to see penguins, seals, whales and seabirds
Experience the White Continent and enjoy amazing photo 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.
Welcome to Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica. Take your included transfer from the airport to your hotel. Tonight, you’ll meet fellow guests and the local team in Ushuaia during a welcome briefing at your hotel. If you have some time to spare before the meeting, it is suggested you head downtown to do some souvenir shopping or taste some classic Argentinian flavors at one of Ushuaia's fantastic local restaurants.
An arrival transfer from the airport on day one is included in your voyage fare. Please speak to an Intrepid booking agent to organize this.
Enjoy some free time to explore Ushuaia and the surrounding area before boarding the Ocean Endeavour this afternoon. Once settled, you’ll cast off and make your way through the Beagle Channel towards the infamous Drake Passage. Named after Charles Darwin’s historic ship The Beagle, the deep open water of the channel presents many great photo opportunities.
Be sure to wave goodbye to South America if you're not too busy snapping away at the incredible landscapes – your next land sighting is the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands.
The Drake Passage is one of the most famous bodies of water on the planet. It can be a little rough, but if weather conditions are good, you can head out on the outer decks for a chance to spot ocean dwellers like whales and dolphins, or perhaps seabirds including the spectacular wandering albatross, prions and petrels.
Over the next two days, you'll get to know your expedition team experts as the comprehensive lecture program gets underway. The polar experts share their knowledge of the Antarctic region so you can gain a great understanding of its wildlife, history and geology and help prepare you for the adventure that lies ahead.
Your expedition team are experts on the marine life that inhabit these parts and help scout for sightings as you join them on the Ocean Endeavour's bridge and spacious outer decks. With favorable conditions, you are scheduled to arrive at the Antarctic Peninsula late on the evening of day four.
Day 5-8: South Shetland Islands | Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula is known for a high number of wildlife sightings in front of stunning backdrops of mountains, icy landscapes and water, which combine to provide incredible scenes as you search for whales migrating along the coast.
The peak of the migration season (February and March) is the best opportunity to see these majestic ocean dwellers, as all Antarctic whale species migrate long distances, feeding in the cold, nutrient-rich Southern Ocean during the southern summer. The most common species found in the region are humpback, minke and fin whales, as well as orcas.
As whale season is in full swing, you may like to participate in one of the exciting on-board citizen science projects, the Happy Whale Project, where you can upload photos of whale’s tails (flukes) online, along with details of where the images are taken, which are then used to analyze and identify the individual whale and track its movement across the oceans. Sightings can happen from the outer decks of the ship or during a Zodiac excursion, or on the ship's bridge with your captain, where the open bridge policy allows you into the command center of the Ocean Endeavour for a look at the inner workings of your expedition and access to the best place to spot whales.
An average day on board begins with a wake-up call from your expedition leader around 7:00 a.m., giving you time to prepare for the day before joining fellow guests for breakfast in the Polaris Restaurant. You usually have two excursions per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a delicious lunch served on the Ocean Endeavour in between excursions.
As the Ocean Endeavour starts its return journey north to the home port of Ushuaia, now is your time to reflect on your amazing journey. You are scheduled to reach the relatively calm waters of the Beagle Channel by the evening of day ten.
This evening, your final meal together in the Polaris restaurant is often a highlight of the Antarctic adventurers, so live it up and enjoy it as you celebrate an incredible adventure with fellow guests and expedition team members.
Day 11: Ushuaia | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark the Ocean Endeavour after breakfast as your Antarctic expedition comes to an end and the memories of an amazing adventure begin. Transfer to Ushuaia airport is included if you are departing today.
A departure transfer to the airport is included in your voyage fare if you are flying out today. Please speak to an Intrepid booking agent to organize this.
If you are flying out today, please do not book your flight to depart Ushuaia before midday in case of any delays caused by unfavorable weather conditions.
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.
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Quadruple - Category 1
Deck four: Interior cabin, four lower berths, private bath (separate shower room and powder room) - approx. 240 sq. ft.
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Triple - Category 2
Deck four: Interior cabin, three lower berths, two private baths - approx. 200 sq. ft.
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Interior Twin - Category 3
Deck five: Interior cabin, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 125 sq. ft. (twin)/110 sq. ft. (single)
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Exterior Twin - Category 4
Deck four: Porthole window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 100 sq. ft. (twin)/90 sq. ft. (single)
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Main Twin - Category 5
Deck five: Picture window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 115 sq. ft.
Deck seven. Forward-facing picture windows, unobstructed view, matrimonial bed, private bath with full tub, refrigerator - approx. 310 sq. ft.
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 1.5 times the double occupancy rate.
Initial deposit is $2000, 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. Accepts client cards for deposit only. 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
10 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
10 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
It is mandatory to have emergency evacuation and medical insurance to travel with Adventure Canada. It is recommended to obtain a basic minimum coverage of $500,000 on all cruises.
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.