Best of Antarctica In-Depth: Ocean Endeavour

Antarctic Peninsula

Experience awe-inspiring scenery and untamed wildlife on a 14-day voyage to East- and West-Antarctica. This expedition introduces you to the wonders and highlights of the White Continent, but with three additional days to better explore the Antarctica Peninsula. Encounter Weddell seals lazing on ice floes, whales breaching the frigid waters and several species of penguins shuffling across the frozen shores. You will cruise around the ice-filled waters by Zodiac, landing on the Antarctic Continent itself for onshore excursions that will afford jaw-dropping views

  • Cross the Antarctic Sound on your way to the Antarctic Peninsula’s remote and rugged east side.
  • Witness and explore the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula
  • Be aboard a specially designed ice strengthened vessel
  • variety of onboard activities including educational lectures on history, geology and ecology and participate in a Citizen Science Program
  • Witness the abundant wildlife - penguins, elephant seals, whales and more!
  • The ice-strengthened expedition ship, the Ocean Endeavour, is ideally suited to cruising this icy wilderness and onboard expedition guides offer priceless knowledge and insight, bringing the world’s most incredible landscapes to life.

    Earlybird Rates

    15% off Cat 1 -7 cabins / 20% off Cat 8 – 10 cabins - valid until 31 March

    Stewart's Take

    Get extra time in Antarctica on this expedition!

    Overview

    Experience awe-inspiring scenery and untamed wildlife on a 14-day voyage to East- and West-Antarctica. This expedition introduces you to the wonders and highlights of the White Continent, but with three additional days to better explore the Antarctica Peninsula. Encounter Weddell seals lazing on ice floes, whales breaching the frigid waters and several species of penguins shuffling across the frozen shores. You will cruise around the ice-filled waters by Zodiac, landing on the Antarctic Continent itself for onshore excursions that will afford jaw-dropping views.
    Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina 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. Day 2: Embarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina Explore the charming town of Ushuaia in the morning before embarking on your home away from home for your Antarctic expedition, the Ocean Endeavour. In the morning perhaps visit the Museo Maritimo to brush up on local history, or just enjoy a morning strolling this languid town. Board the Ocean Endeavour in the afternoon and meet your expedition team before taking a tour of the amenities and services available on the ship. After you have settled into your cabin, head out onto the outer decks to wave goodbye to Argentina and then find your sea legs as you say hello to the legendary Drake Passage. Next stop: Antarctica. Day 3–4: At sea, Drake Passage The next two days are all about relaxing and getting to know your team of polar experts as they share their in-depth knowledge about all things Antarctica. You will have the opportunity to enjoy presentations about the continent’s geography, environment and wildlife. Spot seabirds flying with the Ocean Endeavour as she heads south to the Great White Continent, keeping an eye out for albatross on their migration route. Keep your eyes peeled for breaching whales and other marine mammals in the Southern Ocean as you cosy up with a drink at the bar while getting to know your fellow shipmates. If our lecture program by our expert guides is not enough to fill your days, the Ocean Endeavour’s gym, polar library and sauna will keep you busy while crossing the Drake Passage. With favourable conditions, you should see your first sighting of land by early evening on day four. Day 5–9: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula 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 final toast to the Antarctic. Day 10–11: East Antarctic Peninsula & 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. Day 12-13: At sea, Drake Passage Settle back into the comfortable surroundings of the Ocean Endeavour for the return journey across the Drake Passage as you track north towards Cape Horn to your destination of Ushuaia, Argentina. This is your last chance to soak up the experience and knowledge of your expedition team before the end of your voyage, so make sure you join them on the outer decks 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 before bidding farewell. Day 14: Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina This morning, farewell the Ocean Endeavour as you disembark in Ushuaia. Following breakfast, disembark for the short transfer to Ushuaia airport for your onward journey. Your expedition team, ship’s crew and staff who have shared the journey with you will join you on the dock to say farewell. PLEASE NOTE: You are advised not to book a flight out of Ushuaia before midday on disembarkation day, in case of delays caused by unfavourable weather conditions.

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    Your Luxury Expedition Ship: M/V Ocean Endeavour

    Expedition Ship M/V Ocean Endeavour

    The Ocean Endeavour is an extremely well-appointed expedition ship expertly engineered to explore Antarctica. Carrying up to 199 guests, the ship offers a superb guest experience with a nautical lounge, two restaurants, sundeck, and plenty of deck space for observation of polar landscapes, and lounges for learning and reflection.

    For full information about Ocean Endeavour click here...

    Included
  • All meals onboard the Ocean Endeavour 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 to the Ocean Endeavour for embarkation
  • Transfers to airport on return to port
  • All port taxes
  • Use of onboard gym, sauna, pool and jacuzzi and onboard yoga
  • Excluded
    • Any airfare unless otherwise specified in the itinerary.
    • Passport and visa expenses.
    • Government arrival and departure taxes.
    • Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation
    • Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance.
    • Excess baggage charges.
    • Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified.
    • Telecommunications charges.
    • The voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew.
    Deposits Reservations require a non-refundable deposit of 20% at the time you receive a booking confirmation from Expeditions Online. A payment link will be sent to you and this may be paid by major credit card or you may pay by wire transfer in your selected currency, USD, EUR, GBP, AUD or SEK. Bookings within 95 days of departure require full payment. Final Payments Balances are due 95 days prior to departure. Cancellations All requests for cancellation must be received in writing to Expeditions Online. If cancellation occurs less than 95 days or more before departure we will retain your deposit; or fewer than 95 days before departure the cancellation fee is 100% of monies paid. We strongly recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance. Solo Travellers Single Cabins (Solo Use) available in CAT 1, CAT 4A & CAT 5A. Willing to share (same sex) available at no extra charge in CAT 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8, subject to availability. Single Supplement to create a Solo Use cabin is available in CAT 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 at a surcharge of 1.7 x applicable Twin share rate, subject to availability. Single Supplement to create a Solo Use cabin in CAT 8, 9 & 10 is full double occupancy rate at a surcharge of 2 x applicable Twin share rate, subject to availability. Children Minimum age for children is 8 at time of travel. Minors under 18 years of age must travel with a Parent or Legal Guardian. Child rate equals 50% of full (non-discounted) adult rate in a suitable cabin. Children must be aged between 8 & 12 at time of travel to be eligible. Minors under 18 years of age must travel with a Parent or Legal Guardian in the same cabin. All minors under the age of 18 must have a child waiver completed on their behalf by a Parent or Legal Guardian. Booking Terms Please read carefully the General Booking Conditions for Expeditions Online. This voyage is operated by Intrepid and The Antarctic Cruise Company and you additionally travel under their terms and conditions as the operator as well as of the Shipping Company/transport carrier. Details will be forwarded to you at the time of booking.
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