|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Jan 23 – Feb 3/09 12 Days/11 Nights $4,900
Feb 3-14/09 12 Days/11 Nights $4,900
Itinerary | Vessels | Special Notes
All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. The Expedition Leader and the Captain on board will determine the final itinerary for each voyage. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
For an extra cost, certain departures offer adventure options of kayaking, mountaineering and scuba diving, which are available on a first-come, first served basis. Camping is also available on some departures at no extra cost and for all passengers aboard willing to sleep on ice. Contact us for more information on which departures are available for these adventures.
Day 1 - Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway of the Beagle Channel for the rest of the evening.
Days 2-3 - The Drake Passage
During these two days we will 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 meet several species of Petrels and Albatrosses, including the magnificent Wandering Albatross.
During the sea-days the experienced naturalist and lecture staff will educate us in topics such as geology, marine biology, ecology, orthnitology and history of the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean.
Land is usually sighted for the first time late afternoon on Day 3 at the South Shetland Islands, which lie to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula.
These volcanic islands 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.
Days 4-10 - Antarctic Peninsula
We will sail into the Weddell Sea through the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound. Huge tabular icebergs will announce our arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. We plan to visit Paulet Island with a million pairs of Adélie Penguins and the remains of the Nordenskiöld expedition, Seymour Island, where many fossils have been found, and Snow Hill Island, where polar expeditions as early as 1902 wintered. We might also visit Brown Bluff and further into the Weddell Sea area we may visit Devil Island and Vega Island with a large colony of Adélie Penguins and a magnificent view for those hikers who can make it to the top of the hill. Melting ice sometimes provides spectacular waterfall from the cliffs close to point 'Well-Met'.
Back through the Antarctic Sound we may visit the Argentinean station Esperanza on the Antarctic Continent. Watch out for stray Emperor penguins. There might be a chance to see one on an ice-floe.
Onward to the West we'll sail south to visit the spectacular west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula where we will stop for landings or zodiac cruising, expecting to see rookeries of gentoo, chinstrap and adélie penguins. Blue-eyed shags, kelp gulls, cape petrels, snowy sheathbills and Antarctic terns are also abundant. You may also encounter weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, humpback, and minke whales.
Weather and ice condition permitting, we may reach the southernmost area of our voyage at Neko Harbour or Paradise Bay, where we have again the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback and Minke Whales.
Days 11-12 - The Drake Passage
You bid farewell to Antarctica as you sail north across the Drake Passage. The adventure is far from over yet, as there are more opportunities to watch birds and whales cavorting in the open ocean. Final presentations by our expedition staff enhance the voyage en route to Ushuaia.
Day 13 - Ushuaia, Argentina
Disembark after breakfast and transfer by bus to the Antarctic Unit office located at the entrance to the pier.
Vessels
This Weddell Sea Adventure Cruise itinerary operates on variety different vessels. Click vessel links below for individual vessel descriptions. Vessels accommodate between 46 - 110 passengers and have ice-strengthened hulls designed specifically for polar travel.
Akademik Ioffe
Akademik Shokalskiy
Akademik Vavilov
Antarctic Dream
Clipper Adventurer
M/V Minerva (ex Explorer II)
Ocean Nova
M/V Orlova
Polar Star
Professor Multanovskiy
M/V Ushuaia
Notes on Itinerary: Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Single Travelers: Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth goes unsold, you will not be penalized. For those who desire single occupancy, cabins are available for single occupancy.
Not Included: Airfares to the embarkation point and from the disembarkation point; adventure options of kayaking or diving; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; hotel accommodations; supplement for single hotel accommodations; meals while in Ushuaia; Trip Cancellation Insurance with emergency medical evacuation insurance (required); and all items of a personal nature while aboard the vessel, such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Fuel Supplement: Note: Should the price of marine fuel increase dramatically, we may have to institute a fuel surcharge.
Trip Insurance: Passengers traveling to these remote destinations are required to be covered by a travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage.
Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join any off-vessel excursions, passengers must be able to navigate the steep, 30-stair, gang-way, un-assisted both down and up. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. You are traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.