Best of Antarctica In Depth (Ocean Endeavour)

14 days
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Small Ship Cruise
Experience awe-inspiring scenery and untamed wildlife on a 14-day voyage to east and west Antarctica. This expedition introduces you to the wonders and highlights of the White Continent, with additional days to better explore the Antarctica Peninsula. Encounter Weddell seals lazing on ice floes, whales breaching the frigid waters and several species of pengui...
19%
$10,480
From$8,520
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Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Cross the Antarctic Sound on your way to the Antarctic Peninsula’s remote and rugged east side, a sweeping landscape full of huge icebergs and legendary islands.
    • Towering icebergs, blue glaciers, rugged islands, white mountains, abundant and curious wildlife – the western side of Antarctica is a lifechanging destination in itself.
    • Encounter Antarctica’s incredible wildlife – Adelie and gentoo penguins, leopard seals, sea birds, whales – your expedition crew will curate your adventure to ensure you’ve got the best chance of multiple sightings.
    • You might have the chance to visit Paulet Island, the Danger Islands and the Eagle Group – chains of islands famous for their enormous penguin colonies, exploration history and geological features.
    • Zodiac excursions open up exploration opportunities on both sides of the peninsula, from the Danger Islands to Paradise Harbour and the shores of the South Shetland Islands. We aim for two excursions on each expedition day to maximise your time on the Peninsula.

What's this trip about?

    Experience awe-inspiring scenery and untamed wildlife on a 14-day voyage to east and west Antarctica. This expedition introduces you to the wonders and highlights of the White Continent, with additional days to better explore the Antarctica Peninsula. Encounter Weddell seals lazing on ice floes, whales breaching the frigid waters and several species of penguins shuffling across the frozen shores. You will cruise around the ice-filled waters by Zodiac, landing on the Antarctic Continent itself for onshore excursions that will afford jaw-dropping views. Your ice-strengthened expedition ship, the Ocean Endeavour, is ideally suited to cruising this icy wilderness and onboard expedition guides offer priceless knowledge and insight, bringing the world’s most incredible landscapes to life.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeGroup - max of 200 people
Age range8 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityUshuaia
End CityUshuaia

Travel Themes

  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • South America
  • Argentina
  • Antarctica

Attractions

  • Antarctic Peninsula
  • Ushuaia

Activities

  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • Welcome Briefing
    • Citizen Science Program
    • Onboard Lecture Program
    • Daily Briefings and Recap
    • Zodiac Excursion/Cruising
    • Guided walking Excursions
    • Citizen Science Program
    • Onboard Lecture Program
    • Daily Briefings and Recap
    • Daily Briefings and Recap
    • Onboard Lecture Program
    • Citizen Science Program
    • Guided walking Excursions
    • Zodiac Excursion/Cruising
    • Daily Briefings and Recap
    • Citizen Science Program
    • Onboard Lecture Program

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina

Welcome to the port city of Ushuaia for the beginning of your Antarctic adventure. When you arrive, you'll be transferred to your hotel to settle in before meeting your fellow travellers this evening at the welcome briefing. If you're arriving earlier there are plenty...

Day 2 Embarkation in Ushuaia

Explore the charming town of Ushuaia in the morning before embarking on your home away from home for your Antarctic expedition, the Ocean Endeavour. In the morning perhaps visit the Museo Maritimo to brush up on local history, or just enjoy a morning strolling this la...

Day 3-4 At Sea, Drake Passage

The next two days are all about relaxing and getting to know your team of polar experts as they share their in-depth knowledge about all things Antarctica. You will have the opportunity to enjoy presentations about the continent’s geography, environment and wildlife. ...

Day 5-7 East Antarctic Peninsula

This is a true exploration, so all going to plan, today will see the ship’s bow cruising around the eastern end of the Antarctic Sound, leaving you facing the wild coastlines of the Peninsula’s eastern side. The vast Weddell Sea is edged by a seemingly endless coastli...

Day 8-11 West Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

After three days exploring the peninsula’s rarely visited east side, it’s time to cross back through the Antarctic Sound for the better known, but no less spectacular, western shores. As the ship attempts to enter the sound, a collection of tabular icebergs typically ...

