Tour Best Of Antarctica: Whale Journey (Ocean Endeavour)

Accommodation

1 night comfortable hotel,9 nights expedition cruise ship

Guide

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.

Meals

10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners

Others

All sightseeing and activities stated as included.

Transport

Expedition cruise ship,zodiac The Ocean Endeavour has a fleet of 20 Zodiacs which means that all passengers can enjoy a landing at the same time.

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Others

Other activities and services not included.

Flights

International flights are not included.

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Day 1 Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

Welcome to Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica. Take your included transfer from the airport to your hotel. Tonight, you’ll meet your fellow travellers and your local team in Ushuaia during a welcome briefing at your hotel. If you have some time to spare before the meeting, we suggest you head downtown to do some souvenir shopping or taste some classic Argentinian flavours at one of Ushuaia’s fantastic local restaurants.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2 Day 2: Embarkation In Ushuaia,
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Embarkation In Ushuaia,

This morning is yours to explore Ushuaia or the Tierra del Fuego National Park, the most southerly national park in South America. Tierra del Fuego National Park offers a range of hiking trails that lead you through the stunningly beautiful and dramatic scenery of snow-capped peaks, lush meadows, rugged coastline, glaciers, waterfalls and lakes. Look out for guanaco, Andean foxes, muskrats and the North American beaver. Birds found here include the Andean condor, Magellanic oystercatcher, kelp goose, austral parakeet and torrent duck. In the afternoon, transfer to the port of Ushuaia to embark the Ocean Endeavour, your home on the sea during your Antarctic adventure. After meeting your fellow passengers and Expedition Team and settling into your cabin, set sail through the historic Beagle Channel towards Antarctica. Soak up the incredible views as you glimpse your last sight of Argentina, then head inside to join the excitement and learn more about what’s to come over the coming days.
Accommodation: Expedition Cruise Ship
Day 3 Day 3-4: At Sea, Drake Passage
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3-4: At Sea, Drake Passage

Spend two days travelling across the legendary waters of the Drake Passage, named after the British seafarer Sir Francis Drake, towards the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. If conditions allow, there will be a chance to enjoy the outer deck spaces, scouting for dolphins, whales and a variety of seabirds passing by, including the iconic wandering albatross, with its enormous three-meter wingspan. Your comprehensive lecture program will also get underway for you to join at your leisure, with our team of polar experts sharing fascinating insights into Antarctic history, geology, biology and everything in between. If the weather is on your side, you should reach the Islands of the Antarctic Peninsula by early evening on day four – the first sighting of land always builds great anticipation on any expedition south.
Accommodation: Expedition Cruise Ship
Day 4 Day 5-8: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5-8: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula is known for a high number of wildlife sightings in front of stunning backdrops of mountains, icy landscapes and water, which combine to provide incredible scenes as you search for whales migrating along the coast. The peak of the migration season (February and March) is the best opportunity to see these majestic ocean dwellers, as all Antarctic whale species migrate long distances, feeding in the cold, nutrient-rich Southern Ocean during the southern summer. The most common species found in the region are humpback, minke and fin whales, as well as orcas. As whale season is in full swing, you may like to participate in one of the exciting onboard citizen science projects, the Happy Whale Project, where you can upload photos of whale’s tails (flukes) online, along with details of where the images are taken, which are then used to analyse and identify the individual whale and track its movement across the oceans. Sightings can happen from the outer decks of the ship or during a Zodiac excursion, or on the ship’s bridge with your captain, where our open bridge policy allows you into the command centre of the Ocean Endeavour for a look at the inner workings of your expedition and access to the best place to spot whales. An average day on board begins with a wake-up call from your expedition leader around 7 am, giving you time to prepare for the day before joining your fellow expeditioners for breakfast in the Polaris restaurant. You will usually have two excursions per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a delicious lunch served on the Ocean Endeavour in between excursions.
Accommodation: Expedition Cruise Ship
Day 5 Day 9-10: At Sea, Drake Passage
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9-10: At Sea, Drake Passage

As the Ocean Endeavour starts its return journey north to your home port of Ushuaia, now is your time to reflect on your amazing adventure. You’re scheduled to reach the relatively calm waters of the Beagle Channel by the evening of day 10. This evening, your final meal together in the Polaris restaurant is often a highlight of our Antarctic adventurers, so live it up and enjoy as you celebrate an incredible adventure with your fellow travellers and expedition team.
Accommodation: Expedition Cruise Ship
Day 6 Day 11: Disembarkation In Ushuaia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Disembarkation In Ushuaia

Disembark the Ocean Endeavour after breakfast as your Antarctic expedition comes to an end and the memories of an amazing adventure begin. Transfer to Ushuaia airport is included if you are departing today.

11 days tour

Best Of Antarctica: Whale Journey (Ocean Endeavour)

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Best Of Antarctica: Whale Journey (Ocean Endeavour)

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

Day 2: Embarkation In Ushuaia,

Day 3-4: At Sea, Drake Passage

Day 5-8: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula

Day 9-10: At Sea, Drake Passage

Day 11: Disembarkation In Ushuaia

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