Antarctic Peninsula Aboard the Ortelius
11 Days/10 Nights
From $7,950 per person
(Quad. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
Overview
Travel to the southernmost part of the world to explore the offshore islands and observe the wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula on this captivating voyage. Depending upon the weather, you may be able to see a large colony of Gentoo Penguins, and breeding pairs of Skuas on Cuverville Island, and Chinstrap Penguins and Weddell and Crabeater Seals on Danco Island. Zodiac excursions offer the opportunity to see Humpback and Mink Whales, and to visit a research station on Antarctica.
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 10 nights (10 nights aboard the Ortelius), and 28 meals (10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 9 dinners).
Best Time to Go: November-March.
Destinations: Argentina and Antarctica.
Interests: Adventure, Camping, Expedition Cruising, Scuba Diving, Sea Kayaking, and Wildlife Viewing.
Places Visited: Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: End of the World, Start of a Journey.
Note: We advise all passengers to plan to arrive in Ushuaia one night before the cruise departure.
Day 2-3: Path of the Polar Explorers.
Day 4-8: Enter the Antarctic.
Sites you may visit include:
Cuverville Island – Stabbing up between Rongé Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, Cuverville houses a massive colony of gentoo penguins as well as pairs of breeding brown skuas.
Danco Island – Activities here may focus on the gentoo penguins nesting on the island, in addition to the Weddell and crabeater seals that can be found nearby.
Neko Harbour – An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow. Opportunities for Zodiac cruising and kayaking provide you the closest possible view of the ice-crusted alpine peaks.
Paradise Bay – You may be able to take a Zodiac cruise in these sprawling, ice-flecked waters, where you have a good chance of seeing humpback and minke whales.
Port Lockroy – After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, you 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 for kayaking and camping here.
Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If the ice allows it, you may 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.
Wilhelmina Bay & Guvernøren – This is a great place to spot humpback whales. You also may embark on a Zodiac cruise ending at the ghostly wreck of the Guvernøren, a whaling vessel that caught fire here in 1915. Around the Melchior Islands, amid a frozen landscape peopled with icebergs, you may encounter even more whales, leopard seals, and crabeater seals.
Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 9-10: Familiar Seas, Familiar Friends.
Day 11: There and Back Again.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Itinerary Map
Prices & Dates
Price per Person
| Category | Single | Double | Triple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quad Cabin | $7,950 | $7,950 | $7,950 |
| Triple Porthole | $8,950 | $8,950 | $8,950 |
| Twin Porthole | $16,405 | $9,650 | n/a |
| Twin Window | $17,170 | $10,100 | n/a |
| Twin Deluxe | $18,445 | $10,850 | n/a |
| Superior | $19,890 | $11,700 | $10,450 |
Notes:
- The above prices are valid until February 6, 2019.
- The single supplement is 1.7 times the Twin price.
- Singles willing to share a cabin pay the Twin/Triple/Quad price.
- Optional camping cost is $180 per person.
- Optional kayaking cost is $465 per person.
- Optional diving cost is $530 per person.
Departure Date
February 6, 2019.
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Accommodations on board the M/V Ortelius.
- All meals scheduled on board, including snacks, coffee, and tea.
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
- Use of rubber boots.
- Evening briefings and lectures.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare.
- Hotel nights before/after the cruise.
- Transfers to/from the vessel before/after the cruise.
- Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Gratuities to ship crew and guides (Suggested $8-10/per/day for the naturalist guides and crew).
- Bar, gifts, and personal items.
- Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.
Additional Details
Group Private: All services included in this tour are operated on a group basis.
Elevations: N/a.
Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a valid passport (for the duration of your visit) and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Australian and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity fee of $100 and $75 respectively (subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons) online, and must show proof of payment prior to arrival. The reciprocity fee for U.S. citizens has been suspended until further notice. For citizens of Australia, this fee covers unlimited entries to Argentina for 10 years, while citizens of Canada are charged the fee every time they enter the country (or $150 for multiple visits within five years). The fee can be paid online at ProvinciaNet.com.ar. You will need to register in order to make the payment. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the embassy of Argentina in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.
To Book This Trip: Call or email us to confirm the availability of this ship for your desired dates of travel. For reservations made more than 90 days prior to departure, the required deposit is between $2,100 and $2,900 per person, and may be higher for single passengers. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
