Antarctica, prior to 1820 was known as 'the Lost Continent', its existence being only speculation. It eluded even the greatest explorer/navigator of his or any other day- James Cook. In 1768, though not yet a captain, Cook was appointed leader by the Royal Navy of a scientific expedition to Tahiti to observe a solar eclipse by Venus. This was successfully achieved aboard the tiny 'Endeavor' but Cook had secret orders to seek a southern continent geographers had long believed kept the world in balance.

Those relative few with experience in these waters know very well how clouds & mists blend with glaciers & ice-bergs until solid land is virtually impossible to discern. Some of them believe that Cook may well have been the first to see the mainland - without knowing it. His accounts of rich sea-life brought whalers en masse & any one of these too could well have been the first to find the 'Lost Continent'.

It was 50 years before Russian explorer Thaddeus Von Bellingshausen was appointed by the Czar to sail further south than Cook & he was even more likely to have seen the continent without knowing it. However he later sailed into the giant breached volcanic crater of Deception Island & discovered -to his amazement & chagrin -dozens of American & British whalers comfortably at anchor. From a high & windy notch on the crater rim, the mainland was pointed out to him by Nathaniel Palmer - a young whaler from Connecticut. He was forced to concede to the youngster the questionable claim to a first sighting of Antarctica.

The British firmly believe it was their intrepid Captain Edward Bransfield who sighted the north-west Peninsula on Jan 30th 1820. The first sighting of the mainland for todays passengers going south may well be here, or at the popular first stop of Deception Island. Here you may see the Antarctic mainland from the same high windy notch where Palmer stood. On a possible second Deception Island landing, wear your swimsuit & you may well be treated to a surprise dip (yes in Antarctica!)in the volcanically heated sea-water of the lagoon.

Antarctica expedition has now become considerably easier to access. We invite you to come & enjoy Antarctic expedition cruises with our experienced crews & staff of lecturer/guide/specialists & thrill to the "once-in-a-lifetime" sights & sounds of the Last Continent.

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Antartica-Emperors & Snow Hill Island - Helicopters

11 Days / 2 locations in Antarctica
From $16850 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Ortelius

Experience the bird’s-eye-view of Antarctica! Our helicopter capability on m/v Ortelius gives you the rare chance to see the famed emperor penguin rookery south of Snow Hill Island, numbering around 4,000 breeding pairs. Heavy ice may prevent entrance to this area from the Weddell Sea, and ice at the rookery itself might break up and start to melt earlier than expected. With this in mind, the aim is to stop the vessel between the Antarctic Sound and James Clark Ross Island, close to the ice edge, and find emperor penguins on their way to open water. The thrilling helicopter flights make this search possible, enabling you to land in locations otherwise inaccessible this early in the season. View Itinerary & Departures »

Deep South Basecamp Experience

14 Days / 0 locations in
From $10300 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Ortelius

The Deep South Basecamp experience offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic region. This expedition allows you to (long) hike, snowshoe, kayak, and even camp out under the Southern Polar skies. View Itinerary & Departures »

Falkland Islands, S. Georgia, Elephant Island

23 Days / 7 locations in Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Orkney, and South Shetland
From $22150 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Hondius

This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife. Including photo workshops with Massimo Bassano and video workshops with Myriam Casper. Acoustic with Sara Tores Ortiz and Lee Miller. View Itinerary & Departures »

Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula

19 Days / 5 locations in Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and South Orkney
From $22500 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Ortelius

Few places provide such a winning combination of terrain and birdlife as the Falklands, and few trips offer so many opportunities for unforgettable adventure as a cruise to the Falklands – especially for those who love birds. View Itinerary & Departures »

Falkland, S.georgia, Antarctica Aboard M/V Hondius

21 Days / 4 locations in Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and South Orkney
From $17850 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Hondius

Embark from Puerto Madryn for the Falkland Islands. Keep your eyes peeled for whales as you sail toward the open ocean. View Itinerary & Departures »

St Helena to Cape Verde

11 Days / 2 locations in Ascension Island and Cape Verde
From $3250 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Hondius

During the days at sea the chances of meeting whales are high. Witness the northbound spring migration of northern birds like Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas who join us in crossing the Equator (“the Line”). View Itinerary & Departures »

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