Departures:
02/11/2013
Ship(s):
Polar Pioneer
Trip Highlights:
Sail farther south than most trips and attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle, with opportunities for Zodiac cruises, kayaking, and diving.
Summary: Venturing across the Antarctic Circle, beyond 66°33” South, takes you to a frozen region of brooding mountain ranges, massive blue icebergs and waterways taut with fast ice. Plentiful krill attracts the continent’s greatest variety and concentration of wildlife, including orcas, leopard seals, fur seals, penguins and snow petrels. Cross the geographical milestone of the Antarctic Circle in the wake of hallowed explorers. It’s a moment to celebrate in this frozen area of extraordinary beauty, the skies fall against a backdrop of bristling mountain ranges and surreal icebergs. Threading your way through an intricate system of icy waterways, aim for the glorious Crystal Sound at the mouth of The Gullet.
Step aboard your home-away-from-home and settle in to your comfortable cabin. There’s time to greet fellow passengers, meet the staff and explore the ship before the evening’s cruise down the Beagle Channel.
Day 2: Crossing the Drake Passage
Cross Drake Passage, accompanied by albatross, petrels, fulmars and prions. Join polar experts to learn about Antarctica’s unique wildlife and history, talk to fellow passengers, staff and crew, and prepare for landings with environmental and safety briefings. Divers check equipment and procedures.
Day 3: Antarctic Convergence
Spirits soar as air and water temperatures fall, marking the crossing of the Antarctic Convergence. All eyes are peeled for the first iceberg, the first penguin and the first glimpse of land. With luck, you go ashore this afternoon.
Days 4 - 9: Exploring Antarctica
Explore the Peninsula’s west coast with time to watch the frenzied activities of penguin parents and chicks. Zodiac cruise amongst icebergs and revel in the unparalleled beauty of vast, Antarctic land and icescapes. Divers immerse themselves in underwater exploration, while kayakers slice through a fascinating labyrinth of waterways. Further south, ice conditions govern your movements. Whether you cross the Circle via the ‘inner route’ or the Bellingshausen Sea, celebrate in style. With luck, reach magnificent Crystal Sound, pass through the Gullet and steam on to Marguerite Bay. You may visit historical Stonington, Pourquoi Pas and Detaille islands.
Days 10 - 11: Crossing the Drake Passage
Time to leave the icy wonderland for warmer climes. With Anvers and Brabant islands astern, return to Drake Passage, your winged companions soaring and dipping in the wake. As icebergs fade on the horizon, memories hold fast as you reflect on a rich diversity of experiences. You may round Cape Horn if conditions permit, before indulging in a special farewell dinner.
Day 12: Ushuaia, Argentina / Disembark
Ushuaia greets you in the early morning. Fortified by a hearty breakfast, bid farewell to the ship, her staff, crew and fellow travelers.
Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.
Mandatory Travel Insurance:
All guests are required to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including coverage for emergency medical evacuation. Proof of coverage is required prior to embarkation. The policy provider, policy number and emergency contact phone number must be provided prior to departure date. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends that the travel insurance policy covers trip cancellation insurance, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage and repatriation. ExpeditionTrips can assist you with this.
Diving Option: $920 per person (2/11/2013)
Divers must be a trained, certified scuba divers with proof of certification. If you wish to take this option, please advise us when you make your booking as numbers are limited.
Diving and Snorkeling Option: All Departures
Diving and snorkeling can be offered on Polar Pioneer voyages with a minimum of 8 participants. Please contact ExpeditionTrips for details.
Included:
Cabin accommodation on the ship; all meals onboard; all shore excursions; lectures and guide services; medical service of the resident medical officer onboard; port taxes and service charges.
Not Included:
Airfare; accommodation or transfers before or after the cruise; sea kayaking option; diving option; items of a personal nature; travel insurance; and gratuity to the ship's crew.
Why does AntarcticConnection partner with ExpeditionTrips?
True experts with first-hand polar experience, the ExpeditionTrips staff has sailed on the ships they represent; with a combined amount of 100 Antarctic trips between them;and can help you thoroughly compare and contrast the expeditions.
Their approach to travel is highly personal and professional, offering unbiased travel assistance to ensure you choose the very best Antarctica trip to meet your needs!
ExpeditionTrips works only with the highest quality small ships-all under 200 passengers-ranging from a 48-passenger Russian research vessel to a 200-passenger luxury expedition ship.