Tour Type
Cruise Tours
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Lower Mainland
January 28, 2027 – 29 Days
Vancouver Island
January 27, 2027 – 30 Days
BC Interior
January 27, 2027 – 30 Days
Activity Level 3
GROUP SIZE
TOUR SUMMARY
22 days on Holland America’s Oosterdam cruising around Cape Horn
Wells Gray Tours only offers this special opportunity to visit the 7th continent every few years. There are so many highlights on this tour, but the most astounding will likely be the four days cruising among the gigantic icebergs of Antarctica. On board experts will present lectures about glaciers, geology, natural history, and history, plus the ice pilot may take a break from the bridge to explain what route-finding skills are used. Other memorable experiences include elegant Buenos Aires, awesome Iguazu Falls, the isolated Falkland Islands, the thrill of rounding Cape Horn, Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city; the Chilean Fjords, Darwin Channel, Glacier Alley, and the vast Amalia or Bruggen Glacier. What an incredible journey!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
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Meals
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78 meals
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77 meals
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Transportation
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Accommodation
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Guides, Gratuities, Fees & Taxes
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Knowledgeable Wells Gray tour director throughout tour & cruise
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Tour Highlights (Included)
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TOUR FARES
| Departure Point | Inside Stateroom Category I | Oceanview Stateroom Category C | Oceanview Stateroom Category C |
|---|---|---|---|
$20,160$27,155 |
$21,250$29,330 |
$23,600$34,025 |
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$20,360$27,355 |
$21,450$29,530 |
$23,800$34,225 |
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$19,945$26,705 |
$21,035$28,880 |
$23,385$33,575 |
- Please add 0.2% GST.
- Other cruise categories may be available.
- There is an additional cost to join this tour from Nanaimo or Comox.
- Single seats are limited. Please book early if you prefer to travel single.
Early Booking Bonus!
$300 on first 10 seats; $150 on next 6.
DEPARTURE POINTS & DATES
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Level
High Activity: You are an active traveller who wants to explore wherever you go. You don’t mind a mix of full days, early morning starts, and some late nights. You can walk longer distances, up to 4 km without difficulty which may be over uneven ground or sidewalks, walk on docks which may have steep ramps at low tide; and stand for prolonged periods. You can climb three flights of stairs easily and unassisted and can handle your own luggage in airports, cruise terminals, and at hotels where luggage handling may not be available. Expect higher activity during the shore excursions, boarding ship’s tenders, and pre-cruise and post-cruise tours; the days on board the ship could be rated as Activity Level 2. This tour is not appropriate for people with canes, walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility assistance devices. Walking poles are fine. Additionally, this tour is not appropriate for those who have cognitive impairments such as memory loss or confusion, difficulty expressing thoughts, repeating questions, or getting lost. The tour director, drivers, and local guides have many responsibilities, so please do not expect them, or your fellow travellers, to provide ongoing assistance. If you are not capable of keeping up with the group or require frequent assistance, the tour director may stop you from participating in some activities or some days of the tour. In extreme situations, you may be required to leave the tour and travel home at your own expense; travel insurance will probably not cover you. Please note: Prior to accepting your booking, you will be required to sign a declaration that you are capable of travelling on an Activity Level 3 tour.
Tour Size
This tour is limited to 30 participants, making it a more intimate travel experience.
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CRUISE TO THE 7TH CONTINENT: Wells Gray Tours offers a cruise to Antarctica every two to three years. This is a very special opportunity to visit the 7th continent and certainly has bragging rights because probably not many of your friends have been there. There are so many highlights on this tour, but the most memorable will likely be the four days cruising among the gigantic icebergs along the Antarctica coast. It is hard to imagine waking up one morning and looking out to see an iceberg longer and higher than the Oosterdam. Antarctica experts are on board to present lectures about glaciology, geology, natural history, and history, plus the ice pilot may take a break from the bridge to explain what route-finding skills are used. Other memorable experiences are strolling the elegant streets of Buenos Aires; standing at the rim of awesome Iguazu Falls, 3 km wide and 80 metres high; exploring the remote Falkland Islands; rounding legendary Cape Horn; sailing through the storied Strait of Magellan following sea captains of past centuries; Tierra del Fuego National Park; Ushuaia, world’s southernmost city; cruising past tumbling glaciers in the Chilean Fjords and Darwin Channel; and hearing the thunder of falling ice at the vast Amalia or Bruggen Glacier. This thrilling tour and cruise should be on everyone's bucket list. It will also qualify you for two more continents towards being honoured by Wells Gray Tours' 7 Continents Trophy.
