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Best of Antarctica: In Depth

An extensive exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula's pristine, wildlife-filled western and eastern shores.

Highlights Itinerary Map Dates Extras

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Length

14 Days

Embark

Ushuaia

Disembark

Ushuaia

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Highlights

Traverse the Antarctic Sound, a body of water home to large tabular icebergs and startling scenery.
Visit Paulet Island, the Danger Islands and the Eagle Group, chains of islands famous for their enormous penguin colonies, exploration history and geological features.
Witness the Peninsula’s western side where Antarctica’s more famous sites are found such as the Lemaire Channel, Port Lockroy and Paradise Harbour.

Visiting Antarctica is nothing shy of mind blowing! After a formidable journey across the Drake Passage, the endless seascape will give way to great white ethereal vistas, sculptured by ice, and weathered by isolation. This journey will take you from Ushuaia to the South Shetland Islands and onto the Antarctic Peninsula where you will be swathed in the beauty of the most enigmatic place on Earth and greeted by an abundance of wildlife.

On this complete encounter, you will go on a deeper exploration than your average peninsula cruise and with the right conditions, venture over to the Weddell Sea where tabular icebergs lie and the history of Antarctic Exploration sighs in echoes through the rarely visited landscapes.

Ships

No departures available at this time

Standard Activities

Bird Watching

Citizen Science

Lectures

Penguin Watching

Polar Plunge

Research Station Visits

Itinerary Day to Day

Day 1

Arrival in Ushuaia

Welcome to the port city of Ushuaia for the beginning of your Antarctic adventure. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel to settle in before meeting your fellow travellers this evening at the welcome briefing.

If you’re arriving earlier there are plenty of activities to choose from in the area. Visit Tierra del Fuego National Park on a full day’s adventure, tackle part of the Martial Mountains for a memorable view over the Beagle Channel, or perhaps just take a walk around town and enjoy the cafe scene.

Please note: An arrival transfer from the airport is included if you arrive in Ushuaia on Day 1. On arrival at Ushuaia Airport, please make your way through to the Arrivals Hall where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel.

Ushuaia

Embarkation Point

Day 2

Ushuaia Embarkation

Days 3-4

Crossing The Drake

Days 5-9

South Shetland Islands & Antarctica

Welcome to the western shores of the Antarctic Peninsula. For the next five days, explore well-known sites like Orne Harbour, Paradise Bay or Port Lockroy as you head on wildlife sightings, take to the Zodiacs for small group outings and soak up the unforgettable vistas that greet you at every turn. With multiple landing sites available, your expedition team will work out the best places to stop, taking into account the elements, accessibility and wildlife opportunities.

You won’t find an excursion on the western side lasts long without a parade of penguins or marine mammal sightings. After five memorable days, the Ocean Endeavour will turn north, 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 toast to the Antarctic.

Antarctic Peninsula

South Shetland Islands

Orne Harbour

Paradise Bay

Port Lockroy

Bransfield Strait

Days 10-11

East Antarctica & Weddell Sea

This is a true exploration, so all going to plan, day ten will see the ship’s bow cruising around the western end of the Antarctic Sound, leaving you facing 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 Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew began their legendary journey north after their ship ‘Endurance’ was crushed by sea ice and sank.

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 via Zodiac cruises and onshore excursions across a number of potential remote landing sites around the Eagle Island group.

No two days of any expedition are the same, and landing sites are subject to change depending on the elements and potential wildlife spotting opportunities, but our expert team of expedition guides will ensure that each day is memorable, offering you a sense of exploration and adventure unlike anywhere else on earth.

An average day onboard begins with a wake-up call from your expedition leader around 7am, giving you time to prepare for the day before joining your fellow expeditioners for breakfast in the Polaris restaurant. You will 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.

