TRIP OF A LIFETIME - ANTARCTIC ADVENTURES
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! On an 11-day voyage tailored for wildlife enthusiasts, set sail towards the Antarctic Peninsula, where whales gather in large numbers.
Photo by Derek Oyen
Sculpted icebergs, thundering calving glaciers, massive mountain ranges, and ice-strewn waterways await you as you reach the icy wilderness of the White Continent. Scan the freezing seas for the shadows of these gigantic marine creatures as they glide across icebergs or disturb the Antarctic stillness. Add in encounters with inquisitive penguins, basking seals, and a variety of intriguing seabirds, and you've got yourself a trip to remember.
Each year, humpback whales travel to Antarctica to feed on krill, resulting in an astounding quantity of these peaceful sea creatures. Take Zodiac excursions to get closer to whales observed by your skilled expedition team if weather permits.
Other creatures you could see are king and chinstrap penguins, fur and elephant seals, albatross, and more.
Enjoy on-board activities such as instructive lectures on history, geology, and ecology given by the expedition crew.
Enjoy the adventure lounge, restaurant, bar, pool, jacuzzi, library, gym, sun deck and spa facilities on board.
Is the trip suitable for you?
The Ocean Endeavour is an ice-strengthened ship that is huge, strong and well-suited to the unpredictability of Antarctic seas. Some passengers may become seasick in sometimes strong waves; nevertheless, they have a doctor on board if you want assistance. Typically, over-the-counter seasickness medicine is an easy remedy.
Temperatures in the Antarctic can be exceedingly frigid, yet they can also be shockingly warm when the sun shines. When going outside, they recommend wearing layers. They'll lend you waterproof boots that are both strong and cosy, as well as an inside jacket that you can keep. Please review the Essential Trip Information for packing suggestions.
Photo by Derek Oyen
Depending on the conditions, you'll be exploring the region and looking for animals in a Zodiac boat regularly. It can be chilly and damp on the Zodiac, so dress warmly and keep your camera secure and dry. For both wet and dry landings from the boat, and also on steep terrain, snow, and other uneven surfaces, a reasonable amount of mobility is required. The Ocean Endeavour has a lift, however you'll have to walk the stairs to get to the gangway and other areas of the ship that the elevator does not reach.
Although you have a schedule, there is no assurance that you will be able to do everything on it. Expedition travel requires a certain amount of flexibility and openness to the unexpected, especially in such a remote place as the Antarctic. There are approximately 200 identified sites on the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands, and the schedule may need to be adjusted to other spots that are just as intriguing and spectacular! During bad weather, you may be restricted to the ship, but there are lots of onboard supplies and activities.
Itinerary
Trip overview by Intrepid
Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Welcome to Ushuaia, the Antarctica gateway. Take the complimentary airport shuttle to your accommodation. During a welcome briefing at your hotel tonight, you'll meet your other passengers and your local staff in Ushuaia. If you have some time before the meeting, they recommend going downtown to do some souvenir shopping or sampling some traditional Argentine tastes at one of Ushuaia's wonderful local eateries.
Day 2: Embarkation in Ushuaia
This morning is free to visit Ushuaia or Tierra del Fuego National Park, South America's most southern national park. Tierra del Fuego National Park has a number of hiking paths that take you through breathtakingly gorgeous and dramatic landscapes such as snow-capped peaks, lush meadows, jagged coastline, glaciers, waterfalls, and lakes. Keep an eye out for guanaco, Andean foxes, muskrats, and North American beavers. The Andean condor, Magellanic oystercatcher, kelp goose, austral parakeet, and torrent duck are among the birds found here. Transfer to the port of Ushuaia in the afternoon to board the Ocean Endeavour, your home on the sea for your Antarctic adventure.
After greeting your fellow passengers and the Expedition Team and getting into your stateroom, set sail for Antarctica through the famous Beagle Channel. As you catch your last glimpse of Argentina, walk inside to join the excitement and discover more about what's in store for the next several days.
Day 3-4: At Sea, Drake Passage
Spend two days sailing through the renowned Drake Passage, named after the British explorer Sir Francis Drake, towards the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. There will be opportunities to explore the outside deck areas, looking for dolphins, whales, and a variety of passing seabirds, including the famed wandering albatross, with its massive three-meter wingspan. Your complete lecture programme will also begin, and you will be able to participate at your leisure, with the team of polar specialists giving intriguing insights into Antarctic history and more. If the weather cooperates, you should arrive at the Islands of the Antarctic Peninsula by early evening on day four - the first view of land always adds to the excitement of any trip south.
Day 5-8: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula is noted for a high frequency of animal sightings against spectacular backdrops of mountains, snowy landscapes, and ocean, all of which combine to create incredible panoramas as you look for whales moving down the shore. The height of the migration season (February and March) is the finest time to witness these spectacular ocean dwellers, since all Antarctic whale species move large distances during the southern summer, eating in the frigid, nutrient-rich Southern Ocean. Humpback, minke, and fin whales, as well as orcas, are the most prevalent species in the area.
As whale season approaches, you may want to participate in one of the exciting onboard citizen science projects, the Happy Whale Project, in which you can upload photos of whale tails (flukes) online, along with information about where the photos were taken, which is then used to analyse and identify the individual whale and track its movement across the oceans. Sightings can occur from the ship's outer decks, during a Zodiac excursion, or on the ship's bridge with your captain, where our open bridge policy allows you into the Ocean Endeavour's command centre for a look at the inner workings of your expedition and access to the best place to spot whales.
A typical day on board starts with a wake-up call from your excursion leader around 7 a.m., allowing you time to prepare for the day before meeting your fellow expeditioners for breakfast in the Polaris restaurant. Two excursions are normally scheduled every day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a great lunch served aboard the Ocean Endeavour in between.
Day 9-10: At Sea, Drake Passage
Now is the time to reflect on your incredible voyage as the Ocean Endeavour begins its return journey north to your home port of Ushuaia. By the evening of day 10, you should have arrived in the comparatively calm seas of the Beagle Channel. This evening, your farewell supper together in the Polaris restaurant is frequently a highlight of our Antarctic travellers, so enjoy it as you celebrate a great journey with your fellow passengers and expedition crew.
Day 11: Disembarkation in Ushuaia
After breakfast, disembark the Ocean Endeavour as your Antarctic trip comes to a close and the memories of an incredible journey begin. If you are leaving today, a transfer to Ushuaia airport is included.