Comfort
Polar
Wildlife
Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness (Ocean Endeavour)
11 Days | Witness the icy wilderness of Antarctica at its most impressive
4.9
Excellent
circle17 reviews
location_on 11 days
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Start
Ushuaia, Argentina
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Finish
Ushuaia, Argentina
tour
Trip Code
GQMDW
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Min Age
8
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Trip Size
1 - null
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Physical Rating
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Meals
10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners
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Transport
Expedition cruise ship, zodiac
bed
Accommodation
1 night comfortable hotel, 9 nights expedition cruise ship
From £7,440(11 days)
Trip Informations
Experience the raw and pure beauty of the Great White Continent on an 11-day expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula. During this magical time, landscapes are at their most pristine as the thawing of sea ice draws you into an unspoiled polar wilderness. Icebergs are at their greatest mass, penguins are busy courting, nest building and squabbling over pebbles. As the Ocean Endeavour edges its way through the fractured ice, maybe entering the narrow, sheer-sided Lemaire Channel, you’re invited onto the bow of the Ocean Endeavour. Scan for Leopard seals on ice floes as you follow the continent’s inhabitants further south into the untouched snowscapes of pristine Antarctica.
Why you’ll love this trip
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Antarctica awakens after the harsh winter and extensive snow cloaks the continent in a pristine whiteness. Admire breathtaking scenery such as icebergs and glaciated mountains.
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Penguin populations in the rookeries are thriving and the birds are busy nest-building and courting. Albatross, fulmars and petrels fly the Drake Passage and blue-eyed shags reappear in Antarctica.
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This is an incredible time for photographers – the lengthening days are concluded with fantastic evening light, noctilucent clouds and beautiful rose-coloured sunsets.
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Experience daily Zodiac excursions and onshore landings, and take advantage of a range of paid adventure options during your voyage such as kayaking, camping, photography and snowshoeing.
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Benefit from a variety of onboard activities including educational lectures on history, geology and ecology and participate in our citizen science program, all led by our expert expedition team.
Is this trip right for you?
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The Ocean Endeavour is an ice-strengthened ship – large, sturdy and suited to the unpredictable Antarctic waters. Some people may experience seasickness in occasional rough seas however, we do have a doctor on board should you need assistance. Over-the-counter seasickness medication is usually an easy fix.
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Temperatures in the Antarctic can get very cold, but it also can get surprisingly warm when the sun comes out. We recommend dressing in layers when you journey outside. We’ll provide you with waterproof boots on loan that are sturdy and warm, as well as an inner jacket that is yours to keep. Please see the Essential Trip Information for notes on what to pack.
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Depending on the weather, you’ll be travelling around in a Zodiac boat quite regularly to explore the area and search for wildlife. It can get cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you dress appropriately and keep your camera safe and dry. A fair level of mobility is needed for wet and dry landings from the boat, as well as on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. The Ocean Endeavour has a lift, but you’ll need to take the stairs to get to the gangway and some other parts of the ship that the lift does not provide access to.
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The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and, although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially in such a remote area like the Antarctic. There are nearly 200 recognised sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned in the itinerary may need to be changed to other locations – which are just as interesting and beautiful! We may also be confined to the ship during rough weather, but there are plenty on onboard resources and activities. The ship’s library and educational lectures are ideal ways to stay entertained, while the wellness spa, saunas, gym and yoga classes will keep you fresh for when the weather clears.
Itinerary
- DAY 1Day 1 • Ushuaia, Argentina
- DAY 2Day 2 • Embarkation in Ushuaia
- DAY 3Day 3-4 • At Sea, Drake Passage
- DAY 4Day 5-8 • South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
- DAY 5Day 9-10 • At Sea, Drake Passage
- DAY 6Day 11 • Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Expedition cruise ship, zodiac
bed Accommodation
1 night comfortable hotel, 9 nights expedition cruise ship
festival Activities
circleWelcome Briefing
circleCitizen Science Program
circleDaily Briefings and Recap
circleOnboard Lecture Program
circleGuided walking Excursions
circleZodiac Excursion/Cruising
museum Optional activities
circleYoga and Meditation Classes - Free
circleOnboard Spa treatments (various prices apply) starting from - USD95
circlePhotography Program - USD1099
circleOnboard Gym and Sauna - Free
circleStand Up Paddleboarding - USD299
circleKayaking Program - USD1099
circlePolar Plunge - Free
circleDay Paddle - USD299
circleCamping - USD399
circleSnowshoeing - USD150
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Important notes
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SPECIAL BOOKING CONDITIONS
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You are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of AUD1500, USD1000, EUR900, NZD1600, GBP800, CAD1300, CHF900 or ZAR17,000 per person per trip for your booking to be confirmed. Full payment is required 95 days prior to departure.
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Please refer to our “Booking and Conditions” section on our website including the special conditions that apply to Antarctica Voyages (Ocean Endeavour)
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ADVENTURE OPTIONS
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Approaching a looming glacier in a sea kayak, strapping on snowshoes to reach the best icy viewpoints, capturing the perfect photo of a seal hunting its prey or camping under an Antarctic perpetual twilight – these are just some of the ways you can enrich your exploration of the great White Continent with our additional activities. A range of Paid Adventure Options is available on the Ocean Endeavour, on selected voyages, subject to availability. Your booking agent can assist with availability and pricing.
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• Kayaking or Photography Program - Voyage-duration program available on all voyages. Pre-book via your booking agent.
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• Day Paddle or Stand Up Paddleboarding- One-off excursion available on all voyages. Pre-book via your booking agent. Additional spaces may be available to book on board via the Expedition Team
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• Camping - One-off excursion available on selected voyages. Pre-book via your booking agent.
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• Snowshoeing - One-off excursion available on selected voyages. Book on board via the Expedition Team.
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