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
- 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 | TRIPLE | TWIN PORTHOLE | TWIN WINDOW | TWIN DELUXE | SUPERIOR |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
QUAD | (Mid-range)
TWIN WINDOW | (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 on the Beagle Channel and sail
through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.
Days 2 and 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.
Days 4-7: Antarctica
We
will sail directly to “High Antarctica”, passing
the Melchior Islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and
Anvers Island. On Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island,
nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Ronge
Island, we will find a large colony of Gentoo penguins and breeding
pairs of Brown Skuas. If we land on Orne Island we can observe
Chinstrap penguins and possibly Weddell and Crabeater seals. In Neko
Harbor, we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic
Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glacier and enjoy the
landscape during zodiac cruises. When sailing to Paradise Bay, with its
myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we will have the opportunity for
zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the bay.
Throughout this area, we have good chances to see Humpback whales and
Minke whales.
We
sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pléneau and
Petermann Island where we can find Adelie penguins and Blue-eyed shags.
In this area, there are good chances to encounter Humpback whales,
Minke whales and Fin whales. Sailing north through Gerlache Strait we
arrive at the Wilhelmina Bay where we often are fortunate to see
feeding Humpback whales. We may embark on a Zodiac cruise if the
conditions allow ending at the wreck of Guvernøren an old
whaling vessel that burned here in 1915. Around the Melchior Islands
amidst a beautiful landscape with icebergs, where we may encounter more
whales but also Leopard seal and Crabeater seals.
Days 8-9: At sea
On
our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds
while crossing the Drake Passage.
Day 10: Ushuaia
We
arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Voyage
as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea
- All
shore excursions by Zodiac and activities throughout the voyage
- Lectures
by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material
