Antarctica Cruise

Join Backwoods Adventures on a 13 day trip to one of the last great wildernesses on the planet. For some it will mark their 7th continent visited, for others it will be the crown jewel of their adventure travel portfolio, for Backwoods, it’s a birthday blowout!!!

This 13 day Antarctica Cruise includes all airfare, a night in the world’s Southernmost city, Ushuaia, and 11 days cruising aboard the rugged yet comfortable M/V Plancius!! Stunning scenery and wildlife abound in this expedition cruise along the western Antarctic Peninsula. Our basecamp vessel will navigate us alongside a mountainous and glacial landscape where we will have the opportunity to see gentoo and chinstrap penguins, Weddell and crabeater seals, wandering albatross and perhaps even humpback and minke whales.

Looking for more adventure? Step aboard a zodiac cruise to see crisp icebergs and deep-cut fjords up close, go for a hike or kayak along the coast, or be the first of your friends to set up camp on “The White Continent.”

Choose from 3 cabin types to customize this for you and your companions. Quadruple porthole cabins, Triple porthole cabins, and Double porthole cabins available. All cabins feature private toilet and shower. Quad cabins have 2 upper and 2 lower beds, Triple cabins have one bunk bed plus one lower bed and double cabins have 2 twin beds.

What’s Included

The price includes international and domestic airfare, all hotels, voyage aboard M/V Plancius, up to 4 days kayaking with naturalist guide (subject to conditions), one night field camping (subject to conditions), all meals, and guide fees. Yes, you can (almost) leave your wallet at home – the price is ALL inclusive! This is a unique feature of the Backwoods Adventures trips as most companies price their trips on land cost only.
What’s not Included

Personal gear and clothing for your personal use on the trip; alcoholic drinks at meals, guide tips (should you choose to tip your guide): additional charges in lodge such as laundry charges, etc.; additional activities outside the designed trip; travel insurance; any medical costs; and any costs associated with leaving the trip early by your choice. The trip prices are figured on quadruple, triple, or double porthole room occupancy. However, single occupancy will be available at an additional charge.

Travel Insurance

It is strongly suggested that you have comprehensive travel protection insurance. Trip insurance can include coverage for medical emergencies, coverage for trip cancellation due to your own accident or illness, or all of the above. We recommend this insurance as Backwoods Adventures cannot be responsible for covering these types of individual situations. Should you choose to purchase this insurance, please carry your confirmation information with you on your trip. Please provide us with the name, policy number and emergency contact number of your chosen insurance company.

Combating Sea Sickness

Anticipate some rough water on the voyage. Should you be prone to motion or sea sickness, please consult your physician which medication is appropriate and its side effects.
To avert motion sickness, avoid alcohol, tobacco, excess liquids, and confined spaces. Most people feel better sitting on deck looking at the horizon or prone with eyes shut. Oddly, you will feel better with some food, such as crackers or dry toast in your stomach. Many people eat to avoid feeling sick. Remember, once you start to experience motion sickness, medications are of little help.

Trip Leader

A unique feature of Backwoods Adventures is that you can talk directly with your guide. Please call or email Joe Koehly (316.200.5780 ~ jkoehly@backwoods.com) with any questions you have regarding this adventure.

Tips

During your Backwoods Adventures trip your experienced leaders work 24 hours a day for the duration of your trip ensuring that you have a great time. If you feel they gave you an excellent experience tipping is greatly appreciated! Please inquire about customary tipping amounts for this trip should you have questions.

Health

You must be in good general health and you should be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join most excursions, you must be able to get up and down the steep gangway from the ship to the water level to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats. This will become progressively easier with practice. Ashore it can be slippery and rocky. You are travelling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.

Accommodations

During our Antarctic expedition we will be spending one night in the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia, at 3 to 4 star accommodations with close proximity to shops, restaurants, and great ocean views.

During our voyage we will spend our time aboard the M/v Plancius. The ship was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named Hr. Ms. Tydeman. The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004. The vessel was completely rebuilt as a 114-passenger vessel in 2009 and complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea). M/v Plancius is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.

The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. M/v Plancius has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 3), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on the starboard side, guaranteeing a swift zodiac operation.