Best of Antarctica in Depth

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Please note, that the day by day itineraries of the departures listed below may vary from ship to ship and from month to month. You can use our advanced filters to help you search and find the most perfect voyage for you. Please note all prices are reflected in USD and are quoted per person.
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Welcome to the pinnacle of expedition travel – Antarctica. It’s a place of extremes, where the wildlife and landscape paint a picture like nowhere else in the world. The extraordinary islands around the Antarctic Peninsula are a stunning reward for those who conquer the infamous Drake Passage – which is all of you – and amid the Antarctic’s barren beauty you may well encounter orcas, humpback whales, seals and penguins. Explore the ice-filled waters by Zodiac then set foot on the rock and ice that makes up this mysterious continent, and spend your evenings enjoying the state-of-the-art ship and its health and wellness facilities. You’ll be talking about this journey for years to come.

Map/Itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Ushuaia

Welcome to Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost city. You’ll be briefed at the hotel tonight on the journey and details for tomorrow’s embarkation, but if you happen to arrive early there are a surprising amount of ways to entertain yourself at ‘the End of the World’. Check out the Museo Maritimo to brush up on the region’s history, or take a stroll down Avenida San Martin if you’re after any last-minute essentials before departing. Oh, and did we mention this is Argentina – if all else fails, head to a local restaurant to get your fill of red wine and steak. Muy bueno.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

An arrival transfer from the airport on Day 1 is included in your voyage fare. Full details will be sent with your final joining instructions.

Day 2Embarkation Day

This afternoon you’ll board the Ocean Endeavour, settle into your cabin and begin cruising down the stunning Beagle Channel, named for Charles Darwin’s ship. The channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America, and as the ship pulls away from port there’s always an air of anticipation. Wave goodbye to Argentina and know that the next time you see land you’ll be staring at Antarctica.
Accommodation
  • Expedition Cruise Ship (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Day 3-4Drake Passage

The time has come to cross the Drake Passage, the legendary body of water named after English explorer Sir Francis Drake. If the conditions are right, enjoy some time out on deck to spot dolphins, orcas or perhaps albatross. If the waters are a little rough, the Ocean Endeavour is equipped with some seriously lush facilities for you to take advantage of. As well as safety briefings, a comprehensive lecture program will run throughout the journey delivered by experts in Antarctica’s history, geology and biology. With any luck we’ll make it to land by early evening on Day 4 – a moment that always brings much excitement.
Accommodation
  • Expedition Cruise Ship (2 nights)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)

Day 5-7East Antarctic Peninsula

This is a true exploration so, all going to plan, day five will see the ship’s bow round the eastern end of Antarctic Sound and face you south to the wild coastlines of the Peninsula’s eastern side. The vast Weddell Sea is edged by a seemingly endless coastline of basaltic beaches, islands that tower from the sea, and collections of islands that few humans have laid eyes on. This is where British explorer Ernest Shackleton and his crew began their legendary journey north after their ship was crushed and sunk. There are so many potential landing sites from this location, like Paulet Island with its large Adelie penguin rookery and Swedish Antarctic Expedition history; the sweeping Prince Gustav Channel to the south; and the protected and glacier-lined coves of Duse Bay. Spend the next few days exploring on Zodiac boat rides and onshore excursions across a number of potential remote landing sites around the Eagle Island group. Keep an eye out for minke whales and don’t forget about the chance to take an unforgettable polar plunge, to step onto your very own piece of sea ice or any other optional extras. No two days on any expedition are the same, and landing sites are subject to change depending on the elements and potential wildlife-spotting opportunities, but our expert expedition crew will make sure each day is memorable with a sense of exploration unlike anywhere else on earth.
Accommodation
  • Expedition Cruise Ship (3 nights)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (3)
  • Lunch (3)
  • Dinner (3)

For this reason, during moments of harsh weather and throughout the entire trip, our ships offer excellent public areas such as wellness/sauna, restaurant, bar and a library for our passengers to spend their spare time. Our ships are staffed by experts in the field who will also share great lectures along the way, ranging from exploration history to biology, geology, ice and wildlife. 

