13-day Antarctic Base Camp expedition cruise

​13 days – from €8,600 per person

The itinerary below covers the Antarctica Basecamp cruise from Ushuaia, Argentina, aboard Oceanwide Expeditions’ ships, the Hondius or the Plancius. Slightly different itineraries are also available; please ask us for details and which route best suits your specific requirements.

• Make the most of your Antarctic cruise – virtually all activities included
• Literally sleep under the stars on the sea ice
• Climb mountain ridges and take snowshoe hikes
• Spot leopard seals and gentoo penguins from your kayak
• Meet humpback whales and minke whales

Days 4–10, Antarctica

Weather and ice conditions will determine the programme for the coming days. The captain will decide on the possible locations where the ‘base camp’ will be set up for two to three days, from where the activities will take place. During these base camps, all activities are included, so you can enjoy nature and wildlife in an active way without a care in the world. These include kayaking trips, Zodiac cruises, mountain hikes, snowshoe walks, photography workshops and even camping under the stars! You’ll always be accompanied by highly qualified guides who know the terrain like the back of their hand and know exactly what they’re doing. This ensures you get the very most out of your activity.

In the Neumayer Channel, the sheltered waters around Wiencke Island offer plenty of opportunities for kayaking and Zodiac cruises. The mountainous terrain is also ideal for snowshoe treks, whilst further inland you’ll have the chance to practise your mountaineering skills on expeditions to snow-capped peaks. Port Lockroy is a former British research station and a popular spot to set up camp. Nearby, gentoo penguins and emperor cormorants breed, and there are opportunities for snowshoe walks. On Goudier Island, you can visit an interesting museum.

If the ship is able to sail further south, there will be an opportunity to take part in activities on the Pléneau and Petermann Islands. Here, you will go in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed cormorants. Humpback whales, leopard seals, minke whales and orcas are regularly spotted in this area, so there’s more than enough to keep your eyes fixed on the water’s surface! Kayaking here is, of course, particularly exciting, and there are also some serious alpine activities to enjoy. Read more here about the activities you can enjoy.

The name says it all; Paradise Bay is a stunning place. Spending the night here under the starry sky is an experience you won’t soon forget. You’ll have to roll up your sleeves, though! You’ll need to dig a hole yourself to shelter from the icy winds, as all that separates you from the night-time cold is your sleeping bag!

Days 11–12: At sea

Depending on weather conditions, the return journey will commence either earlier or later. You won’t be able to get enough of pointing your binoculars at the water and the sky, so you can tick off the species you’ve yet to spot.

Day 13: Ushuaia

On this day, the ship will dock again at the port of Ushuaia. Are you flying back to the Netherlands, or will you be continuing your journey in Argentina or Chile? We’d be happy to advise you on the options.