HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore
the spectacular Antarctic wilderness in a casual atmosphere of
like-minded travelers
- Experience
abundant wildlife including immense penguin colonies and other
seabirds, seals and even some of the great whales at close range
- Sail
south of the Antarctic Circle
- Cruise
in comfort along towering icebergs, serrated maritime mountains and
luminous glaciers
- Zodiac
landing craft allow visitation on remote shorelines and otherwise
inaccessible areas
- Ship
allows an "open bridge policy" to observe its sophisticated navigation
equipment and provides an excellent location to view wildlife and the
landscape (subject to weather and critical navigation maneuvers)
- Expert
naturalist guides
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Quad Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin Porthole Deck 3 | Twin Porthole Deck 4 | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Quad Porthole | (Mid-range)
Twin Porthole Deck 4 | (High-end)
Superior |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1: Ushuaia
In
the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the
southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail
through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.
Days
2 & 3: At sea
During
these two days, we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the
Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling
zone. In this area we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed
Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses,
Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson's Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels
and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our
first icebergs. The Master of the vessel may decide to sail the narrow
English Strait between Robert Island and Greenwich Island or Mc Farlane
Strait between Greenwich Island and Livingston Island if the conditions
are favourable. Then we might be able to enter Antarctic waters in the
late evening of the third day and see Aitcho Island at the South
Shetlands. If the conditions do not allow us to manoeuvre through the
English Strait then we continue sailing South of Livingston. These
volcanic islands or the South Shetlands are windswept and often
shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a
nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and
fauna, such as Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins and Southern Giant
Petrels.
Days
4–11: Antarctica
We
may start our first day in Antarctica with a landing at Hannah Point,
where we will find a nice variety of Gentoo Penguins, Chinstraps and
southern Giant Petrels, as well as Elephant Seals hauling out on the
beach. At Deception Island, we will try to land. Deception itself is a
sub-ducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour
for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station,
thousands of Cape Pigeons and many Dominican Gulls, Brown and South
Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns.
Wilson's
Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the
whaling station in Whalers Bay. Good walkers may hike from Baily Head
over the ridge of the crater into Whalers Bay, while our ship braves
its entrance into the crater through the spectacular Neptune's Bellow
into the ring of Deception Island. On our way further South we will
sail to Orne Islands with large colonies of Chinstrap Penguins and a
beautiful view across the Gerlache Strait or to Cuverville Island, a
small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the
Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island. It contains a large colony of
Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. In Neko Harbour and
Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we have the
opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. We shall have the
opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts
of the fjords.
We
sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island
offering Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. We also try to land at
Pleneau Island with Elephant Seals and fair chances to encounter
Humpback, Minke and Fin Whales. We head south along the Argentine
Islands to Crystal Sound, south of the polar circle. The landscape is
very impressive with very high mountains and huge glaciers. At the Fish
Islands, we land at one of the southernmost Adélie Penguin
and Blue-eyed Shag colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula. At Detaille
Island, south of the Polar Circle, in Crystal Sound we reach probably
our farthest south. Sailing north again through Neumayer Channel and
Gerlache Strait, we arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very
beautiful landscape with icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard
Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales.
Days
12–13: At sea
On
our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds
while crossing the Drake Passage.
Day
14: Ushuaia
We
arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Voyage
aboard the designated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea
- Free
use of rubber boots
- Pre-scheduled
group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly
after disembarkation)
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking:
USD 465 per person
- Diving:
USD 530 per person
