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 four 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 mountaineering, ski touring, snowshoeing, kayaking, camping, hiking, photo workshops and landings ashore.
Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to expedition climbing. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every expedition to offer our climbers the best possible chance of a safe and enjoyable trip.
We employ strong and specialised expedition leaders and support staff, whom are some of the most pre-eminent in the industry. We pride ourselves on operating with small teams, 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 level of service and proven experience. Others return because they know we do our very best to make expeditions safe and successful.
Departure Dates and Seasons:
Trip 1: November 7 –18, 2018 (Low season)
Trip 2: November 28 – December 9, 2018 (Low season)
Trip 3: December 18 – 29, 2018 (High season)
Trip 4: December 29, 2018 – January 9, 2019 (High season)
Trip 5: February 17 – 28, 2019 (Low season)
Trip 6: March 3 – 14, 2019 (Low season)
Ship Berth Options and Price Details:
| Quadruple Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior | |
| Low Season | US$7,950 | US$8,950 | US$9,650 | US$10,100 | US$10,850 | US$11,700 |
| HighSeason | US$8,250 | US$9,250 | US$9,950 | US$10,500 | US$11,250 | US$11,950 |
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
1 Willis Street
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 remitters account.
We can also accept your deposit by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), and your balance payment by credit card plus a 3% credit card fee.
Deposit
A deposit of 25% of the total trip fee is payable to secure a place on the expedition.
Balance
The balance is due 120 days prior to the trip start date.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
An expedition member may cancel his/her participation on the following basis:
Cancellations outside of 120 days will result in the loss of the trip deposit.
For cancellations made within 119 - 90 days of the trip commencement date we reserve the right to retain 50% of the balance payment fee.
For cancellations within 89 days of the departure date a cancellation fee of 100% of the full fee applies.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Team members should take out private insurance if they wish to be covered against cancellation due to medical or personal reasons. This is called Trip Cancellation and can be obtained through your normal travel agent.
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:
Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp Voyages Trip Notes
Team Membership
Activity groups sizes vary: for mountaineering 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.
Kelly McLaren, Client Liaison
Kelly brings a vast knowledge of AC expeditioning to her role as 'Rest of the World' Client Liaison. Having worked for AC since 2004 Kelly oversees those trips outside of New Zealand, Europe or the Himalaya.
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:
Mountaineering: Mountaineering knowledge 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.
Ski Mountaineering: Participants must be competent alpine skiing in off piste terrain (ascent and descent).
Diving: Divers must be advanced and experienced in dry suit and cold water diving.
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:
Mountaineering
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.
| Day | |
| 1 |
Ushuaia: In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina; the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening. |
| 2-3 |
At sea: During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. In this area we may see 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. Near the South Shetland Islands, we will spot our first icebergs. |
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4-8 |
Antarctica: We will sail directly to the “High Antarctica”, passing the Melchior Islands and the Schollaert Channel, between Brabant and Anvers Island. We will sail to the Neumayer Channel, where we position the ship as our multi activity base camp. The protected waters around Wiencke Island will become our playground for all activities. In this alpine environment there are great opportunities to scout the region on foot, by zodiac and during kayak trips. Walkers will find opportunities to use snowshoes on hikes near the shore lines and the mountaineers will find their challenge by climbing hills and viewpoints further inland, i.e. Jabet Peak (540m). All climbs and excursions can only be conducted in good weather conditions. We plan to stay two nights at anchor in order to implement two camp nights and two full activity days. We will visit the former British research station and the post office which is now a living museum, and Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point to spot gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags. We look out for leopard seals, crabeater seals and whales. In good conditions and time allowing we sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Booth Island, Pléneau Island and Petermann Island, where we can find Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. In this area there are good chances to encounter humpback, minke and fin whales. At Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent into a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers and permanent ice fields, and we enjoy the spectacle on zodiac cruises, hikes and kayak excursions. A small group of mountaineers may climb up onto the higher grounds of the glacier. We will spend the night at Neko Harbour or in nearby Paradise Bay with a camp erected ashore. We will leave early morning after breaking our last camp. We sail via Melchior Islands towards the open sea of the Drake Passage. |
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9–10 |
At sea: On our way north, we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage. |
| 11 (12 for Trip 5) | Ushuaia - We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark. |
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: mountaineers to climb mountain ranges, hikers to participate in long walks, 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 (easy to moderate 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 technical and more strenuous activity for mountaineers who wish to walk beyond the shore radius in order to reach higher grounds and viewpoints. Mountaineers walk in rope parties under the leadership of a certified mountain guide, mostly across the glaciated environment in Antarctica. Depending on the landing site, glacier walks can vary from half day to full day outings. Mountaineering knowledge 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.
