Antarctica is seen by many as the ‘Last Frontier’ due to its remote location and difficulty of access, this is a destination very few people have the opportunity to experience.
There is something for everyone on this journey; this trip is an opportunity to discover Antarctica at a range of different activity levels.
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Adventure Consultants offers numerous ship based expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula each season. We cross the Drake Passage in a comfortable ship before our vessel becomes our Basecamp for daily activities such as glacier walking, snowshoeing, kayaking, camping, hiking, photo workshops and landings ashore.
Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to expeditions. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every expedition to offer our team the best possible chance of a safe and enjoyable trip.
We employ strong and specialised expedition leaders and support staff, who are some of the most pre-eminent in the industry. We pride ourselves on operating with small teams and the best back-up and support available. This includes nutritious and ample quantities of food, comfortable base camp facilities, reliable communications systems and the necessary medical back up.
Many of our expedition members come to us because they have seen us in action on a previous trip and decide to opt for our proven level of service and experience. Others return because they know we do our very best to make expeditions safe and successful.
2023/2024
M/V Hondius Departures
Trip 1: November 13–25, 2023 (Low season)
Trip 2: November 25 to December 7, 2023 (Low season)
M/V Ortelius Departures
Trip 3: November 30 to December 12, 2023 (Low Season)
Trip 5: December 12–24, 2023 (Low Season)
Trip 7: December 24, 2023 to January 5, 2024 (High Season)
Trip 10: March 4–16, 2024 (Low Season)
M/V Plancius Departures
Trip 4: December 11–23, 2023 (Low Season)
Trip 6: December 23, 2023 to January 4, 2024 (High Season)
Trip 8: January 4–16, 2024 (High Season)
Trip 9: February 13–25, 2024 (High Season)
| Quadruple Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior | Junior Suite | Grand Balcony Suite | |
| Low Season | US$9,100 | US$11,200* | US$11,200 | US$11,750 | US$12,450 | US$13,250 | US$14,100** | US$15,800** |
| High Season | US$9,900 | US$12,150 | US$12,150 | US$12,650 | US$13,400 | US$14,300 | N/A | N/A |
* Triple Porthole price on M/V Hondius Voyages is US$10,200
** Junior Suite and Grand Balcony Suite options are only available on M/V Hondius voyages.
Please note preferred ship berth upgrade option on your booking form.
M/V Hondius Departures
Trip 1: November 23 to December 5, 2024 (Low season)
Trip 2: December 5–17, 2024 (Low season)
M/V Ortelius Departures
Trip 4: December 29, 2024 to January 10, 2025 (High Season)
Trip 5: January 10–22, 2025 (High Season)
M/V Plancius Departures
Trip 3: December 25, 2024 to January 6, 2025 (High Season)
Trip 6: February 13–25, 2025 (High Season)
Trip 7: February 25 to March 9, 2025 (High Season)
| Quadruple Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior | Junior Suite | Grand Balcony Suite | |
| Low Season | US$9,100 | US$10,200 | US$11,200 | US$11,750 | US$12,450 | US$13,250 | US$14,100* | US$15,800* |
| High Season | US$9,900 | US$12,150 | US$12,150 | US$12,650 | US$13,400 | US$14,300 | N/A | N/A |
* Junior Suite and Grand Balcony Suite options are only available on M/V Hondius voyages.
Please note preferred ship berth upgrade option on your booking form.
Inclusions
The price of your trip includes the following:
Exclusions
The price of your trip does not include:
Account Information
All payments should be made by bank transfer to the following bank and account:
Bank of New Zealand
Offshore Branch
42 Willis Street
Spark Central
Wellington
New Zealand
for the account of Adventure Consultants Limited
Account # 1000-594771-0000
Account Type: US Dollars
Swift Address: BKNZNZ22
Note: All bank transfer charges are for the remitter's account.
We can also accept your deposit and balance payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) plus a 3% credit card fee.
Deposit
A deposit of US$3,000 is payable to secure a place on the expedition.
Balance
The balance is payable 120 days before the trip start date.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
An expedition member may cancel their participation on the following basis:
Trip Cancellation Insurance
We strongly recommend you take out trip cancellation insurance via your travel agent if you wish to be covered against cancellation due to medical or personal reasons. We will also provide advice regarding travel and rescue insurance.
