10 January 2025 - 22 Jan 2025
13 Days/12 Nights
Ushuaia - Ushuaia
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 AECO regulations.
Your expedition 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 set off 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.
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.
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 include:
- 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.
Familiar seas, familiar friends
Your return cruise 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.
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.
Camping in the Antarctic Wilderness
For a truly immersive polar adventure, our open-air camping activity lets you experience the Antarctic wilderness like few travelers have. We provide the necessary camping gear, including breathable bivouac bags that are wind and waterproof, and polar sleeping bags to keep you warm and comfortable during the enchanting Antarctic night. Experienced expedition guides will assist and supervise all campers.
Hiking the Surreal Terrain of the Arctic and Antarctica
There's no better way to explore a new area than on foot. We offer a variety of hiking expeditions for all levels, from casual walkers to hard-core enthusiasts.
Explore the Arctic and Antarctic Coastline in a Kayak
Even after exploring shores, mountains, and spotting wildlife, there’s a whole world to discover on the water. Polar kayaking offers a unique way to experience the blue-and-white beauty of the polar seas, visiting stunning ice formations and waterways too small for our ships.
Dramatic Ascents and Breathtaking Descents
Looking for an adventure beyond shoreline walks and wildlife watching? Our ski mountaineering trips offer an invigorating, up-close experience of the rugged peaks and majestic mountains flanking the high Arctic fjords.
Join Our Expert-Led Photography Workshops
Visiting the polar regions is an indescribable experience. Our photography workshops help you capture incredible photos to complement your descriptions. On select voyages, professional photographers assist you in getting the best shots with your camera equipment through our free photo workshop activity.
Snowshoeing in the Arctic and Antarctica
Exploring a new place on foot is one of the best ways to truly experience it. With this in mind, Oceanwide Expeditions offers a variety of snowshoeing expeditions from the Polar shorelines, designed for everyone—from casual explorers to avid snowshoe enthusiasts.
m/v Ortelius
The ice-strengthened Ortelius is fully equipped for polar exploration and can accommodate helicopter flights when necessary.
Specifications
| Passengers: | 108 passengers in 50 cabins |
| Staff & crew: | Crew 44 | Guides 8 | Doctor 1 |
| Length: | 90.95 meters |
| Breadth: | 17.20 meters |
| Draft: | 5.4 meters |
| Ice class: | UL1 (Equivalent to 1A) |
| Displacement: | 4090 tonnes |
| Propulsion: | 6 ZL 40/48 SULZER |
| Speed: | 10.5 knots average cruising speed |
Cabins Gallery
Ship Interior Gallery
Ship Exterior Gallery
Ortelius was originally the Marina Svetaeva. Built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, it served as a special-purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. Later it was re-flagged and renamed after the Dutch/Flemish cartographer Abraham Ortelius (1527 – 1598), who in 1570 published the first modern world atlas: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Theater of the World. At that time his atlas was the most expensive book ever printed. Ortelius is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.
Perfect for Any Expedition
The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1, equivalent to 1A) and is therefore suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice as well as loose multi-year pack ice. Ortelius can accommodate up to 108 passengers and has an abundance of open-deck spaces. It is manned by 24 highly experienced nautical crew members, 20 hotel staff, eight expedition specialists (one expedition leader, one assistant, and six lecturer-guides), and one doctor.
Ortelius: a Vessel with Comfort and Character
Please be aware that a small number of cabins may have a partially obstructed view due to the size of the windows and the design requirements of the ship. For example, some windows may be partly obstructed in the lower half by a gangway. The best view is always on the outer deck or the bridge. Though our voyages are primarily meant to offer our passengers an exploratory wildlife program with as much time ashore as possible, Ortelius offers all the comforts of a standard hotel ― along with a bar and lecture room. Flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities. As such, Ortelius carries 10 Zodiacs with 60hp Yamaha engines.
Age & Nationality
Passengers on a typical voyage range from in their 30s to their 80s, with the majority usually between 45 ― 65. Our expeditions attract independent travelers from around the globe who are characterized by a strong interest in exploring remote regions.
What to Wear
In keeping with the spirit of expedition, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing for all activities, and keep in mind that much of the scenery can be appreciated from deck ― which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles, and make sure your parka is never far away in case one of our crew shouts “Whales!” over the loudspeaker and you have to dash outside in a moment’s notice. Opt for layers, as it is comfortably warm aboard the ship though often cold on deck.
How to Pay
Refreshments and souvenirs will be charged to your cabin. The day before departure you can settle your bill with the hotel manager, paying by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or cash (euro, or in some cases dollar). We cannot, however, accept checks. Though the prices and standard currency on board is in the euro, other currencies may be accepted at the discretion of the hotel manager, at prevailing rates.
Electric Current
The electrical supply aboard ship is 220v, 60Hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins, so some passengers may need a 220v/110v converter.
Gratuities
The customary gratuity to the ship’s service personnel is made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage and is divided among the crew. Tipping is a personal matter, and the amount you wish to give is at your sole discretion. As a generally accepted guideline, we suggest 8 ― 10 euros per passenger per day. It is better for the crew if you give cash.
Non-Smoking Policy
We have a non-smoking policy inside all our vessels, though you can smoke in certain designated areas. We ask that you please respect the wishes of non-smokers.
