OVERVIEW
Antarctica has been inspiring explorers for centuries. And this expedition offers you the chance to discover why, with an unforgettable journey through the spectacular wilderness of the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. You’ll encounter a world where nature creates the rules, her unpredictable temperament making each trip unique, exciting and personal.
Imagine cruising in a Zodiac through crackling sea ice like shattered glass, witnessing penguins building their nests, or navigating through a maze of icebergs, each one uniquely shaped by its journey through the sea. You’ll enjoy iconic Antarctic highlights, exhilarating adventures and be rewarded with memories to last a lifetime.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Discover why this trip is perfect for first-time visitors to Antarctica.
• Explore highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula.
• Travel safely and comfortably aboard any of Quark Expeditions’ three small, ice-strengthened expedition vessels.
• Learn about the environment and wildlife from on-board lecturers and specialists.
• Experience abundant wildlife: penguins, seals, whales and more!.
• On select itineraries, arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the tango capital of the world, and let us take care of the rest of your journey.
ITINERARY IN BRIEF
Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
Day 2: Embarkation day
Day 3 & 4: Crossing the Drake Passage
Day 5, 6, 7 & 8: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Day 9 & 10: Crossing the Drake Passage
Day 11: Disembarkation in Ushuaia
NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. The on-board expedition leader will determine the final itinerary. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
Contact us for more details.
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ARRIVE IN USHUAIA, ARGENTINA
You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentine town is an ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.
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EMBARKATION DAY
Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart—the next time you see land, you’ll be in the world’s most southern continent!
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CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE
Your days at sea are filled with presentations led by your Expedition Team who will prepare you for the wildlife, glaciology, and history that will greet you upon your arrival.
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CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE
In between presentations, spend time on deck looking for wildlife or chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.
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SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS AND ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every time we visit Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other—creating a unique, personal experience.
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SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS AND ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are hiking the Antarctic landscape, visiting a research station or consorting with chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins, all of which can be found here. Keep an eye out for Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals as well as curious whales, such as humpbacks, fins, or perhaps orcas while on a Zodiac cruise. Each excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy.
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SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS AND ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Amid the serene silence of Antarctica, noisy interludes become indelible memories, such as penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, or the boom and crack of a calving glacier.
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SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS AND ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Every day will be different, having been carefully crafted by your Expedition Team to inspire and educate you about this wonderful part of the world.
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CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE
The journey back across the Drake Passage provides final opportunities to enjoy the crisp Antarctic air.
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CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE
Spend time on the deck, watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team and celebrate the experiences shared exploring Antarctica.
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DISEMBARKATION IN USHUAIA
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows for you to continue your adventure onward or catch your flights home.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Staff and Crew 87.
- Guests 128.
- Length 101.1 meters.
- Breadth (Beam) 16.2 meters.
- Draft 4.5 meters.
- Propulsion Diesel Twin Engines – 5,400 horsepower.
- Ice Class 1A.
- Cruising Speed 12 knots, in open water.
- Registration Bahamas.
- Lifeboats 4 partially-enclosed.
- Year Built 1975.
- Year Refurbished 2017.
- Voltage 220V, European plugs.
- Gross Tonnage 4614 tons.
- Zodiacs 14 (Mark V type).
- Stabilizers 2 x Sperry Gyrofin (1998).
- Engine Rolls Royce Diesel Twin Engines, 6 cylinder, 5400 horsepower.
SHIP AMENITIES:
- Chef-prepared meals (all meals and daily snack included).
- One dining room with unreserved seating.
- Bar staffed by a professional bartender.
- Polar Boutique.
- Multi-purpose lounge and presentation room.
- Exercise Room.
- Ship-to-shore satellite communications with email, and wireless, Internet access.
- Polar Library with a large collection of polar books.