The Expedition Trip Notes provide detailed information and background for the Adventure Consultants' Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp Voyages.
You can view the trip notes online by clicking the image or download a pdf by clicking the following link:
Basecamp Voyages are aboard one of three vessels; the M/V Plancius, the M/V Ortelius, or the M/V Hondius. All vessels accommodate passengers in simple but comfortable quadruple, triple or twin cabins with attached bathrooms. Deluxe and superior options are also available. The ships are comfortable, with tasteful decor, but are not luxury vessels. They have been kitted out for explorers and equipped with inflatable zodiacs, a restaurant, bar/lecture room and observation lounge. Our voyages are primarily developed to offer our passengers a quality exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible.
The M/V Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and is now a completely reconditioned and converted 116 passenger vessel.
Also accommodating 116 passengers, the M/V Ortelius was built in 1989 and served as a research vessel for the Russian Academy of Science before being reconditioned.
M/V Hondius (pictured by Oceanwide Expeditions) is the world’s first-registered Polar Class 6 passenger vessel, making her among the most structurally fortified and technologically advanced polar cruise ships on the seas. The Hondius is the more luxurious of the three ships. It was built in 2019 and accommodates 170 passengers, with additional berth options of a Junior or Grand Balcony Suite.
Team Membership
Activity groups sizes vary: for glacier walking the maximum group size is limited to 12 with 6 mountaineers per rope party; camping has a minimum of 8 and maximum of 30 campers per night; photography outings are limited to 20 participants; kayaking has a minimum of 4 and maximum of 14 kayakers.
Our Guides
You will find the guides to be companionable and strong expedition leaders with considerable power and willingness to see you achieve your goals.
Head Office Support Team
Running successful journeys and expeditions is more about experience, knowledge and strategic management than any other factors. As an organisation, we place a substantial amount of time and resources into ensuring our trips are well planned and supported. You can be assured that the AC staff will provide you with friendly advice and knowledgeable support throughout the planning stages of your trip and we will be there to provide backup while the trip is running.
Hayley Furze, Client Liaison
Hayley joins the AC team with a wealth of experience working in the tourism and hospitality industry along with a love of travel. She works as Client Liaison on a number of our European and international ascents, treks and expeditions.
Your Health
Expedition members will be provided with pre-trip medical advice and a medical questionnaire and asked to visit their family physician to receive a full medical examination. This information will be sighted only by the expedition leader and our medical adviser and treated with full confidentiality.
Level of Experience Required
The voyages are suitable for all skills levels and for most activities no previous experience is required and everybody is welcome to participate. The excursions will be tailored to the skill level of the group and the conditions encountered.
For certain activities previous experience is required as follows:
Glacier Walking: Some mountaineering or alpine trekking experience is preferable, but not required. Physical fitness is essential. See our Fitness Training Programs for information on how we can help you prepare for the expedition.
Kayaking: Some previous kayaking experience is advantageous for this excursion.
Difficulty Rating
Each of our trips is individually rated according to its physical and technical difficulty, displayed in the icons towards the top of each trip page. You can click on the accompanying question mark for additional descriptions and the full run-down of our grading system is available on our Difficulty Ratings page.
Food
All meals, including snacks, coffee and tea, are provided onboard and most dietary requirements can be catered for by the chefs.
Clothing & Equipment
A full clothing and equipment checklist will be sent to all expedition members once their booking is confirmed, however members are expected to provide personal equipment for specific activities as follows:
Glacier Walking
Glacier travel equipment will be provided (ropes and carabiners, harnesses, helmets, ice axes and crampons). Participants will bring their own personal protective outdoor clothing, mountaineering boots (leather or plastic) suitable for using crampons.
Snowshoeing
We offer the free rental of lightweight snowshoes and rubber boots with a good walking profile.
