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Antarctica, South Georgia, Falkland Islands & the South Atlantic
21 days - Prices $10,295 to $25,395
Departures:
11/20/2009
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Ship(s):
Minerva
Trip
Highlights:
Stunning South Georgia; comfortable expedition ship that normally holds 400 passengers, but carries 199 to Antarctica with large cabins, many public spaces and good naturalist staff.
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Rates:
$10,295 to $25,395
Summary:
Join the Minerva's first cruise of the season, when the colors are at their most vibrant. Capture priceless images with help from an onboard expert in photographing the Antarctic, and discover the marine life and geology of the South Atlantic through commentary and lectures by expert naturalists. South Georgia adds another dimension to your Antarctic adventure. This historic island offers an opportunity to explore vast king penguin colonies, observe fur and elephant seals, and follow in the wake of one of the great heroes of Antarctic exploration: Sir Ernest Shackleton, who is buried in Grytviken at the foot of South Georgia?s mountain range.
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Trip
Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Home / Buenos Aires, Argentina
Depart on your flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina - reminiscent of Paris, yet maintaining its Latin American charms.
Day 2: Buenos Aires
Arrive this morning and transfer to your hotel, where immediate check-in has been arranged. There is time to relax and explore the city on your own before gathering tonight with your fellow travellers for a welcome cocktail reception.
Day 3: Buenos Aires / Embarkation
Today's city tour highlights the area around the central Plaza de Mayo and some of the best-known neighborhoods, including the working class La Boca district and San Telmo, the birthplace of the tango. Have lunch at one of Buenos Aires' fabulous restaurants.
Join your ship's crew this afternoon and settle in for a first night on board. You may want to read about the local wildlife in the ship's library or try out the fitness room. You can also relax with new friends in the charming Wheeler Bar or head to Shackleton's Bar with its handsome furnishings.
Days 4-6: At Sea
Your journey to the Falkland Islands reveals sightings of interesting wildlife and birdlife. Look for black-browed albatross, southern giant petrel, gentoo penguin, rockhopper penguin, Falklands' skua, Peale's and Commerson's dolphin and an abundance of shore birds endemic to the islands.
Days 7-8: Falkland Islands
The Falklands offer a chance to step back in time to a place where nature reigns. Spend your time on nature walks to penguin rookeries and other unspoiled wildlife habitats or perhaps stroll the village streets of Stanley, the Falklands' capital.
Days 9-10: Cruising the South Atlantic
As the ship approaches South Georgia, deck-side sightings of marine mammals and other wildlife become more frequent. One of the most remote islands in the world, South Georgia is breathtakingly scenic. The mountainous rugged interior with fjord-like bays is a nearly submerged continuation of the Andes Chain, carved by more than 150 glaciers. Marine life flourishes in astonishing numbers, and thousands of king penguin inhabit the shorelines in large rookeries.
Days 11-12: South Georgia
Weather permitting, enjoy a visit to impressive Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay or Gold Harbour - home to a vast colony of stately king penguin. Photographic opportunities are superb, as penguin parade along the beaches. Fur seal, elephant seal and seabirds are found in great abundance, as you discover on your Zodiac shore excursions.
Days 13-14: Cruising the Scotia Sea
Lecturers recap your adventures in South Georgia while the ship cruises the Scotia Sea. This is an excellent opportunity to join your fellow passengers on deck to search for seabirds and wildlife.
Days 15-17: Antarctica
As conditions permit, the ship lands on the Antarctic Peninsula and a number of South Shetland Islands including Half Moon, Penguin and Deception Island. There are also plans to sail through Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel, with possibilities for exploration, including a scientific research station.
Days 18-19: Crossing the Drake Passage
Return through Drake Passage where there are more opportunities to observe the animals at home, as well as to reflect on your journey with fellow travellers.
Day 20: Ushuaia, Argentina / Buenos Aires
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport.
Day 21: Buenos Aires / Return Home
Connect to a homebound flight.
Notes:
Photo Expedition: This voyage offers an enhanced photography enrichment program, which will benefit all levels of photographers. There will be a specific "two-track" educational program, one designed for point & shoot photographers and the other focusing on Single lens reflex (SLR) photographers. Included: Individual one-on-one sessions to discuss specific camera questions and issues, onboard workshops on specific photo skills and objectives, photo lectures throughout voyage, and passenger slideshows.
Included:
Luxury accommodations and state-of-the-art comfort aboard the Explorer II; meals; complimentary parka and backpack; open bar onboard (except premium wines, premium liquors and champagne); fully guided sightseeing as noted in the itinerary (including park and entrance fees); bottled water supplied during sightseeing; services of on-board lecturers; immediate hotel check-in on arrival in Buenos Aires; all gratuities; post-cruise journal of your voyage; transfers to/from hotel and airport, as long as your flight schedule corresponds with the above itinerary.
Not Included:
Air transportation (charter airfare is $650 per person); passport or visa expenses; laundry; meals, beverages or sightseeing not included in itinerary; premium wines and champagnes; communication charges; all items of a personal nature; transfers for passengers; travel insurance; excess baggage charges; optional excursions; departure tax.
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