Weddell Sea

Paulet Island

Prince Gustav Channel

Duse Bay

Days 12-13

Drake Passage

Day 14

Disembarkation in Ushuaia

Route Map

There are 12 main destinations visited

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Extra Activities

Explore these 6 add on activities

From $ 1,299 Per Person

Kayaking

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From $ 399 Per Person

Camping

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From $ 1,299 Per Person

Photography Program

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From $ 299 Per Person

Stand up Paddle Boarding

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From $ 299 Per Person

Day Paddle

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From $ 150 Per Person

Snowshoeing

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Extra Activities

When you’re visiting the Great White South, there are certain experiences that can take your adventure to the next level. Stepping off a Zodiac to go camping on the Antarctic Peninsula is undoubtedly one of them. Fall asleep amid the snow-capped mountains as you watch the colors of the Antarctic twilight bounce off the ocean and surrounding glaciers. The only locals you may be sharing your home with for the night are the Gentoo, Adelie and Chinstrap penguins who keep a low profile, nesting nearby. This is an experience like no other which allows you to completely connect with the landscape, feeling its power into the early hours.

Is Ice Camping for you?

No previous experience is required for this popular activity, Ice Camping – a true wilderness experience of Antarctica that everyone can participate in. Forego the comforts of your cabin, connect with nature and enjoy the true silence of Antarctica in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We camp in warm and waterproof bivy bags in Antarctica, so there can be rocks, snow, mud, and frozen surfaces to contend with. But you’ll leave with memories of an overnight adventure you will never forget and bragging rights that you are part of a select few that have camped on the White Continent.

What to expect

If you have booked the camping excursions, after dinner has concluded, you will board a Zodiac and be guided by the expedition team to the camping site. They will stay with you overnight in case you need assistance with anything. After setting up camp, you’ll spend the night onshore (about 10 hours in total) before waking up to return to your ship for breakfast.

What you’ll need?

Participants need to be prepared for Antarctic conditions and wear appropriate clothing when Ice Camping. This includes a hat, gloves, extra thick socks, a windproof, waterproof parka and pants. You will generally be supplied with a bivvy bag, insulating mats and the best view ever from the portable toilet!

Booking in advance

Ice Camping is offered on a selection of Antarctic voyages, so we recommend booking ahead to secure your place. Ice Camping is generally only available at the start of the season during November to January departures when the snow is soft. Please note that Ice Camping numbers are limited on each voyage so we recommend booking ahead to secure your place and avoid disappointment!

Minimum Age

The minimum age for participants is generally 16 years, as young children are more susceptible to hypothermia.

What's Included

All meals onboard the Ocean Endeavour including snacks
Accommodation onboard the Ocean Endeavour in booked cabin category
Onboard lecture program from Expeditions 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 Ushuaia airport to hotel (Day 1) and pre-night hotel with breakfast
Transfer from Ushuaia hotel accommodation to the Ocean Endeavour for embarkation
Transports to Ushuaia airport on return to port
All port taxes
All landing fees
Use of onboard gym, sauna, pool and jacuzzi and onboard yoga

What's Excluded

Mandatory travel insurance
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
Pre or post cruise travel expenses
Visa (if applicable) and passport fees
Fuel surcharge may be applied to all bookings
Paid adventure options and all personal expenses
Tobacco, alcoholic or beverages (other than coffee and tea)
Miscellaneous extras
Laundry and communication charges on board
Gratuities for Expedition team and crew (recommended US$15 per person per day)
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

We’ll carefully listen to your aspirations and curate an impartial shortlist of personalized polar cruise recommendations—and pre- and post-cruise extensions—to match your desired experience.

Next we’ll place a free, no obligation, 24-hour cabin hold on your preferred cruise option whilst we discuss the final details. Book and relax safe in the knowledge you’ll be paying the lowest price guaranteed.

Then we’ll provide you with our expert packing advice, insider travel tips, and more to ensure you are fully prepared for—and maximize your enjoyment of—your once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica expedition.

Best of Antarctica: In Depth

Highlights

Ships

Standard Activities