Antarctica Basecamp Cruise

Itinerary Highlights

Embark on an adventure of a lifetime in this jam-packed itinerary for thrill seekers. There are so many ways one can explore the Polar Regions, but it can be a bit tricky when your options as to how you can experience the Antarctic are limited. This is where the Antarctica Basecamp Cruise comes in. What is an Antarctica Basecamp Cruise? The short answer is “it is as much fun and exploration that can be packed into a single cruise.”  There is hiking and snowshoeing over rugged landscapes, or ascending mountains to get that perfect panoramic photograph (not to mention, you can even join a photography workshop).  Perhaps you’d like to explore the shorelines via kayak or zodiac, areas where the cruise ship cannot dare to enter. Or maybe you would like to camp out under the Antarctic skies. And of course, wildlife is always your best companion as you get up close and personal with local penguins, whales and seals. All of these activities are included during your stay, no supplemental charge for experiencing the continent in different ways.

You will embark from Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, and sail across the waters of the Drake Passage.  While exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, the vessels, Ortelius or Plancius, will stay for two to three days at specific locations along the peninsula to serve as a comfortable hub (but not luxury!) for the activities mentioned.  If you prefer a less physically active day, you will be able to enjoy zodiac excursions and follow the shore program and land excursions, which are easy to moderate walks and hikes focused on wildlife.

Polar experts and field guides will share their enthusiasm and in-depth knowledge through lectures, briefings and field excursions.  Major topics, such as marine biology, geography, geology, glaciology, ornithology and history will be covered for the curious traveler. This combination of people who love what they do – scientists, lecturers and expedition guides, will contribute in making this expedition a once in a lifetime experience.

Itinerary Details

Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.

Overnight aboard at Ortelius or Plancius (Dinner)

Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.

Overnight aboard Ortelius or Plancius (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Gray stone peaks sketched with snow, towers of broken blue-white ice, and dramatically different wildlife below and above. You first pass the snow-capped Melchior Islands and Schollaert Channel, sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands. 

Places you might visit includes:

• Neumayer Channel – The vessel may position itself here, launching its multiple basecamp activities from the protected waters around Wiencke Island. You can enjoy the splendors of this alpine environment at sea with Zodiac and kayaking trips, or if you’re in the mood for a walk, there are possible snowshoe hikes and soft-climb mountaineering options farther inland. Naturally, favorable weather conditions determine the possible activities.

• Port Lockroy – After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, you may get a chance to visit the former British research station – now a museum and post office – of Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. You may also be able to partake in activities around Jougla Point, meeting gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags. There are great opportunities also for kayaking and camping here, and when conditions are right, you can even snowshoe around the shore. 

• Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If the ice allows it, you can sail through the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. There’s also a good chance you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales here, as well as leopard seals. Kayaking, glacier walks, and more ambitious mountaineering trips are the potential activities of this location. 

• Neko Harbour – An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow, Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks.

• Paradise Bay – You have the chance to make camp here like a true polar explorer, enjoying a supreme overnight Antarctic adventure.

  Errera Channel – Possible sites in this area include Danco Island and Cuverville Island, but also the lesser known (though equally picturesque) Orne Island and Georges Point on Rongé Island.  

The vessel will stay for two or three days at specific locations to serve as a comfortable hub for a wide range of activities that include the following:

• Mountaineers to climb mountain ranges (soft climbing)

• Hikers to participate in long walks

• Photographers to explore photo opportunities in the photo workshops

• Campers to enjoy life at shore base camps

• Kayakers and Zodiac passengers to explore shorelines

On your last day of near-shore activities, you pass the Melchior Islands toward the open sea. Keep a sharp lookout for humpback whales in Dallmann Bay. You might also shoot for Half Moon Island, in the South Shetlands, with further chances for activities. 

Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.

Overnight aboard Ortelius or Plancius (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them..

Overnight aboard Ortelius or Plancius (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

(Breakfast)

• 11 nights accommodation as per program (based on double/twin occupancy; single, triple & quadruple occupancy is available)

• All guided shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by zodiac

• All offered activities (including camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop) as well as standard included shore excursions and zodiac cruises are free of charge.

• Lectures and entertainment on board

• Comprehensive pre-and post-voyage information material

• Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica

• Loan of snowshoes for hiking in Antarctica

• Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner throughout your voyage

• Snacks and soft drinks on board

• Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia directly after disembarkation

• IAATO passenger fee

• *Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international flights not described above, meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature