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2028

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Ross Sea Odyssey - Douglas Mawson

25 days
Start and end in Dunedin
4.5
8,653 traveler reviews

No departure dates available

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Plan your adventure:
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 7 - 16
Ages 16+
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Dunedin

    Accommodation
    Hotel (Hotel in Dunedin to be confirmed), Hotel (Hotel in Dunedin to be confirmed (or similar))

    Optional Activities

    • Dine at one of Dunedin's fine restaurants
    • Leisurely stroll along Otago harbour
    Landmarks
    Otago Harbour
  2. Day 2

    Embarkation

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious dinner with toast to the voyage)
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Embarkation and ship orientation
  3. Day 3

    Sea Day

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Lecture room presentations on history, environment and wildlife

    Optional Activities

    • Sauna visit
    • Wellness Centre visit
    • Onboard gym
    • Seabird spotting from deck
    • Access to polar library
    • Bar socialising
  4. Day 4

    Subantarctic Islands

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Visit islands of significance to Ngai Tahu
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  5. Day 5

    Subantarctic Islands

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Explore islands for biodiversity and natural beauty
    Itinerary Image 1
  6. Day 6

    Subantarctic Islands

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Landings on subantarctic islands
    • Zodiac expeditions
  7. Day 7

    Sea Day

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Wildlife observation for albatross species
    Landmarks
    Campbell Island
  8. Day 8

    Antarctic Convergence

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Crossing the Antarctic Convergence
  9. Day 9

    Sea Day

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Optional Activities

    • Sauna visit
    • Photo editing in cabin
    • Relaxation and reflection
  10. Day 10

    Sea Day

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Lecture room presentations on Antarctic wildlife and history
  11. Day 11

    Antarctic Arrival

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Arrival in Antarctic sector
  12. Day 12

    Ross Sea

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Navigate through pack ice with Weddell and leopard seals
    • Observe Adélie and emperor penguins
    Landmarks
    Ross Sea
    Ross Sea Marine Protected Area
  13. Day 13

    Ross Sea Penguin Colonies

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • View Adélie and emperor penguin colonies
    Landmarks
    Ross Sea Marine Protected Area
  14. Day 14

    Historic Antarctic Sites

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Reflect on achievements of Heroic Age explorers
    • Visit historic huts from expedition bases
  15. Day 15

    Antarctic Exploration

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Flexible expedition itinerary planning
  16. Day 16

    Antarctic Ice Exploration

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Landings in Antarctic region
    • Zodiac cruises amongst ice
  17. Day 17

    Final Antarctic Exploration

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Final Antarctic exploration
  18. Day 18

    Sea Day to Macquarie Island

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Specialist presentations on Macquarie Island
  19. Day 19

    Sea Day

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Optional Activities

    • Photo editing
    • Ship facilities access
    • Reflection and relaxation
  20. Day 20

    Approaching Macquarie Island

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Albatross wildlife observation
    Landmarks
    Macquarie Island
  21. Day 21

    Macquarie Island

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Visit Macquarie Island wildlife sanctuary
    Landmarks
    Macquarie Island
  22. Day 22

    Macquarie Island

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Included Activities

    • Explore historic radio relay station from 1911

    Optional Activities

    • View kelp forests from ship or Zodiac
    Landmarks
    Macquarie Island
  23. Day 23

    Reflection Day

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))

    Optional Activities

    • Photo review and editing
    • Journal writing
    • Onboard reflection
  24. Day 24

    Sea Day

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson), Berth / Cabin (Douglas Mawson (or similar))
  25. Day 25

    Disembarkation

    Meals
    Breakfast

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

Explore!

Platinum Operator
Rating
4.5(8,653 reviews)
Response time
within 1 day
Response rate
92%
Cancellation policy

Explore! Ship

  • Sylvia Earle
    Sylvia Earle
    Due to sail in October 2021 our new ship honours the highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle. As the… Read more
    Capacity
    Built
    2021
    Guests
    126
    Crew
    Length
    104 m / 341 ft
    Width
    Suites
    74
    Staterooms
    Registry
    Gross Tonnage
    Electricity
    Beam
    Cruising Speed
    10-12 Knots
    Generators
    Engines
    Draft

Reviews from other tours by Explore!

  • William
    January 14th, 2026
    The itinerary was more complete thorough than any other tour of New Zealand. It exceeded my expectations. We did...
    Show more
  • Paul
    November 30th, 2025
    Fantastic experience. The very best way for a first time visitor to get a great overview of the country without...
    Show more
  • Nicol
    November 27th, 2024
    New Zealand is a beautiful country!!!
Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Explore! with your enquiry, they usually respond within 1 day.

No departure dates available

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 286231

  • Currency
    $
    New Zealand Dollar
    New Zealand
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type I.

    Type I
    New Zealand
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before August 8th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 8th, 2026, a minimum payment of 10% is required to confirm your booking with Explore!. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 75 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Explore! will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Explore!" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec