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Across the Antarctic Circle: Christmas Voyage | Greg Mortimer

15 Days
Save Up To 10%

WAS From AUD 25,795   Now From AUD 23,216

Trip Code: ACAUCTC

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

SHIP: Greg Mortimer

DestinationDestination

Antarctic Peninsula

DestinationDeparture Date

14/12/2023

TransportAccommodation

Cabin on board ship



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OVERVIEW

Imagine spending the Christmas holidays in one of the most magical places on earth—Antarctica. This Christmas Antarctic cruise, departing December 14th, departs from Ushuaia and ventures to one of the most remote places on earth—below the Antarctic Circle. Dreamy icebergs, huge swathes of pack ice, and narrow channels open up to feeding whales, lively penguin colonies, and beautiful sea birds. 

On the 15 day cruise, you’ll experience the best of the Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands, and the Peninsula before we cross down into the Antarctic Circle, a remote and rugged landscape that only few have the opportunity to visit.  We’ll show you our favourite spots on twice-daily Zodiac landings, searching for wildlife and admiring the sheer magnitude of the ice. 

At the end of each day, share stories and festive toasts with your fellow passengers as you share a wonderful adventure during one of the most special times of the year. 

 

*Save up to 10% discount on the 2023 season valid for new bookings until  30 June 2023. Offer available on selected cabin categories and selected departures only with some exclusions. Not combinable with any other promotion. Offers apply to new bookings only. Cabins are subject to availability and currency fluctuations. Further conditions apply, please contact us for more information.

PLEASE NOTE: Pricing is subject to change and availability at the time of booking. Contact us for more information.
 

ITINERARY

Ushuaia, Argentina

You will be met on arrival (preferred flights only) and transferred to your downtown hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to take in the breathtaking scenery of the “End of the World” – Ushuaia.

Ushuaia, Argentina - Embarkation

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). 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.

Drake Passage

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 skilfully, using air currents created by the ship to gain momentum.

Drake Passage & South Shetlands

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.

Antarctic Peninsula - Day 5 to 12

It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.

Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.

We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.

While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do that whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting!

On this voyage, conditions permitting, we plan to cross the Antarctic Circle, an imaginary line located at the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66°33' South (approximately). Crossing below The Circle is certainly a special highlight for many people, and the moment will be celebrated with a toast out on the deck (weather permitting). You have earned some boasting privileges, joining a small group of lucky adventurers who have ventured to this part of the world. As we approach and cross the Antarctic Circle, you will notice subtle changes in the landscape, and also in the distribution of wildlife. The waters at this time of year are rich with krill and we hope to see plenty of whales - particularly humpbacks and minkes and enjoy the spectacle of penguins feeding their ravenous chicks.

Expect a Christmas and New Year celebration like no other, on this voyage. No matter where we are along the peninsula, we will enjoy some festive landings before savouring a special Christmas feast in our beautiful restaurant surrounded by the most spectacular views of the icy landscape that you could ever imagine. Raise a toast to ring in the new year with your friendly crew, fellow expeditioners and expedition team.

Drake Passage - Day 13 & 14

Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we re-enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America.

With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here.

As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.

Disembark in Ushuaia

During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we disembark from approximately 8.00 am. Farewell your attentive crew, 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 Ushuaia airport or to your hotel is included in the voyage fare.

Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.

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Greg Mortimer

Greg Mortimer

Built to world-class polar standards, the Greg Mortimer is a state of the art, custom-built expedition ship. Due to be launched in 2019, this modern, robust and powerful 104-metre ship is at the cutting edge of nautical technology. With its patented Norwegian-designed X-BOW, the Greg Mortimer is capable of negotiating the strongest winds and waves, and the most adverse weather conditions. 

Named after Aurora’s co-founder, the Greg Mortimer carries up to 120 passengers in a range of well-appointed suites and staterooms. All feature private bathrooms, with the majority of suites and staterooms having panoramic windows and private balconies. There are twin and double bed configurations available, ample storage, international power outlets and a daily cabin service. The ship itself features unique viewing platforms that fold out hydraulically to give unobstructed views. The ship carries 15 Zodiacs that are launched from specially designed launching platforms to ensure fast and easy boarding for shore landings and Zodiac cruises. Itineraries aboard the Greg Mortimer also offer a range of optional activities including kayaking, diving, climbing and ski touring, and the ship’s design includes a spacious prep and loading platform.

 

Ice Class: Length: 104.4m
Breadth: 18.4 metresMax
Draft: Cruising
Speed: 15.5 Knots
Electricity: 220V, 50HZ AC Passenger
Capacity:
160 (120 in polar regions)

View Ship Details

Accommodation

We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.

Standard

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Superior

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Deluxe

Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Optional Activities vary for each itinerary. Limited spaces available. Contact your Destination Specialist for pricing & availability.

Kayaking

Experience the unforgettable thrill and serenity of kayaking in Antarctica as part of a small, expertly guided paddling group.

Learn More

Snowshoeing

Go even deeper into Antarctica’s interior and reach less visited places where many other visitors simply don’t go! 

Learn More

Snorkelling

Learn More
inside tour type 1 and 0

Pricing per person & date

Across the Antarctic Circle: Christmas Voyage | Greg Mortimer from AUD 23,215
Departing Ending Duration
14 Dec 2023 28 Dec 2023 15

Important Information

  • Inclusions

    • All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary
    • One night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Ushuaia on day 1
    • Half day city tour in Ushuaia on day 2 prior to embarkation 
    • Luggage transfer from your hotel in Ushuaia to ship on day 2
    • On-board accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
    • All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
    • Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
    • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages 
    • All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
    • Educational lectures and guiding services from expedition team
    • Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
    • A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
    • Complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage 
    • Comprehensive pre-departure information
    • Port surcharges, permits and landing fees 
    • Gratuities for ship crew
       

    Exclusions

    • International or domestic flights to or within South America, unless specified
    • Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
    • Airport arrival or departure taxes
    • Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination charges
    • Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
    • Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
    • Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
    • Optional activity surcharges
    • All items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
  • 2 (light adventure)
  • Available upon request, contact us for more details.

  • Prices are based on per person, twin share* (unless otherwise stated for triple/quad cabins) 

    Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time. 

    Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions

  • Departure date,  fuel surcharges, cabin category, currency fluctuations, seasonality and availability.