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Tel: 03 364 3400
Freephone: 0800 747 737
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Journey to the Antarctic Circle

14 day group tour

Follow the footsteps of early explorers on a journey across the Antarctic Circle!

Set sail for an adventure like no other. Spend 14 days following in the wake of Captain Cook as you cross the Antarctic Circle, home to the midnight sun and towering icebergs. On board the well-appointed Ocean Nova, leave Ushuaia and civilisation behind and journey towards the hauntingly beautiful icy wilderness of the Antarctic Continent. Experience the thrill of witnessing seals lie on ice floes, whales breaching the frigid waters and penguins patrolling the rocky shoreline in vast numbers. Enjoy jaw-dropping views witnessed by seldom few as you explore ice-filled bays by Zodiac, landing on Antarctica itself for onshore excursions.

Your tour highlights

Set sail to the Antarctic Circle and experience nearly endless daylight during the high summer as you journey further south, uncovering the remoteness and untouched beauty of this less-visited part of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Soak up the beauty of this wild place and take advantage of the extra days on the Antarctic Peninsula with this extended expedition. Enjoy more landings, visit more locations and have additional opportunities to witness Antarctica’s breathtaking wildlife and landscapes.

Gain insight from onboard polar experts who will cover a range of fascinating topics during their daily lectures, from the diverse wildlife to the unique geology of the region.

Look for gentoo and chinstrap penguins, fur and Weddell seals, albatrosses and more, all set against the backdrop of towering icebergs and glaciated mountains.

Take part in Citizen Science Projects and contribute to meaningful research by photographing whale flukes for Happy Whale, who help to track and identify individual whales across the oceans.

Tour itinerary

Day
1
Ushuaia

Welcome to Ushuaia – the gateway to Antarctica. Located at the southern tip of Argentina, these parts are known as Tierra del Fuego, often called ‘The End of the World’, but this is just the beginning of your Antarctic adventure. Those with a day or two may want to head to Tierra del Fuego National Park on a full day’s adventure, or if you’ve only got a few hours to kill, why not stroll around town and visit the waterfront overlooking the Beagle Channel. You might also like to sample some handcrafted chocolate at a local cafe in town. Tonight, you’ll have a welcome meeting at about 5 pm at your hotel, then you’re free to get ready for an early morning tomorrow!

Day
2
Ushuaia

Enjoy some free time to explore Ushuaia and the surrounding area before boarding the Ocean Nova – your home for the next 12 nights. Today, your ship will make its way through the Beagle Channel towards the infamous Drake Passage. Named after Charles Darwin’s historic ship, ‘The Beagle’, the deep open water of the channel presents many great photo opportunities. Be sure to wave goodbye to South America if you’re not too busy snapping away at the incredible landscapes – your next land sighting will be the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands.

Day
3-4
Drake Passage

The Drake Passage is one of the planet’s most famous bodies of water. It can be rough, but if weather conditions are reasonable, you can head out on the outer decks to spot ocean dwellers like whales, dolphins or seabirds, including the wandering albatross, prions and petrels. Over the next two days, you’ll get to know your Expedition Team as your comprehensive lecture program gets underway. Your polar experts will share their knowledge of the Antarctic region so you can understand its wildlife, history and geology and help prepare you for the adventure. Your Expedition Team consists of experts on the marine and bird life that inhabits these parts. They will help you scout for sightings as you join them on the outer decks. Step onto the ship’s bridge and take advantage of our open bridge policy, inviting you into Ocean Nova’s command centrr. This is your chance to observe the captain and the expedition in progress from an ideal viewpoint for spotting wildlife.

Day
5-8
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

Over the next few days, you’ll make Zodiac cruises through the icy waters. There are several potential landing sites, and while weather dictates which specific site you’ll land at, each presents an opportunity to get up close with some incredible wildlife. Look out for chinstrap, gentoo and Adelie penguin colonies as well as crabeater, Weddell, fur and elephant seals. When you are on board the Ocean Nova, your Expedition Team will keep the education going with a range of wildlife and history presentations and documentary screenings. A typical expedition day begins with a wake-up call from your Expedition Leader around 7 am, followed by breakfast. Weather permitting, you can anticipate at least two excursions daily, providing ample opportunities to take in the breathtaking Antarctic landscape. For those who crave even more adventure, treat yourself to an optional paddling excursion that offers a new perspective of this frozen expanse. You’ll also be able to take a polar plunge off the Ocean Nova. There’s nothing like a quick dip in the Antarctic’s icy depths to wake you up!

