DISCOVER ANTARCTICA Departing from Punta Arenas 11 Days/10 Nights
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DISCOVER ANTARCTICA Departing from Punta Arenas 11 Days/10 Nights OVERVIEW Beginning in the Chilean town of Punta Arenas and finishing in the Argentine seaport of Ushuaia, on top of four spectacular days on the Antarctic Peninsula this itinerary gives you the opportunity to bookend your voyage with visits to two charming and historically significant towns of the south. Before setting sail, expand your knowledge of the seventh continent at the newly completed $50million International Antarctic Centre on the shores of Punta Arenas. After two days watching albatross and scanning for whales across the legendary Drake Passage, the Antarctic Peninsula will greet you with icebergs and mountains on the horizon. Visit the western peninsula’s famous penguin colonies, marvel at the sheer size of glaciers and maybe even kayak with humpback whales. After four days of immersive excursions across the South Shetland Islands and continental Antarctica, you will return to the scenic port of Ushuaia - completing your journey with a glacial hike and a tour of the town’s charming, alpine-inspired streets. ARGENTINA HIGHLIGHTS CHILE Atlantic Ocean • Unspoiled wilderness, uninhabited by man, where the Punta Arenas penguins, seals, whales and seabirds are the true rulers. Ushuaia • Experience the White Continent and encounter an incredible variety of wildlife. • Take in the Sub-Antarctic South Shetland Islands and the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula. • Admire breathtaking scenery such as icebergs, Drake Passage South Shetland • glaciated mountains and volcanoes. Islands • Enjoy daily zodiac excursions and onshore landings. • Benefit from a variety of on-board activities including Weddell Sea educational lectures on history, geology and ecology by the expedition team. ANTARCTIC • Take advantage of optional activities during the voyage CIRLCE ANTARCTIC such as sea kayaking and snowshoeing. PENINSULA ITINERARY DAY1 & 2 - PUNTA ARENAS, chile The feeling of a true expedition will come to life as we take to the water in our fleet of zodiacs and make our On arrival at Punta Arenas Airport, please make your way first Antarctic excursion. through to the Arrivals Hall, where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel. Over the coming days, we’ll voyage further south across He/she will be holding a sign. the Bransfield strait and into the icy coves of continental Should you not be able to contact them, please refer to Antarctic Peninsula. Sprawling gentoo penguin colonies the emergency contact details of our representative will provide for a sensory immersion into the continent’s office. ecology and the seals and whales that thrive in these Start your journey by exploring the charming streets waters will be a highlight of our first few landings and and rugged coastline of Punta Arenas, Chile on the zodiac cruises. It’s also here that the true extent of shores of the historic Strait of Magellan. Established on Antarctic glacial ice can be witnessed. Famous sites like the wealth of the Patagonian wool export industry, the Neko Harbour, Orne Harbour or Skontorp Cove will draw town’s splendour has been continued by a shift in focus the captain’s gaze as we seek the region’s most stunning to facilitating Antarctic exploration and research. It’s icy vistas for ice camping, snowshoeing and sea kayaking from the Punta Arenas post office that Sir Robert Falcon adventures. As well as sites rich in natural history, we will Scott penned his 400 letters announcing his return also endeavour to visit a working science base as well as from the Antarctic and the town also hosted Sir Ernest seek out historic huts and landmarks that punctuate the Shackleton and his men for the closure of their harrowing white wilderness. Endurance expedition - all of which and more is detailed in the town’s newly built $50million International Antarctic Centre. Adorned with an ice-like facade and an DAY 9 & 10 – AT SEA, DRAKE PASSAGE homage to Shackleton’s adventurous spirit - the centre’s Following a dazzling four days on the Antarctic museum will be a brilliant opportunity to learn about the Peninsula, the bow of the Ocean Endeavour will point history, ice and animals that await you on the voyage north for Cape Horn. During the hours sailing for South ahead. America, lectures and workshops in photo editing will At the town’s port, the Ocean Endeavour eagerly awaits make sure your photographic memories of the days our traverse of the Strait of Magellan before turning past are polished and stored safely. And for the final south for the legendary Drake Passage. evenings’ programming, an Antarctic quiz will test your knowledge of all you’ve learned about the continent and its inhabitants, an Antarctic auction will give you the DAY 3 & 4 – AT SEA, DRAKE PASSAGE chance to give back to conservation and other