Join a select group of travelers who have journeyed to the world's southernmost extremes and crossed that imaginary line in the polar sea: the Antarctic Circle. En route, you sail deep blue waters among calving glaciers and tabular icebergs; explore Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguin rookeries on the Antarctic Peninsula; then venture still further south along the White Continent as the ship probes the edge of the pack ice.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1-2 : Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Arrive at our hotel in scenic Ushuaia and spend the rest of the day exploring this colorful port town. Next morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel and spend a leisurely day exploring the town. In the late afternoon, transfer to the ship and join the others on deck as we head out in late afternoon through the scenic Beagle Channel.
Day 3-4 : Drake Passage and South Shetland Islands
Journey across the Drake Passage, named for the 16th-century English admiral and explorer, scanning the skies for Wandering Albatross and other seabirds. As we make the crossing, our naturalists and historians offer presentations on Antarctic wildlife and explorers - and ofcourse there's plenty ofinformal conversation on deck and over drinks in the lounge. On the South Shetland Islands, which we typically reach on Day 4, you can observe several species of penguin, as well as Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. Wevisit with the expert staff at one of the area's many research bases. You can also search for Antarctica's two flowering plants, which only bloom during the short southern summer. Often the Professor Molchanov sails through Neptune Bellows into Deception Island's sunken caldera, a legacy from the explosion or collapse of a volcano's center. If the tide allows, you can soak your feet or even enjoy a dip in the steaming thermal waters of Pendulum Cove.
Day 5-8 : Setting Foot on the Peninsula
Our exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula typically begins with a visit to Paradise Bay or nearby Neko Harbor. As you set foot on the continent, you're surrounded by vistas of crystal-blue waters filled with icebergs and giant glaciers descending from jagged, snowcapped mountains. We plan to visit extensive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins; you can also expect to encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, and humpback and Minke whales. While the western Peninsula offers this diversity of wildlife, our specialists will also draw your attention to the simple yet fascinating plant life - including 100 species of moss, 25 species of liverwort, 20-odd species of macro-fungus and 300 to 400 species of lichen - that somehow manages to grow in this very extreme environment, despite the low temperatures and lack of moisture. If ice conditions allow, the ship will navigate some of the world's most breathtaking waterways - including the narrow Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, which wind between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. The Expedition Team will be pleased to explain the Captain's strategy while you pore over some of the detailed ice charts. Sailing south of the Lemaire Channel, we may visit Petermann Island, where Adélie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to our landing site.
Day 9-10 : Antarctic Circle
As our expedition pushes further southward, the mountains grow higher, the glaciers more precipitous and the sense of remoteness even deeper. Our route should take us near historic Stonington Island, site of the East Base established by the US expedition of 1939-41. It was from here that veteran explorer Admiral Richard Byrd and his colleagues conducted the first systematic ground survey of the Antarctic Peninsula's east coast. The island also served as the base for Norwegian-American Finn Ronne's 1947-48 Antarctic Research Expedition, which mapped a great portion of the continent by air. As always on an expedition of this kind, nature has the last word - but if the pack ice and weather cooperate, we expect to cross the Antarctic Circle (to be precise, at latitude 66 33'38˛ south), the southernmost point at which the sun can still be seen on the austral winter solstice (and conversely, the northernmost point at which the midnight sun is visible in the southern polar regions). We commemorate our arrival at this furthest point in our journey with a celebration on board.
Days 11-12 : Loubert Coast
During the voyage, your Expedition Team will keep you informed about the fabled history of each area we visit. Every name on the map of the Antarctic has a story to tell, and the Loubert Coast is no exception. The French names that appear are a legacy of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, physician, yachtsman, and explorer. He, like you, lived for adventure.
Days 13-15 : Drake Passage to Ushuaia
We sail north across the Drake Passage, again looking out for seabirds and whales. Recap presentations - and discussions in the lounge on everything from Antarctic conservation to swapping digital photos via e-mail - enliven our voyage back to Ushuaia. After a final breakfast, transfer to the historic town for more exploring or head directly to the airport to catch a flight home.
(Ship: MV Akademik Ioffe)
Departure dates 2009: Jan 2, Feb 2
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- All of the Akademik Ioffe's departures include optional sea kayaking. Sea Kayaking Supplement is $695 per person for Antarctic voyages and $395 per person for Arctic voyages during the 2007/08 season.
- Camping Option: There is no supplementary charge for this option. Participation will be confirmed at booking on a first come, first served basis.
- 3 day/2 night overnight sea kayaking and camping trip on select departures. Supplement is $300 per person in addition to the sea kayaking fee
- 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.
- Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate for most cabins (2 times the twin rate for suites).
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Also see tour packages in:
Antarctica
Antarctica
S. Georgia and S. Sandwich
Boating and Sailing
Glacier Tours
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