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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
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Embark on an immersive journey into the Weddell Sea — one of the most pristine, remote, and wildlife-rich regions of Antarctica. Aboard Ortelius, your expedition basecamp, you’ll have the unique opportunity to not only witness this dramatic polar environment but also actively engage with it through a variety of guided adventures. This voyage is designed for true explorers. Weather, ice, and wildlife dictate the rhythm of each day, making every outing feel like a real-time discovery. We aim to visit the Antarctic Sound, with its vast fields of towering tabular icebergs; the otherworldly volcanic landscapes of Brown Bluff; and hike to panoramic viewpoints on Devil Island — among a variety of other possible destinations. Join us on board and unpack just once while enjoying a full expeditioner's range of daily activities, always returning to the comfort of the ship. Whether you choose to kayak amongst brash ice, hike ashore, or simply observe from the deck, each moment is shaped by nature and enriched by our expert guides and lecturers.
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Day 1
Embark Ushuaia
You will be warmly greeted by the crew and expedition staff as you embark Ortelius in the afternoon. Sailing down the Beagle Channel, we will settle into shipboard life and enjoy our first meal on board.
Meals: D
Day 2-3
Cross the Drake Passage
Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, we 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 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 petrels, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 4-10
Weddell Sea exploration
The great Weddell Sea features massive tabular icebergs, wildly dramatic landscapes, and fascinating historical sites. It is also one of the best places in Antarctica for viewing iconic wildlife like whales, seals, and rarely seen seabirds. We may visit the following locations, depending on local conditions: Antarctic Sound - Antarctic Sound is nicknamed “Iceberg Alley,” as we often see enormous tabular icebergs here. Brown Bluff - Possibly the most scenic location in the northern Antarctic Continent, Brown Bluff is characterized by sheer canyon walls, fallen boulders, and beautiful volcanic creations capped with ice. Herbert Sound - We will focus our attention on the visually impressive areas of Naze Peninsula and Comb Ridge. Devil Island - This island offers a magnificent vantage point for hikers willing to foot it to the top of the hill. Melting ice sometimes forms a waterfall dropping from the cliffs close to Cape Well-met. Erebus and Terror Gulf - Here we look for new activity opportunities and may visit Vega Island, experiencing the wilderness of Antarctica in its most remote places.
Day 11-12
Drake Passage
In the Drake Passage, we will have again a chance of seeing many seabirds, and to take advantage of the knowledge of our lecture team.
Day 13
Disembark Ushuaia, where trip concludes
During the early morning we will cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia. It is a busy time, with people saying farewell to our crew and others who have shared the intensity of being in a magnificent white wilderness. We will head off in our different directions, hopefully with a new found sense of the power of natural forces.
Meals: B
What's included
What's not included
Our voyages are designed for curious travellers — not just passengers. While our itineraries offer a range of activities, from gentle Zodiac cruises to more challenging hikes and paddles, it’s important to understand the nature of this experience before you join us. These expeditions are suitable for most travellers with an adventurous spirit, good health, and the ability to move confidently around a vessel — especially in variable weather and sea conditions. Some shore landings and excursions may involve uneven terrain, wet landings, or light scrambling. Boarding Zodiacs and navigating the ship may require balance and agility, though our experienced team is always on hand to assist. Each trip may include a variety of optional activities, most of which require no prior experience. You might find yourself kayaking past icebergs, snowshoeing across pristine landscapes, or even camping on the ice for a night under the stars. Of course, all activities are optional — you’re always welcome to stay aboard and enjoy the ship at your own pace. Not sure if this trip is right for you?
Get in touch with our team — we’re here to help you choose the experience that best suits your interests, comfort, and curiosity.
Ortelius was originally the Marina Svetaeva. Built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, it served as a special-purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. Later it was re-flagged and renamed after the Dutch/Flemish cartographer Abraham Ortelius (1527 – 1598), who in 1570 published the first modern world atlas: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Theater of the World. At that time his atlas was the most expensive book ever printed. Ortelius is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.
Superior
This cabin has 2 windows, 1 double bed and a sofa bed. A private shower & toilet, a desk & chair, Flatscreen TV plus a telephone and internet connection point. Refrigerator and coffee/tea making facilities. A hair dryer and ample storage space. Capacity 2 people.
Cabin size between 18,4 m² en 20,4 m²
Twin Window
This cabin has 1 window and 2 lower berths. A private shower & toilet, a desk & chair, Flatscreen TV plus a telephone and internet connection point. A hair dryer and ample storage space. Capacity 2 people.
Cabin size 17,7 m²
Twin Deluxe
This cabin has 2 windows and 2 lower berths. A private shower & toilet, a desk & chair, Flatscreen TV plus a telephone and internet connection point. A hair dryer and ample storage space. These cabins are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins. Capacity 2 people.
Cabin size between 17,5 m² and 17,7 m²
Twin Porthole
This cabin has 1 porthole and 2 lower berths. A private shower & toilet, a desk & chair, Flatscreen TV plus a telephone and internet connection point. A hair dryer and ample storage space. Capacity 2 people.
Cabin size between 11,4 m² and 15,1 m²
Triple Porthole
This cabin has 1 porthole, 2 lower & 1 upper berths (1 bunk). A private shower & toilet, a desk & chair, Flatscreen TV plus a telephone and internet connection point. A hair dryer and ample storage space. This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin. Capacity 3 people.
Cabin size between 12,4 m² and 14,1 m²
Quadruple Porthole
This cabin has 1 porthole, 2 upper & 2 lower berths (bunks). A private shower & toilet, a desk & chair, Flatscreen TV plus a telephone and internet connection point. A hair dryer and ample storage space. This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin. Capacity 4 people.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Explore places the big ships can’t with the widest selection of genuine small-ship, activity-first cruising. On Water Expeditions offers exceptional value, quality services, no hidden costs, and plenty of inclusions.
Don't watch the action sail past your window, dive into it! Designed for active travellers, these itineraries give you more time to adventure off the boat.
Activity is built into every journey. From paddling to hiking, enjoy a basecamp-style experience that injects fun, meaningful connections and thrilling adventure into it.
Each voyage is thoughtfully selected for low-impact exploration, supporting genuine conservation and sustainability while respecting local communities and environments.
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