solar eclipse antarctica

Total Solar Eclipse in Antarctica 2021: The austral adventure begins!

Idea of itinerary travel to Antarctica in 14 days.

To experience a total solar eclipse anywhere on earth is something truly spectacular. But to see the Earth’s moon conceal our sun while surrounded by the seabirds, rugged ocean and wild islands of the Antarctic is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Solar Eclipse 2021 is a truly unique itinerary and a rare glimpse of a dark Antarctica contrasted with its gleaming, icy shores.

Length of stay: 14 days

Kind: Argentina Off the Beaten Paths

Fix: For all public

Countries visited: Argentina, Chile

Ushuaia

Canal de Beagle

Navigation

Total Solar Eclipse

Elephant Island

Weddell Sea

Antarctica Peninsula

South Shetland Islands

Drake Passage

Ushuaia Harbor

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Day 1 : Ushuaia

Transfer from Ushuaia airport to the hotel.

Start your journey by exploring the charming streets and rugged mountain backdrop of Ushuaia, Argentina – the

world’s southernmost city.

Start out with a coffee and local souvenirs on the main street before hiking out of town to the foot of the martial glacier, enjoying views of the Beagle Channel that awaits you below.

Night at 4* Hotel.

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Day 2 : Ushuaia

Free day in Ushuaia.

Embarkation will take place at the end of the day, you will be able to admire the last sunset of the South American continent.

Night on board.

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Day 3 : Canal de Beagle

En route to the Eclipse location, your time at sea can be filled with presentations from our onboard team of experts or enjoy photography and bird watching from the warmth of the viewing space on the Ocean Endeavour’s spacious bridge as albatross and other seabirds circle the ship and we spot for whales.

Night on board.

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Day 4 : Navigation

On this special voyage, talks from our resident astrophysicists and meteorologists will prepare you for the incredibly rare event that lays ahead and evening programming will see a chance for a casual drink at the bar while you get to know your shipmates and guides.

Night on board.

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Day 5 : Navigation

Continuation of the expedition at sea. Our guides will share their knowledge and passion with you by telling you about the exploits of the explorers and scientists who have travelled these seas and this continent.

Night on board.

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Day 6 : Total Solar Eclipse

During the early hours of our fifth expedition day, you will be invited onto the deck of the Ocean Endeavour to view

the incredibly rare spectacle that is an Antarctic Total Solar Eclipse.

During the night, our ship will have sailed well into the zone of 100% obscuration, our navigators precisely measuring longitude in conjunction with local weather events to allow a viewing for approximately 1 and a half minutes – the longest possible for the region.

Also on deck will be our resident experts in astrophysics and meteorology as well as our team of photography guides to interpret this astronomical phenomenon and instruct on how best to capture a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Following the early start to the day, the ship will turn back to face the west and we’ll give you an opportunity to rest and review your photographs while we aim to reach the historic Elephant Island.

Night on board.

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Day 7 : Elephant Island

Join us on the bridge this morning as we scan the horizon for our first sighting of land since South America, when icebergs may well appear in numbers and when we first lay eyes on the continent of Antarctica.

The Ocean Endeavour’s navigators will be aiming for the historic Elephant Island – a place central to the incredible survival story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men who used this very island as a camp and rendezvous point during the final and harrowing legs of their epic Endurance saga.

If time is on our side, either from the ship or from zodiacs, we will witness Point Wild – the very place where Shackleton’s men clung to rocks for several months in anticipation of his return from South Georgia. Ashore, a monument marks this site and the incredible feat of survival that surmises their astonishing journey.

Night on board.

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Day 8 : Weddell Sea

The eighth day of our voyage will see us turn south and sail toward the eastern side of Joinville Island, at the tip of the

Antarctic Peninsula. Far less trodden than the western shores, this area affords us time to truly explore some of the world’s most remote and rugged beaches and islands. This area is home to some of the largest Adelie penguin colonies on Earth which attracts an abundance of leopard seals and other marine fauna.

On this day, we’ll be in true expedition mode as we take the opportunity to reconnoitre this remote region on our way

further south.

Night on board.

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Day 9 : Antarctica Peninsula

Perhaps the most profound experience and when the sights and sounds of the Antarctic really come to life is upon

visiting one’s first gentoo penguin colony. Here, on the Peninsula’s western side, we’ll explore some of the continent’s most famous locations where tens of thousands of penguins find a rare piece of bare rock on which to nest for the summer months. At this time of year, penguins will be sharing incubating responsibilities and perhaps a few tiny penguin chicks will be appearing.

Jumping out of a zodiac onto a beach laden with these vast congregations of birds makes for an unforgettable immersion into the Antarctic ecosystem and a sensory experience like none other!

Night on board.

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Day 10 : Antarctica Peninsula

In addition to the penguins, on this voyage we will be exploring glacial faces, channels and bays of the Peninsula offering us the chance to witness icebergs of every description and to get up close and personal with the various seal species that call this part of the continent home.

Along the way, our expedition team will be constantly scouting for those leviathans of the ocean – the thousands of humpback whales that migrate to this part of the world at this time of year to feed on krill.

Night on board.

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Day 11 : South Shetland Islands

After turning north again, our voyage will take us to the rugged, windswept vistas of the South Shetland Islands. Home to some peculiar species including elephant seals and fur seals, these islands also boast a water-bound volcano, a string of scientific bases and some of the best sunsets the Antarctic has to offer – making for a fantastic way to round out our excursions and take to the deck of the Ocean Endeavour for a toast to the Antarctic at sundown.

Night on board.

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Day 12 : Drake Passage

Looking back at the 10 days of Antarctic experiences behind us, we’ll sail north across the Drake Passage with South America again in out sights. This stretch of water offers good chances to spot for orca, seabirds and whales but also a great opportunity to recap the journey with your guides, partake in workshops for photo editing or simply gaze out the window in contemplation of what the Antarctic has just delivered us.

Night on board.

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Day 13 : Drake Passage

Our guides will be out on deck spotting birds and other wildlife but you can also find them in the lounge at night for a last few chances to share stories about the polar regions and swap photos of the incredible event that marked the start of our journey.

Night on board.

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Day 14 : Ushuaia Harbor

We are scheduled to arrive into Ushuaia early this morning, and we disembark after a final breakfast aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

After saying our farewells to our Expedition Team and the crew of the Ocean Endeavour, we transfer you to the airport for your onward flight, or you may like to spend some extra days in Ushuaia, giving you time to explore this fascinating town and the surrounding areas.

PLEASE NOTE: You are advised not to book a flight out of Ushuaia before midday on disembarkation day, in case of delays caused by unfavourable weather conditions.

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