There are so many ways one can explore our Polar Regions. There is hiking and snowshoeing over rugged landscapes, or ascending mountains to get that perfect panoramic photograph. There are trips inland where you can make friends with the local penguin population. Perhaps you’d like to explore the shorelines via kayak or Zodiac. Maybe you’d like to camp out under the Antarctic skies. Or, how about whales? Who wouldn’t want to go out and see some whales up close and personal?
Planning an adventure trip can be a bit tricky if packages limit your options as to how you can experience the Arctic or Antarctic. You want to do it all, and not have to follow someone else’s notions of what will be fun or interesting. That’s why we created our Basecamp adventure cruises.
The short answer is “it’s as much fun and exploration as we can pack into a single cruise.”
The longer answer is that during your trip you will use one of our self-owned vessels as the centre of all of the activities that we offer as ways to explore your Polar Region of choice. The vessel will stay for two or three days at specific locations to serve as a comfortable hub for a wide range of activities that will enable…
…mountaineers to climb mountain ranges (soft climbing).
…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 shorelines where the cruise ship cannot go.
If you prefer a less physically active day you will be able to enjoy Zodiac excursions and to follow the normal shore program and land excursions (easy to moderate walks and hikes that focus on wildlife). We also aim to visit the manned research stations found in the Antarctic and Arctic. At mealtimes you’ll return to the Ortelius or Plancius and meet up with your fellow passengers and new friends to argue over who had the best time that day.
A big part of what makes Oceanwide’s cruises so special is that we place an emphasis on helping you to more fully appreciate all of the natural beauty you’re seeing around you. To that end we’ve assembled an international team of Polar experts and field guides to share their enthusiasm and in-depth knowledge with you through lectures, briefings, and field excursions.”
Our science-minded professionals cover major topics like marine biology, geography, geology, glaciology, ornithology, and history. When it comes to excursions you’re in good hands with staff that have all been trained and qualified in the activity they are in charge of: mountaineering, photography, kayaking, Zodiac trips, and guarding against polar bears. This combination of people who love what they do – scientists, lecturers, and expedition guides – work hard not only to keep you safe but to also point out to you all sorts of examples of geology, geography, history, and wildlife that you that you might have otherwise missed.