call our experts
800-728-2875

business hours
M-F: 8-5 PST

polar regions: antarctica

Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp Cruise

The Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp Cruise is geared toward the adventure traveler interested in actively exploring Antarctica up close, away from the ship. This Antarctic adventure cruise spends more time in fewer locations allowing for more exciting adventures and more up-close wildlife encounters.

Choose from numerous included activities such as kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing, camping, mountaineering and photography workshops. Scuba diving is available at an additional cost. An international team of Antarctic expedition leaders provides leadership and insights into the nature and history of Antarctica with lectures, briefings and field excursions. Cruise aboard the recently refurbished 114-passenger M/V Plancius or the 120-passenger M/V Ortelius. This is no ordinary Antarctic tour.

Day 1 - Embark Ushuaia, Argentina

In the afternoon, embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and cruise through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.

Accommodations: M/V Plancius or M/V Ortelius
Included Meals: dinner

Days 2-3 - The Drake Passage

During these two days sail across the Drake Passage. When crossing the Antarctic Convergence, arrive in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. In this area look for 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, spot the first icebergs of your expedition.

Accommodations: M/V Plancius or M/V Ortelius
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 4-9 - High Antarctica Adventure

Sail directly to “High Antarctica,” passing the Melchior Islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. At Neumayer Channel, your captain will position the ship to be a multi-activity base camp. The protected waters around Wiencke Island become your playground for all activities. In this alpine environment there are great opportunities to scout the region on foot, by zodiac and during kayak trips. Walkers will find opportunities to use snowshoes on hikes near the shorelines and the mountaineers will find their challenge by climbing hills and view points farther inland, i.e. Jabet Peak (540 m). All climbs and excursions can only be conducted in good weather conditions.

Your ship will plan to stay two overnights at anchor in order to implement two camp nights and two full activity days. Visit the British research station and the post office Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo penguins and Imperial shags. Sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Booth Island, Pleneau and Petermann Island to see Adelie penguins and blue-eyed shags. In this area there are good chances to encounter humpback whales, Minke whales and fin whales.

The second Basecamp night will be erected near the Continent; expedition leaders choose a camp site that is suitable and close to next day’s activity. The mountaineers hope to reach the summit of Mt. Demaria (640 m) at Waddington Bay. A visit to one of the scientific stations in Antarctica will provide insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent. Farther south you may have time to visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, where you will receive a warm welcome from the station crew.

In the afternoon at Neko Harbour take the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of a huge glacier and enjoy the landscape during zodiac cruises, hikes and kayak excursions. A small group of mountaineers may climb up on higher grounds of the glacier. Spend the night at Neko or near Paradise Bay with a camp erected ashore. Leave Neko Harbour in the early morning after breaking your last camp. Sail via Melchior Islands toward the open sea of the Drake Passage and again have a chance of seeing many seabirds.

Accommodations: M/V Plancius or M/V Ortelius
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 10-11 - At Sea

In the Drake Passage, again have the chance of seeing many seabirds and taking advantage of the knowledge of the ship's lecture team.

Accommodations: M/V Plancius or M/V Ortelius
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 - Disembark Ushuaia, Argentina

Arrive in the morning and disembark in Ushuaia.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Alternative Itinerary: In addition to the 12-day itinerary listed above, there is an 11-day route that spends one less day on the Antarctic Peninsula. Please contact AdventureSmith Explorations for more detailed information.

11-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Embark - Ushuaia, Argentina
Days 2-3 - Drake Passage
Days 4-8 - Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
Days 9-10 - Drake Passage
Day 11 - Disembark Ushuaia

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

Included: Voyage aboard the designated vessel as indicated in the itinerary; All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; Free use of rubber boots aboard Plancius & Ortelius and snowshoes aboard Plancius; Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation); All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by 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. The Antarctic Peninsual Basecamp Cruise includes camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering and photo workshops in addition to the standard shore excursions; scuba diving available at an additional cost.

Exclusions: Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to the vessel; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance, including mandatory emergency evacuation insurance; excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

If world fuel prices will reach or exceed US $120 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure, we reserve the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US $25 per night per passenger, to be paid.

Room Configurations: Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a quadruple, triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth or berths goes unsold, you will not be penalized. For those who desire single occupancy, cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the twin rate.

Families & Children: Children under 16 years old in Superior, Family Triple and/or Family Quadruple cabins receive a 40% discount. Parents are entirely responsible for their children at all times, on land and on board; there is no onboard day care or nursery facility.

Arrival & Departure: The Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp cruise aboard M/V Plancius begins and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina. Embarkation time is between 4:00 – 5:00pm on day of departure. We strongly advise all passengers to arrive the night prior to departure and get a hotel in Ushuaia to avoid baggage and flight delays. The ship sails around 6:00pm on day of departure. Disembarkation is after breakfast on final day between 8:30 – 9:00am. Plan flights to depart Ushuaia anytime after noon on the final day. Get a free flight quote.

Payment & Cancellation: In order to confirm this trip, a 20% deposit is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
90 or more days - 20% of the total price
89 to 60 days - 50% of the total price
59 to 0 days - 100% of the total price

Terms & Conditions: 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 and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $100,000 per person. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Activities: On the Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp Cruise all offered activities (including camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshops as well as the standard included shore excursions and zodiac cruises) are free of charge, except for scuba diving ($500 2013/14 season).

Field Camping:
This exciting ‘open air’ camping option gives an intensive experience of the Antarctic wilderness. Special gear and field equipment will be provided: tents, wind and waterproof bivouac bags (lightweight alternative to a tent system). This shelter will protect you from the elements during the night in the open air of the Antarctic. Mattresses and polar sleeping bags provide comfort during the night. The maximum number of participants for this camping option is 30 participants per night. One expedition guide will conduct the activity ashore. Camping is always subject to weather, local site and environmental regulations. 1 night has to be booked prior to the trip; any extra nights (if those are possible) must be arranged onboard. Additional nights will be charged by the Hotel Manager.

Hiking:
There will be easy, moderate and more demanding walks available in the vicinity of the landing sites. Two hikes per day are generally available, each 2 - 3 hours long during morning and / or afternoon landings. The final decision on those hiking options will be met by the Expedition Leader on the day of the excursion. We recommend bringing a proper pair of hiking boots and gaiters.

Kayaking:
In general at least offer 4 kayaking days are offered. Basic kayaking experience is required and physical fitness is essential. The final decision on those excursions will be met by the Expedition Leader. Kayaks and neoprene wetsuits are provided. Kayaking is subject to weather and prevailing ice conditions.

Mountaineering:
This is a technical and more strenuous activity for mountaineers who wish to walk beyond the shore radius in order to reach higher grounds and view points. Mountaineers walk in rope parties under the leadership of a certified mountain guide mostly across glaciated environment in Antarctica. Depending on the landing site, glacier walks can vary from half day to full day outings. In general 3-4 glacier excursions are offered parallel to all other activities during designated “Basecamp Plancius” voyages. Mountaineering knowledge is preferable, but not required. Physical fitness is essential. Special glacier equipment will be provided: ropes and carabiners, harnesses, helmets, ice axes and crampons. Participants will bring their personal protective outdoor clothes, mountaineering boots (leather or plastic) suitable for using crampons. A qualified mountain guide and assistant will supervise and guide the activity.

Scuba Diving:
Diving is available for $500 per person. Group size between 8 and 24 divers.

Qualifications: The Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp Cruise will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life. As this is the most active Antarctic cruise we offer, you should be able to walk several hours per day and be in shape to take advantage of all the activities included in the Basecamp price. You are traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com