The following itinerary is an example of how the expedition may operate depending on weather and ice conditions.
| Day | |
| 1 |
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. |
| 2-3 |
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 the 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. |
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4-9 |
Gray stone peaks sketched with snow, towers of broken blue-white ice, and dramatically different wildlife below and above. You first pass the snow-capped Melchior Islands and Schollaert Channel, sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands. Places you might visit includes: Neumayer Channel – The vessel may position itself here, launching its multiple basecamp activities from the protected waters around Wiencke Island. You can enjoy the splendors of this alpine environment at sea with Zodiac and kayaking trips, or if you’re in the mood for a walk, there are possible snowshoe hikes and soft-climb mountaineering options farther inland. Naturally, favorable weather conditions determine the possible activities. Port Lockroy – After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, you may get a chance to visit the former British research station – now a museum and post office – of Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. You may also be able to partake in activities around Jougla Point, meeting gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags. There are great opportunities also for kayaking and camping here, and when conditions are right, you can even snowshoe around the shore. Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If the ice allows it, you can sail through the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. There’s also a good chance you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales here, as well as leopard seals. Kayaking, glacier walks, and more ambitious mountaineering trips are the potential activities of this location. Neko Harbour – An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow, Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks. Paradise Bay – You have the chance to make camp here like a true polar explorer (but with a better tent), enjoying a supreme overnight Antarctic adventure. Errera Channel – Possible sites in this area include Danco Island and Cuverville Island, but also the lesser known (though equally picturesque) Orne Island and Georges Point on Rongé Island. On your last day of near-shore activities, you pass the Melchior Islands toward the open sea. Keep a sharp lookout for humpback whales in Dallmann Bay. You might also shoot for Half Moon Island, in the South Shetlands, with further chances for activities. Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure. |
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10–11 |
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. |
| 12 | 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. |
NOTE: 13 day trips spend an extra day exploring the Antarctic Peninsula.
Our Antarctic journeys begin in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego on the southern tip of Argentina. Ushuaia is a bustling port town and its 40,000 inhabitants are nestled between the cold mountains, and an even colder sea. ‘Downtown’ has plenty of shops including internet cafes, cafes, clothes shops, chemists and an array of good restaurants.
Crossing the Drake Passage is an unforgettable three day experience in itself and a great way to start the expedition as we spot our first Antarctic birdlife.
Our vessel will drop anchor for two or three days in the Neumayer Channel to serve as a base camp for our active passengers to allow more time than usual for wide ranging activities: snowshoeing and longer glaacier walking excursions, photographers to explore photo opportunities, campers to enjoy life at shore base camps, kayakers and zodiac passengers to explore nearby shores, where the ship cannot go. Passengers who do not wish to be physically active will enjoy our zodiac excursions and follow the normal shore program and land excursions (gentle walks and hikes with a focus on wildlife).
We spend a further couple of days exploring the Lemaire Channel, which offers the chance to see penguins and whales, and Neko Harbour where we have a final day of activities before returning across the Drake Passage.
Rounding Cape Horn ticks another box in every adventurer’s wish-list. The whole trip is an experience of a life time, and a rare opportunity to try a variety of activities in this spectacular Antarctic setting.
This is our core activity: guided shore excursions, walks and wildlife spotting and zodiac cruises will be offered to all passengers during the voyages.
Our voyages are primarily defined as explorations and we spend as much time ashore as possible. We can be flexible, taking advantage of wildlife opportunities by using our zodiacs for both landings and cruises. Our knowledgeable guides assist on these outings, providing detailed information. This is supplemented by lectures on board covering topics such as wildlife, history and other relevant topics.
The objective is wildlife, scenery, icebergs, etc. and the chances of meeting wildlife while paddling are high. The season in which these voyages take place lasts from December until March. The voyages will explore the Antarctic Peninsula's western coasts and sometimes the northern part of the Weddell Sea. The excursions will be tailored to the skill level of the group and the sea conditions encountered.
This is a non-technical and more strenuous activity suitable for mountaineers and experienced trekkers who wish to walk beyond the shore radius in order to reach higher grounds and viewpoints. Teams walk in rope parties under the leadership of a certified mountain guide, mostly across glaciated environment in Antarctica.
Depending on the landing site, glacier walks can vary from three to four hour outings. Some previous alpine trekking experience is preferable, but not required. Physical fitness is essential.
We offer an exciting ‘open air’ camping option, providing an intensive experience of the Antarctic wilderness. We provide industry leading special gear and field equipment which includes top quality wind and waterproof, breathable bivouac bags (lightweight alternative to tent system). Polar sleeping bags will keep campers dry, warm and comfortable during the night in the open air of Antarctica. The night ashore will be supervised by one experienced field guide. Please note that camping is always subject to weather, local site, and environmental regulations.