Day
9-10
The Antarctic Circle

Weather and ice conditions permitting, you’ll celebrate reaching the latitude of 66°33’S and crossing the fabled Antarctic Circle. Toast to the sheer rawness of the surroundings and take it all in – while not a typical landing, the crossing of the Antarctic Circle leaves a lasting memory. Travel past colossal icebergs to a point on Earth where only a few travellers have sailed. Home to Weddell seals that are specially adapted to this icy environment, they use their canines and incisors to rasp open new ice and maintain holes in the ice through which to breathe. They also have highly accurate powers of navigation, enabling them to seek out breathing holes when their teeth are worn down, and they can no longer maintain or create breathing holes in the ice.

Day
11
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

As the Ocean Nova begins heading north, you’ll be more familiar with the Antarctic waters. Test your newfound knowledge of penguin species and fine-tune your wildlife spotting skills as you differentiate between fur, leopard and Weddell seals. Zodiac cruises and landings will continue to ensure you make the most of the peninsula’s wildlife opportunities and capture the perfect photographs.

Day
12-13
Drake Passage

The journey’s final leg offers an opportunity to reflect on the spectacular scenery and prolific encounters. During the final days at sea, join additional onboard lectures and view a slideshow featuring captivating images captured by our Expedition Photographer throughout your journey—yours to keep as a cherished reminder of your incredible Antarctic expedition. By the evening of Day 13, you’ll enter the relatively calm waters of the Beagle Channel, signalling the start of your return home. That evening, enjoy a final celebration with your fellow travellers and Expedition Team to mark the end of this Antarctic adventure.

Day
14
Ushuaia

After breakfast, disembark the Ocean Nova as your Antarctic expedition ends. A morning transfer to Ushuaia Airport or downtown is included, but if you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

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Tour pricing:

from $17,026

per person twin/double share*

To secure your place now:

Phone: 03 364 3400 or 0800 747 737
Email: [email protected]

Contact Us for details

Tour Inclusions:

Meals

  • 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 12 dinners

Transport

  • Expedition cruise ship, zodiac

Accommodation

  • Comfortable Hotel (1 night), Expedition Cruise Ship (12 nights)

Activities:

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

Not included:

Welcome Briefing - Free - Onboard Gym - Free - Polar Plunge - Free - Day Paddle - USD349

Conditions:

The Ocean Nova is an ice-strengthened ship – large, sturdy and suited to the unpredictable Antarctic waters. Some people may experience seasickness in occasional rough seas however, we do have a doctor on board should you need assistance. Over-the-counter seasickness medication is usually an easy fix...............Temperatures in the Antarctic can get very cold, but it also can get surprisingly warm when the sun comes out. We recommend dressing in layers when you journey outside. We’ll provide you with waterproof boots on loan that are sturdy and warm, as well as an inner jacket that is yours to keep. Please see the Essential Trip Information for notes on what to pack. .................Depending on the weather, you’ll be travelling around in a Zodiac boat quite regularly to explore the area and search for wildlife. It can get cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you dress appropriately and keep your camera safe and dry. A fair level of mobility is needed for wet and dry landings from the boat, as well as on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. The Ocean Endeavour has a lift, but you’ll need to take the stairs to get to the gangway and some other parts of the ship that the lift does not provide access to. ........................The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and, although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially in such a remote area like the Antarctic................... There are nearly 200 recognised sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned in the itinerary may need to be changed to other locations – which are just as interesting and beautiful! We may also be confined to the ship during rough weather, but there are plenty on onboard resources and activities. The ship’s library and educational lectures are ideal ways to stay entertained, while the wellness spa, saunas, gym and yoga classes will keep you fresh for when the weather clears. 
We are home from “the most extraordinary place on Earth“. You are so right it is just overwhelmingly wonderful. The ship the scenery the seas, the wildlife and fellow passengers just amazing. We were lucky enough to have Greg Mortimer himself lead the expedition. He’s 72 and so leads just one expedition a year. He was just the most fabulous man in every way. Always there in every situation, always talking to everyone, always challenging us without too much of the "safety safety’. And so humble. He should be cloned (even if he is Australian.)
Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia, Richard & Annie