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Ortelius

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Ortelius offers niche expeditions to visit Emperor Penguins or explore the Ross Sea.

This vessel has a real expeditionary feel, having been formerly operated by the Russian Academy of Science, and she has a mostly Russian nautical crew. Her high-grade ice-strengthened hull makes her well-suited to expeditions which penetrate deeper into Antarctica, including to the Ross Sea. She’s a good option for multinational, independent-minded guests seeking an expedition-style experience.

There’s a range of cabins to accommodate up to 108 guests from quadruples to superior suites. All cabins have private facilities. The large bridge welcomes guests.

Ortelius offers really creative itineraries, with some departures focussed on wildlife and others on adventure activities; the superb expedition team and policy of flexibility will ensure you disembark to explore Antarctica’s shoreline as often and for as long as possible. She also offers activity-led basecamp expeditions where camping, kayaking, snowshoeing and mountaineering are included in the programme.

What our clients say

Highlights were South Georgia – amazing king penguin colony, bathing in thermal pool and cooling off in Whalers Bay on deception island, the open air party as we left Paradise…
HG, Surbition Feb 2010
This was a trip of a lifetime. The scale of the natural beauty of Antarctica is overwhelming. The icebergs, penguins ,mountains and sunshine which reflected it all in the clear…
AW, Stanmore Jan 2013
The whole experience of sailing across Antarctica was amazing, but being able to visit Scott's at Cape Evans was probably the pinnacle of the trip.
JW, Bedford Jan 2020
Most memorable experience: "A hard question to answer, but probably being able to walk on the continent, and not just strolling along the shore line, but fairly serious walking on…
HW, New Romney Feb 2014
Most memorable experience: "The whales in Wilhelmina Bay. Our expedition leader said that this was the best he had seen in his 19 years of leading these trips."
RW, Teddington Feb 2014
Antarctica “Best holiday we have ever had.”
MR, West Malling Dec 2012

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Our Expert's Opinion

Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

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Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.
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Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.
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After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!
Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.