Day 12-13 At Sea, Drake Passage

Settle back into the comfortable surroundings of the Ocean Endeavour for the return journey across the Drake Passage as you track north towards Cape Horn to your destination of Ushuaia, Argentina. This is your last chance to soak up the experience and knowledge of you...

Day 14 Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina

This morning, farewell the Ocean Endeavour as you disembark in Ushuaia. Following breakfast, take a short transfer to Ushuaia airport for your onward journey. Your expedition team, ship’s crew and staff who have shared the journey with you will join you on the dock to say farewell.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $8,520
Price per day$609
Last Updated: 10/7/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
06 Dec 2024
19 Dec 2024
$8,520
06 Dec 2024
19 Dec 2024
$11,280
06 Dec 2024
19 Dec 2024
$10,360
06 Dec 2024
19 Dec 2024
$11,095
06 Dec 2024
19 Dec 2024
$10,880
06 Dec 2024
19 Dec 2024
$12,110
06 Dec 2024
19 Dec 2024
$9,000
06 Dec 2024
19 Dec 2024
$9,480
06 Dec 2024
19 Dec 2024
$13,760
06 Dec 2024
19 Dec 2024
$9,960

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

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Aug 2024

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jasonemeraldrealestate.com.au

Aug 2024

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The intrepid group were excellent to…

The intrepid group were excellent to work with and were very helpful at all times and made organising the trip a breeze. This was an excellent trip, and was enjoyed ...

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Michael Campbell

Aug 2024

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Awful waste of time and money.

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Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

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Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

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Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
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Logistics

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (1 night),Expedition Cruis Ship (12 nights),

Transportation & Flights

Expedition cruise ship,zodiac,

Transportation & flights

Expedition cruise ship,zodiac
Guides
Your expedition will be led by an experienced Expedition Leader and at least one Assistant Expedition Leader. In addition, there will be a team of Polar experts and Expedition Guides who will be with you throughout. These experts will have various areas of expertise to inform you about the wildlife you may see, the terrain you'll pass through, the history of the area and to help you get the most out of photography opportunities, there will be a photography guide on board. In addition there will be specialist guides for kayaking, a yoga instructor and on some voyages, special guest presenters. With a guest to guide ratio of 8:1, there will always be someone around to answer any questions you may have.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory for all guests travelling to the Polar regions and is one of the most important components of any trip, especially in Antarctica - the most remote and inhospitable place on Earth. It is vital that you have the most suitable insurance with adequate levels of cover. We advise purchasing travel insurance at the same time as booking, ensuring you are covered for cancellation and curtailment from the moment that you confirm your Antarctic voyage, as well as ensuring cover for personal liability, loss of baggage and personal effects, as well as disruption to travel plans. Because of the remoteness of your expedition to Antarctica, advanced medical care and medical evacuations are extremely expensive which makes comprehensive travel insurance essential for all our clients. We encourage you to take the highest level of cover possible, but have a minimum requirement of USD250,000 coverage for medical-related expenses that must include medical evacuation and/or emergency repatriation cover, and specifically cover medical expenses, evacuation (including ship to shore transfer) and/ or emergency repatriation including COVID-19. Be aware that some travel insurance policies have minimum requirements for vaccination series (i.e 2 doses + booster) to cover COVID-19 related medical, evacuation and/or emergency repatriation. Your travel insurance policy must meet these minimum requirements. Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage may also be a mandatory requirement for other countries visited. Please refer to the relevant embassy or consulate for the most up to date information. There are many activities that can be undertaken in Antarctica. If you plan to participate in adventure options such as Kayaking, Day Paddle, Snowshoeing or Camping, please ensure your travel insurance specifically covers you for these activities. You need to ensure you know exactly what you are covered for and ensure that your policy covers this from the time you leave to arrive home. You must provide your travel insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number prior to the departure of your Cruise; you will not be able to join the Cruise nor receive your Final Travel Documentation without providing these details. If you have travel insurance connected to your credit card or bank account please ensure you have details of the participating insurer, the insurance policy number and emergency contact number with you rather than the bank's name and credit card details.
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements No visas are required to visit the Antarctic continent or its offshore islands. However, you will need to have your passport with you on the ship, as port authorities will wish to inspect passports on departure from Ushuaia and also again at the end of your voyage.
Age Requirements
8 years and up
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Ushuaia Port
  • Array
  • Ushuaia
  • ARGENTINA
Trip ID
intrepid-GQMAW

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