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MS OOSTERDAM: Holland America’s MS Oosterdam made her inaugural cruise in 2003. She was the second of four Vistaclass ships launched, preceded by Zuiderdam in 2002 and followed by Westerdam in 2004 and Noordam in 2006. Carrying 1,848 passengers, these ships are Holland America’s third largest design, but they still have an intimate feel to them. Oosterdam’s gross tonnage is 82,000 and she is 300 metres long. Her 11 decks feature a 900-seat live entertainment theatre, seven lounges, casino, shopping arcade, movie lounge, beauty shop, library, games room, Internet centre, spa, gymnasium, and two swimming pools (one with sliding dome cover). Oosterdam has 14 elevators and four of them are glass with panoramic views. Dining is one of the highlights of a cruise. The elegant two-floor Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with full choice of menu. The Lido Market offers six buffet-style serving stations for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and the 11 pm buffet. The Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto Restaurant offer extraordinary service, reserved seating, and gourmet menus for an extra charge. You can also dine in the privacy of your stateroom by ordering from the complimentary room service menu 24 hours a day. Staterooms have twin beds or a queen-size bed, television, music, telephone, and bathroom with toilet, sink, and shower or bathtub. A crew of over 800 ensures top-quality service and entertainment. Every day has a full schedule of optional activities: dance class, bridge, bingo, shuffleboard, table-tennis, karaoke, and board games. The movie theatre presents recent films frequently, there is an entertaining live stage show every evening, and musicians are playing in most lounges.
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Documentation: A passport is required with an expiry date after you return to Canada. A visa is not required for a Canadian to enter Argentina, Uruguay, Falkland Islands or Chile.
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A very unique voyage: This cruise features 12 days at sea (including 6 days of scenic cruising) and 8 days visiting ports in Argentina, Uruguay, Falkland Islands, and Chile. The voyage is most likely to appeal to people who want to learn about their destinations and experience awesome scenery. Antarctica and South America experts are on board to present lectures and they are so popular that you should be in the theatre early to get a seat. During the four days in Antarctica, you should be in the Crowsnest Lounge by 5 am to secure a window seat, although many people bring winter coats, sweaters, toques, and gloves, and spend many hours on deck enthralled with the passing icy spectacles. Even though February is late summer in Antarctica, the weather is still cool. The ship does not dock in Antarctica and you do not set foot on land or ice. Regulations about visiting Antarctica are very strict and only small expedition ships are allowed to put guests ashore, 100 at a time. The wildlife, including hundreds of penguins, can be seen from the ship, but bring along some binoculars for even better viewing.
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Shore excursions included: On most cruises, shore excursions are a major additional expense during your holiday. For this trip, Wells Gray has arranged private guided tours at Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, and Santiago. Gratuities to drivers and guides are also included.
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Please book early: Cruises are very popular nowadays. Ships are filling up faster and earlier than they once did, so waiting too long to book usually means “Sorry, wait until another year.” Holland America has confirmed a block of staterooms for this cruise and they are normally held until 4 months before sailing (late September 2026). However, any unsold staterooms can be taken away from us at any time if the ship or even a category fills, and Antarctica cruises always sell out due to the limited number of departures. This often occurs on our group cruises, then we must turn away disappointed customers, even though seats are available on the motorcoach. Please don’t delay booking this tour.
