Title
Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop
Start – End
Tripcode
HDS23-25
Language
English speaking voyage
Ship
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Ushuaia - Ushuaia
Nights / Days
12 nights
All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per IAATO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with IAATO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is 10.5 knots.
Short description
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.
Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey
Day 2 - 3: Path of the polar explorers
Day 4 - 10: Entering 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. At the nearby sites, such as Damoy Point there may be the opportunity for snowshoeing to the old ski-way, this is also one of our favourite camping sites.
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, 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: Familiar seas, familiar friends
Day 13: There and back again
Highlights you might experience
On select voyages, professional photographers will help you get the most out of your personal camera equipment
Explore your way inland from the Polar shorelines with a wide variety of snowshoeing expeditions built for everyone.
Ascend the heights to enjoy spectacular views of the polar surroundings
Few things get you closer to the Antarctic expedition experience than making camp, settling into your bivouac bag, and sleeping under the Southern Hemisphere stars
Kayaking is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the beautiful blue-and-white world of the peaceful polar seas
A breathtakingly beautiful bay offering classic views of colossal ice formations and iconic Antarctic wildlife
A pleasant beach in Antarctica’s larger Andvord Bay, Neko Harbour is a scenic landing site that offers great views of gentoo penguins and a nearby glacier
These hygienic divers are the only penguin species whose population is currently increasing along the Antarctic Peninsula
Also known as "great-winged newfoundlanders" for their wing-like flippers, these cetaceans earned their more contemporary name by the way they bow their backs before a dive
m/v Hondius
Hondius is the world’s first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel and was built from the ground up for expedition cruising.
Full ship info »Activities you can participate in
Camping
Special gear and field equipment will be provided. Camping is subject to weather, local site and environmental regulations.
Kayaking
Basic kayaking experience is of advantage, but it is not a requirement. Physical fitness is essential. Kayaking is subject to weather and prevailing ice conditions.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoe walking is easy and does not require any technical skills. The snowshoes will fit all boot sizes and can be used in combination with Oceanwide’s rubber boots
Hiking
There will be easy, moderate and more demanding walks available in the vicinity of the landing sites. Rubber boots with a grip sole appropriate for hiking will be provided on our motor vessels but not on our smaller sailing vessel- for our sailing vessel you should bring your own sturdy ankle-high hiking boots and gaiters.
Photo Workshop
Participants with a special interest in photography will bring their personal photo equipment. The workshop must be pre-booked prior to departure.
Mountaineering
Mountaineering knowledge is preferable, but not required. Physical fitness is essential. Mountaineering must be pre-booked prior to departure. Mountaineering is subject to weather and local site conditions.
Cabins & Prices
Quadruple Porthole
- Cabin size between 15,3 m² and 16 m²
- 2 portholes
- 2 upper & lower berths
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Complete cabin
38800 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing berth
9700 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Triple Porthole
- Cabin size between 15,9 m² and 16 m²
- 2 portholes
- 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Complete cabin
32700 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing berth
10900 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Porthole
- Cabin size between 13,3 m² and 16 m²
- 2 portholes
- 2 single beds
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
- Please note that all cabins will not necessarily have the same layout and surface area, nor will they be identical to the examples used in the photos
Complete cabin
23900 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
20315 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
11950 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Window
- Cabin size between 12,1 m² and 14,3 m²
- 1 window
- 2 single beds
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
- Please be aware that the view from some windows might be partially obstructed due to the design requirements of the ship
- Please note that all cabins will not necessarily have the same layout and surface area, nor will they be identical to the examples used in the photos
Complete cabin
25200 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
21420 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
12600 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Deluxe
- Cabin size between 19,4 m² and 21,3 m²
- 2 windows
- 2 single beds
- Sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Complete cabin
27000 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
22950 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
13500 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Superior
- Cabin size between 20,7 m² and 21,3 m²
- 2 windows
- 1 double bed
- Sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Complete cabin
28800 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
24480 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Junior Suite
- Cabin size between 19,2 m² and 20 m²
- 1 double window
- 1 double bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Complete cabin
30700 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
26095 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Grand Suite with private balcony
- Cabin size 26,7 m²
- 1 double window
- 1 double bed
- Sofa
- Private balcony
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Complete cabin
34300 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
29155 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).