Bellingshausen Sea / Peter I Island + Ellsworth Land

Price start from :
$

24,500

14 January 2027 - 07 Feb 2027

25 Days/24 Nights

Ushuaia - Ushuaia

Bellingshausen Sea / Peter I Island + Ellsworth Land - incl. helicopters - gallery 0

This adventurous expedition offers a unique opportunity to discover very rarely visited places, deep South along the coast of Antarctica to the Bellingshausen Sea, along the coast of Ellsworth Land and even to Peter I Island.

Description

Note: This itinerary is a guide. Plans may change due to ice, weather, and wildlife. Landings depend on site availability, permissions, and environmental rules.

Your expedition starts in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. In the afternoon, you leave this small town on Tierra del Fuego, known as "The End of the World," and cruise through the Beagle Channel.

Path of the Polar Explorers

For two days, you cross the Drake Passage, experiencing cool breezes and rolling seas. After passing the Antarctic Convergence, you enter a zone rich in marine life. Look for wandering albatrosses, cape pigeons, and other seabirds.

Antarctic Peninsula

Following the path of explorer Adrien de Gerlache, you may land at Auguste Island and Hydrurga Rocks, home to penguins and seals. Possible stops include:

Charlotte Bay – First continental landing at Portal Point.
Cuverville Island – Home to gentoo penguins and brown skuas.
Danco Island – Focus on gentoo penguins and seals.

Flandres Bay and Renard Island

Arrive at Flandres Bay and hope to land at Renard Island, known for its rugged terrain and historical significance.

Crossing the Antarctic Circle

In Crystal Sound, witness the vast Antarctic landscape. If possible, land on Detaille Island, a historic research station. Visits to Pourquoi-Pas Island and Horseshoe Island offer insights into past expeditions and stunning views.

Continuing Southward through Marguerite Bay

As you travel south, watch for rare wildlife like the Ross seal. This is a true exploration area, rarely visited by others.

Entering the Bellingshausen Sea

Explore the Ronne Entrance, a remote area first recorded by Lincoln Ellsworth. Landings depend on weather and ice conditions.

A Rare Glimpse of Peter I Island

Peter I Island is a remote volcanic island. If conditions allow, you may land via helicopter on this rarely visited site.

Northward Bound: From Peter I Island Across the Drake Passage

After exploring Peter I Island, head north across the Southern Ocean. Enjoy lectures on Antarctic history and marine life. Watch for albatrosses and whales as you cross the Drake Passage.

End of the World, Last of the Journey

Your journey ends in Ushuaia. Disembark with memories of an unforgettable adventure.

Highlights You Might Experience

Light-mantled Albatross

Black-browed Albatross

Grey-headed Albatross

Southern Elephant Seal

Weddell Seal

Wilson's Storm Petrel

Activities You might Participate

$ 1.550

Activity

Scuba Diving Trips in Antarctica and the Arctic

Our polar voyages provide maximum firsthand contact with local wildlife and terrain, as well as unparalleled adventures below the waves.

Cabins and Pricing

More Details

Quadruple Porthole

2 upper / lower berths

Complete Cabin

USD

98000

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

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Sharing Cabin

USD

24500

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

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More Details

Triple Porthole

1 upper / lower berth + 1 single lower berth

Complete Cabin

USD

91500

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

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Sharing Cabin

USD

30500

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Request

More Details

Twin Porthole

2 lower berths

Complete Cabin

USD

61000

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

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Single Cabin

USD

51850

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).

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Sharing Cabin

USD

30500

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Request

More Details

Twin Window

2 lower berths

Complete Cabin

USD

64000

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

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Single Cabin

USD

54400

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).

Request

Sharing Cabin

USD

32000

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

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More Details

Twin Deluxe

2 lower berths

Complete Cabin

USD

69700

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

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Single Cabin

USD

59245

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).

