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Explore Antarctica | Dates - 10 Dec'24 - 20 Dec'24
Ushuaia >> Drake Passage >> Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands >> Drake Passage >> Ushuaia

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  • The 11-day Classic Antarctica expedition cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands lands at penguin colonies, research stations and the White Continent itself. 

  • Learn to identify species of whales and sea birds while crossing the Drake Passage beside expert naturalists and lecturers on the intimate 90-guest Ushuaia.

  • Accommodation is aboard the 90-guest Ushuaia, an ice-strengthened polar vessel originally built for the United States agency NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration).

  • Trip cost as Per your Cabin categories - The trip cost would be dynamic and would largely vary with time due to a lot of factors.

  1. Standard + Triple = INR 5,54,190 + 5% TCS (windows, private facilities & 3 lower berths)

  2. Standard Twin = INR 5,93,340 + 5% TCS ( 1-2 portholes, 2 berths (upper/lower) & semi-private facilities including an in-room washbasin & a bathroom with shower & toilet shared by 2 cabins.)

  3. Standard + Twin = INR 7,54,290 + 5% TCS (  1-2 portholes or 1 window, private facilities & 2 lower berths)

  4. Premier Twin = INR 8,96,970 + 5% TCS (1-2 windows, private facilities & 2 lower berths.)

  5. Premier Single = INR 10,75,320 + 5% TCS (1 porthole, private facilities and 1 single berth. Please note that porthole view is obstructed by lifeboat)

  6. Superior Twin = INR 9,50,040 + 5% TCS ( 1-2 windows, private facilities & 2 lower berths. Cabin #301 has 1 double & 1 single berth)

  7. Suite Twin = INR 9,98,760 + 5% TCS (2 windows, sofa bed, private facilities, lounge, TV, DVD player & fridge)

Trip Itinerary

 

Your trip starts from Ushuaia, City in Argentina  

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Day 1 - December 10 - Embark Ushuaia, Argentina

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  • Embark the Ushuaia in the afternoon and meet the expedition and lecture staff.

  • After settling in, sail along the famous Beagle Channel and the scenic Mackinlay Pass.

  • Accommodation & Dinner onboard

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Day 2 & 3 - December 11-12 - Drake Passage

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  • As Ushuaia sails across the passage, onboard lecturers help to identify the amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses following in the ship’s wake

  • Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar water sinks beneath the warmer northern waters. This creates a great upwelling of nutrients, which sustains the biodiversity of this region.

  • Day 3 - With favorable conditions in the Drake Passage, lecturers and naturalists will accompany you ashore to experience the first encounter with the penguins and seals

  • Accommodations & Meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 4,5,6,7,8 - December 13-17 - Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

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  • Vast penguin, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals make every day spent in this amazing island group unforgettable. 

  • The South Shetland Islands are a haven for wildlife.

  • Sail through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island.

  • King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, features colonies of nesting Adélie and chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls, blue-eyed cormorants, Antarctic terns and southern giant petrels.

  • It is home to scientific bases of many different countries. Macaroni, chinstrap and Gentoo penguins as well as elephant seals await at Livingston Island.

  • Enjoy plenty of time to explore the continent’s amazing scenery, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways, and an incredible wide variety of wildlife.

  • Apart from penguins and seabirds, hope to see Weddell, crab eater and leopard seals as well as minke, killer (orca) and humpback whales at close range.

  • Navigate some of the most beautiful waterways

  • Visit the bustling Adélie penguin colony (over 100,000 pairs breed here) and blue-eyed cormorant colony on Paulet Island

  • Accommodations & Meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 9 & 10 - December 18-19 - Drake Passage

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  • Depart Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage.

  • Join lecturers and naturalists on deck in search for seabirds and whales and enjoy some final lectures.

  • Take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.

  • Accommodations & Meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 11 - December 20 - Disembark Ushuaia & Fly to El Calafate  

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  • Arrive at the port of Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark the Ushuaia after breakfast.

  • The ship arrives at 7:00am and disembarkation is normally at 8:00 or 8:30am.

  • Plan flights to depart Ushuaia for El Calafate no earlier than 12:00pm noon today.

  • You will need to book a hotel overnight in El Calafate for this evening before your transfer to Patagonia Eco Camp tomorrow morning

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Inclusions:

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  • Voyage aboard the Ushuaia as indicated in the itinerary

  • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the Ushuaia

  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by the Zodiac

  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff

  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program

  • Comprehensive pre-departure material

  • Detailed post-expedition log.

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Exclusions:

 

  • Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre-and post-land arrangements Transfers to/from the vessel

  • Passport and visa expenses

  • Government arrival and departure taxes

  • Meals ashore

  • Baggage, cancellation, personal insurance, and insurance of any kind (strongly recommended)

  • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as bar and beverage

  • Charges telecommunication charges and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages (guidelines will be provided)

  • Possible fuel surcharge if the price of crude oil is higher than USD 100/barrel

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Activities: 

 

Classic Antarctica Cruise Activities included aboard this expedition include Zodiac cruises, hiking, land treks, glacier viewing and wildlife observation.

 

Travel Insurance: 

 

Classic Antarctica Cruise Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $100,000 USD per person. In addition to the emergency evacuation insurance, we highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits

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Itinerary Notes:

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Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Antarctica expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

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Terms & Conditions

 

  • You are an adult and you have to take full responsibility for yourself at all times and respect other cultures.

  •  If you are caught doing anything illegal you would be facing the consequences alone, travel to discover will not come into the picture.

  • You have to follow all the instructions told by the trip leader at all times.

  • When you are traveling alone you have to tell the team about your whereabouts.

  • You have to abide by all the rules and regulations of another country.

  • You would be traveling with other people, you have to respect everyone's privacy.

  • We have a plan/itinerary for the whole trip but some things might get changed according to the situation please be prepared. (like flight delays etc)

  • No refund in case of cancellation of flights or interconnecting flights/trains.

  • We would be staying in a backpacker hostel all the time and would be sharing the room with other people, you are responsible for your own stuff and yourself

Let's Go Somewhere-----Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost-----To Travel Is To Live ~

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