CHRISTMAS IN ANTARCTICA ABOARD THE OCEAN ENDEAVOUR

This once in a lifetime adventure takes you to celebrate the festive season in the ultimate white Christmas destination - Antarctica. What could be more special than spending Christmas in one of the most remote and magical regions on Earth - the hauntingly beautiful and pristine ice wilderness of the White Continent, surrounded by Antarctic wildlife? This will be an unforgettable Christmas!

DEPARTS: 18 DEC 2020 DURATION: 11 DAYS Highlights and inclusions: Unspoiled wilderness, uninhabited by man, where the penguins, seals, whales and seabirds are the true rulers. Experience the White Continent and encounter an incredible variety of wildlife. Take in the Sub-Antarctic South Shetland Islands and the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula. Discover the top wildlife destination in the world where you can see penguins, seals, whales and albatrosses. Admire breathtaking scenery such as icebergs, glaciated mountains and volcanoes. Enjoy regular zodiac excursions and on-shore landings. Benefit from a variety of on-board activities including educational lectures on the history, geology and ecology by the expedition team. Enjoy the amenities on board including expedition lounge, restaurant, bar, pool, jacuzzi, library, gym, sun deck, spa facilities and sauna. Your cruise is full-board including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Take advantage of optional activities during the voyage such as kayaking and snowshoeing. See below for more information. CHRISTMAS IN ANTARCTICA

DAY 1: USHUAIA, ARGENTINA DAY 2: EMBARKATION IN USHUAIA Ushuaia is the most southerly city in the world and the This morning is free for you to explore Ushuaia, giving you capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire). It has a dramatic time to wander the streets of this quaint port town, or setting, surrounded by mountains to the north and the discover Tierra del Fuego National Park. Beagle Channel to the south, making it a spectacular This morning is free for you to explore Ushuaia, giving you departure point for your Antarctic adventure. time to wander the streets of this quaint port town, or discover Tierra del Fuego National Park. Your cruise begins with an overnight stay in Ushuaia. If you arrive into Ushuaia early enough, the day is yours to explore. Transfer to the pier of Ushuaia for embarkation in the Avenida San Martin and the surrounding streets are where late afternoon. You will be welcomed on board the Ocean most hotels, shops, restaurants, cafes and tourist services Endeavour by the Expedition Team and the Ship’s Officers. are located. Why not check out the artisan markets whilst you are here? This evening we set sail through the Beagle Channel that was named after the British ship the HMS Beagle. This On arrival, please make your way through to the Arrivals Hall famous channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer in the extreme south of South America, and is rich in you to your hotel. He/she will be holding a sign with your wildlife. Keep a look out for Magellanic penguins, rock name on it. Should you not be able to locate them, please cormorants, petrels and black-browed albatross from the refer to the front of your itinerary for emergency contact deck as well as sea lion colonies. details of our representative office. Enjoy your first taste of life at sea and a welcome dinner. The Museo Marítimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia (Maritime & The air is likely to be filled with anticipation, as your next the Prison of Ushuaia Museum) is well worth a visit. Located view of land will be of Antarctica - the White Continent. in the former prison of Ushuaia, the prison buildings now house four museums - the Maritime Museum, the Prison Museum, the Antarctic Museum and the Marine Museum DAY 3 & 4: CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE of Art. The buildings date back to 1906 when convicts were transferred from Isla de los Estados to Ushuaia to build this As we leave the Beagle Channel, prepare yourself for national prison. Construction was completed in 1920 and potentially rough seas as we enter the legendary Drake the cells that were designed for 380 inmates, held up to Passage. This infamous and unpredictable channel of water 800 prisoners before closing in 1947. separates the southernmost tip of South America from the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. It was named after the Tierra del Fuego National Park is a short bus ride from English explorer, Sir Frances Drake. Ushuaia and was the first shoreline national park established in Argentina. It is a rugged, mountainous park As we head southwards, there is time to get to know your with great views of Lapataia Bay and dramatic scenery of shipmates and get an insight into the excitement ahead waterfalls, mountains, glaciers and lakes. There are many with presentations from the Expedition Team on everything hiking trails within the park including the Coastal Path Antarctic - from the history and geology to the incredible (Senda Costera) that connects Ensenada Bay to Lapataia wildlife. Bay on Lago Roca. The park is home to many species of animal including the guanaco, Andean fox, North American We will notice a drop in temperature as we cross the beaver, European rabbit and muskrat. There are also many Antarctic Convergence and enter the waters of the Antarctic species of birds including the torrent duck, kelp goose, Ocean. At the Antarctic Convergence, the colder polar austral parakeet, Andean condor and the Magellanic waters flowing north meet the warmer equatorial waters oystercatcher. flowing south. This mixing pushes nutrient rich waters to the surface, attracting a variety of seabirds, whales and The Fin del Mundo Train (End of the World Train) is a steam other species. Look out through the panoramic observation train that runs from Ushuaia to Tierra del Fuego National windows or brave the elements outside on deck as you Park, providing an alternative way to get to the park. keep your eyes peeled for albatrosses flying overhead, icebergs and maybe even breaching whales. CHRISTMAS IN ANTARCTICA