Day 8 -11West Antarctic Peninsula

After three days exploring the Peninsula’s lesser visited east side, it’s time to cross back through the Antarctic Sound for the better known, but no less spectacular, western shores. Huge icebergs that have broken off from an ice shelf often greet you as the ship makes its way from east to west, and there may be opportunities to land at locations like Esperanza Station (the Argentine research hut) and Brown Bluff – a mass of volcanic rock that towers 678 metres high above the homes of the thousands of Adelie and gentoo penguins. For the next four days, explore well-known sites like Orne Harbour, Paradise Bay or Port Lockroy as you head on wildlife sightings, take to Zodiacs for small-group outings and soak up the unforgettable vistas that greet you at every turn. With multiple landing sites available, your Ocean Endeavour crew will work out the best places to stop, taking into account the elements, accessibility and the possibility for wildlife sightings. You’ll soon notice the contrast with the sense of isolation on the east side, as you won’t find an excursion on the western side lasts long without a parade of penguins or marine mammal sighting. After four memorable days the ship will turn north again and cross the Bransfield Strait and head through the South Shetland Islands. Now’s the perfect time to join your crew and fellow explorers on the aft deck for a final toast to the Antarctic.
Accommodation
  • Expedition Cruise Ship (4 nights)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (4)
  • Lunch (4)
  • Dinner (4)

Day 12-13At SeaDrake Passage

Settle back into your comfortable surroundings for the return journey across the Drake Passage. The Ocean Endeavour will track north towards Cape Horn and your destination in Ushuaia, Argentina. This is your last chance to soak up the experience and knowledge of your expert expedition crew before the end of the trip, so make sure you join them on deck with binoculars in hand to spot the surrounding wildlife. Now is also the chance to catch up with your shipmates and share stories about your voyage over a meal or a drink at the bar.
Accommodation
  • Expedition Cruise Ship (2 nights)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)

Day 14Disembarkation

Day 14: Ushuaia – Disembarkation Day

 
This morning, farewell the Ocean Endeavour as you disembark in Ushuaia. With no further activities planned for today, you’re free to depart at any time, with short drives to the airport for any afternoon flight departures. Your guides will join you on the dock to say farewell and to wave goodbye to the ship’s team and crew who have shared the journey with you.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information

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 organise 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 unfavourable weather conditions.

Prices

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Best of Antarctica in Depth

Start : 6 Dec, 2024  End : 19 Dec, 2024
Departure : Ushuaia   Arrival : Ushuaia
14 Days
Ocean Endeavour
From $10,649
$9,052
Show Prices
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Triple Interior
$10,649 $9,052
Twin Interior
$11,249 $9,562
Twin Porthole
$11,849 $10,072
Twin Double Window
$12,449 $10,582
Comfort Twin
$13,049 $11,092
Single Interior
$13,599 $11,559
Select Twin
$14,099 $11,984
Superior Twin/Double
$14,799 $11,839
Junior Suite
$15,849 $12,679
Single Porthole
$17,199 $14,619
Owner's Suite
$17,299 $13,839
Single Window
$18,899 $16,064

Photos

Inclusions/Exclusions

This expedition includes:

• All meals onboard including snacks
• Onboard lecture program from Expedition Team and Naturalists
• All shore excursions and Zodiac cruising (except paid adventure options with cost)
• Use of rubber boots on land and use of waterproof outer shell jacket
“• Insulated inner jacket, yours to keep at the end of the voyage
“
• Transfer from airport to hotel (Day 1) and pre-night hotel with breakfast
• Transfer from hotel accommodation for embarkation
• Transfers to airport on return to port
• All port taxes
• Use of onboard gym, sauna, pool and jacuzzi and onboard yoga

This expedition excludes:

• International or internal flights unless specified
• Airport transfers, taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified
• Meals other than those specified in the pre-departure information
• Visa and passport fees
• Travel insurance
• Fuel surcharge may be applied to all bookings
• Paid adventure options and all personal expenses
• Tobacco, alcoholic or special beverages
• Miscellaneous extras
• Laundry and communication charges on board
• Gratuities for Expedition Team and crew
• For minors under 16 years of age at time of travel; Life jackets,
waterproof outer shell jacket, insulated inner jacket and boots
•  For guests who require larger sizing; Waterproof outer shell jacket,
insulated inner jacket and rubber boots

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