COMMON AREAS ABOARD OCEAN ADVENTURER
A theater-style lounge accommodates everyone on board and serves as the main briefing and lecture hall with presentations, films and slideshows for education and enjoyment. Seating here is varied to offer booths, comfortable swivel chairs and stools at the bar. Enjoy a library with books and games, as well as a small onboard gym and staffed medical clinic. Shop for souvenirs in the Polar Boutique or spend time on the observation decks to view wildlife and enjoy the open ocean. Be sure to take advantage of the multi-leveled viewing on the bow when the captain opens up this sometimes-off-limits space. An open bridge policy allows you to sail with a captain’s-eye view and see the operations of the captain and his crew; a few binoculars are available to use in this space for spotting wildlife and landing sites. Ship-to-shore satellite communications with email and wireless Internet access are available for purchase. Free intranet is available to access daily schedules and expedition staff bios on board.
DINNING ABOARD OCEAN ADVENTURER
Ocean Adventurer’s window-lined dining room has unreserved seating so you can sit with and make new friends throughout the voyage. Tables can accommodate groups of four up to eight. The staff and crew, numbering in the eighties for a high crew-to-passenger ratio, provide gracious hospitality throughout each voyage. There is a 24-hour beverage station in the lounge as well as two bars, one adjacent to the dining room and one in the lounge. If weather allows, a barbecue buffet can be served alfresco on the Captain’s Deck for a unique polar dining experience.
ACTIVITES ABOARD OCEAN ADVENTURER
An onboard fleet of Zodiac landing crafts allow all passengers easy exploration and landings anywhere nature or curiosity dictates, accompanied by destination experts hand-chosen for their intimate knowledge of each locale. Kayaks are carried aboard, with special guides present as well for this optional (added-cost) adventure activity. Snowshoes are available on select departures when needed. Walking sticks are provided for shore landings to assist travelers in navigating rocky, uneven polar terrain. And for the more adventurous, a polar plunge is offered when conditions permit.
CABINS DETAILS:
Triple
A Triple Cabin has two lower berths and one upper berth, private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution.
Lower Deck Twin
A Lower Deck Twin cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution.
Main Deck Twin Window
A Main Deck Twin Window cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and two windows with exterior views.
Superior
A Superior cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and windows with exterior views. Note: this cabin has either corner or parallel bed configuration.
Deluxe
A Deluxe Cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and windows with exterior views.
Suite
A Suite has a double bed, windows with exterior views, private facilities. Cabin 403 has a bathtub; other Suites have showers.
Owner’s Suite
An Owner’s Suite has a double bed and private sitting room. One features a large panoramic window facing aft, and the other two suites face port and starboard.
DECKPLAN
INCLUDED
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board.
- Beer and wine during dinner.
- All shore landings per the daily program.
- Leadership throughout the voyage by experienced expedition leaders.
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program.
- Formal and informal presentations by expedition team and special guests as scheduled.
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition.
- Waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings.
- Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock.
- A hairdryer and bathrobes in every cabin.
- Comprehensive onboard (2020-21 season) materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader.
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
- All luggage handling aboard the ship.
- Group transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on day 1.
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia, with breakfast.
- Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day.
- Group transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local airport, and/or to luggage storage facility in the 2020-21 season.
For itineraries beginning and ending in Ushuaia:
- Group transfer in Ushuaia from the airport to the pre-expedition hotel on day 1.
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia, with breakfast.
- Group transfer from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day.
- Group transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from the ship to the local airport.
EXCLUSIONS
- International airfare.
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above.
- Meals ashore unless otherwise specified.
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance (strongly recommended).
- Excess-baggage fees on international flights.
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, and any other gear not mentioned above.
- Laundry, bar, massage services, and other personal charges unless specified.
- Phone and internet charges.
- Additional overnight accommodation.
- Optional adventure activities.
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew.
- Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated.
NOTES:
- This trip is also available onboard the Ocean Adventurer. Contact us for more details.
- Voyages are subject to ice and weather conditions.
- The itineraries described for expedition voyages illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
