Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery voyage - Aurora Australis / Southern Lights

Crossing the Polar Circle

42 photos of the trip
in the gallery »

Title: Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery voyage - Aurora Australis / Southern Lights
Dates:
Tripcode: OTL29-27
Duration: 12 nights
Ship: m/v Ortelius
Embarkation: Ushuaia
Disembarkation: Ushuaia
Language: English
Important: Diving is an optional activity. Experience with cold-water diving and dry-suit dives (at least 30) is a must!
More about:
Antarctica cruises
Antarctic Circle cruises
 
Cabins & prices
Itinerary

Voyage overview

This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula cruise passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Anchoring in various spots around the region, the expedition offers the chance to hike and dive in the iceberg-heavy waters.

Aurora Australis / Southern Lights: -

During this voyage, there is a good chance of witnessing the spectacular aurora australis (southern lights). While sightings can never be guaranteed, the combination of long nights, potential clear skies, and limited moonlight during this period creates favorable conditions for this rare and magical phenomenon.

Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey

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: Path of the polar explorers

Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. 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 are a few of the birds you might see.

Day 4 - 10: Sights of late summer Antarctica

Options for Antarctic Peninsula activities are many, and no less great during the late summer. Humpback whales are prolific in this region, gorging themselves on krill before their migration north. The penguin chicks are also fledging, stirring up activity on the beaches while sleek leopard seals lie in wait, poised to attack the less fortunate ones.
 
Sites for your Antarctic adventures may include: 
 
Livingston Island – Here you find a wide variety of gentoo and chinstrap penguins on Hannah Point, as well as southern giant petrels and elephant seals hauling out onto the beach. 
 
Deception Island – Actually a subducted crater, this island opens into the sea and creates a natural harbor for the ship. An abandoned whaling station, and multiple bird species – cape petrels, kelp gulls, brown and south polar skuas, and Antarctic terns – can be seen here. Wilson’s storm petrels and black-bellied storm petrels also nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. 
 
Cuverville Island – A small precipitous island nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Rongé Island, Cuverville houses a large colony of gentoo penguins and breeding pairs of brown skuas. 
 
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. You might also be able to set foot on the continent here. 
 
Paradise Bay – You could take a Zodiac cruise in these sprawling, ice-flecked waters, where you have a good chance of seeing humpback and minke whales. 
 
Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If the ice allows it, you may 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 as well as leopard seals. 
 
Crystal Sound – Your journey takes you south along the Argentine Islands to this ice-packed body of water, and from here across the Polar Circle in the morning. 
 
Detaille Island – You may make a landing at an abandoned British research station here, taking in the island’s lofty mountains and imposing glaciers. 
 
Fish Islands – Further north you encounter one of the southernmost Adélie penguin and blue-eyed shag colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula. 
 
Melchior Islands – These islands offer a beautiful landscape rich with icebergs. Leopard seals, crabeater seals, and whales are found here, and there are excellent opportunities for diving. 
 
Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.

Day 11 - 12: Familiar seas, familiar friends

Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.

Day 13: There and back again

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

Highlights you might experience

Polar Diving

Zodiac Cruising & Shore Program

Shore-Based Walking

Bird Watching

Deception Island

Cuverville Island

Detaille Island

Limited-Edition Collectible Southern Lights Merchandise

Adelie Penguin

Gentoo Penguin

Humpback Whale

Killer Whale

Leopard Seal

m/v Ortelius

Full ship info »

107 photos of the ship
in the gallery »

Activities you can participate in

Diving

on request

You must be advanced and experienced in dry suit and cold water diving. Diving is subject to local ice and weather conditions. Group size: minimum 8 divers.

Cabins & Prices

Quadruple Porthole

  • Cabin size between 12,4 m² and 14,1 m²
  • 2 portholes
  • 2 upper / lower berths
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Desk & chair
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
  • Hair dryer
  • Safe deposit box
  • Ample storage space

Complete cabin

44000 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Sharing berth

11000 USD

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Triple Porthole

  • 2 portholes
  • 1 upper / lower berth + 1 single lower berth
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Desk & chair
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
  • Hair dryer
  • Safe deposit box
  • Ample storage space

Complete cabin

40650 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Sharing berth

13550 USD

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Twin Porthole

  • Cabin size between 11,4 m² and 15,1 m²
  • 2 portholes
  • 2 lower berths
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Desk & chair
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
  • Hair dryer
  • Safe deposit box
  • Ample storage space

Complete cabin

27100 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Single cabin

23035 USD

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person ({rate}x the shared rate).

Sharing berth

13550 USD

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Twin Window

  • Cabin size between 17,5 m² and 17,7 m²
  • 2 windows
  • 2 lower berths
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Desk & chair
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
  • Hair dryer
  • Safe deposit box
  • Ample storage space

Complete cabin

28200 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Single cabin

23970 USD

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person ({rate}x the shared rate).

Sharing berth

14100 USD

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Twin Deluxe

  • Cabin size 17,7 m²
  • 3 windows
  • 2 lower berths
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Desk & chair
  • Small sofa
  • Refrigerator
  • Coffee & tea maker
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
  • Hair dryer
  • Safe deposit box
  • Ample storage space

Complete cabin

31100 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Single cabin

26435 USD

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person ({rate}x the shared rate).

Sharing berth

15550 USD

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Superior

  • Cabin size between 18,4 m² en 20,4 m²
  • 2 windows (minimum)
  • 1 double bed
  • 1 single (sofa) bed
  • Private shower & toilet
  • Desk & chair
  • Flatscreen TV
  • Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
  • Refrigerator
  • Coffee & tea maker
  • Hair dryer
  • Safe deposit box
  • Ample storage space

Complete cabin

32800 USD

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Single cabin

27880 USD

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person ({rate}x the shared rate).