Leaving the Antarctic Convergence in our wake, we DAYS 9 to 10: ANTARCTIC PEN. & DRAKE PASSAGE continue south towards Antarctica, maybe making landfall by early evening on Day 4, if conditions are favourable. The We hope to make one final excursion or shore landing first sighting of land always brings great excitement, and today before we leave the Antarctic Peninsula behind, and is often embraced as the true beginning of any Antarctic head back across the Drake Passage. This is another great expedition. opportunity to look out for wildlife from the deck of the DAYS 5 TO 8: SOUTH SHETLAND AND ANTARCTIC PEN. ship, as you identify seabirds and maybe whales with the help of your Expedition Team. Gain more insight into the For the next three days we explore the South Shetland region by attending final lectures and presentations by the Islands and Antarctic Peninsula that is famed for its polar experts and take time to relax and reminisce about majestic mountains, glaciers, imposing icebergs, ice- your Antarctic experiences. strewn waters and abundance of wildlife. The scenery, wildlife and serene silence of Antarctica will enchant By the evening we hope to be back in the tranquil waters and enthral and you will soon realise why this region has of the Beagle Channel, ensuring a restful nights sleep on captivated the attention of explorers and travellers for board. centuries.

Your days on the Antarctic Peninsula will form the core of your adventure. Every day will be different as we cruise by Zodiac amongst the beautifully sculpted icebergs and take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. Unpredictable weather and ice conditions mean that the itinerary will be flexible, but will make the most of wildlife sightings, as we aim to explore penguin rookeries, seal and bird colonies, whale feeding areas as well as visiting sites of historic and scientific interest and climbing to vantage points for panoramic views. There is always something new or unexpected to see, with opportunities for kayaking, snowshoeing and photography with an expert, which means that your expedition will be a unique and personal experience and unlike any other. Enjoy the antics of thousands of curious penguins as you sit on a pebbled beach, scout for whales and seals as you cruise by Zodiac, visit a research base, listen out for the mighty crack of a calving glacier and maybe brave a polar plunge in the icy waters!

As we cruise through the Peninsula, the lecture programme continues and sightseeing is at its most spectacular off DAY 11: DISEMBARKATION IN USHUAIA the ship’s outer decks. Enjoy the Ocean Endeavour’s newly We are scheduled to arrive into Ushuaia early this morning, designed health and fitness features, with facilities that disembarking after a final breakfast aboard the Ocean include a spa, His and Hers saunas, saltwater pool and gym Endeavour. plus yoga sessions. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight, or maybe spend a few days in Ushuaia, giving you time to explore further, maybe hiking in Tierra del Fuego National park.

Please Note: You are advised not to book a flight out of Ushuaia before midday on disembarkation day, in case of delays caused by unfavourable weather conditions.

CHRISTMAS IN ANTARCTICA

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES EXPEDITION GEAR

The following activities are available, subject to availability: - Rubber boots are provided for shore excursions. Upon booking you will receive more information about what you KAYAKING - US$790 PER PERSON need to pack for your voyage. Kayaking in the far-flung corners of the world is an experience guaranteed to refresh your soul. Paddling in small groups, you’ll glide between ice floes, brash ice and THE WILDLIFE OF ANTARCTICA icebergs dotted with wildlife. Previous kayaking experience is required. This frozen Frontier is home to an incredible variety of wildlife. Penguin species include adélie, chinstrap, macaroni SNOWSHOEING - US$150 PER PERSON and gentoo. You should encounter weddell, crabeater and A unique way to explore Antarctica. It makes walking up leopard seals as well as minke, orca (killer) and humpback gentle slopes a breeze, allowing you to explore places whales, Antarctic fur seals and Southern elephant seals. others struggle to reach in boots alone. Then of course there is the huge variety of seabirds including kelp gulls, blue-eyed cormorants, Antarctic terns, CAMPING - US$290 PER PERSON Southern giant petrels, shearwaters and the wandering A true outdoor adventure, experience the sights and albatross with a wing span reaching up to 3 metres. sounds during your opportunity to fully immerse yourself when you camp overnight in Antarctica.

PHOTOGRAPHY PRIVATE WORKSHOP - US$790 PER PERSON Includes workshops prior to arrival in Antarctica, critiquing sessions while in Antarctica and editing workshops on the return journey. Some zodiac excursions on dedicated zodiac and dedicated to Photography guide on landings. Return with the best capture memories possible.

HIKING - NO COST Explore the surroundings by foot as you actively hike on Antarctica. Only available in some locations. Weather dependant.

YOGA - NO COST Experience Yoga in a way like no other. On board the ship you will find yoga available to you. This is however, weather and swell dependent.

EXTENSIONS TO YOUR ANTARCTIC CRUISE

There are many incredible places to explore in South America either before or after your Antarctic cruise.

We can suggest a huge range of personalised tailor- made itineraries with daily departures, as well as a range of Small Group Tours that connect with your cruise..

Please refer to your booking agent for more information.