Request

Sharing Cabin

USD

34850

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

Request

More Details

Superior

1 double bed, 1 single (sofa) bed

Complete Cabin

USD

72100

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

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Sharing Cabin

USD

36050

Share your cabin with others for the best price.

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Map

Route of Bellingshausen Sea / Peter I Island + Ellsworth Land - incl. helicopters

IMPORTANT

EXCLUDED

INCLUDED

Voyage aboard the indicated vessel
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.

FAQ

What is the difference between an ice-strengthened ship and an icebreaker ship?

An ice-strengthened ship is a ship made of steel. These ships are made to get through the ice at Antarctica and the Arctic. Nowadays, most of the ships that cruise to Antarctica and the Arctic are ice-strengthened ships. Ortelius and Plancius are both are ice-strengthened ships. Ortelius has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) and is therefore very suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice. Plancius has an ice-class notation of 1D. Icebreakers are needed if there is a trade route to keep ice free, if there are military reasons for patrolling in areas with heavy sea ice or if you need to work in heavy ice conditions, particularly in winter. Icebreakers are expensive to build and very expensive in fuel to run (sometimes powered by gas turbines or a nuclear generator). They are uncomfortable to travel in on the open sea.

Do I have to be really fit to join an expedition?

You need to be in good general health and able to walk several hours per day. Though our expeditions are ship-based, they can be physically demanding. You can choose to stay on the vessel if you prefer, but you will still need to be able to move safely around the ship even in bad weather. Assuming you choose to join landings, you will need to be able to get in and out of the Zodiacs. You must also be capable of getting up and down the gangway. This will become easier with practice, but the gangway is steep and moves with the rocking of the vessel. Conditions on shore can also be rocky, uneven, and slippery, and we will be in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities. You must not join an expedition if you have a life-threatening condition or need daily medical treatment. Any major health problem or physical condition that requires emergency care must be brought to our attention prior to the voyage. Please fill out our Personal Information Form, which we will send at the time of booking. This form must be completed and returned within one month of your book date. Since we travel in such remote areas, medical evacuation by air is often impossible. We therefore reserve the right to refuse travel or participation in activities to anyone whose health concerns might pose a safety risk to our staff or other passengers.

Do I have to make a payment at the same time that I make a reservation?

When you make a confirmed reservation, we require a 40% deposit. But if the reservation is made within two months prior to departure, the full price of the voyage is due at the time of booking.

Can I get a cash advance on board the ship?

No, you are not able to get cash advances on the vessel.

How Big is the Antarctic Circle?

The Antarctic Circle is slowly moving southward. This movement changes its exact coordinates by approximately 15 meters (49 feet) every year. At the current time, the entire area beneath the Antarctic Circle takes up 20 million square km (7.7 million square miles), which accounts for 4 percent of the Earth's total landmass.

Who Discovered the Antarctic Circle?

Although we do not know which individual determined the existence of this Polar Circle, history does tell us that James Cook was the first person to travel to the Antarctic Circle. Cook reportedly crossed the circle via boat in 1773 as part of his second voyage to discover new regions.

When was the Ortelius built?

The Ortelius was built in Poland in 1989 for the Russian Academy of Science.

How many people can travel on board the Ortelius?

The number of passengers is limited to approximately 116 on the Ortelius. Furthermore the vessel is manned by 20 highly experienced international nautical crew, 19 international hotel crew, including stewardesses, 7 expedition staff in Antarctica (1 expedition leader and 6 guides/lecturers) and 1 doctor.

What should I know before taking part in polar diving?

Each diver is expected to prepare their own equipment well in advance of each dive. Bring your own spare parts for your regulators and dry suit in case of leakage or damage. Divers will also have to carry their own equipment in and out of the Zodiacs and sometimes up and down the gangway.

Can I have one regulator with DIN valves and the other with ISO during polar diving?

Yes, we have adapters on board that we can put into the valve to connect to an ISO regulator. We recommend the DIN type over ISO. The DIN connection will fit without the adapter.

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