efforts in At sea, the rare and gracious albatross and other sea the region and just before we arrive in Ushuaia, a voyage birds will escort our vessel toward the frozen continent. slideshow will recap all we’ve enjoyed along the way. While out on-board team of experts introduce you to the Antarctic through lectures and workshops, the Ocean DAY 11 – disembarkation in USHUAIA, argentina Endeavour’s spacious bridge provides a warm viewing station for spotting whales and other marine mammals. Once we’ve waved goodbye to the Ocean Endeavour to At night, the expedition team offer tales of their journeys the backdrop of Ushuaia’s surrounding mountain peaks, in the south and we invite you to get to know your you will be free to explore the world’s most southern city - a gorgeous collection of cobblestone streets all within shipmates at the bar or in the lounge. walking distance of wilderness hiking tails, glaciers and vistas of the historic Beagle channel. Gaze over your ship DAY 5-8 – ANTARCTIC PENINSULA once last time from the heights of the Martial Glacier or opt for a more subdued experience in one of the main On the morning of the fifth day of our voyage, large street’s cosy cafes. icebergs and the shape of the volcanic South Shetland Islands can be seen from the Ocean Endeavour’s bridge. PLEASE NOTE: You are advised not to book a flight out of We’ll spend the day exploring this Antarctic archipelago Ushuaia before midday on disembarkation day, in case of - a string of islands that is frequented by chinstrap penguins, elephant seals and fur seals. delays caused by unfavourable weather conditions. inclusions EXclusions • All meals onboard the vessel including snacks • Airfares to/from embarkation and disembarkation city • Onboard lecture program (all voyages) from expedition • Visa and passport expenses staff and naturalists • Travel Insurance • All onshore excursions and Zodiac cruising (excluding • Beverages (other than coffee and tea) optional activities with cost) • Personal expenses such as laundry, on-board • Free use of rubber boots on land and use of communication (telephone calls, faxes, email service) waterproof outer shell jacket • Gratuities for the crew (recommended US$15 per • Pre-night accommodation prior to embarkation, person per day) breakfast and transfer to The Ocean Endeavour for • Optional activities like Sea Kayaking or Ice Camping embarkation whilst onboard • Transfer to airport on return to port • Entry to the International Antarctic Centre in Punta • Use of gym, sauna, pool and onboard Jacuzzi Arenas • Onboard yoga • All Port taxes CHILDREN POLICY Single policy Not recommend for children under the age of 8 (at time Single Cabins (Solo Use) available in CAT 1, 4A and 5A. of travel). Children must travel with a parent or guardian. Willing to share (same sex) available at no extra charge in Child rate equals 50% of adult rate in a suitable cabin. CAT 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8, subject to availability. Children must be aged between 8 & 12 at time of travel to Single Supplement to create a Solo Use cabin is available be eligible. Please note that all children under the age of in CAT 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 (only) at a surcharge of 1.7 x applicable 16 must have a child waiver completed on their behalf by Twin share rate, subject to availability. a parent or guardian. OUR DEPARTURES OE2-1: 02 Nov - 12 Nov 2021 (11D/10N) - Punta Arenas to Ushuaia In addition to this voyage we offer Ushuaia to Ushuaia voyages as below: OE2-2: 11 Nov - 21 Nov 2021 (11D/10N) - Ushuaia to Ushuaia OE2-3: 20 Nov - 30 Nov 2021 (11D/10N) - Ushuaia to Ushuaia OE2-5: 11 Dec - 21 Dec 2021 (11D/10N) - Ushuaia to Ushuaia Please ask your booking agent to obtain the detailed itinerary for Discover Antarctica, Ushuaia to Ushuaia. optional activities Additional Cost Approaching a looming glacier in a sea kayak, strapping on snowshoes to reach the best icy viewpoints, capturing the perfect photo of a humpback whale feeding at the surfac or camping under an Antarctic night sky – these are just some of the ways you can enrich your exploration of the great White Continent with our additional activities. Activities are subject to availability, weather condition and voyage type, so please contact us to find out more. We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. Sea Kayaking Ice Camping Snowshoeing Under full instruction from your Camp out on the ice and experience Get a spring in your step when you slip sea kayaking guide, experience the silence which blankets the on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. true tranquillity as you paddle continent by night. This is your chance Enabling you to easily scale gentle through clinking ice floes and realise to completely connect with this slopes, this unique activity allows you the enormity of the surrounding ethereal ice world – wrap up warm to access hard to reach places and seek scenery.