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: Ushuaia, Argentina
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the picturesque southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through the Beagle Channel.
Days 2-3: Drake Passage and Antarctic Convergence
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. We have the chance to cross paths with 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, icebergs welcome the ship.
Day 4: Antarctic Peninsula
Land at the Antarctic Continent at Brown Bluff, near the young of an Adelie Penguin colony, which have not left for the sea yet. We walk along the coast and try to climb along a gentle slope to above the rim of the cliffs.
At southeast Dundee Island, we walk to a landing strip for planes, used by the American explorer Ellsworth, for the first over flight of the Antarctic Continent in 1935. In this region we can make an extensive walk along the coast without disturbing the animals. Another historic place is Paulet Island, where members of the Swedish Nordenskiöld Expedition built a stone emergency hut in 1903.
Day 5: Weddell Sea
At Snow Hill Island, in the Weddell Sea, we land near another Swedish cabin from 1902. Nearby Seymour Island, is completely ice-free, and famous for its fossils. We will make a walk of about six hours along the coast from the southern tip to the Argentinian Base Marambio. We will have a fantastic view of the table icebergs in the Weddell Sea, while we get a glimpse into Antarctica's much warmer past (fossils of leaves).
Day 6: Antarctic Peninsula
On Devil’s Island with penguin colonies, we walk around the island and also climb to the middle ridge of just above 200 m. An alternative for this walk is the 8 km long and 300 m high Beak Island in Dusen Bay, which is also ice-free and close to the continent. Later on in the day we will have a zodiac excursion along a glacier front on the Tabarin Peninsula.
Day 7: Antarctic Peninsula
At Baily Head (Deception island) near a Chinstrap Penguin colony, we'll enjoy a unique 6-hour walk to the deserted whaling station in Whalers Bay. If we cannot land at Baily Head due to high seas, we will directly sail to Whalers Bay and walk from Fumarole Bay to a Chinstrap colony at Vapour Col and back.
We conclude the day with a welcoming bath in the warm sea at Pendulum Cove, where volcanic vents heat the water.
Days 8-9: Drake Passage
Day 10: Ushuaia (Disembark)
Departure date: Feb 29, 2008 (Ship: Professor Molchanov)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple 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.
- Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the shared price for the 2006-2007 season, and 1.8 times the shared price for the 2007-2008 season. Superior cabins and suites available for single occupancy at 2 times the shared price.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Also see tour packages in:
Antarctica
Antarctica
Hiking & Trekking
Boating and Sailing
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