HIGHLIGHTS
- In
South Georgia, land at old whaling stations and visit a huge King
Penguin colony
- Visit
the South Georgia Museum in Grytviken and do Zodiac cruises looking for
wildlife
- Watch
tabular icebergs in the Antarctic Sound which rise out of the water
like giant white-blue blocks
- Explore
the Antarctic Peninsula on Zodiac cruises and via landings to see seals
and penguin colonies
- Pass
through the Drake Passage, a 600-mile wide expanse that marks the
convergence of the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Oceans
- Look
for albatrosses and Southern Giant Petrels, as well as Cape Petrels,
prions and storm-petrels
- Kayak
in Antarctica in a small group under the guidance of certified kayak
instructors and appreciate the wild of Antarctica in peaceful silence
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. The island was inhabited for
6,000 years by Yámana, Haush, Selk'nam, and Alakaluf
Indians. But in 1902 Argentina, eager to populate Patagonia to bolster
its territorial claims, moved to initiate an Ushuaian penal colony,
establishing the permanent settlement of its most southern territories
and, by implication, everything in between.When the prison closed in
1947, Ushuaia had a population of about 3,000, made up mainly of former
inmates and prison staff. Read more
Days
2-4: At Sea
Days
at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with
what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to
the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading
or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect
balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.
Days
5-7: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South
Georgia is a breathtaking destination of towering snow-covered
mountains, mighty glaciers, and low-lying grasslands that attract an
astounding concentration of wildlife. It is possible to find Southern
fur seals, Southern elephant seals and a variety of albatross species
including Black-browed, Light-mantled Sooty, Grey-headed and the
spectacular Wandering Albatross, plus thousands of King and Macaroni
Penguins. South Georgia is also linked to the early Antarctic
explorers. Captain James Cook first stepped ashore in 1775, but perhaps
more famous is Ernest Shackleton’s arrival in 1916 following
the sinking of his ship Endurance. Shackleton’s grave and the
whaling museum at Grytviken are highlights, as would be a visit to one
of the King Penguin colonies at Salisbury Plain or Gold Harbour.
Days
8-9: Drake
Passage
Sailing
the legendary Drake Passage is an experience that few are ever lucky
enough to experience. The southern tip of the Americas already feels
like a wild enough environment – but the sensation of
watching the distant cliffs of the peninsular known as the
‘End of the World’ fade into the horizon, is one
that’s equal parts epic, eerie and magical. Set sail, to
slowly drop off the bottom of the map from Cape Horn, and voyage on an
expedition down into the icy underworld of Antarctica. Drake Passage is
an extraordinary voyage of romantic ocean faring legend, as you aim for
Antarctica’s icy realm. On arrival, skyscraper sized icebergs
salute you, as you traverse the waters of this continent where snow and
ice dwelling creatures like penguins and whales roam undisturbed. Your
first sight of this most-unexplored place will most likely be the South
Shetland Islands. Walk in the footsteps of some of history’s
greatest and bravest explorers as you explore famed, snow-covered
landmasses like Elephant and Deception Island. If the journey across
Drake Passage sounds daunting, don’t worry – even
in rough seas you’re never alone, and will often be
accompanied on this spine-tingling adventure by soaring albatrosses and
maybe even a protective pod of humpbacks and hourglass dolphins or two.
Converging warm and cool ocean currents attract some spectacular animal
life to the passage.
Day
10: Elephant Island
Awesome
glaciers flecked with pink algae can be seen approaching Elephant
Island — so named either for its elephant-like appearance or
for sightings of elephant seals here. Elephant Island is home to
several Chinstrap Penguin rookeries, as well as 2,000-year-old moss
colonies. Weddell seals and Macaroni Penguins can also be spotted. In
1916, when Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance was crushed in
pack ice in the Weddell Sea, the crew was stranded here for more than 4
months finding shelter under two upturned lifeboats on the spit of land
Shackleton’s men named ‘Point Wild’. The
bust of the Chilean captain Luis Pardo has been erected here to
commemorate the successful rescue in the tug Yelcho.
Day
11: 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
12: 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
13: 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.
Days
14-15: Drake Passage
Day
16: Ushuaia, Argentina
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- One
night pre cruise hotel
- Transfers
(between airport/hotel and ship)
- Charter
flight to/ from Ushuaia
- Guided
Zodiac, land and sea tours, and shoreside activities led by the
Expeditions Team
- Parka
- Enrichment
lectures by a highly qualified Expeditions Team
- Spacious
suites
- Butler
service in every suite
- Unlimited
Free Wifi
- Personalised
service – nearly one crew member for every guest
- Choice
of restaurants, diverse cuisine, open-seating dining
- Beverages
in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, select wines and
spirits
- In-suite
dining and room service
- Onboard
entertainment
- Onboard
gratuities
