Far below the southern tip of South America lies the awe-inspiring continent of Antarctica. Vast colonies of penguins cover rolling hills of ice, great whales feed in the nutrient-rich waters, and millions of fur seals loll about on drifting ice floes. Once thought of as an immense wasteland, this frozen counterpart to the Serengeti is a whirlwind of wildlife set amidst breathtaking geography. The backdrop of massive blue-tinged icebergs, hanging glaciers, and magnificent near-vertical mountains astound even the most seasoned traveler. A journey to Antarctica is truly a once-in-a-lifetime voyage to the last unspoiled continent on earth.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart from Ushuaia
Embark the ‘Ushuaia’ in the afternoon and meet your expedition and lecture staff. We begin sailing along the famous Beagle Channel and the scenic Mackinlay Pass.
Days 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passage
The Drake Passage was named after the renowned explorer, Sir Frances Drake, who sailed these waters in 1578. The Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar water sinks beneath the warmer northern waters. This creates a great upwelling of nutrients. The Drake Passage marks the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds. As we sail across the passage, our lecturers will be out with you on deck to help in the identification of an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow in our wake.
The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands, a group of twenty islands and islets first sighted in February 1819 by Capt. William Smith of the brig Williams. We hope to make our first onshore visit on Day 3. Lecturers and naturalists will accompany you during your first encounter with the penguins and seals.
Days 4-8: Exploring the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula
The South Shetland Islands are a haven for wildlife. Vast penguin rookeries, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals make every day spent in this amazing island group unforgettable. Sailing through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island and the chance to swim in the hot springs of Pendulum Cove is truly amazing. King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, features colonies of nesting Adélie and Chinstrap Penguins, Kelp Gulls, Blue-eyed Cormorants, Antarctic Terns and Southern Giant Petrels and is home to scientific bases of many different countries. Macaroni, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins as well as elephant seals await you at Livingston Island.
The Antarctic Peninsula has a remarkable history, once only ventured by the world's most experienced explorers. You will have plenty of time to explore its amazing scenery, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways, and an incredible wide variety of wildlife. You are likely to see Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals as well as Minke, killer (orca) and humpback whales at close range. And there are not shortage of penguins and seabirds to view.
We hope to navigate some of the most beautiful waterways (depending on the ice conditions): the Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel, and the Lemaire Channel, the latter are narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. We plan to make at least two landings per day. Possible landing sites may include:
Paradise Bay is perhaps the most aptly named place in the world and we attempt a landing on the continent proper. After negotiating the iceberg-strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound, we hope to visit the bustling Adélie Penguin (over 100,000 pairs breed here) and Blue-eyed Cormorant colonies on Paulet Island. The Nordenskjöld expedition built a stone survival hut here in 1903. Today its ruins have been taken over by nesting penguins.
Further exploration may take you to Melchior Island, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island and if ice conditions permit, to Petermann Island for a visit to the southernmost colony of Gentoo Penguins.
Days 9-10: Crossing the Drake Passage
We leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Join our lecturers and naturalists on deck as we search for seabirds and whales and enjoy some final lectures. Take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.
Day 11: Arrival at Ushuaia
We arrive at Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark the ‘Ushuaia’ after breakfast.
Departure dates: Nov 18, 2007; Dec 8, 2007; Mar 16, 2008; Mar 26, 2008; Dec 18, 2007; Feb 10, 2008; Feb 20, 2008
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-Twin cabins (except suites) are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the share rate. Suites may be reserved at 2 times the share rate. A third berth (sofa bed) in a few suites maybe occupied at 50% of the published twin share rate.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Also see tour packages in:
Antarctica
Antarctica
Boating and Sailing
Glacier Tours
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