HIGHLIGHTS
- Delight
in observing young penguins leaving the nest for the first time
- Celebrate
the crossing of the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33' South
- Hear
the sonorous blows of feeding humpbacks
- Snuggle
into the wonder of camping on shore in Antarctica
- Experience
the thrill of Antarctic kayaking, diving and snorkeling (additional
cost)
- Take
a polar plunge and earn hero status
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | QUAD | TRIPLE PORTHOLE | TWIN PORTHOLE | TWIN WINDOW | TWIN DELUXE | SUPERIOR | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| Mar 23, 2026 | May 04, 2026 | 16,380 | 20,610 | 20,610 | 21,555 | 23,310 | 24,975 | N/A | N/A |
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
QUAD | (Mid-range)
TWIN DELUXE | (High-end)
0 |
|---|
| Mar 23, 2026 | May 04, 2026 | 16,380 | 23,310 | N/A |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Arrive Ushuaia
Arrive
in Ushuaia, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora
Expeditions and transferred to your downtown hotel (preferred flights
only).
Day
2: Embark the Greg Mortimer in Ushuaia
This
morning, your luggage will be collected from your hotel and transferred
directly to port for clearance and loading onto the ship.
You’ll have the day at leisure before making your own way to
port in the late afternoon to meet your expedition team and commence
boarding at approximately 4.00 pm (final embarkation time will be
provided in your final documentation).
After
breakfast, you can independently explore the bustling community that
was previously the world’s most southerly town, a claim that
now belongs to nearby Puerto Williams. The town itself sits beneath the
spectacular mountains of Tierra del Fuego on the edge of the Beagle
Channel. You may choose to enjoy a trip to Tierra del Fuego National
Park, or visit the small museum, which has informative displays about
the original inhabitants and the current population of Tierra del Fuego.
Ushuaia
is a duty-free port with a reputation for its delicious Argentinian
chocolates and leather goods, and is a great place to buy souvenirs and
presents. There are a host of excellent restaurants available, so
whether you are looking for a quick coffee, an excellent meal of king
crab, or an Argentinian barbecue, you are spoiled for choice.
As
the Greg Mortimer pulls away from port, we’ll gather on the
deck to commence our adventure with spectacular views over Ushuaia and
Tierra del Fuego. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin
before our important briefings. This evening, get to know your fellow
expeditioners and friendly expedition team and crew at a welcome dinner
to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure to Antarctica.
NOTE:
Transfer of your luggage from your Ushuaia hotel to the ship is
included. Detailed instructions will be available in your final
documentation.
Day
3: Drake Passage crossing
As
we commence the Drake Passage crossing, we make the most of our time
getting comfortable with the motions of the sea. Our expedition team
prepare you for our first landing with important wildlife guidelines
and biosecurity procedures, and start our lecture program to help you
learn more about Antarctica’s history, wildlife and
environment. Our wildlife experiences begin as we enjoy watching and
photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and
giant petrels following in our wake. They rise and fall skillfully,
using air currents created by the ship to gain momentum.
Day
4: Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands
Nearing
the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula on
day four, the excitement is palpable with everyone converging on one of
the observation decks, watching for our first iceberg. The ocean takes
on a whole new perspective once we are below the Antarctic Convergence
and are surrounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures.
The memory of your first big iceberg sighting is likely to remain with
you for a lifetime. Weather permitting, we may attempt our first
landing in Antarctica by late afternoon.
Days
5-10: Antarctic Peninsula & Antarctic Circle
Over
the next six days a host of choices are open to us, and depending on
ice and weather conditions, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula
is ours to explore. Our experienced expedition team, who have made
countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design our
voyage from day to day. This allows us to make best use of the
prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
Because
we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-20 hours of
daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish. We will generally
make landings or Zodiac excursions two, and occasionally three, times a
day; cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, following whales that are
feeding near the surface, and landing on the continent and its
off-shore islands to visit penguin rookeries, seal haul outs, historic
huts, and a few of our other favorite spots along the peninsula. There
will be plenty of time for sleep when you get home!
During
this voyage, we’ll attempt to cross the invisible line of the
Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33' South – this is
certainly a special highlight for all of us and we plan to celebrate
with a champagne toast. In order to reach the Antarctic Circle, our
ship will motor south every night and during meal times or when we are
not ashore exploring.
As
we reach and cross the circle, we notice subtle changes in the
Antarctic land and icescapes, and also in the distribution of wildlife.
The waters at this time of year are rich with krill and so we are
hopeful of seeing whales, particularly humpbacks and minkes, and enjoy
watching as penguin chicks learn to swim. As we head north again, we
understand more about the effect of southerly latitudes on Antarctic
wildlife.
Days
11-12: Drake Passage crossing
Today,
our landings come to an end as we enter the Drake Passage for our
return journey to South America. With lectures and videos to complete
our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the
magic of Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time
for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced,
and the impact this voyage has had on our attitude to life. As we
approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to
legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.
Day
13: Disembark Ushuaia
During
the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly
slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark
around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as
we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of
the immense power of nature. A transfer to downtown Ushuaia before
continuing to the airport is included in the cost of the voyage.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Arrival
transfer from airport to hotel on Day 1 (preferred flights only)
- One
night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Ushuaia on Day 1
- Luggage
transfer from your hotel in Ushuaia to ship on Day 2
- Transfer
to downtown Ushuaia or airport on Day 13
- Onboard
accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
- All
meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
- Beer,
house wine and soft drinks with dinner
- All
shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
- Educational
lectures and guiding services from expedition team
- Access
to our onboard doctor and basic medical services
- A
3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
- Complimentary
use of gumboots during the voyage
- Comprehensive
pre-departure information
- A
printed photo book produced with photos from your voyage
- Port
surcharges, permits and landing fees
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking:
USD 1,080
- Scuba
Diving: USD 1,080
- Polar
Snorkeling: USD 1,080