Adventure Consultants recommends the following travel insurance and rescue insurance option when travelling to Antarctica or the Arctic's North Pole region. Once you book on a trip with AC, your Client Liaison will help you by sending through advice on your options for;
RIPCORD RESCUE TRAVEL INSURANCE
RipCord is the leading medical evacuation program offering elite evacuation and rescue services. With their new partnership with TravelEx, they can also now provide the benefits of a traditional travel insurance product with their just released, RipCord Rescue Travel Insurance™. This is specifically designed for the adventure enthusiast with unique trip cancellation/interruption, medical expense, sporting equipment and other coverage benefits to protect your financial investment.
RipCord is powered by Redpoint Resolutions, an elite team of special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliate physicians, paramedics, nurses, former intelligence officers and other medical/security experts comprising the most experienced team in the industry. They will rescue you from the field wherever your emergency occurs and evacuate you to your home country hospital of choice.
RipCord rescues you from the field if you have an emergent medical condition that will result in significant permanent injury and/or death, but does not require hospitalisation.
RipCord are proud to partner with Adventure Consultants to provide RipCord’s industry leading rescue, evacuation and travel insurance coverage to its clients.
Adventure Consultants can also assist with purchasing polar cover for Antarctic and Arctic expeditions and if interested in this, please contact RipCord directly for a specialised quote.
The following is to serve as a helpful guideline on our Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp Voyages. Please feel free to call or e-mail if you have any further questions. Our team is here to help!
How long has Adventure Consultants been in operation?
Adventure Consultants started in 1990 and we have been guiding internationally ever since.
A few outfitters ‘claim’ to have the same level of experience and prestige with that of Adventure Consultants. In this league, what makes you a first choice for your expeditioners 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 ANI. Previous to this, Rob and Gary climbed Vinson Massif in 1990, and Rob earlier in 1989. Adventure Consultants has continued guiding since to this remote part of the world, and have an established relationship with ALE. The 2015/16 season will mark Adventure Consultants' twenty second year of expeditions to Vinson Massif, highlighting our expertise in all of the incatricities of travelling to Antarctica.
What showers 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.
Would you let us know what food will be available?
All meals will be announced on the ship. Normally breakfast starts at 07:30, lunch at 12:30 and dinner at 19:00. Please inform us if you have any dietary requirements, so our chefs can prepare something special for you.
What is the food like?
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 in to 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: for mountaineering 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.
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 and you should be able to walk several hours per day. 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 and wildlife spotting and zodiac cruises. Snowshoeing, camping and the photo workshops are suited for all passengers who are outdoor activity minded; kayaking is best suited for participants with paddling ability; mountaineering requires good physical condition and is only suited for participants who are regular and strong walkersdiving participants must be advanced and experienced in dry suit and cold water diving.
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 & medical insurance we recommend to all our expedition members to buy trip cancellation insurance on sign up for your expedition. It is 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.
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 the trip deposit and balance payments on credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), plus a 3% credit card transaction fee. Please contact our office or visit our secure credit card online payment page.
What is included in the cost of my trip? Does it include airfare?
Each specific trip page on the website has a section as well as a downloadable pdf document with exactly what is and what is not included on the trip. International airfares are not included in the trip price. We can however recommend excellent travel agents whom we have worked with in your country, 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: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 a trip is to call our office or complete our online booking form. Return this with the trip deposit either through a bank transfer (information is on our trip notes downloaded from the specific trip page) or by using our secure credit card payment page. Phone our New Zealand head office on +64 3 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm PST + 19 hours) or Freephone 1-866-757-8722 from North America.
