Ortelius Itinerary
Antarctica - Beyond the Polar Circle - Wilkins Ice Shelf - Aurora Australis16 days / 15 nights
About Ortelius
- Refurbished research vessel with three-star accommodation
- Awarded the highest ice-class rating, ensuring safety and comfort
- Equipped with a helicopter pad to facilitate flight transfers
- Enjoy hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, camping, and photography
Ortelius is a refurbished research vessel embarking on adventurous expedition cruises in the polar regions. Awarded the highest ice-class rating, and offering some unique features and amenities – including a helicopter pad and sauna – this vessel combines both comfort and capability during even the remote voyages. As a result, guests can expect to enjoy every moment of their trip, whether lounging in the bar with a cocktail, learning about their surroundings in the lecture room, or embarking on exhilarating activities such as mountaineering, skiing, or scuba diving.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 16 days / 15 nights
Number of dives 0
Experience No experience required
Insurance Not Required
Highlights
- Circular route heading to the Wilkins Ice Shelf within the Polar Circle
- Visit places discovered by De Gerlache on his polar expedition
- Southern colonies of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags
- Panorama of Marguerite Bay and Adelaide Island from Leoni Island
- Vast cliffs and expanses of ice at George IV and Wilkins Ice Shelf
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.
Days 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 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: Through the Pendleton Strait
You arrive at the Antarctic Peninsula near the Antarctic Circle in the afternoon. If sea ice allows it, you can then continue through Pendleton Strait and attempt a landing at the rarely visited southern tip of Renaud Island. Here you have the opportunity to see the first Adélie penguins of the trip as well as enjoy spectacular views of the icebergs in this surreal, snow-swept environment.
In the afternoon we sail to the Fish Islands and encounter one of the southernmost Adélie penguin and blue-eyed shag colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula.
Spending the night in the area of Crystal Sound the scenery will leave you staying up until the small hours, there is a chance to see Orca, Humpback and Minke Whale in this area.
Day 5: Detaille Island and The Gullet
Detaille Island – You may make a landing at an abandoned British research station here, taking in the island’s lofty position and imposing glaciers scenery.
We then sail through The Gullet, one of the most impressive narrow channels in Antarctic, with towering mountains either side, birds following the ship and playful penguins and seals frolicking in the water as we sail through this very special part of the journey. If ice conditions allow we will also carry out a landing or cruise in the afternoon.
Day 6: Porquoi Pas and Horseshoe Islands
Discovered and charted by the famous explorer Charcot, Pourquoi Pas offers a pleasant landing on a rocky beach against the backdrop of the mighty Moider Glacier. A gentle walk from the landing site provides an impressive view, while Antarctic furs seals relaxing behind the beach are a nice addition to the wildlife we’ve encountered on this voyage.
After lunch we head toward Horseshoe Island, named for its distinctive shape. An abandoned research station provides an insight into the early days of scientific research, and original artefacts show how different life was in those pioneering days. The hut is set among some of the most beautiful scenery in Antarctica, with views over the mountains and snow of Pourquoi Pas Island as well as Horseshoe Island’s mountain range. This is a photographic landing in many senses. Two old wooden boats even remain at the landing site as if waiting for their final launch.
Days 7-10: George IV and Wilkins Ice Shelf
Provided ice and weather conditions allow, you next head toward Antarctica’s ice shelves (the George IV and Wilkins). Here we hope to show you the scale of these vast cliffs and expanses of ice that will dwarf us and our ship. A range of Antarctic wildlife like humpback whales, fur seals, Adélie penguins, and maybe even one or more Ross’ seals may appear.
Day 11: Jenny and Leonie Islands
Jenny Island will give another aspect to your Antarctic experience, offering raised beaches, hanging glaciers, and moss carpets. The island is also popular with wildlife: Terns, skuas, elephant seals, leopard seals, and Adélie penguins are all regular visitors.
A landing at Leonie Island will take your breath away. There is also the possibility to take a hike to the peak of the island, giving you a dramatic panorama of Marguerite Bay and Adelaide Island.
Day 12: Lagoon and Mikkelsen Islands
Lagoon island is the most northern island of the Leonie Islands group, also discovered and charted by Jean-Baptiste Charcot. This low lying island will provide a stark contrast to the previous days with its gently sloped beaches and flat areas to explore. The wildlife here will vary depending on snow cover. If there is little snow the ground is almost desert-like in appearance.
The Mikkelsen Islands offer a spectacular Zodiac cruise where we hope to encounter up to five Antarctic seal species. We may also see some beautiful birdlife, such as giant petrels and Adélie penguins.
Days 13-15: 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 16: 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.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.
Transfer details
Departure
04:00pm
Ushuaia
Ushuaia Airport: USH
Return
09:00am
Ushuaia
Ushuaia Airport: USH
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/ortelius/itn-2311080438041-antarctica-beyond-the-polar-circle-wilkins-ice-shelf-aurora-australis