Antarctica Basecamp - Hondius
Set sail on an action-packed Antarctic expedition — the trip of a lifetime, perfect for our more active and adventurous travelers.
SPECIAL OFFER
8.9*
ECO SCORE
170
PASSENGERS
13
DAYS
3.5/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Antarctica: Drink It In
Welcome Aboard the
Hondius
The Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic Region. This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak, go mountaineering, and even camp out under the Southern Polar skies. Cross the legendary Drake Passage and sail through the Neumayer and Lemaire Channels in search of Gentoo and Adélie penguins. Admire mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow as you explore the 7th continent.
- • Snowshoe along snowy ridges for unparalleled views of the 7th continent's frosty landscape.
• Take the once in a lifetime opportunity to camp amidst the snow and ice (with provided equipment).
• This operator has a reputation for offering consistently great, active trips on more basic ships. This voyage to Antarctica will be no exception.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
SPECIAL OFFER:
Rates:
From $4,400 per person
From November to March, the Antarctic Peninsula offers milder temperatures, abundant wildlife activity, and extended daylight. This season allows for kayaking, snowshoeing, and unique camping experiences in breathtaking polar landscapes.
Inquire for specific dates.
Nov. – March;
Hover here for more information.
Departures:
Trip Sustainability Awards
Transportation
Utilizing green technology to drastically reduce vessel emissions
Waste
Recycling and banning single-use plastics on all vessels
Food
Buying local, organic, and Fairtrade products whenever possible
Itinerary
Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey
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.
Day 2-3: Path of the polar explorers
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.
Day 4-10: Entering Antarctica
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 include:
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. At the nearby sites, such as Damoy Point there may be the opportunity for snowshoeing to the old ski-way, this is also one of our favorite camping sites.
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, 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.
Day 11-12: Familiar seas, familiar friends
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.
Day 13: There and back again
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.
Hondius
Hondius is the first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel in the world, meeting the latest and highest Lloyd’s Register standards for ice-strengthened cruise ships. One deck of Hondius is reserved for multi-language lectures and presentations in a large observation lounge as well as in a separate lecture room. But while the ship’s interiors are cozy and classically conceived in mid-century modern décor, her tough small-scale design enables her to react quickly to moment-by-moment weather changes and wildlife opportunities. Oceanwide’s main focus is always exploration, wildlife, and outdoor activities. For this reason, Hondius carries a powerful fleet of Zodiac boats to guarantee swift and safe transit from ship to shore. She also has two separate gangways for efficient outings as well as an indoor Zodiac boarding area that can also be used for special outdoor activities such as kayaking.
Capacity: 170 Guests
Cabins: 80
Specialists: 13 Highly Experienced Guides, 57 Expert Crew, Doctor
ACHIEVEMENTS
2021 World’s Best Expedition Cruise Line 2021, World Cruise Awards
2019 World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator, World Travel Awards
2013 AECO Puffin Award (Conservation organization in the Arctic)
"Experience the perfect blend of cozy mid-century modern comfort and thrilling encounters with the rugged Antarctic landscape. On board, you'll delight in the comfort of the observation lounge before being whisked away on Zodiac excursions, immersing yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Antarctic firsthand. With its enthusiastic experts to guide you, this comfortable and attractive 4-star ship ensures every traveler's journey is infused with adventure from beginning to end."
Wild Nectar
Life On Board
Deck Plan
Click to enlarge
Questions?
Rates
If getting active is your happy place, the Hondius offers a fantastic way to visit Antarctica and try all your favorite sports including camping, kayaking, snowshoeing, hiking, and mountaineering. There’s also a photo workshop. Your comfortable basecamp, the Hondius is your nightly haven after a day of thrilling adventure. Go for it!
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary; 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; Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia; Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation); All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; Comprehensive pre-departure material; During our “Basecamp” departures, all offered activities (including camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop) as well as our standard included shore excursions and zodiac cruises) are free of charge.
NOT INCLUDED:
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; Pre- and post- land arrangements; Passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; Meals ashore; Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
