Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic Islands are some of the last truly unspoilt regions of the world. The mysterious White Continent, with its multi-coloured ice caps, glistening glaciers and towering snow-capped mountains, offers unparalleled scenery and photographic opportunities. Enormous numbers of penguins, whales, seals and seabirds congregate in the food-rich waters along the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic shores.
Our small, specially designed expedition ships journey south, taking full advantage of the long hours of daylight during the austral summer, their ice-strengthened hulls allowing us to navigate safely through the pack ice and narrow waterways. Our zodiac excursions, guided by foremost Antarctic experts, offer the freedom to explore remote locations and observe Antarctica's abundant wildlife.
PROGRAM DAY-BY-DAY
DAY
DESCRIPTION
1
Arrive in the Paris of South America (Buenos Aires)
After clearing customs and immigration, proceed to the reception area, where our guide will be holding a board with your name on it. You will be greeted with a "Bienvenidos a Argentina" and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest and relax after the long haul flight and start exploring Buenos Aires on your own. Overnight in Hotel de las Americas.
2
Ushuaia, the End of the World (Ushuaia)
Today fly to Ushuia. At the southern tip of the American continent lies an extended archipelago rich in legends and history, whose shores have been visited and inhabited by conquistadores, pirates, adventurers, gold chasers, missionaries and scientists. Despite its faraway location, this is a fertile land of verdant forests, prairies colored by a myriad of flowers, snow-capped mountains, millenary glaciers and diverse wildlife. Overnight in Hotel Los Altos.
3
Emark in Ushuaia
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located in the shadow of the Andes and right at the Beagle Channel shore. We’ll sail through this scenic waterway during the afternoon.
4-5
Sailing across the Drake passage
During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black- browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we glimpse at the first icebergs. The Master of the vessel may decide to sail the narrow English Strait between Robert Island and Greenwich Island if the conditions are favourable. Then we might be able to do our first landing in Antarctic waters in the late evening of the third day at Aitcho Island at the South Shetlands. If the conditions will not allow to manoeuvre through the English Strait then we continue sailing South of Livingston
These volcanic islands or the South Shetlands are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins and southern Giant Petrels.
6-9
Antarctic Peninsula
We may start our first day with a landing on Half Moon Island, where we will find a variety of Chinstrap Penguins, Seals often haul out on the beach. Later on , we sail to Deception Island. Deception is a sub ducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Pigeons and many Dominican Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.
On our way further South we will sail across the Gerlache Strait to Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island. It contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. In Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. We shall have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island offering Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. We also try to land at Pleneau Island with Elephant Seals and fair chances to encounter Humpback, Minke and Fin Whales.
A visit to one of the scientific stations in Antarctica will give you an insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent. Further south we may visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, where we will receive a warm welcome from the station crew. Sailing north through Neumayer Channel we arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape and again possibilities for zodiac cruising among the icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales. In the Neumayer Channel, we may visit the British research station and post office Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we can also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Imperial Shags.
10-11
Sail across the Drake Passage.
In the Drake Passage we have again a chance of seeing many seabirds and to take advantage of the knowledge of our lecture team.
12
Disembark in Ushuaia
We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
PRICES FROM
From: $6990 per person in double occupancy
SPECIALS
December Special !! $6,990 per person includes flights from Miami, Argentina hotels, transfers and cruise!
FACTS
Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
2010 Departures: Dec 20 or Dec 29
Itinerary Note: Itineraries may be changed by the Expedition Leader on board at the time of sailing.
Type of services: Most services included in this program are operated in small groups.
Travel documents: Please visit our “Visa Info” page to inquire if you need a travel visa for this tour.
Highlights: Enjoy the scenerary of the South Shetlands. Take a kayaking trip which is offered 4 times during the cruise. Participate in the Holiday Celebrations that will be offered on board.
Inclusions:lodging, meals and tours per itinerary; Airfare from Miami(based on economy class), hotels, transfers to and from the ship; Kayaks; all excursions including lectures on board, meals, harbour and landing fees
during the voyage. All cabins are outside cabins with porthole or window and offer private toilet and shower. English-speaking assistance.
Not included: airfare to Miami ; airport departure taxes; tips of any kind; incidentals on barge;any meals not included in the itinerary;souvenirs.
VISA INFORMATION
It is the travelers responsibility to have all proper travel documents which can include passports and foreign visas. Learn more here: Passport & Visa Information
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel Insurance is highly recommended to protect your travel investment and for any emergencies that could occur while traveling. Learn more here: Travel Insurance
IMPORTANT NOTES
All rates are “From Prices”
and correspond to the lowest season in the year.
Expect moderate to high increases for high season
and holiday periods. Low season dates vary from
destination to destination. Please inquire for details.
All rates on this website are per person and based
on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated.
If a hotel included in a program is not available
at the time of the reservation, we will substitute
it for a hotel of similar category.
Room and cabin upgrades are available at most hotels
and cruises. Please inquire at the time of reservation.
Most programs can be customized.
All itineraries are subject to change without notice.
Website is for research purposes only.
To receive an estimate, please contact Toll Free at 1-800-255-4266 us
or send
an email to us.
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