Price start from :
$
24,500
Contact Us
14 January 2027 - 07 Feb 2027
25 Days/24 Nights
Ushuaia - Ushuaia
This adventurous expedition offers a unique opportunity to discover very rarely visited places, deep South along the coast of Antarctica to the Bellingshausen Sea, along the coast of Ellsworth Land and even to Peter I Island.
Description
Note: This itinerary is a guide. Plans may change due to ice, weather, and wildlife. Landings depend on site availability, permissions, and environmental rules.
Your expedition starts in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. In the afternoon, you leave this small town on Tierra del Fuego, known as "The End of the World," and cruise through the Beagle Channel.
Path of the Polar Explorers
For two days, you cross the Drake Passage, experiencing cool breezes and rolling seas. After passing the Antarctic Convergence, you enter a zone rich in marine life. Look for wandering albatrosses, cape pigeons, and other seabirds.
Antarctic Peninsula
Following the path of explorer Adrien de Gerlache, you may land at Auguste Island and Hydrurga Rocks, home to penguins and seals. Possible stops include:
- Charlotte Bay – First continental landing at Portal Point.
- Cuverville Island – Home to gentoo penguins and brown skuas.
- Danco Island – Focus on gentoo penguins and seals.
Flandres Bay and Renard Island
Arrive at Flandres Bay and hope to land at Renard Island, known for its rugged terrain and historical significance.
Crossing the Antarctic Circle
In Crystal Sound, witness the vast Antarctic landscape. If possible, land on Detaille Island, a historic research station. Visits to Pourquoi-Pas Island and Horseshoe Island offer insights into past expeditions and stunning views.
Continuing Southward through Marguerite Bay
As you travel south, watch for rare wildlife like the Ross seal. This is a true exploration area, rarely visited by others.
Entering the Bellingshausen Sea
Explore the Ronne Entrance, a remote area first recorded by Lincoln Ellsworth. Landings depend on weather and ice conditions.
A Rare Glimpse of Peter I Island
Peter I Island is a remote volcanic island. If conditions allow, you may land via helicopter on this rarely visited site.
Northward Bound: From Peter I Island Across the Drake Passage
After exploring Peter I Island, head north across the Southern Ocean. Enjoy lectures on Antarctic history and marine life. Watch for albatrosses and whales as you cross the Drake Passage.
End of the World, Last of the Journey
Your journey ends in Ushuaia. Disembark with memories of an unforgettable adventure.
Highlights You Might Experience
Adelie Penguin
Arctic Tern
Chinstrap Penguin
Crabeater Seal
Gentoo Penguin
Light-mantled Albatross
Storm Petrel
Blue Whale
Antarctic Petrel
Blue Petrel
Cape Petrel
Black-browed Albatross
Blue-eyed shag
Commerson's Dolphin
Fulmar
Fin Whale
Giant Petrel
Killer Whale
Grey-headed Albatross
Humpback Whale
Macaroni Penguin
Leopard Seal
Minke Whale
Prion
Sei Whale
South Polar Skua
Snowy Sheathbill
Southern Right Whale
Sperm Whale
Wandering Albatross
Southern Elephant Seal
Weddell Seal
Wilson's Storm Petrel
Activities You might Participate
Cabins and Pricing
Quadruple Porthole
2 upper / lower berths
Complete Cabin
USD
98000 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing Cabin
USD
24500 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Triple Porthole
1 upper / lower berth + 1 single lower berth
Complete Cabin
USD
91500 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing Cabin
USD
30500 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Porthole
2 lower berths
Complete Cabin
USD
61000 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single Cabin
USD
51850 Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing Cabin
USD
30500 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Window
2 lower berths
Complete Cabin
USD
64000 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single Cabin
USD
54400 Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing Cabin
USD
32000 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Deluxe
2 lower berths
Complete Cabin
USD
69700 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single Cabin
USD
59245 Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing Cabin
USD
34850 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Superior
1 double bed, 1 single (sofa) bed
Complete Cabin
USD
72100 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing Cabin
USD
36050 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Map
IMPORTANT
EXCLUDED
INCLUDED
- Flights to the embarkation point and from the disembarkation point.
- Pre- and post- land arrangements.
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Meals ashore.
- Personal health Insurance for Medical, Accident and Repatriation/Evacuating.
- All personal expenses, including but not limited to laundry services, bar beverages, and excess internet usage charges.
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
FAQ
What is the difference between an ice-strengthened ship and an icebreaker ship?
- An ice-strengthened ship is a ship made of steel. These ships are made to get through the ice at Antarctica and the Arctic. Nowadays, most of the ships that cruise to Antarctica and the Arctic are ice-strengthened ships. Ortelius and Plancius are both are ice-strengthened ships. Ortelius has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) and is therefore very suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice. Plancius has an ice-class notation of 1D. Icebreakers are needed if there is a trade route to keep ice free, if there are military reasons for patrolling in areas with heavy sea ice or if you need to work in heavy ice conditions, particularly in winter. Icebreakers are expensive to build and very expensive in fuel to run (sometimes powered by gas turbines or a nuclear generator). They are uncomfortable to travel in on the open sea.
Are there age restrictions for the voyages?
- Children must be at least three years old to sail with us, however we advise against travelling with children under 8 years old. We do not have an upper age restriction, but all passengers must be mentally and physically capable of making the voyage.
What forms of payment do you accept when making a reservation?
- We accept payment via bank transfer, Wise or credit card (Mastercard and Visa). When paying with a credit card, we have to pass on a credit card fee.
Can I get a cash advance on board the ship?
- No, you are not able to get cash advances on the vessel.
Where is the Antarctic Circle Located?
- The Antarctic Circle, which is also referred to as a polar circle, is one of the five latitude circles that are used to divide maps of Earth. An expedition cruise to the Antarctic Circle will take travelers south of the Equator to the 66°33′45.9″ coordinates. The Antarctic Circle is between the Southern Temperate Zone and the Antarctic. This polar circle crosses through Antarctica, the Southern Ocean and the Balleny Islands.
What Are the Unique Features of an Antarctic Circle Cruise?
- A cruise to the Antarctic Circle is definitely a unique experience, and you may see a variety of photo-worthy things. Examples include wildlife, glaciers and icebergs. One of the most intriguing facts about the Antarctic Circle is the region's 24 hours of daylight and nighttime that take place once a year. To explain, December is filled with a full 24 hours of daylight to mark the solstice, and the opposite event occurs in June.
How many people can travel on board the Ortelius?
- The number of passengers is limited to approximately 116 on the Ortelius. Furthermore the vessel is manned by 20 highly experienced international nautical crew, 19 international hotel crew, including stewardesses, 7 expedition staff in Antarctica (1 expedition leader and 6 guides/lecturers) and 1 doctor.
When was the Ortelius built?
- The Ortelius was built in Poland in 1989 for the Russian Academy of Science.
Can I have one regulator with DIN valves and the other with ISO during polar diving?
Yes, we have adapters on board that we can put into the valve to connect to an ISO regulator. We recommend the DIN type over ISO. The DIN connection will fit without the adapter.
Who leads the polar diving activities?
The polar diving activity is guided by one dive master and two to three dive guides who are highly qualified and experienced in their field. The main language of the dive operation will be in English unless otherwise stated. There will be eight divers per dive guide.
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