Your Physical Condition
You must be in good overall health and be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding, but we spend as much time as possible on shore. You are, however, welcome to remain aboard the ship if you prefer. To join most excursions you must be able to get up and down the steep gangway ― from the ship to the water level ― to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats, and boarding will become progressively easier with practice, but conditions on shore can be slippery and rocky. Remember, you will be 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.
The average price for flights (round trip) to Ushuaia
From Jakarta: $2,848
From Singapore: $3,500
From Kuala Lumpur: $3,600
Insurance Requirements:
- Mandatory Insurance: All travelers must have insurance covering medical expenses, accidents, and repatriation/evacuation.
- Recommended Insurance: It is strongly recommended to include cancellation insurance for added protection.
Drone Usage Policy:
- Prohibited: The use of drones is strictly prohibited during the expedition.
Clothing and Gear Recommendations:
- Water-Resistant Coat and Pants: Essential for protection against the wet and windy conditions.
- Layered Underwear: To ensure warmth and comfort in extreme weather.
- Sunglasses: Necessary to protect against the strong UV rays and glare from the snow.
- Gloves: Insulated and water-resistant gloves to keep your hands warm and dry.
- Additional Items: Consider packing a warm hat, thermal socks, and sturdy waterproof boots.
- 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.
- 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.
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre- and post- land arrangements.
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Government arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals ashore.
- Personal health Insurance for Medical, Accident and Repatriation/evacuating..
- Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, beverage charges and Internet charges.
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
- Not during the summer, which is when the majority of our voyages take place. It depends on where you go in the Arctic, but temperatures can get up to 10°C (50°F) and don't tend to drop too far below 0°C (32°F). Antarctica is slightly colder, but still warm in the austral summers, reaching up to 2°C (36°F) depending on your location, and tending not to get too much lower than that during the warm months. You're only likely to experience colder weather during our fall and winter Arctic trips, where temps can range between -34°C to 0°C (-29°F to 32°F). But you'll have the northern lights to keep you warm.
- Yes, an overriding concern is the protection of the wildlife, environment, and cultures in all of the areas we visit. We will address conservation issues in the onboard briefings, and the expedition staff will assist you on shore. We are members of IAATO and AECO and will abide by their guidelines. We will also follow all local requirements to minimize our impact on the environment and wildlife. When in doubt, remember our two most important rules: Do not leave anything but footprints Do not take anything but memories
- We accept payment via bank transfer or credit card (Mastercard and Visa). When paying with a credit card, we have to pass on a credit card fee. If you make a reservation via the website, then it is possible to pay with credit or debit card (Mastercard, Visa, and American Express) and Sofort.
- When you make a confirmed reservation, we require a 40% deposit. But if the reservation is made within two months prior to departure, the full price of the voyage is due at the time of booking.
- The climate in the Antarctic Peninsula is much milder than most people would imagine because it is located near the most northerly part of Antarctica. If you travel to the Antarctic Peninsula during January, which is summertime, you can expect an average temperature of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius (33.8 to 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit). June is the coldest part of the year, and the temperature range is typically -20 to -15 degrees Celsius (-4 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit) during this part of the winter. Precipitation amounts vary throughout the region. On your voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula you can expect at least some rain on occasion. On the other hand, the interior of Antarctica is similar to a desert in that it only receives an annual precipitation amount of 10 cm (3.93 inches).
- The Antarctic Peninsula follows Coordinated Universal Time -3 (UTC -3). This means that if it is 18:00 UTC-3 (6 p.m.) during your expedition cruise trip to the Antarctic Peninsula , it would be 17:00 (5 p.m.) in New York City, USA and 22:00 (10 p.m.) in London, U.K.
- The number of passengers is limited to approximately 116 on the Ortelius. Furthermore the vessel is manned by 20 highly experienced international nautical crew, 19 international hotel crew, including stewardesses, 7 expedition staff in Antarctica (1 expedition leader and 6 guides/lecturers) and 1 doctor.
- There are in total 50 cabins at the Ortelius. 4 quadruple cabins with bunk beds. 26 twin porthole cabin with 2 single berths. 12 twin cabins with windows and 2 lower berths. 2 twin deluxe cabins with windows and 2 single lower berths. 6 superior cabins with double beds. All cabins are spacious outside cabins with a minimum of two portholes or windows per cabin and all cabins have a private shower and toilet.
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A Day of Whale Watching in Antarctica
Life in a Penguin Colony
Antarctic Explorer’s Voyage
The Small but Social Commerson’s Dolphin
Graham Land: A landscape dominated by volcanoes
The Emperor Penguin of the Drake Passage
Danger Beneath the Water: 10 Facts About Leopard Seals
The Eight Albatrosses of Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic
15 Fantastic Photos of Antarctica
The Giant Petrels of King George Island
The Classic Polar Cruise: Antarctic Peninsula Facts, Pics, and More
Eight Antarctic Misconceptions
Port Lockroy: History, Post Office, and Resident Penguins
Weddell Sea, Shackleton’s Endurance, and New Swabia
8 Whales You Might See During Your Antarctica Cruise
Arctic and Antarctic Basecamp Cruises – Choose Your Own Adventure
Camping in Antarctica: a True Expedition Experience
Six Facts About the Crabeater Seals of Antarctica
Living the Antarctic Dream
