trip specifics

price

This unique trip to the White Continent starts and ends in Ushuaia and includes visits to the most spectacular attractions: the Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Each voyage incorporates as much wildlife viewing as possible with visits to scientific bases and plenty of time to enjoy breathtaking waterways, glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains. You will become one of the fortunate few to have set foot on the continent of Antarctica!

Day 1 - Ushuaia

It is highly recommended that you arrive in Ushuaia the day before departure to anticipate any travel delays. Early arrivals will be met at the airport and taken to your independently arranged hotel. You will be picked up at your hotel around 2pm on the day of departure and taken to the check-in facility and transferred to the Dream. Passengers board the MV/Antarctic Dream where you will be greeted by our Expedition Leader and staff and shown to your cabin to settle in and prepare for embarkation. Our departure is scheduled for 6:00 pm.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: dinner

Days 2&3 - Drake Passage

Wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds will escort the vessel as you sail south across this famous passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English navigator. We will continue towards the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zone.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Aitcho Island

Aitcho Island will give us an early taste of what the Antarctic really is. It is the biggest island of the South Shetlands, where we will disembark in Potter Bay. In the afternoon we will disembark at Aitcho Island which is in between Greenwich and Robert Islands. We will continue with the crossing of the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits to enter Andvord Bay where we find Neko Bay.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Antarctic Peninsula & Neko Bay

Besides the magnificent scenery of mountains, snow and ice in Antarctica you can expect to see a wide variety of the native wildlife. Birds to look out for are blue-eyed shags, gulls, cape petrels, skuas, snowy sheathbills and Antarctic terns. Marine mammals that you are likely to see include weddell crab-eaters and leopard seals. Orcas, humpback and minke whales may also be spotted at close range. The program includes your first landing on the White Continent (Neko Bay) and another on Port Lockroy (Gaudier Island).

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Paradise Bay

At this point of our program we will begin our return voyage. During the morning and, stressing again that if weather permits, we will disembark and use our zodiacs in Paradise Bay. In the evening we will visit Cuverville Island. Besides its dramatic scenery it is home to one of the largest colony of gentoo penguins and skuas. This rocky island is on the north side of the Errera Channel, between Ronge Island and the Arctowski Peninsula.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Pleneau, Petermann Island

We sail south through the narrow Lemaire Channel, where high, sheer cliffs suggest that no passage could be found. Once through the channel, and provided climate and ice conditions are good enough, we will be able to visit Petermann Island, the most southern land point of our expedition. Here we will disembark and will be able to see the most southern colony of gentoo penguins which nest near our landing spot. On this island we will also be able to see a colony of beautiful adelie penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. At Pleneau we should have the opportunity to take our zodiacs and visit impressive ice formations.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Deception Island, Whaler's Bay and Pendulum Cove

We continue sailing to Deception Island which is the largest active volcano in the area at the northwest side of the Peninsula. During the morning we will try to disembark in Whalers Bay and Pendulum Cove where you can have the unique experience of swimming in this warm water! In the afternoon we will disembark at Hannah Point (Livingstone Island). This is one of the best places in the Antarctic to see fauna and we should see chinstrap and gentoo penguins, giant petrels, wilson petrels, skuas and blue-eyed shags.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 9&10 - Drake Passage

Today, we will leave the Antarctic and head north back across the Drake Passage. Now is the chance to compare and revise notes and dwell on the adventures of the past week, to take in the final lectures and to enjoy the delicious gastronomy on board as you return to Ushuaia.

Accommodations: M/V Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - Ushuaia

After and early breakfast we will land at 9:00am and bid farewell to our guests. Thus ends an incredible and unique expedition!

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

All photos courtesy of the Antarctic Dream

Now proudly offering a 3 day Camping trip option!

Valid November 27th through December 7th. No previous experience necessary and all equipment is provided. Call our specialists for more information and to book this exciting new way to experience a true Antarctic adventure!


Notes on Itinerary: Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Single Travelers: Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the share price.

Land Cost Includes: Shipboard accommodation, meals, airport transfers, shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage; Leadership by experienced expedition staff; Presentations by noted naturalists and other experts; Zodiac cruising; transfers to and from the ship for shore excursions; pre-departure information kit. Group transfers and baggage handling as per itinerary; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges. Expedition boots and parka are provided as a loan during the voyage.

Not Included: Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; Pre-cruise hotel night in Ushuaia; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; supplement for single hotel accommodations; fuel supplement of $20 per person per night; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance; excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided). Expedition rates are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time prior to departure. Substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices sometimes increase the cost of expedition arrangements significantly, and we reserve the right to alter process accordingly.

Reservations and Payment: A deposit of $1,500 per person is required to confirm a reservation on this Antarctic voyage. The deposit may be paid by bank wire transfer, check, money order or major credit card. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Final payment can be made by check, credit, money order or bank wire transfer. All prices and payments are in US dollars and no other currencies can be accepted.

Cancellation Policy: A special cancellation policy applies to all Antarctic and Arctic trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received:
150 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of $500 per person.
Between 119-90 days, per person deposit amount is forfeited.
Between 89-60 days, per person all deposits and tariffs are forfeited.


Trip Insurance: Passengers traveling to the remote destinations of the Arctic and Antarctica are required to be covered by a travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. AdventureSmith recommend's our travelers protect their investment with Access America Insurance which can be purchased through our office.



Accommodations Aboard: The Antarctic Dream accommodates 78 passengers on 4 decks in comfortable suites and cabins. Cabins have private bathrooms, ample storage space and TV. Public areas include a lounge, bar, lecture room, library, infirmary (there is a doctor on board), gym, sauna, and a boutique. Views are excellent from the large, open decks and the navigation bridge, where we are almost always welcome. The chefs produce a varied menu and the comfortable bar is stocked with a good selection of wine. A Chilean crew, all of who are highly experienced in ice navigation, staffs the ship. The Ice Master and lecturers are from abroad. The atmosphere aboard is relaxed and informal, more like a private expedition than a cruise.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility and leads an active life. Passengers must be able to navigate the 30-stair gang-way un-assisted both down and up. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

return to top of page

AdventureSmith Explorations

Travel Specialists  |  Contact Us