|
|
|
Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands
19 days - Prices $13,995 to $24,495
Departures:
11/28/2010 2/13/2011
|
See
entire List
of Trips
Ship(s):
Clelia II
Trip
Highlights:
One of the more comfortable smaller vessels traveling to Antarctica; luxury accommodation, excellent guides; infamous Elephant Island; incredible king penguin rookeries on South Georgia
Want
more info about this trip
or other Antarctic travel options?
|
|
Rates:
$13,995 to $24,495
Summary:
Travel in the wake of the world's greatest explorers, including Magellan, Darwin, Drake, de Gerlache and Shackleton, on this voyage to the far southern reaches of the world. While the itinerary in Antarctica is flexible to account for changing weather and ice conditions, planned destinations include King George Island, Paradise Bay, Deception Island and Lemaire Channel. You also call at Elephant Island, where Sir Ernest Shackleton?s men sought refuge; spectacularly scenic South Georgia, Shackleton?s final resting place; the South Orkney Islands, with their profusion of penguins and petrels; and the isolated Falkland Islands. Throughout your voyage, you'll benefit from the insight and expertise of your onboard expedition leader, guest lecturers and accompanying naturalists.
|
Trip
Itinerary
Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Arrive in Ushuaia, a small Patagonian city set on the Beagle Channel and surrounded by the Darwin Cordillera, glaciers, and forests of southern beech. Transfer will be provided to Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel or Las Hayas Resort Hotel, sister properties both beautifully situated amidst beech forests, the mountain of the Martial Glacier, and overlooking the Beagle Channel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or to explore on your own. Enjoy a welcome cocktail reception with fellow travelers this evening.
Day 2: Ushuaia / Tierra del Fuego National Park / Embark
After breakfast, check out of the hotel for a tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park. The park is the southernmost protected region of Argentina is celebrated for its stunning scenery. Ride to Ensenada Bay and enjoy a short walk to view Redonda and Estorbo Islands, backed by the snow-white mountains of Chile?s Sampaio Chain. Continue to Lake Roca and the Green and Black Lagoon and Lapataia Bay. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the pier to embark on Clelia II and sail. As the ship navigates the Beagle Channel, enjoy a spectacular vista of glaciers and green, misted mountains.
Day 3: At Sea
Enjoy a day at sea, listening to lectures and relaxing as Clelia II cruises to the Falkland Islands.
Days 4-5: Falkland Islands
Reach the windswept Falkland Islands, consisting of two main islands and some 200 small ones, which are mostly rugged, rocky moorlands. Located 450 miles northeast of Cape Horn in the exceptionally rich waters of the southern Atlantic, they boast abundant wildlife, including over 219 bird species (including such endemic species as the Falkland Steamer Duck and the Tussac Bird) and the world?s largest numbers of Black-browed Albatross and Rockhopper and Gentoo Penguins. On Westpoint Island, enjoy a walk across the moors to a busy rookery of raucous Rockhopper Penguins. Also explore the dramatic beaches of nearby Saunders Island, which are teeming with Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins, as well as cormorant and Black-browed Albatross colonies. Continue to Stanley, the islands? quaint capital.
Days 6-7: At Sea
Enjoy learning more about this spectacular region from your onboard naturalist team as Clelia II cruises to South Georgia.
Days 8-10: South Georgia
Mountainous and magnificent, remote, crescent-shaped South Georgia is renowned for its wildlife, stunning natural beauty, and vital role in the history of Antarctic exploration. First claimed in 1775 by Captain Cook, the island has hosted such explorers as Larsen and Shackleton, as well as a long succession of sealers and whalers. South Georgia?s more regular visitors include four species of albatross, eight species of penguin, a million southern fur seals, and hundreds of thousands of elephant seals. Explore the island, searching the grassy slopes for nesting Wandering Albatross with 12-foot wingspans and enjoying the antics of thousands of stately, 3-foot-high King Penguins. You may also visit the abandoned whaling station at Grytviken, now overtaken by fur seals and elephant seals, and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Day 11: Sailing the Scotia Sea
Attend onboard lectures and watch for whales and seabirds as Clelia II cruises the Scotia Sea.
Day 12: South Orkney Islands
A vista of enormous grounded icebergs is visible as Clelia II approaches the South Orkney Islands to call at Coronation Island. In the company of British scientists from Signy Station, visit the island?s rookeries of penguins and Snow and Cape Petrels.
Days 13-16: Antarctic Peninsula and it's Islands
Enjoy four days exploring the pristine wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula, a narrow finger of land that separates the ice-choked waters of the Weddell and Bellingshausen Seas. As Clelia II sails through scenic waterways, witness a breathtaking panorama of icebergs, blue glaciers, and jagged, snowcapped mountains. Aboard the ship?s fleet of Zodiacs, cruise among ice floes, land at penguin rookeries, and if conditions permit, you may visit with scientists at research stations. Your first day in this incredible region will be at Elephant Island, where in 1916 Sir Ernest Shackleton?s Endurance was stranded, forcing Shackleton and five of his men to undertake a thousand-mile rescue mission on a 20-foot whaleboat to secure help. Although the itinerary varies according to local ice and wind conditions, you will attempt to land at such places as Petermann Island, where humpback and minke whales are often sighted offshore; Paradise Harbour, the habitat of Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins and the blubbery Weddell seal; Deception Island, whose waters are often warm enough for swimming; and King George Island, home to several research stations. Voyages through the magnificent Lemaire, Neumeyer, Errera, and other protected channels are also planned.
Days 17-18: At Sea
Attend lectures by naturalists and study leaders as Clelia II crosses the Antarctic Convergence, where the warm waters of the north override the colder waters of the Southern Ocean. Sail through the Drake Passage. Albatross and Cape Petrels are among the birds that accompany the ship on it's passage.
Day 19: Ushuaia, Argentina / Disembark
Disembark and transfer to the airport.
Notes:
Included:
17-night cruise aboard the ship; 1-night pre-cruise hotel accommodation in Ushuaia at Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel or Las Hayas Resort Hotel with welcome cocktail reception and breakfast; Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship; All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; Open bar aboard ship throughout the cruise; Complete program of excursions as described in the accompanying itinerary; Physician aboard ship; Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturers; Expedition parka, complete pre-departure materials and detailed cruise log; Expedition leader and tour staff; Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program departure and arrival date; Port and embarkation taxes; Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers.
Not Included:
Any airfare; visas; passports; luggage, cancellation and accident insurance; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes, and email/Internet service; and gratuities to shipboard personnel.
Want
more travel info?
Click
Here!
|
|
|
Travel
Home 
Trip
Offerings 