HIGHLIGHTS
- Travel
to see tabular icebergs in the Antarctic Sound. The Sound usually shows
massive continental 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. This promontory of land is the furthest-north
extension of mainland Antarctica.
- Several
landing sites and remains of whaling stations can be found 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
twice 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.
- Enjoy
the opportunity to kayak in a small group under the guidance of
certified kayak instructors. These special excursions are a chance to
appreciate the wilds 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
A southerly
frontier - on the cusp of wild nature and extraordinary adventures -
the excitement in Ushuaia is palpable. Prepare for memorable exploits
amid the extremes of this southerly location - as you adventure into
the colossal scenery of the fractured Tierra del Fuego and beyond.
Known as the 'End of the World' Ushuaia looks out across the Beagle
Channel, and is surrounded by the Martial Mountains to the north.
Despite its remote location, Ushuaia is a surprisingly busy and lively
resort, with lots to keep its visitors entertained. For many people,
Ushuaia is their last glimpse of anything resembling a city, before
they jump off the map into the wilderness, to answer the call of
immense national parks or Antarctic expeditions. One of the most
dramatic landscapes on the planet - Argentina's land of fire, National
Park Tierra del Fuego, is a place of titanic natural forces and
limitless beauty. Snow-covered mountains poke the sky, while glaciers
spill down between peaks, and gaping fjords open up. With incredible
wildlife - from penguins to whales - the park offers some of South
America's most amazing hiking opportunities and panoramas. When it
comes to food in Ushuaia, locals cook up fierce flavours using the
freshest ingredients. King crab is one of the most popular dishes,
while sea bass - hauled freshly from the waters - and mounds of meaty
mussels - known as cholgas - are also on the menu here.
DAYS
2-3: 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
4: Antarctic Sound, Antarctica
Few voyages
ignite the imagination like a journey down to one of the planet's most
remote, extreme and enchanting wilderness, Antarctica. An adventure in
its purest form, only a handful of people will ever be lucky enough to
experience the majestic beauty of these monochrome landscapes
first-hand. The Antarctic Sound will be one of your first encounters of
this whitewash kingdom, located at the northerly tip of the Antarctic
Peninsula - which sprawls up like a tentacle towards Tierra del Fuego,
South America's most southerly point, otherwise known as the
‘End of the World'. Taking its name from the first ship to
brave the passageway between the peninsular and the Joinville Island
groups back in 1902, the Sound is a raw, sensory assault of imposing
iceberg slabs, broken away from the disintegrating Larsen Ice Shelf.
Come face-to-face with stadium-sized islands of ice and meet the
extraordinary birdlife that call this whitewash kingdom home. Watch on,
as colonies of Gentoo penguins hop around, and cape petrels sweep
overhead, as the continent's unique wildlife thrives around you. If
you're planning your first venture into Antarctica, you'll want to
brush up on your photography skills in advance, to capture this
unforgiving continent in all of its unrestrained glory.
DAYS
5-7: Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
The
Antarctic Peninsula unravels upwards towards South America, reaching
out a beckoning finger to the adventurous, who dare to explore this
untamed realm. Stretching up from the heart of the world's southernmost
continent, the Antarctic Peninsula lies a mere 620 mile from Tierra del
Fuego and, for many, offers a spectacular first taste of the
snow-blanketed landscapes and colossal ice sculptures, which make up
Earth's least-explored continent. Unseen by humans until 1820 - a blink
of an eye ago in relative terms - this is an adventure sure to make
your hairs stand on end, as you experience the thrill of the truly
unknown and extraordinary. The vast peninsula is sprinkled with
research bases, which are at the frontline of human scientific
endeavour, pushing to study and understand this unique landscape, its
exceptional wildlife, and the impact that humans are having on this
pristine continent. Witness cathedral-sized icebergs up close, and
blue-hued glaciers, slowly slipping from imposing locations like Hope
Bay. Blanched mountain peaks cover the peninsula, and you'll find
thousands of adorable Adelie penguin pairs thriving undisturbed in this
peninsula's unique setting.
DAY
8: South Shetland Islands, Antarctica
The
ice-coated Antarctic Peninsula forms perhaps the most accessible region
of mainland Antarctica, lying a mere 480-miles away from South America,
across the fabled waters of Drakes Passage. Lying close to the
northwestern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, separated by the
Bransfield Strait, the South Shetland Islands fall under the
jurisdiction of the Antarctic Treaty, suspending claims on their
sovereignty. Several countries maintain research bases here, and with
plump elephant seals, and crowds of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie
Penguins also calling the islands home, it can even feel a little
crowded at times. King George Island is the largest and most hospitable
island, hosting the majority of the research stations - some of which
are populated all-year-round by tiny, hardy crews. Don't be fooled
though, these islands offer extraordinary adventure in one of the most
remote locations on earth. The triple peaks of Mount Foster tower above
the archipelago, and you'll feel your heart pumping a little quicker,
as you sail into the core of Deception Island's magnificent collapsed
volcano caldera. Hike the luna landscapes within, and even dip into the
improbably warm, geothermally-heated waters of Pendulum Cove. Elephant
Island, meanwhile, is written deep into the annals of Antarctic
expedition legend, as the site where Ernest Shackleton and the stricken
crew of the Endurance miraculously survived a harsh Antarctic winter,
in 1916.
DAYS
9-10: Drake Passage
DAY
11: Ushuaia, Argentina
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 1
night pre-cruise and 1 day-use post-cruise
- Transfers
(between airport/hotel and ship)
- In-country
flights when required by itinerary
- 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