Antarctic Peninsula - Basecamp
13 Days - Ortelius
The Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic Region. This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak, go mountaineering, and even camp out under the Southern Polar skies.
from NZD $17069pp
Home » 13 Day M/V Ortelius: Antarctic Peninsula – Basecamp
Itinerary Highlights
- A great option for those on a budget
- Visit Melchior Island and sail through the stunning Neumayer Channel
- See Gentoo, Adelie and Chinstrap Penguins living their day to day life
- Enjoy the peacefulness of the Antarctic Peninsula
- Pass through the Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Departure from Ushuaia
- Day 2-3: At Sea
- Day 4-10: Antarctica
- Day 11-12: At Sea
- Day 13: Ushuaia
Day 1: Departure from Ushuaia
Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
Day 2 - 3: At sea
During these two days we will sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may meet Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson's Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs.
Day 4 - 10: Antarctica
Gray stone peaks sketched with snow, towers of broken blue-white ice, and dramatically different wildlife below and above. You first pass the snow-capped Melchior Islands and Schollaert Channel, sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands.
Places you might visit includes:
Neumayer Channel – The vessel may position itself here, launching its multiple basecamp activities from the protected waters around Wiencke Island. You can enjoy the splendors of this alpine environment at sea with Zodiac and kayaking trips, or if you’re in the mood for a walk, there are possible snowshoe hikes and soft-climb mountaineering options farther inland. Naturally, favorable weather conditions determine the possible activities.
Port Lockroy – After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, you may get a chance to visit the former British research station – now a museum and post office – of Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. You may also be able to partake in activities around Jougla Point, meeting gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags. There are great opportunities also for kayaking and camping here, and when conditions are right, you can even snowshoe around the shore.
Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If the ice allows it, you can sail through the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. There’s also a good chance you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales here, as well as leopard seals. Kayaking, glacier walks, and more ambitious mountaineering trips are the potential activities of this location.
Neko Harbour – An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow, Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks.
Paradise Bay – You have the chance to make camp here like a true polar explorer (but with a better tent), enjoying a supreme overnight Antarctic adventure.
Errera Channel – Possible sites in this area include Danco Island and Cuverville Island, but also the lesser known (though equally picturesque) Orne Island and Georges Point on Rongé Island.
On your last day of near-shore activities, you pass the Melchior Islands toward the open sea. Keep a sharp lookout for humpback whales in Dallmann Bay. You might also shoot for Half Moon Island, in the South Shetlands, with further chances for activities.
Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
Day 11 - 12: At Sea
On our way north, we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.
Day 13: Arrival in Ushuaia and disembark
We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
29 Dec 2024 - 10 Jan 2025 | NZD $17069pp | ||
Quadruple Porthole Cabin | NZD $17069pp | Contact us | |
Twin Porthole Cabin | NZD $20948pp | Contact us | |
Triple Porthole Cabin | NZD $20948pp | Contact us | |
Twin Window Cabin | NZD $21810pp | Contact us | |
Twin Deluxe Cabin | NZD $23103pp | Contact us | |
Superior Cabin | NZD $24655pp | Contact us | |
10 Jan 2025 - 22 Jan 2025 | NZD $17069pp | ||
Quadruple Porthole Cabin | NZD $17069pp | Contact us | |
Twin Porthole Cabin | NZD $20948pp | Contact us | |
Triple Porthole Cabin | NZD $20948pp | Contact us | |
Twin Window Cabin | NZD $21810pp | Contact us | |
Twin Deluxe Cabin | NZD $23103pp | Contact us | |
Superior Cabin | NZD $24655pp | Contact us | |
29 Dec 2025 - 10 Jan 2026 | NZD $19138pp | ||
Quadruple Porthole Cabin | NZD $19138pp | Contact us | |
Twin Porthole Cabin | NZD $23534pp | Contact us | |
Triple Porthole Cabin | NZD $23534pp | Contact us | |
Twin Window Cabin | NZD $24655pp | Contact us | |
Twin Deluxe Cabin | NZD $26552pp | Contact us | |
Superior Cabin | NZD $28448pp | Contact us | |
10 Jan 2026 - 22 Jan 2026 | NZD $19138pp | ||
Quadruple Porthole Cabin | NZD $19138pp | Contact us | |
Twin Porthole Cabin | NZD $23534pp | Contact us | |
Triple Porthole Cabin | NZD $23534pp | Contact us | |
Twin Window Cabin | NZD $24655pp | Contact us | |
Twin Deluxe Cabin | NZD $26552pp | Contact us | |
Superior Cabin | NZD $28448pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Quadruple Porthole Cabin
Located on deck 3; two porthole windows, 2 upper and 2 lower berths, private shower and toilet, desk and chair, hair dryer and ample storage space.
Triple Porthole Cabin
Located on Deck 3; two portholes, 1 upper and 2 lower berths, private shower and toilet, desk and chair, hair dryer and ample storage space.
Twin Porthole Cabin
Located on Deck 3 and on Deck 4; two porthole windows, private toilet and shower, two single lower berths, desk and chair, hair dryer and ample storage space. Cabins on deck 4 are quieter than cabins on deck 3: farther away from the noise of engines and generators. Access to the forward observation deck.
Twin Window Cabin
Three windows; 2 lower berths; Private shower & toilet; Desk & chair; Flatscreen TV; Telephone & WiFi (supplemented); Hair dryer; Ample storage space
Twin Deluxe Cabin
Located on Deck 5; three windows; 2 lower berths; Private shower & toilet; Desk & chair; Small sofa; Refrigerator; Coffee & tea maker; Flatscreen TV; Telephone & WiFi (supplemented); Hair dryer; Ample storage space
Superior Cabin
Located on Deck 5; two windows minimum, one double bed, one single (sofa) bed, private toilet and shower, desk and chair, flat screen TV, refrigerator, hairdryer, coffee & tea maker, ample storage space. The quietest cabin deck and has the best access to upper observation decks and the ship's bridge.
Ortelius Deckplan
Specifications
- Passengers: 108 in 50 cabins
- Staff & crew: 53 (Crew 44 | Guides 8 | Doctor 1)
- Length: 90.95 meters
- Breadth: 17.20 meters
- Draft: 5.4 meters
- Ice class: UL1 (Equivalent to 1A)
- Displacement: 4090 tonnes
- Propulsion: 6 ZL 40/48 SULZER
- Speed: 10.5 knots average cruising speed
- Year built: 1989
Whats included?
- On-board accommodation
- Port taxes
- Camping and Kayaking
- Lectures and presentations by expedition leaders and naturalist staff
- Transfers and luggage handling
- Waterproof boots on loan
- All meals during the voyage
- Free internet: daily allowance of 1.5 GB of free internet connectivity
What’s not included?
- International and internal airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included
Notes
*Activities and excursions
Included in the price of this Basecamp package is camping, sea kayaking, mountaineering, photography workshop and snowshoeing.