HIGHLIGHTS
- Travel
along the Antarctic Sound to see tabular icebergs which rise out of the
water like giant white-blue blocks
- Depending
on ice conditions, Zodiac cruises and a landing might be possible
- Explore
the Antarctic Peninsula on Zodiac cruises and via landings to see seals
and penguin colonies
- Visit
several landing sites and remains of whaling stations in the South
Shetland Islands
- Pass
twice through the Drake Passage, a 600-mile wide expanse that marks the
convergence of the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Oceans; an excellent
area for whale-watching and pelagic birding
- Look
for albatrosses and Southern Giant Petrels, as well as Cape Petrels,
prions and storm-petrels
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Vista Suite | Veranda Suite | Deluxe Veranda Suite | Medallion Suite | Silver Suite | Royal Suite | Grand Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Vista Suite | (Mid-range)
Silver Suite | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1: Ushuaia, Argentina
At 55 degrees latitude south, Ushuaia (pronounced oo-swy-ah) is closer
to the South Pole than to Argentina's northern border with Bolivia. It
is the capital and tourism base for Tierra del Fuego, the island at the
southernmost tip of Argentina.Although its stark physical beauty is
striking, Tierra del Fuego's historical allure is based more on its
mythical past than on rugged reality.
Day 2-3: Drake
Passage
The
Drake Passage has a notorious reputation for its turbulent seas due to
the westerly winds and the funneling effect of the passage. The
Antarctic Convergence, a natural boundary where cold polar water flows
northward and warmer equatorial water moves southward, is within the
Drake Passage. When these two currents meet, nutrients are pushed to
the surface, often attracting a multitude of seabirds and whales.
Black-browed Albatross, Sooty Shearwaters and White-chinned Petrels
glide in the air currents alongside and in the wake of the ship.
Day 4: Antarctic
Sound
The
Antarctic Sound is a stretch of water named after the first ship to
have passed through this body of water from the Bransfield Strait to
the Weddell Sea in 1902. The Antarctic eventually sank and crew and
scientists had to spend quite some time in this area before they could
be rescued. Sites that have to do with this story - like Hope Bay or
Paulet Island - are sometimes visited. At Paulet, Hope Bay and Brown
Bluff Adelie and Gentoo Penguins breed, as do Kelp Gulls and Cape
Petrels, Snow Petrels and Skuas. The Sound’s main attractions
are the
spectacular tabular icebergs that come from the Larsen Ice Shelf
further south.
Day 5-7: Antarctic
Peninsula
Remote
and otherworldly, Antarctica is irresistible for its spectacular
iceberg sculptures and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of
up-close encounters with marine mammals and the iconic penguins. The
Antarctic Peninsula – the main peninsula closest to South
America – has
a human history of almost 200 years, with explorers, sealers, whalers,
and scientists who have come to work, and eventually intrepid visitors
coming to enjoy this pristine and remote wilderness. It is a region of
protected bays, unscaled snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and a few
places where whalers or scientists have worked. Just as irresistible
are the many Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin colonies, the seals basking
on ice floes, the whales and orcas.
Day 8:
South Shetland Islands
Some
770 kilometers (478 miles) south of Cape Horn, the South Shetland
Islands are usually the first land seen in Antarctica. Separated from
the Antarctic Peninsula by the Bransfield Strait, nine major islands
make up the group. The region was the first to be exploited by sealers
in the early 19th century, and because of its proximity to South
America, it still is the most visited by scientists and tourists.
Chinstrap, Adelie, Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins all breed here. In
addition, because it is the warmest part of the continent, large moss
beds as well as orange, black, grey and green lichens grow
–even hair
grass and pearlwort manage to survive. Leopard seals, Weddell seals,
crabeater seals, Southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals can be
seen in the water and on the beaches.
Day 9-10: Drake
Passage
Day
11: Ushuaia, Argentina - Disembark
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Included
one night pre cruise hotel
- Included
transfers (between airport/hotel and ship)
- Included
charter flight to/ from Ushuaia
- Included
luggage handling
- Personalised
service – the best crew-to-guest ratio in expedition cruising
- Butler
service in every suite and stateroom – all guests are
pampered equally
- Open-seating
dining options – dine when and with whomever you please
- Beverages
in-suite and throughout the ship – select wines, premium
spirits, specialty coffees and soft drinks, plus your own tailored
mini-bar
- In-suite
dining and room service – available 24 hours aboard Silver
Explorer, and from 06:00 to 23:00 aboard Silver Galapagos and Silver
Discoverer
- Enrichment
lectures by a highly qualified Expeditions Team
- Guided
Zodiac, land and sea tours, and shoreside activities led by the
Expeditions Team
- Gratuities
always included in your fare
- Unlimited
Free Wifi
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- 4
Night Pre-cruise: Mysterious Easter Island
- 3
Night Pre-cruise: Chilean Wine Route
- 3
Night Pre-cruise: Iguazu Falls