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Currency & expenses: between the Canadian and US dollars could affect the fare, in which case you will be notified of the increase or decrease. Your purchases on the ship are charged in US dollars. The US dollar is preferred in Argentina and Uruguay, although each has its own currency. The Chilean peso is used in Chile and US dollars are not widely accepted; a Canadian dollar is worth about 625 pesos. You should order US dollars or Chilean pesos from your bank 1-2 weeks before departure, or plan to use ATMs. The Falkland Islands use their own pound which is at par with the British pound; there are no ATMs there, so it is best to pay by credit card. In all these countries, credit cards are accepted almost everywhere (exceptions are the markets where cash is typical).
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Flight seating: We are unable to take requests for window or aisle seating on the planes. The airline will not accept them, as group seating is assigned as a block. If this is important to you, we suggest you take the “No Flight” option with a fare reduction which will be known in April and book your own flight which allows seat selection. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for more information on taking the “No Flight” option.
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Flight upgrades: Please enquire about current prices for upgrades on the flights from Vancouver to Buenos Aires and return from Santiago. Premium economy and business class may be available.
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Flight delays or cancellations: In the event flights are delayed or cancelled by airlines due to weather or other reasons, there may be additional costs to you. Wells Gray Tours will not pay for hotel rooms and meals during the delay. Most travel insurance policies cover expenses incurred for flight delays.
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Single travellers: Only 8 single seats are available. Please book early if you prefer to travel single.
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Gratuities: Gratuities are included for the local guides and coach drivers in South America. If you buy a shore excursion on the ship or at the dock, bring cash for gratuities. The standard crew gratuities on board the ship are included, but a gratuity is normally charged extra for your purchases such as drinks or spa. Gratuities to the Wells Gray tour director and Canadian drivers are not included and left to your discretion.
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Food Allergies: You must notify us no later than at final payment if you have a food allergy. During the precruise and post-cruise touring and the included shore excursions, some restaurants may not be able to satisfy all food allergies. An allergy causes medical distress, a preference does not. Most food allergies can be handled at meals on the ship, but you may have to order 24 hours in advance. For some allergies, please consider bringing your own snacks or food items so you are not dependent on what restaurants are able to serve.
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Payments: A deposit of $1,200 per person is requested at the time of booking and balance is due October 13, 2026. By paying the deposit, you agree to the Terms & Conditions, Activity Level 3 Declaration and Cancellation Policy outlined. Payments can be made by online banking or cheque (3% discount on tour fare), or by Visa or Mastercard.
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Early Booking Bonus: Receive a $300 discount on the first 10 seats and $150 on the next 6 seats for booking early with deposit. The discount is not offered after October 13, 2026.
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Cancellation Policy: Up to September 11, 2026, cancellation charge is $100 per person. From September 12 to October 13, the cancellation charge is $400 per person. From October 14 to November 13, the cancellation charge is 50% of the tour fare. From November 14 to December 11, the cancellation charge is 80% of the tour fare. After December 11, there is no refund.
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Itinerary and Fare Changes: Our many suppliers may notify us about changes to the itinerary prior to departure and sometimes during the tour. We do our best to substitute a similar service if something cancels, but occasionally the only alternative is to provide a refund for the missed activity. Please note that if we are forced to cancel a tour component due to an issue beyond our control, the current penalties still apply if you choose to cancel the entire tour. Fuel surcharges and changes to taxes, currency exchange rates, or other tour costs can occur at any time, therefore Wells Gray Tours reserves the right to increase fares due to such changes up to departure.
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Photo Credits: Roland Neave (Antarctica), tour director Lisa (Iguazu Falls), Wikimedia (Cape Horn), and Holland America Line (Oosterdam in Beagle Channel).
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Experience Points or E-points: This tour earns 311 e-points. Each time you travel on a Wells Gray tour, you earn e-points that are added to your account after the tour returns. One e-point equals $1. Redeem your earned points on select tours or accumulate enough points to earn a free tour! Redemptions offered until October 13, 2026.
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Consumer Protection BC Licences: Kamloops 178, Vernon 655, Kelowna 588, Penticton 924, Victoria 65842