HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit
the Falkland Islands which offer an abundance of wildlife that is
easily approachable
- These
islands are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK
and Argentina
- Not
only do various species of bird live here, but chances are great
you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and
Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters.
- Visit
Steeple Jason – Home to the world’s largest
black-browed albatross colony (roughly 113,000), Steeple Jason is a
wild and rarely visited island buffeted by wind and waves
- Visit
Carcass Island bounteous with birdlife and many endemic species.
Anything from breeding Magellanic penguins and gentoos to numerous
waders and passerine birds (including Cobb’s wrens and
tussock-birds) live here.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Quadruple Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior | Junior Suite | Grand Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Quadruple Porthole | (Mid-range)
Twin Deluxe | (High-end)
Grand Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1: Sandy Argentine beaches
You
embark from Puerto Madryn in the afternoon, your prow aimed for the
Falkland Islands. Golfo Nuevo is renowned for its visiting southern
right whales, so you have a good chance of spotting one as you sail
toward the open ocean.
Day
2 – 3: Sea life, sea birds
Though
you’re now at sea, there’s rarely a lonesome moment
here. Several species of bird follow the vessel southeast, such as
albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.
Day
4 - 5: Finding the Falklands
The
Falkland Islands offer an abundance of wildlife that is easily
approachable, though caution is always advised. These islands are
largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and
Argentina. Not only do various species of bird live here, but chances
are great you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and
Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters.
During
this segment of the voyage, we focus on visiting the following two
sites:
Steeple Jason
– Home to the world’s largest black-browed
albatross colony (roughly 113,000), Steeple Jason is a wild and rarely
visited island buffeted by wind and waves. Weather and swell conditions
dictate the journey here.
Carcass Island
– Despite its name, this island is pleasantly rodent-free and
hence bounteous with birdlife and many endemic species. Anything from
breeding Magellanic penguins and gentoos to numerous waders and
passerine birds (including Cobb’s wrens and tussock-birds)
live here.
Other
sites that we may offer as an alternative:
Saunders Island
– On Saunders Island you can see the black-browed albatross
and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along with breeding imperial shags
and rockhopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic penguins, and
gentoos are also found here.
Westpoint Island
– Landing in a small cove near to the islands house you will
be able to walk through the tussac grass and at an abundant breeding
colony of black-browed albatrosses where they live side by side
with rockhopper penguins.
Grave Cove
– Nesting gentoo penguins and excellent hiking opportunities
are abound here with the chance to enjoy the scenery and wildlife that
the islands has to offer.
Day
6 – 7: Once more to the sea
En
route to South Georgia, you now cross the Antarctic Convergence. The
temperature cools considerably within the space of a few hours, and
nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water
columns. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds near the
ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels,
prions, and skuas.
Day
8 – 14: South Georgia journey
Today
you arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in
mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely
dictating the program.
Sites
you might visit include:
Prion Island
– The home of the great wandering albatrosses. The previous
summer’s wandering albatross chicks are almost ready to
fledge, and adults are seeking out their old partners after a year and
a half at sea.
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay,
Gold Harbour – These sites not only house the
three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, they’re
also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for
southern elephant seals. Only during this time of year do they peak in
their breeding cycle. Watch the four-ton bulls keep a constant vigil
(and occasionally fight) over territories where dozens of females have
just given birth or are about to deliver. You can also see a
substantial number of Antarctic fur seals here during the breeding
season (December – January).
Fortuna Bay
– A beautiful outwash plain from Fortuna Glacier is home to a
large number of king penguins and seals. You may have the chance to
follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route to the abandoned
whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across the mountain pass
beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the terrain is partly
swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams.
Leith Harbour, Stromness, Husvik
– These sites remind us of the scale of the whaling industry
in the early 20th century. Elephant and fur seals breed and moult here.
Gentoo penguins also occupy the landing sites. Antarctic prions and
South Georgia dive petrels may be observed, especially in the area of
Husvik.
Grytviken
– In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the
streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place
– because they basically do. Here you might be able to see
the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.
Cobblers Cove, Godthul
– At Cobblers Cove we aim for Rookery Point to see macaroni
penguins. Light-mantled sooty albatrosses nest along the coastline and
giant petrels can be observed as well. Godthul (Norwegian for
“good cove”) was named by Norwegian whalers and
seal-hunters and remains such as bones can still be found along the
shore line. Beaches are the home of gentoo penguins and seals.
Royal Bay (Moltke Harbour, Will
Point & Brisbane Point) – Moltke harbour
in Royal Bay was named by the German International Polar Year
Expedition in 1882 and some of the remains of their dwellings are still
visible. The scenery of Royal Bay is beautiful, dark sandy beaches,
followed by the green tussock colors and finally dominated by the snow
and ice covered Ross Glacier. Royal Bay one of the windiest bays on the
island, zodiac cruising is spectacular. Approx. 30,000 pairs of king
penguins live here.
Cooper Bay
– Offers the largest chinstrap penguin population and gentoo
and also macaroni penguins are present. Antarctic terns, white-chinned
petrels, blue-eyed shags and light-mantled sooty albatrosses can be
spotted too.
Drygalski Fjord
– offers spectacular landscapesas the ships sails the narrow
fjord, with ca. 2 kilometer high mountain peaks at a very close
distance.
Annenkov Island
– Passing Pickersgill Islands we reach the rarely visited
Annenkov Island, first discovered by James Cook in 1775 and was later
renamed by the Russian expedition of Fabian von Bellingshausen in 1819.
A rocky terrain with a variety of ridges, peaks and hills where also
fossils have been found.
King Haakon Bay
– British explorer Ernest Shackleton reached King Haakon Bay
during his journey of 800 sea-miles by open boat “James
Caird” from Elephant Island. From here he crossed to
Stromness to ask for help to rescue his party at Elephant Island after
they had left the Weddell Sea where their ship got crushed by ice.
Elephant seals dominate the beaches. Birdwatchers will look out for
South Georgia pipits, Antarctic prions as well as common diving and
blue petrels.
Day
15 – 19: Westward bound
There
may be sea ice on this route, south polar skuas and snow petrels could
join the other seabirds such as albatrosses and petrels trailing the
vessel. Eventually we reach the Drake Passage and you’re
again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage
south.
Day
20: Earth’s southernmost city
You
arrive and disembark in Ushuaia, commonly held to be the
world’s most southern city. It is located on the Tierra del
Fuego archipelago, nicknamed the “End of the
World.” But despite this stopping point, the wealth of
memories you’ve made on your Antarctic expedition will travel
with you wherever your next adventure lies.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Voyage
aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea.
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff.
- Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Pre-scheduled
group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly
after disembarkation).
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material.
Excluded from this voyage
- Any
airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre-
and post- land arrangements.
- Passport
and visa expenses.
- Government
arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals
ashore.
- Baggage,
cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess
baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The
customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other
service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
