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Expedition to Antarctica - 11 Days

I wish I had never gone to Antarctica – said no one ever! We’re headed out on a voyage of a life time!

Dates: November 2nd – November 12th, 2023

Penguins, Whales, Icebergs and more!

  • Multiple room types, singles, doubles & triples – bookings are per bed, not cabin
  • Fly in & out of USH Airport in Argentina
  • 10+ people on this trip
  • Co-Ed group – all roommate assignments will be same sex!
  • ONLY 22% deposit secures your spot on this trip
  • 11 Days/10 Nights

Please review the full FAQ for the trip cancelation policy, covid policy, travel insurance & more. Covid 19 Vaccination & Travel Insurance IS REQUIRED for this trip.

Important: You MUST choose the same cabin as anyone you want to room with upon check out to room together.

Cabin Types Available:

CAT 2 – Triple Interior – Interior room with no window/porthole, 3 beds for 3 people – 1 SPOT LEFT

CAT 3 – Twin Interior – Interior room with no window/porthole, 2 beds for 2 people

CAT 4 – Twin Porthole – Room for 2 people with 2 beds and a porthole

CAT 5 – Twin Window – room for 2 people with 2 beds & a window

CAT 1 – Single – Room for 1 person with 1 bed – not shared

To see more about all the cabins, check out the ship website:

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/us/boats-ships/ocean-endeavour-202122

Final Payment is due July 29th, 2023.

Optional Activities:

Ice Camping (one time excursion)

Kayaking: This is an Unlimited excursion, pay 1 fee and Kayak as many times as you want – You must have recent kayaking experience for this, this is not for beginners.

Snowshoeing excursion (one time fee) – this can not be pre-booked and is only offered onboard. It is VERY weather dependent & leaders onboard will advise passengers on how & when signups will be available.

Photography program – Photography workshops are offered as an optional activity on our Ocean Endeavour departures. It is an opportunity for photography enthusiasts of any skill level to fast track their learning on board and make the most of the expert advice that is on offer. Participants will have dedicated Zodiac and photography guided landing where your photography guide will accompany you and give you tips along the way for taking the perfect picture.

Note: Please only book Photography OR Kayaking – there is significant overlap in the two excursions and you wont get your moneys worth by booking both.

Note: Paying Via Zelle or Venmo (instead of by Card/Paypal) saves you $100 on the trip.

Travel Insurance Quotes can be gotten here: Aardy

Overview

Itinerary

Whats Included?

FAQs

Overview

Experience the raw and pure beauty of the Great White Continent on an 11-day expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula.
During this magical time, landscapes are at their most pristine as the thawing of sea ice draws you into an unspoiled polar wilderness. Icebergs are at their greatest mass, penguins are busy courting, nest building and squabbling over pebbles. As the Ocean Endeavour edges its way through the fractured ice, perhaps entering the narrow, sheer-sided Lemaire Channel, you’re invited onto the bow of the Ocean Endeavour. Scan for Leopard seals on ice floes as you follow the continent’s inhabitants further south into the untouched snowscapes of pristine Antarctica.

Itinerary

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Nov. 2nd :
Day 1 - Argentina!

Welcome to Ushuaia Argentina! There are plenty of things to keep you busy today once you land. From museums and shops to restaurants and cafes. Theres even a local National Park you can go explore if you arrive early enough!

Included: Overnight in Ushuaia Hotel, Transportation from airport to hotel

Nov 3rd :
Day 2 - Ocean Endeavour

Hop on board our ship after breakfast & say hello to our new home! Get settled in for an amazing time these next 10 days. Today we’ll set sail down the Beagle channel. Explore the ship, Check out the gym, take a dip in the pool, and get ready for an amazing time!

We’ll all meet up for a drink and social hour after everyone gets settled in.

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Nov 4-5 :
Days 3 & 4 - Drake Pass

Famed for its wild nature, the Drake Passage is unpredictable and always changing. Be sure to spend some time out on one of the Ocean Endeavour’s many outer decks soaking up the fresh sea air and feeling the breeze of the roaring forties and furious fifties – waters not yet tamed even by the most intrepid of explorers. Your expedition team will provide insights into your exciting adventure that lies ahead. During these two days on the sea, you will have plenty of time to gaze out at the Southern Ocean, capture photos of the birds circling the Ocean Endeavour and get to know your fellow travellers and expedition team. There is always great excitement on board when the first sighting of land appears, which with favourable sea and weather conditions will be early evening on day four.
Included: 2 Breakfast, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners, Planned group activities & fun theme nights

Nov 6-9 :
Days 5-8: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula

Your Antarctic adventure truly begins once you have left the Drake Passage behind and the South Shetland Islands come into view, a region that has long captured the attention of explorers. Every visit to Antarctica reveals something unexpecting or new, meaning your expedition will be unlike any other – a unique and personal experience. During your time aboard the Ocean Endeavour, your expedition team and captain will scout for whales and seabirds and alert you to any new sightings. Enjoy in-depth explanations and lectures from your expedition team on the glaciology, history and wildlife of the region as you explore.

Even more exciting will be your first land excursion – something you will never forget! Daily Zodiac cruises and shore excursions take you to explore local bays, channels and landing sites with wildlife opportunities always at the forefront of your expedition team’s mind. Walk on beaches dotted with penguins, visit penguin rookeries and search for southern seal species, including the fearless penguin eater, the leopard seal. Each day and each landing is different, but every day presents new photo opportunities and sightings, so it won’t take long until you know the difference between an Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguin.

You might hike to a penguin rookery one day and take a Zodiac cruise among towering icebergs the next. From coming eye to eye with a humpback whale to the sound of a calving glacier, you will wake up excited each day with a desire to explore this icy wilderness.
And if you can’t get enough and find yourself wanting more, treat yourself to an overnight ice camping experience on land, a snowshoeing excursion to explore further afield, or a hit the water for a day paddle excursion.