Always dreamed of being a nature photographer? We offer photo workshops for beginners and advanced photographers under the supervision of a photo expert on board. Everybody is welcome to participate, no previous experience required.
Walks vary in length, difficulty and distance and meters climbed: there are always walks that suit your ability! The longest hike can take up to two hours.
Finding the right travel and rescue insurance for your adventure to Antarctica or the Arctic's North Pole region can be tricky! Rest assured when you book with the expedition specialists here at Adventure Consultants we'll help by sending through advice on what you'll need, including:
For further information check out our Travel and Rescue Insurance page or contact us.
The following is to serve as a helpful guideline on our Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp Voyages. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. Our team is here to help!
info@adventure.co.nz
NZ: +64 3 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm PST + 19 hours)
How long has Adventure Consultants been in operation?
Adventure Consultants started in 1990 and we have been guiding internationally ever since. You can read more on the history of Adventure Consultants here.
A few outfitters claim to have the same level of experience and prestige as Adventure Consultants. What makes you the first choice for your climbers travelling to Antarctica?
In December of 1992, Adventure Consultants founders Rob Hall and Gary Ball ran their first commercial expedition to Antarctica in conjunction with Adventure Network International (ANI). Rob had already climbed Antarctica's Vinson Massif in 1989, a feat that he repeated along with Gary in 1990. Adventure Consultants has continued guiding in this remote part of the world ever since and has established a strong relationship with our partner in this region, Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE). The 2019/20 season will mark Adventure Consultants' twenty-six year of expeditions to this continent. We are, therefore, experts in all of the intricacies of travelling to Antarctica.
What shower and laundry facilities will be available on the expedition?
All cabins on the Plancius and Ortelius are equipped with a private shower and toilet. A limited laundry service is also available on board.
What food will be available?
All meals will be announced on the ship. Normally breakfast starts at 7:30am, lunch at 12:30pm and dinner at 7:00pm. Please inform us if you have any dietary requirements, so our chefs can prepare something special for you. An international menu is served on board with meat, poultry, fish and vegetarian options available, as well as salads and fruit. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style, whereas dinners are generally seated. Occasionally we will enjoy a barbecue on the outer deck!
What are the hotels like?
Although accommodation in Ushuaia is not included in the expedition price, we can recommend several mid-range hotels and book these on your behalf.
Do I need to arrive the day before the trip starts?
Please arrange to arrive on or before Day 1 of the itinerary to allow time for last minute details and for any delayed baggage to arrive before we set sail in the afternoon.
When should I book my ticket?
We generally ask you to wait until 120 days prior to your trip start date to ensure your trip has met the minimum numbers and will operate. If you see a good deal and want to book your flights then ensure you can make changes to your tickets and it is a good idea to purchase trip cancellation insurance, in the event that you need to cancel.
Can I get a cheap ticket online?
We highly recommend purchasing an open, fully changeable air ticket given the remote nature of where we are, the weather and possible delays. In today’s world, there are few places where the environment still affects our plans and the Antarctica Peninsula one of them!
Where do we meet? Will I be picked up?
Please plan to fly into Malvinas International Airport (USH) in Ushuaia. It is most likely that you will have to clear customs prior at either Santiago or Buenos Aires airport. Transfers between the airport, hotel and harbour can be booked on request by your client liaison.
What if I am arriving early or departing late?
We can assist you with booking extra hotel room nights if you arrive early. However, on these trips YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ARRIVE LATE, as we have to adhere to the ship's timetable and departure date.
Do you have a recommended list of clothing we should bring?
Yes, you will be sent a personal clothing and equipment list once our office has received your trip registration form and deposit. We do also have a dedicated equipment coordinator that is happy to provide advice and answers to any questions you may have.
Do I really need all the equipment on the equipment list?
Yes, these lists have been carefully prepared and you must bring everything on the list, as there are very limited options if additional equipment needs to be purchased in your departure cities.
How cold will it be?
In the Antarctic Peninsula Region we normally encounter temperatures around freezing during the summer months, however wind chill factor can make it seem much colder in even a light breeze.
How many guides will be assigned to our group?
Activity groups sizes vary:
How many passengers will be on board? Will I have to share a cabin?
