Antarctic Explorer

Antarctic Explorer

706 Views
11 Days From

$13995

$8397

Antarctic Explorer

11 Days Starting and ending in Ushuaia, Argentina

Visiting: Antarctica, Argentina

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

PSX

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 189

Physical rating:

Easy

Age range:

18-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Polar

From: $13995 $8397 Operator discount: -$5598 -40%

NB: Prices correct on 25-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

It is a heady and inspiring cocktail of towering blue icebergs which refract searing blues and greens, whether against piercing clear skies or slate grey ones. It is home to an extraordinary array of wildlife: penguins of almost all descriptions, Leopard and smaller seals and whales, seen from the shore, the Zodiacs and from on board. This is a journey that appeals to many: photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, ornithologists or those who simply want to marvel at the peaks of Deception Island or the striking colours of Iceberg Alley in the most immaculate wilderness anywhere.

Highlights

  • Explore the remarkable Antarctic Peninsula

  • Incredible wildlife viewing including seabirds, penguins, seals and whales

  • Travel on a small expedition vessel

  • Accompanied by extremely qualified Expedition Staff

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Ushuaia, Argentina

Begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentine town is an ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.

Day 2 : Board Ship And Sail Along The Beagle Channel

Meals Included: Dinner

The morning is free to explore Ushuaia and the surrounding area, to do some last minute shopping, stroll around Ushuaia and down to the port or maybe go for a walk in the nearby National Park. The transfer to the ship takes place in the afternoon. Once on board there is a get together for introductions to the expedition team, to learn about the ship and its layout, talk about the itinerary for the next 10 days and participate in the obligatory lifeboat drill. Departure from Ushuaia is normally around 6:00 p.m, and we set sail through the Beagle Channel in the early evening. The long days mean plenty of evening light in which to experience the beauty of the channel, and to perhaps enjoy your first wildlife sightings.

Day 3 - 4 : Cross The Drake Passage

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sea conditions in the Drake Passage can vary from dead calm (known as 'Drake Lake'), to rough and stormy (known as 'Drake Shake'). As you cross the Drake Passage our team of experts is out on deck to help you spot whales and identify seabirds. There is also a programme of talks, covering the wildlife, the ice, and polar history to prepare you for your adventure to the 'White Continent'. The excitement intensifies as you cross the Antarctic Convergence, where the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean meet the warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. You feel the change as the air gets cooler. Huge icebergs loom up against the horizon in increasing numbers, and Wandering albatrosses, petrels and other birds which thrive in this cold, remote ocean are frequently seen.

Day 5 - 8 : South Shetland Islands And Antarctic Peninsula

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travellers alike. Every time we visit Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other - creating a unique, personal experience. Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are hiking the Antarctic landscape, visiting a research station or consorting with Chinstrap, Adélie and Gentoo penguins, all of which can be found here. Keep an eye out for Weddell, Fur, Crabeater and Leopard seals as well as curious whales, such as Humpbacks, Fins, or perhaps Orcas while on a Zodiac cruise. Each excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy. Amid the serene silence of Antarctica, noisy interludes become indelible memories, such as penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, or the boom and crack of a calving glacier. Every day will be different, having been carefully crafted by your Expedition Team to inspire and educate you about this wonderful part of the world.

Day 9 - 10 : Sail Back Through The Drake Passage

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving the Antarctic Peninsula behind, our ship heads back across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. The crossing is completed with the rounding of Cape Horn, weather permitting.

Day 11 : Disembark And End In Ushuaia

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the early morning we arrive back in Ushuaia where your voyage ends. You will be transferred either to town on to the airport for your onward flight to Buenos Aires.

What's Included

  • Meals
    4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners.

  • All meals while on the ship

  • All accommodation

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff

  • We can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

  • Visas or vaccinations

Food

All meals while on the ship included. Typical Meals The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale. Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal. Lunch: Three course set meal or buffet, or the occasional BBQ. Dinner: Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and coffee. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday - please do inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local team can be well prepared.

Accommodation

The Antarctic Explorer voyage is offered on the  Ocean Explorer and the World Explorer which are Polar Adventure Ships. One night in a standard hotel in Ushuaia included. Full board accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of cabin types, all with en suite facilities. Please visit the Polar Fleet page for Ship Information and Deck Plans.



Polar Adventure Ships



These are small ice rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, kayaking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are excellent and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet.  Rest assured our Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximize their experience sensitively in the Poles.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Yes

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    We can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

Our trip to the Antarctic Peninsula was simply 'mind-blowing'

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

It's true what they say - nothing will prepare you for Antarctica. Not just in the don't-forget-the-sunscreen sort of preparation but the sheer beauty, wildness and silence of the place. The ship, although it was only the second trip it had done for Quark, was brilliant and we honestly couldn't fault the crew, food, comfort (except we didn't have a window: if you're offered cabin 330 on the Sea Spirit, ask to change it!) and overall planning and preparation for the trip. The trip leaders oozed enthusiasm, they were knowledgeable and were able to make last-minute alterations to the schedule to allow us to make the most of every glorious moment of this holiday. I doubt if I will go to Antarctica again, but if I could, I would go again with Exodus and Quark. The free coat was pretty cool too. Only downside was the long journey with the stop at Sao Paulo and the overnight at Ushuaia. Aerolineas Argentinas was delightfully quirky but Exodus had the foresight to allow plenty of transfer time so we didn't miss any connections. And a special "thank you" to their out-of-hours service (and in-hours service too!) for sorting out a couple of minor hitches with all efficiency and politeness.

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

I cannot remember a time when the Antarctic was not at the top of my wish list. This trip not only met all my expectations, it far exceeded them! It is difficult for any review to do both the location and the expedition team justice.

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

Having drooled over numerous glorious pictures of Antarctica, I had long dreamed of experiencing it for myself. Antarctica over-delivered on my extremely high expectations with mind-blowing scenery, plentiful wildlife and ever-changing weather. Travelling on the Sea Spirit was an absolute pleasure; the on board staff were brilliant without exception and did everything they could to make sure we were comfortable and entertained. I can now only sit back in wonder at my own photographs knowing that I am now a participant and no longer merely a distant spectator.

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

An excellent and informative introduction to Antarctica. You could not wish for a better trip.

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

This was the most amazing trip. From the first moment we got on the ship to the moment we left we were by turns pampered, well fed and treated to an array of various difference experiences on an untouched continent. I can highly recommend this and with the level of quality of all aspects of this trip I would expect anyone from anywhere to enjoy it.

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

An amazing introduction to a stunning continent. A real once-in-a-lifetime trip to somewhere that has to be experienced to be believed.

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

An absolutely amazing trip that surpassed all expectations. The cabin was bigger than expected, the food great, the wildlife plentiful and close, the crew were friendly, organisation was superb and there was so much to do I didn't even get to read my book!

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

The whole trip was exceptionally well organised and was up there with my most inspriational trip ever (and I have done a fair bit of travelling!!)) Antarctica is definately a place you should experience a once in a lifetime experience.

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

Great boat, fantastic experiences, good mix of people

Read all 22 reviews

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Operator discount: -$5598

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Prices last published on 24-Nov-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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