Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Arrive in Ushuaia (USH), the world's southernmost city, where you will be transferred to your pre-voyage hotel on arrival. Fresh southern breezes and the squawks of gulls greet guests upon arrival at a city proud to call itself the End of the World. Ascend the hills above the city and check into your beautifully appointed pre-voyage hotel, the perfect place to relax with a glass of Malbec after travel, or the ideal gateway to explore this magnificent region.
Hotel in Ushuaia to be confirmed
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
Your morning is free to explore Ushuaia, before boarding your vessel in the afternoon. After your mandatory safety drill, our expedition begins as we navigate through the calm waters of the famous Beagle Channel. This steep-sided strait divides southern Tierra del Fuego between Chile and Argentina and has been the jumping-off point for thousands of expeditions into the unknown. Watch out for albatross, whales and dolphins as we sail off the edge of the map into the tempestuous Drake Passage.
M/V Ocean Albatros
Grade: Premium Boat
As we sail through the renowned Drake Passage, our focus turns to preparing for your arrival in Antarctica. Your Expedition Leader will provide thorough safety briefings and guidelines to minimise our impact on this pristine environment. Our dedicated Expedition Team will also assist in biosecuring your gear while offering tailored lectures on Antarctic exploration, wildlife, and much more.
On your third day, we'll cross the Antarctic Convergence, marked by a sudden drop in temperature as warmer currents give way to Antarctic waters. This transition fosters a surge in marine life, promising sightings of petrels, albatrosses, and possibly even penguins, seals, and whales. Weather permitting, we aim to land on the South Shetland Islands on the afternoon of the third day of our expedition, starting our exploration of the Last Continent.
Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. Here, you can expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife, including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, and it's not uncommon to share the water's edge with Elephant and Fur seals. Whales are often spotted as well. So, we'll settle into our Zodiacs and kayaks and spend most of our day exploring. Whether on land or sea, in Zodiac or kayak, be prepared for a fully immersive introduction to this incomparable part of the world.
Heading south across the Bransfield Strait, we begin to see the breathtaking outline of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Wildlife sightings, including penguins, whales, and fur seals, become more frequent, as do dramatic sculptural icebergs.
With extra time to explore, possibilities abound. We'll look to visit historic sites like the huts at Damoy Point, keep an eye out for humpback whales in Wilhelmina Bay, and continue our twice-daily outings until we reach the crown jewel of this expedition, the jaw-dropping scenery through the Lemaire Channel.
Weather permitting, we'll cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S, an achievement that will put you in rare company. We'll celebrate the occasion before heading onward toward any number of historic and rarely visited British Survey bases, after which we turn back north.
Heading north, we'll explore all the Antarctic Peninsula has to offer, including any number of spectacular bays and famed landing sites.
The ship will maneuver through dramatic channels as we traverse wildlife-rich waters, encountering a wide variety of lively penguins, seals, and whales along the rugged coastlines and in the sea.
There are always great opportunities to stop at active scientific bases and several historic landing sites along the way - we will certainly maximise any opportunity to explore the very best of this magical place.
We depart Antarctica and spend two days at sea on our way northwards back across the Drake Passage, heading towards the welcoming shores of the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, Argentina. During your time at sea, a variety of activities will be arranged on board to provide guests with the chance to reflect on their voyage. Relax with an expertly crafted cocktail in the Nordic Bar, in the company of new friends, soak up the knowledge and passion of our Expedition Team during lectures in the Shackleton Lounge, or simply enjoy the flight of the albatross which accompany us northwards. Enjoy enriching onboard experiences such as lectures, recaps, wine-tasting, and spa treatments.
During your last evening onboard, join the Captain and Officers for the Farewell Cocktail Party, followed by a presentation of photos and video by our onboard photographer - the ideal opportunity to re-live your Antarctic adventure. Skål!
During the early morning, we will arrive back at the pier of Ushuaia. After a hearty breakfast, it is time to bid a fond farewell to your expedition team and fellow travellers, as you all continue on your onwards travels.
GMT-03:00
Type C (European) - Two round pins
Roman Catholic
With a total of 94 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view and most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros allows you to explore the polar regions in supreme comfort. Capped at 185 passengers, the ship offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar and an open deck dining facility. Offering a lower carbon footprint than many traditional expedition vessels, it fits well into our portfolio of ships, implementing the Green Initiative Program, ensuring both absolute comfort and sustainability for all of our guests. The ship also offers a unique panorama sauna and dedicated single cabins for solo travellers.
The lead-in prices on our website are based on triple outward facing, Stateroom cabins. All staterooms have private bathrooms, ample storage, with twin beds. Many of the stateroom categories, have floor to ceiling windows that offer prime observation opportunities around the clock. Additionally, there are private balconies in most of the staterooms, allowing you to watch the world float past and take in the salty air of the open ocean. A full layout of the deck plan can be found under the Polar Ships section on our website. Your confirmed cabin type will appear on your Booking Confirmation, which will be sent on receipt of your deposit payment.
Meals are served in the large, spacious dining room with an open seating arrangement, perfect for swapping stories with your extended expedition family. A range of courses is offered at each meal time and you can enjoy a variety of house wines, beers and soft drinks which are included with your evening meal. Complimentary coffee, tea and snacks are available throughout the day and any additional drinks can be purchased at the fully-stocked bar.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.