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Best of Antarctica: White Christmas

Highlights Itinerary Map Dates Extras

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Length

11 Days

Embark

Ushuaia

Disembark

Ushuaia

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Highlights

White Christmas is guaranteed when you explore this icy white continent over the festive period.
Penguin chicks are hatching and in abundance on the Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, so it’s a perfect time for wildlife lovers.
The longer summer days gives us 22 hours of daylight to maximize the time for exploration.

There’s nothing more magical than journeying to Antarctica and experiencing the ice-capped mountain ranges, iconic Antarctic wildlife and immense icebergs and glaciers over the Christmas period. During this 11-day expedition, you’ll have the chance to set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula, visit penguin rookeries, spot Minke and Humpback whales up close from your Zodiac, photograph seals resting on ice floes and more. For the brave souls, participate in the Polar Plunge before warming up in the sauna or trying some on-board yoga. The team ensures the spirit on board the Ocean Endeavour over the holiday season is festive and fun, delivering a one-in-a-lifetime experience to make this a Christmas adventure to remember.

Ships

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Standard Activities

Bird Watching

Citizen Science

Hiking

Lectures

Polar Plunge

Penguin Watching

Itinerary Day to Day

Day 1

Ushuaia, Argentina

Your journey starts in the most southerly city in the world, Ushuaia Argentina. After transferring from the airport to your hotel and getting acquainted with your fellow travellers, we’ll have our welcome briefing. If you arrive a day early, Tierra del Fuego National Park has an array of outdoor activities on offer. You can also visit the Museo Maritimo for a history lesson or take a stroll down Avenida San Martin to pick up some last-minute essentials for your journey.

Ushuaia

Embarkation Point

Tierra del Fuego

Day 2

Embarkation in Ushuaia

Days 3-4

At sea, Drake Passage

Days 5-8

Antarctic Peninsula & Christmas Day

Welcome to the Antarctic Peninsula, where a vast amount of wildlife can be found with a backdrop of ice, water and mountains. The sheer scale of everything must be seen to be believed. Scheduled twice daily, Zodiac excursions are tailored to allow for closer encounters with marine life including whales and seals, while onshore exploration might take you to penguin rookeries.

Choose from a range of paid adventure options to enhance your adventure, including snowshoeing excursions or overnight ice camping, hit the water for a day paddle or kayaking excursion, or learn how to capture that perfect shot by joining our dedicated Photography Program. Our lecture program will continue throughout your time on the Antarctic Peninsula and our Expedition Team will always be available to answer any questions you may have about the region.

If you’ve been dreaming of a white Christmas, this is as white as it gets! Enjoy the festive spirit on board the Ocean Endeavour, where your presents come in the form of more landings and wildlife sightings throughout the day. Some of these wildlife encounters are likely to include Weddell, Crabeater and Leopard seals, and Gentoo, Adelie and Chinstrap penguins.

An average day onboard begins with a wake-up call from your Expedition Leader around 7am, giving you time to prepare for the day before joining your fellow expeditioners for breakfast in the Polaris restaurant. You will usually have two excursions per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a delicious lunch served on the Ocean Endeavour in between excursions.

Antarctic Peninsula

Days 9-10

At Sea, Drake Passage

Day 11

Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina

Route Map

There are 5 main destinations visited

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Cabin Details

Extra Activities

Explore these 6 add on activities

From £ 867 Per Person

Kayaking

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From £ 118 Per Person

Snowshoeing

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From £ 315 Per Person

Camping

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From £ 867 Per Person

Photography Program

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From £ 236 Per Person

Day Paddle

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From £ 236 Per Person

Stand-Up Paddle Boarding

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Extra Activities

When you’re visiting the Great White South, there are certain experiences that can take your adventure to the next level. Stepping off a Zodiac to go camping on the Antarctic Peninsula is undoubtedly one of them. Fall asleep amid the snow-capped mountains as you watch the colors of the Antarctic twilight bounce off the ocean and surrounding glaciers. The only locals you may be sharing your home with for the night are the Gentoo, Adelie and Chinstrap penguins who keep a low profile, nesting nearby. This is an experience like no other which allows you to completely connect with the landscape, feeling its power into the early hours.

Is Ice Camping for you?

No previous experience is required for this popular activity, Ice Camping – a true wilderness experience of Antarctica that everyone can participate in. Forego the comforts of your cabin, connect with nature and enjoy the true silence of Antarctica in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We camp in warm and waterproof bivy bags in Antarctica, so there can be rocks, snow, mud, and frozen surfaces to contend with. But you’ll leave with memories of an overnight adventure you will never forget and bragging rights that you are part of a select few that have camped on the White Continent.

What to expect

If you have booked the camping excursions, after dinner has concluded, you will board a Zodiac and be guided by the expedition team to the camping site. They will stay with you overnight in case you need assistance with anything. After setting up camp, you’ll spend the night onshore (about 10 hours in total) before waking up to return to your ship for breakfast.

What you’ll need?

Participants need to be prepared for Antarctic conditions and wear appropriate clothing when Ice Camping. This includes a hat, gloves, extra thick socks, a windproof, waterproof parka and pants. You will generally be supplied with a bivvy bag, insulating mats and the best view ever from the portable toilet!

Booking in advance

Ice Camping is offered on a selection of Antarctic voyages, so we recommend booking ahead to secure your place. Ice Camping is generally only available at the start of the season during November to January departures when the snow is soft. Please note that Ice Camping numbers are limited on each voyage so we recommend booking ahead to secure your place and avoid disappointment!

Minimum Age

The minimum age for participants is generally 16 years, as young children are more susceptible to hypothermia.

What's Included

All meals onboard the Ocean Endeavour including snacks
Accommodation onboard the Ocean Endeavour in booked cabin category
Onboard lecture program from Expeditions Team and Naturalists
All shore excursions and Zodiac cruising (except paid adventure options with cost)
Use of rubber boots on land and use of waterproof outer shell jacket
Insulated inner jacket, yours to keep at the end of the voyage
Transfer from Ushuaia airport to hotel (Day 1) and pre-night hotel with breakfast
Transfer from Ushuaia hotel accommodation to the Ocean Endeavour for embarkation
Transports to Ushuaia airport on return to port
All port taxes
All landing fees
Use of onboard gym, sauna, pool and jacuzzi and onboard yoga

What's Excluded

International or internal flights unless specified
Airport transfers, taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified
Meals other than those specified in the pre-departure information
Pre or post cruise travel expenses
Visa (if applicable) and passport fees
Travel insurance (compulsory)
Fuel surcharge may be applied to all bookings
Paid adventure options and all personal expenses
Tobacco, alcoholic or beverages (other than coffee and tea)
Miscellaneous extras
Laundry and communication charges on board
Gratuities for Expedition team and crew (recommended US$15 per person per day)
For minors under 16 years of age at time of travel; life jackets, waterproof outer shell jacket, insulated inner jacket and boots
For guests who require larger sizing; Waterproof outer shell jacket, insulated inner jacket and rubber boots

We’ll carefully listen to your aspirations and curate an impartial shortlist of personalized polar cruise recommendations—and pre- and post-cruise extensions—to match your desired experience.

Next we’ll place a free, no obligation, 24-hour cabin hold on your preferred cruise option whilst we discuss the final details. Book and relax safe in the knowledge you’ll be paying the lowest price guaranteed.

Then we’ll provide you with our expert packing advice, insider travel tips, and more to ensure you are fully prepared for—and maximize your enjoyment of—your once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica expedition.

Best of Antarctica: White Christmas

Highlights

Ships

Standard Activities