Antarctica: Basecamp

The best outdoor activities voyage in Antarctica.

Free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, photo workshop, mountaineering


Antarctic Peninsula
© Sebastian Arrebola

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.

Duration: 12 nights
Starts: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego
Ends: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego
Language: English Speaking Voyage


Included


PLEASE NOTE: 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.

Itinerary

© Sebastian Arrebola
© Sebastian Arrebola
© Sebastian Arrebola

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: 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
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.

Itinerary

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: 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
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.


© Sebastian Arrebola
© Sebastian Arrebola
© Sebastian Arrebola


INCLUSIONS

• Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
• All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
• All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
• Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
• Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
• Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
• Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
• Comprehensive pre-departure material.
• During our “Basecamp” departures, all offered activities (including camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop) as well as our standard included shore excursions and zodiac cruises) are free of charge.
• Itineraries are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.

EXCLUSIONS

• Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
• Pre- and post- land arrangements.
• Passport and visa expenses.
• Government arrival and departure taxes.
• Meals ashore.
• Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
• Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
• The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).


Dates & Rates


Ship: Hondius | Date: 01 Nov 2024 - 13 Nov 2024 (2963)
Quadruple Porthole
$8,800
$4,400
Triple Porthole
$9,900
$4,950
Twin Porthole
$10,850
$5,400
Twin Window
$11,400
$5,700
Twin Deluxe
$12,050
$6,000
Superior
$12,850
$6,400
Junior Suite
$13,650
$6,800
Grand Suite
$15,300
$7,650
Ship: Hondius | Date: 23 Nov 2024 - 05 Dec 2024 (2321)
Quadruple Porthole
$9,100
Triple Porthole
$10,200
Twin Porthole
$11,200
Twin Window
$11,750
Twin Deluxe
$12,450
Superior
$13,250
Junior Suite
$14,100
Grand Suite
$15,800
Ship: Hondius | Date: 05 Dec 2024 - 17 Dec 2024 (2322)
Quadruple Porthole
$9,100
$6,350
Triple Porthole
$10,200
$7,150
Twin Porthole
$11,200
$7,850
Twin Window
$11,750
$8,200
Twin Deluxe
$12,450
$8,700
Superior
$13,250
$9,250
Junior Suite
$14,100
$9,850
Grand Suite
$15,800
$11,050
Ship: Plancius | Date: 25 Dec 2024 - 06 Jan 2025 (2300)
Quadruple Porthole
$9,900
Triple Porthole
$12,150
Twin Porthole
$12,150
Twin Window
$12,650
Twin Deluxe
$13,400
Superior
$14,300
Ship: Ortelius | Date: 29 Dec 2024 - 10 Jan 2025 (3049)
Quad Porthole
$9,900
Triple Porthole
$12,150
Twin Porthole
$12,150
Twin Window
$12,650
Twin Deluxe
$13,400
Superior
$14,300
Ship: Ortelius | Date: 10 Jan 2025 - 22 Jan 2025 (2783)
Quad Porthole
$9,900
Triple Porthole
$12,150
Twin Porthole
$12,150
Twin Window
$12,650
Twin Deluxe
$13,400
Superior
$14,300
Ship: Plancius | Date: 13 Feb 2025 - 25 Feb 2025 (2782)
Quadruple Porthole
$9,900
Triple Porthole
$12,150
Twin Porthole
$12,150
Twin Window
$12,650
Twin Deluxe
$13,400
Superior
$14,300
Ship: Plancius | Date: 25 Feb 2025 - 09 Mar 2025 (2303)
Quadruple Porthole
$9,900
Triple Porthole
$12,150
Twin Porthole
$12,150
Twin Window
$12,650
Twin Deluxe
$13,400
Superior
$14,300
Ship: Hondius | Date: 27 Nov 2025 - 09 Dec 2025 (2930)
Quadruple Porthole
$9,700
Triple Porthole
$10,900
Twin Porthole
$11,950
Twin Window
$12,600
Twin Deluxe
$13,500
Superior
$14,400
Junior Suite
$15,350
Grand Suite
$17,150
Ship: Hondius | Date: 09 Dec 2025 - 21 Dec 2025 (2931)
Quadruple Porthole
$9,700
Triple Porthole
$10,900
Twin Porthole
$11,950
Twin Window
$12,600
Twin Deluxe
$13,500
Superior
$14,400
Junior Suite
$15,350
Grand Suite
$17,150
Ship: Plancius | Date: 16 Dec 2025 - 28 Dec 2025 (2911)
Quadruple Porthole
$10,550
Triple Porthole
$12,950
Twin Porthole
$12,950
Twin Window
$13,500
Twin Deluxe
$14,550
Superior
$15,600
Ship: Plancius | Date: 28 Dec 2025 - 09 Jan 2026 (2912)
Quadruple Porthole
$10,550
Triple Porthole
$12,950
Twin Porthole
$12,950
Twin Window
$13,500
Twin Deluxe
$14,450
Superior
$15,600
Ship: Ortelius | Date: 29 Dec 2025 - 10 Jan 2026 (2922)
Quad Porthole
$11,100
Triple Porthole
$13,650
Twin Porthole
$13,650
Twin Window
$14,300
Twin Deluxe
$15,400
Superior
$16,500

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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