Both vessels can accommodate up to 116 passengers in simple but comfortable quadruple, triple or twin cabins with attached bathrooms, with deluxe and superior options available. A single supplement is available at 1.7x the twin or superior cabin rates, otherwise single travellers will be paired with another traveller(s) in twin, triple or quadruple cabins at no additional cost.
What kind of physical condition should I be in for the expedition?
You must be in good general health. The expedition is ship-based and although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. Depending on the activities chosen a higher degree of fitness may be necessary.
What are the skills/prior experience required for this expedition?
Apart from a moderate level of fitness, no special skills are necessary for the core activity programme of guided shore excursions, walks, wildlife spotting and zodiac cruises.
How do I know this is the right trip for me?
We offer trips to suit all levels of ability and ambition, from your first mountain experience to extreme ascents and everything in between. To help you navigate the choices available, our trips are graded by both the level of physical exertion and the level of skill required, allowing you to find your perfect expedition match. These ratings are displayed in the icons at the top of each expedition page, with a further explanation available by clicking on the accompanying question mark. A full run-down of the categories can be found on our Difficulty Ratings page and our team is more than happy to discuss your experience to find the right trip for you.
What type of communication is available on the expedition?
There are facilities onboard to send email messages and make telephone calls by Iridium satellite connection. From the bridge calls are €2.50 per minute or from your cabin €20 for approximately 40 minutes. Pre-paid Wi-Fi access cards are available for purchase, or you can create a shipboard email account for basic email access only (no attachments).
I want to contact my friend or relative, who is on one of your trips, how can I reach them?
You can contact your loved ones directly by email as above. In an emergency, you can reach the ship by satellite phone or email with costs paid by the receiver.
Will there be any power source for charging batteries, etc available throughout the expedition? What voltage requirements?
Yes, the power supply is 240V/50Hz. The wall plugs accommodate two thick round pins like those found in most European countries. You may need a transformer and international adapter for your particular equipment.
What insurance do we need to get?
In addition to evacuation and medical insurance, we recommend that all our expedition members buy trip cancellation insurance upon sign up for the expedition. We also highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy to provide cover for trip interruption, baggage loss, damage or theft, delayed flights or other such incidents that may occur during your trip. Contact us for expedition insurance advice or visit our expedition insurance page here.
Do I need evacuation insurance?
Absolutely! Evacuation from the Peninsula can cost be costly and you need to be insured accordingly to a minimum of US$100,000, as well as having coverage for repatriation and travel medical expenses.
Who do you recommend for insurance?
You will be sent information specific to your expedition as part of your welcome package and requirements differ depending on where you are travelling and your home location, so be sure to discuss cover with your Client Liaison before purchasing a policy.
What is trip cancellation insurance?
Trip cancellation insurance is an option that may allow you to cancel your trip without losing the total cost of the trip. Adventure Consultants highly recommends cancellation insurance for all expeditions. If circumstances cause us to cancel a trip (e.g. minimum numbers are not reached) then we refund your fees paid but trip cancellation insurance covers your airfare and any other costs you may have incurred.
Can I pay by credit card?
We can accept both the trip deposit and balance payment on credit card. Please note that there is a 3% fee for all card transactions. Please contact our office or visit our online payment system.
What is included in the cost of my trip? Does it include airfare?
Please see the 'Payment Conditions' section above for the inclusions and exclusions for this particular trip. There is also a downloadable pdf document in the 'Trip Notes' section above. International airfares are not included in the trip price. We can however recommend excellent travel agents with whom we have worked should you require help with arranging your international airfare.
Why are you sometimes more expensive than other operators?
Many of our trips are very similar in price to our competitors. Some companies even wait for us to set our prices and use ours as a guideline!! Some of our main selling points, which sometimes do cost more, are internationally qualified Western guides, proven dependable local operators, small groups sizes and safe client-to-guide ratios, quality equipment and high summit success rates, among other things. You do get what you pay for which is why we stand out from the rest. Many clients come to us after failing on one of our competitors ‘cheaper’ trips.
How do I sign up for a trip?
The best way to reserve your space on the trip is to contact our office or complete our online booking form (click 'Book Now' below). Your deposit can be submitted by bank transfer (please see 'Payment Details' in the 'Payment Conditions' section above) or via our secure online payment system.
info@adventure.co.nz
NZ: +64 3 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm PST + 19 hours)