An average day onboard begins with a wake-up call from your expedition leader around 7am, 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.

If you’re interested in any of the optional activities, this is when they would happen! Its advised to book everything in advance (other then snoeshowing) as space is limited on the optoinal activities & first come first serve. You can absolutely have an AMAZING trip without booking them too.

Optional (free): Polar Plunge! If conditions are right – we’ll have a chance to jump into the Antarctic ocean!! Not many people can say they did that in their life time so don’t forget to pack your swimsuit!

Included: 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners, Daily AM & PM Excursions

Optional (addtl cost): Snow shoeing, kayaking, ice camping

Nov 10-11 :
Days 9 & 10: At Sea, Drake Pass

Your journey back across the Drake Passage provides a final opportunity to enjoy the Antarctic air. Be sure to spend some time on the outer decks scouting for whales, watching seabirds, or enjoying a presentation by your expedition team on a wide range of topics. Celebrate the experiences you have shared with your fellow passengers exploring the remarkable world of Antarctica.

Nov 12th :
Day 11:

After 10 Days of fun, today is the last day of our journey in Antarctica. We arrive in the port of Ushuaia in the morning and the expedition team will gather on the deck to farewell you as you disembark the Ocean Endeavour after breakfast. Transfer to Ushuaia airport is included for all flights departing today.

Note: If you are leaving today, please do not book your flight home until mid-afternoon in case of any delays caused by unfavorable weather conditions.

Included: Breakfast, Transfer to USH Airport

Inclusions

Everything Included

  • Transportation to & from USH Airport
  • One Night at a Hotel in Ushuaia Argentina
  • 9 Nights aboard Ocean Endeavor Ship
  • 10 Breakfast, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
  • Daily Zodiac Excursions in Antarctica

Exclusions

  • International Flights
  • Travel Visas - If Required
  • Travel Insurance - Required
  • Snow Shoeing Excursion
  • Ice Camping Excursion
  • Kayaking Excursion

FAQs - READ ME

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What is the cancelation policy?

If you cancel your spot on this trip – the 20% deposit is non-refundable. The only way to get your deposit back is if a replacement is found for your spot.

Is Travel Insurance required?

Yes – Travel Insurance is required for this trip. This protects you before & during the trip, if anything causes you to not be able to come or you get sick during the trip. Rachel recommends getting a quote from Aardy and reviewing the options – Travel Guard by AIG is her favorite.

How are roommates decided?

Rachel will send out a roommate matching form as we get closer to the trip. If you want to room with someone, just put their name on your form and you’re good to go. Otherwise Rachel will do her best to match you with someone compatible to make for the best trip possible. While this trip is co-ed you will not be randomly matched with someone of opposite sex.

Can I book a single?

The only single spaces available are Cat 4A – Single Porthole. Its a single private cabin with a porthole & no roommate.

Is this trip right for you?

Although the ice-strengthened ships are big and sturdy, the Antarctic waters can be unpredictable and rough. Some people may experience seasickness, especially through the Drake Passage and other open water crossings, so please be prepared with medications to combat this. There is also a doctor on board should you need further assistance.

Believe it or not, temperatures in the Antarctic can be freezing. And yet it can get surprisingly warm when the sun comes out, for instance, or with increased physical activity. It’s best to dress in layers when you journey outside and we’ll provide you with waterproof boots that are sturdy and warm. Please see the trip notes for information about what to bring.

Depending on the weather, you’ll be zipping around in a Zodiac boat quite regularly to explore the area and search for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you dress appropriately and keep your camera safe and dry. Waterproof protection and camera strap or wristband are highly recommended for your camera or phone whilst on the Zodiacs. A minimum level of mobility is required and sturdy sea legs are preferable for wet and dry landings from the Zodiacs. The expedition team will assist people with mounting or dismounting the zodiacs for landings. Should people wish to remain closer to shore, we will have a range of walking speeds and thus distances explored available for all. 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.

A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially in such a remote area. 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 for. There are nearly 200 recognised sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands; the places mentioned in the itinerary may need to be changed to others (which are equally as interesting). We may also be confined to the ship during rough weather. 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.

What is the food like on board?

Breakfast will always be buffet style with lots of options to choose from (eggs, bacon, sausage, bread, fruits, salads, pastries etc.)

Lunch will typically always be buffet style as well, again with a wide variety of options to choose from. They like to change it up day by day – sometimes with an “international food” theme based on a certain country.

Dinner is typically always a la carte with a set menu (appetizer, entrée and dessert). The set menu will commonly have 3 options to choose from for each (always includes a vegetarian option).

The ship can accommodate vegan & vegetarian diets for all meals with a variety of options .
Prior to the trip please share any specific dietary needs/restrictions so theres enough time to prepare for the requests.

When is final payment due?

July 29th, 2023 all payments are due!

Price From
$7,652.00 $6,309.00 Per Person
Add Travelers
CAT 2 - Interior Triple
$7,652.00 Per CAT 2 - Interior Triple
CAT 4 - Twin Porthole
$9,438.00 Per CAT 4 - Twin Porthole
CAT 3 - Interior Twin
$8,392.00 Per CAT 3 - Interior Twin
CAT 5 - Twin Window
$9,957.00 Per CAT 5 - Twin Window
Photography Program
$1,099.00 per Unit
Ice Camping - One Time
$399.00 per Unit
Kayaking - Unlimited
$1,299.00 per Unit

Trip Facts

  • Minimum of 10 people & Maximum of 50 people - 200 people will be on the ship.
  • USH airport in Ushuaia Argentina
  • Land in USH on November 2nd - the earlier the better so you can spend time in the city!
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