HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit
New Island and West Point Island with their Black-browed Albatross and
Rockhopper Penguins colonies
- See
the highlights of Stanley, Bleaker Island with its Gentoo, Magellanic
and Rockhopper colonies and Sea Lion Island, looking for marine
wildlife in the water and birds ashore
- Visit
tabular icebergs in the Antarctic Sound which feature massive
continental icebergs that 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
- Visit
several landing sites and remains of whaling stations in the South
Shetland Islands
- This
grouping of islands is 75 miles north of the Antarctic Peninsula and
holds sixteen research stations run by Argentina, the US, Chile, Spain
and several other countries
- Pass
through the Drake Passage, a 600-mile wide expanse that marks the
convergence of the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Oceans. This is 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. 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
Day
2: 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.
Day
3: New Island, Falkland Islands
The
remarkable beauty of the remote Falkland Islands can best be seen on
New Island. The westernmost of the inhabited islands of the
archipelago, it is a wildlife and nature reserve, and an environmental
conservation group protects its many birds and animals. There are
rookeries where Rockhopper Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags share the same
nesting area. Black-browed Albatrosses can be seen going about their
daily routines and it is easy to spot Upland Geese. More than 40
species of birds breed on the island. Near the landing site is
'Barnard’s barn' - a restored stone structure going
back to the early 19th century. Lying in the sandy shallows in front of
the barn is the wreck of Protector III, an old minesweeper used for
seal hunting.
West
Point Island, Falkland Islands
Located
slightly northwest of West Falkland, West Point Island is used for
sheep farming and nature observations. Peale’s dolphins and
the distinctive black and white markings of the Commerson’s
dolphin can usually be seen in the waters around West Point Island.
Rolling moorland and steep cliffs make for great photographic
opportunities, but the main attraction is the Devil’s Nose, a
cliffside colony of Black-browed Albatrosses nesting side-by-side with
feisty Rockhopper Penguins. Magellanic Penguins and Magellanic
Cormorants can also be found on the island.
Day
4: Stanley, Falkland Islands
Tiny
Stanley, capital of the Falklands, seems in many ways like a British
village fallen out of the sky. Many homes are painted in bright
colours, adding visual appeal to this distant outpost. Not far
offshore, the wreck of the Lady Elizabeth, is one of the many vessels
remaining as a silent testimonial to the region's frequent harsh
weather conditions. The islands, also known by their Spanish name of
Islas Malvinas, are home to arguably more tuxedo-clad inhabitants of
the penguin variety than human residents. Various species, such as
Gentoo, Magellanic and the more elusive King penguins, either live here
permanently or use the Falklands as a stopover on their migration
route. Darwin found the islands' flora and fauna fascinating - no doubt
you will, too.
Day
5: Bleaker Island (Falklands), Falkland Islands
Bleaker
Island is privately owned, with sheep and Hereford cattle grazing on
its extensive greens, yet it is also an excellent site for birding. The
Bleaker Island Group is recognized as an Important Bird Area and its
northern part is a National Nature Reserve.
Bull
Point, Falkland Islands
Bull Point
is one of East Falkland's southernmost points. Although part of North
Arm Farm, Bull Point is considered an IBA (Important Bird Area) and the
area has been fenced off from sheep, thus helping nature to recover.
Some 101 plant species, of which 59 are considered rare or native and 4
endemic, have been recorded. This includes Dusen's moonwort, a
protected native fern that is only known to occur in two other
localities in the Falklands. Kelp beds in front of Bull Point contrast
with the rocky shore, sandy beaches and maritime heath in higher areas.
While Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins nest here, southern elephant seals
and southern sea lions come to haul out on Bull Point Area's southern
shores. Falkland Steamer Ducks, Kelp, Ruddy-headed and Upland Geese, as
well as Magellanic and Blackish Oystercatchers, Blackish Cinclodes
(locally known as the tussock or tussac bird) and White-rumped
Sandpipers frequent the area, with a further 57 species breeding here.
The Bay of Harbours just north of Bull Point often shows Peale's and
Commerson's dolphins playing in the surf.
Day
6: 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
7: Elephant Island, Antarctica
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
8: Antarctic Sound, Antarctica
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.
Days
9-12: 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, Antarctica
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