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Home > Destinations > Antarctica > Antarctica Adventure Cruise
Antarctica Adventure Cruise
Journey to the White Continent on this Antarctica adventure cruise to explore the exceptionally beautiful Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands and waterways. The sights, sounds and emotions will stay in your mind forever - enormous tabular icebergs, hillsides covered with thousands of penguins, and the excitement on deck as someone shouts, ''Whales!'' On this expedition cruise, the M.S. Endeavour departs from and also finishes in Ushuaia, Argentina and will round the southernmost tip of South America and Cape Horn. In addition to a week of exploration in Antarctica, this adventure voyage incorporates a day in the South Orkneys, two days cruise in the wildlife-rich Falkland Islands and four days on South Georgia, an island abundant in wildlife, scenic beauty and history. On the cruise, naturalist guides will accompany you every step of the way. Also spend time exploring the vibrant capital city of Santiago.
DAY 1 : SANTIAGO
Airport reception and transfer to the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Santiago. With the soaring Andes as a backdrop, this city makes a spectacular and welcoming first impression. Morning free to rest or see the city on your own. Santiago is an intriguing blend of European, Spanish-Colonial and innovative modern architecture. Plazas, parks and downtown shopping centers are perfect for strolling. After lunch, take a panoramic city tour, including the Presidential Palace and the historic cathedral. Head up to San Cristobal hill for a spectacular city view, offering fabulous photography opportunities. Return to the Hyatt Regency Hotel for a relaxing dinner and overnight. [LD]
Important note: There is a $131 fee for American citizens to enter Chile, which must be paid in USD cash only.
DAY 2 : USHUAIA, ARGENTINA - EMBARK ENDEAVOUR
Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. The flight offers fascinating and rare views of the rugged terrain of Patagonia. Upon arrival, luggage is transferred to the Endeavour, your seafaring home for the next several days. Settle into your cabin before joining the welcome dinner in the dining room. Overnight aboard the MS Endeavour. [BLD]
DAY 3 : DAY AT SEA
Depart Ushuaia and head for the Falkland Islands. Watch for seabirds on deck as the mainland of Chile and Argentina begins to slip farther into the horizon. While at sea, enjoy the Endeavour's library, gym and e-mail station, or socialize in the lounge or on deck in the fresh air. Attending lectures given by Naturalist guides is an excellent way to begin learning about all that you will experience in the days ahead. Overnight aboard the MS Endeavour. [BLD]
DAY 4 : AT SEA/ANTARCTICA
A partial day at sea, en-route to the Antarctic Peninsula. Enjoy lectures, search for seabirds or simply relax and enjoy the company of fellow travelers during the first part of the day. We make our first landfall in the Antarctic Peninsula region, to explore one of its many islands. Naturalist guides lead hikes and zodiac forays to learn more about the area. Overnight aboard the MS Endeavour. [BLD]
DAYS 5-9 : ANTARCTICA
Making the most of the nearly 24 hours of daylight, the MS Endeavor explores the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands. Some of the most beautiful light will surround you throughout different parts of the day, ranging from brilliantly blue skies to shades of pearly gray and pewter, to the famous "golden hour" that is prized by photographers.
The schedule is flexible in order to take advantage of the unexpected. The veteran expedition team will lead you safely though small inlets and unexplored territory. There is an opportunity to drop kayaks in the frigid water and venture into small coves for a more personal, "penguin-level" exploration.
Sail through the Lemaire Channel, as icebergs of tremendous scale and beauty drift by. Take a zodiac ride to Deception Island. Walk along the beach, through the ghostly ruins of an abandoned whaling factory which once employed 100 men in the days when whale hunting was an industry.
View seabirds such as the pintado petrels and the albatross, with their magnificent wingspans. Orcas, Minke whales, Weddell seals and Leopard seals are often spotted, along with the ever present penguins. See Gentoos, Adlies and Chinstraps in unimaginably large numbers. Watch as they visit their colonies, hunting and gathering for their young.
The MS Endeavour features hydrophones to record marine mammals, a "splash-cam" to view underwater marine life and a ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle - an underwater camera in a metal cage capable of transmitting images at depths of 500 feet). In the evening, the images captured by the undersea specialists are displayed on the TV monitors. Have a close-up view of places that human divers could never go - such as under an iceberg. Overnights aboard the MS Endeavour. [BLD]
DAYS 10-11 : AT SEA
Relax at sea as birds continually thread their way above the ship, as she makes her way to South Orkney Island. Pass Elephant Island, where Ernest Shackleton landed in 1916 to begin the most famous navigational feat in history - a 700-mile ocean crossing from Elephant Island in a 22-foot boat. Seeking help for his stranded crew, he and two of his men traversed the entire mountain range of South Georgia in just 36 hours, reaching the whaling station on the other side of the island. He ultimately saved all 22 men he'd left on Elephant Island. Overnight aboard the MS Endeavour. [BLD]
DAY 12 : SOUTH ORKNEY ISLAND
As you enter the vicinity of the South Orkneys, the shapes and shades of ice are endless. These remote and rugged islands, once known as the "Inaccessible Island," are home to Adlie penguins, and thousands of seabirds. Even with such an arctic world around you, the wildlife is surprisingly profuse. Penguins and leopard seals float by on icebergs and snow petrels and pintado petrels weave through the sky. Explore the area by zodiac to get a closer look at the abundant bird life - occasionally they will land right on the boats, finally coming to rest on the floating ice. Overnight aboard the MS Endeavour. [BLD]
DAYS 13-16 : SOUTH GEORGIA ISLAND
Wildlife and breathtaking scenery are part of this island's appeal. Approaching the shoreline by zodiac, you are welcomed by hundreds of young Antarctic fur seals. At St. Andrew's Bay there are often up to 100,000 yellow-crested king penguins. Hike up the hillside to better photograph the vast multitude of birds. Reindeer are often spotted grazing among them. Overnights aboard the MS Endeavour. [BLD]
DAY 16 : AT SEA
A full day at sea, en-route to the Antarctic Peninsula. Enjoy lectures, search for seabirds or simply relax and enjoy the company of fellow travelers. Overnight aboard the MS Endeavour. [BLD]
DAYS 17-18 : AT SEA
After four days in South Georgia, these days at sea are a time to relax and reflect. Naturalist presentations on wildlife and geology are interspersed throughout the journey. Eager to share their knowledge and enthusiasm, this is a perfect time to ask your crew and expedition leaders about anything you'd like to know. Overnight aboard the MS Endeavour. [BLD]
DAY 19 : PORT STANLEY
The brightly painted iron rooftops of the houses of Port Stanley color the waterfront harbor. Visit the Britannia House Museum, which once housed various commanders of the British Forces. It is now an open museum, filled with an impressive collection of historic and maritime relics. Overnight aboard the MS Endeavour. [BLD]
DAYS 20-21 : FALKLAND ISLANDS (ISLAS MALVINAS)
Arrive on West Point Island, which lies off the most northwestern point of the mainland of the Falkland Islands. Formerly known as Albatross Island, West Point is home to one of the most spectacular bird colonies in the Falklands. Devil's Nose, a dramatic, cliff-edged peninsula shelters nesting Black-browed albatrosses and little Rock-hopper penguins. The 400-million-year-old sandstone has been sculpted by wind and sea, to form frozen waves of rock. Disembark and board a Land Rover vehicle to get uphill to view the birds. After lunch, explore this beautiful sanctuary by zodiac, to see the indigenous Striated Caracaras. Overnight aboard the MS Endeavour. [BLD]
DAY 22 : AT SEA
Keep a look-out for whales beneath you and spectacular birds above you. Spend hours on the deck or the Bridge watching the sky and the sea change by the minute, as icebergs pass by in all shapes and sizes. This is a great time to share tales of the journey and to recap places visited and wildlife observed. Overnight aboard the MS Endeavor. [BLD]
DAY 23 : USHUAIA - SANTIAGO
Disembark the Endeavor in Ushuaia. This afternoon, fly to Santiago and connect with your scheduled international flight. [BL] Note: Actual Routes and Activities may vary.
| - Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services - |
Days: 23 | Grade: I (click for grades definition) | 2009 Price: From $17590 per person. Land cost based on Cabin/Deck | Cabin | Cost | Category 1 | $17590 | Category 2 | $18960 | Category 3 | $19630 |
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| Single Supplement: $5200 (click for info) | *Category 4 cabins $20,390 per person. Single supplement varies from $5000 - $5200 based on cabin, please call for details. Pricing valid until February 2009. | | | 2010 Price: From $18450 per person. Land cost based on Cabin/Deck | Cabin | Cost | Category 1 | $18450 | Category 2 | $19590 | Category 3 | $20590 |
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| Single Supplement: $5200 (click for info) | *Category 4 cabins $21,390 per person. Single supplement varies from $5000 - $5200 based on cabin, please call for details. 2010 pricing begins in November 2009 | | | | | 2009 Departure Dates | 2010 Departure Dates | | | Nov 16 - Dec 8, 2009 (S)
| Feb 10 - Mar 4, 2010
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(S) = Space limited |
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| | | Included: Services as specified in the itinerary above include excellent lodging and accommodations; English-speaking naturalist guides; guided tours and excursions; airport-hotel transfers and land transportation; Santiago-Ushuaia flight; meals as specified [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner]; services of in-bound land operator for airline reconfirmation, and tour operations; and Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services. | | | Not Included: Services unless specified otherwise in the itinerary above such as international air transportation; airport taxes; tips and gratuities; optional or suggested services that are on your own; insurance of any kind; personal expenses; extra beverages and alcoholic drinks; medical costs; and hospitalization and evacuation and any other extra expenses due to unanticipated changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond control. You will need to carry about $500 $600 extra cash (in US dollars cash, not travelers checks nor credit cards) to cover the fees, taxes, tips and meals not included in your itinerary. Meals, souvenirs and other local and personal expenses not specified in the above itinerary are also not included. | | | Trip Notes: Upper deck suite also available. Arrangements for shares can be made at the double occupancy rate in Categories 1 and 2. Third person rates are available at one half the double occupancy rate. Single supplement fee is roughly 25% of trip price. | |
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