Departures:
12/02/2013
Ship(s):
Sea Spirit
Trip Highlights:
See the incredible wildlife of South Georgia and and explore the world's seventh continent on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Summary: This is a journey for wildlife lovers, particularly those with a passion for penguins. The wildlife paradise of South Georgia starts things off with four penguin species including hundreds of thousands of king penguins, then the Antarctic Peninsula offers up Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins. You’ll also experience a great diversity of environments and landscapes, creating a special extended Antarctic experience.
The Tierra del Fuego archipelago is home to Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Patagonia. This scenic nature lover’s playground has plenty of hiking trails to explore if you need to escape from all the tasty treats on offer at the many bakeries, shops, cafes and restaurants in town.
Day 2: Embarkation Day
This is a day for introductions and getting acquainted with your ship. Meet your fellow shipmates, be introduced to your Expedition Team and snap a few photographs of Ushuaia as you head to sea.
Days 3 - 4: At Sea
Your Expedition Team will treat you to a number of fun and informative lectures during your time at sea. Reaching the Antarctic Convergence is your first taste of what makes polar travel special. Here, the cold Antarctic waters meet and mix with the warmer waters of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans, creating the abundance of marine life that attracts whales and other species to this part of the world.
Days 5 - 8: South Georgia
Once ruled by sealers and whalers, things have changed greatly on South Georgia. The once exploited and nearly vanquished seal and whale populations are now thriving. Penguins abound here as well, with four different species to be on the lookout for.
The king penguins are impossible to miss, as their rookeries here number into the hundreds of thousands! Often referred to as the Galapagos of the Poles, South Georgia contains an exceptional quantity of wildlife. Each landing you make on South Georgia will open your eyes to a new wonder of wildlife, including the odd elephant seal.
A significant and historic site of interest is the grave of the great explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. You can visit his grave at the settlement of Grytviken, which is also home to an old whaling station, museum and a small gift shop, church and scientific research station.
Days 9 - 10: At Sea
Your next destination is Antarctica! In between presentations on the wildlife, history and geology of Antarctica, you can spend time chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar. If conditions allow, you may attempt landfall on the South Orkney Islands, which are officially in Antarctica.
Days 11 - 14: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Arriving in Antarctica is often a surprisingly emotional moment. The general reaction is a sense of reverence and awe. No other place on earth is like Antarctica, which is a land of extremes. Complete silence in the middle of the day is something most are unaccustomed to in busy lives, so Antarctica puts many people into a contemplative mood. But soon, a calving glacier may break the silence or a penguin waddles by to inspect your footwear.
Trekking up a glacier, visiting a research station or going on a Zodiac cruise amongst massive icebergs will become daily activities. Soon you will know the difference between Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals, which are all found in this part of Antarctica. Curious whales, such as minkes, are often attracted to Zodiacs as well, giving you a chance to get close to these majestic animals.
Every journey is full of surprises, even for the experienced Expedition Team, which means your journey will be unlike any before, or after it. This is untamed, unscripted nature at its best!
Days 15 - 16: Crossing the Drake Passage
The ship turns northward towards home. Crossing the Drake Passage is considered a rite of passage, completing your Antarctic adventure.
Enjoy some final moments mingling with your fellow travelers or listening to the expedition recaps from your Expedition Team.
Day 17: Disembark in Ushuaia, Argentina
After a final breakfast together, it is time to part ways. Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
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.
Sea Kayaking Option: $950 per person; minimum age 16 years. Please note that some kayaking experience is recommended in order to participate in this program. Space is limited; request at time of booking.
Snowshoeing Option: Included in cruise rate. Anyone can take part, no previous experience necessary. Snowshoes available free of charge for excursions when conditions permit.
Mandatory Travel Insurance:
All guests are required to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage. Due to the remoteness of the areas in this itinerary, travelers must have a minimum $50,000 of emergency medical coverage. Proof of coverage is required prior to embarkation. The shipping company will not be held responsible for delays due to force majeure. Any additional costs accrued will be the responsibility of the traveler. 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.
Included:
One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation at a four-star hotel with breakfast, as indicated in the itinerary (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accomadated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available); five-star hotel for guests in Deluxe, Premium and Owner's suites (12/2/2013); shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage, including a selection of wines, beers, juices, and soft drinks (please inform of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.); a selection of wines, beers, liquors, mixed drinks, juices, and soft drinks in the bar; all shore landings per the daily program; leadership throughout the voyage by your experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities; formal and informal presentations by your Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled; Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage; all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program; a pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; an official parka to keep; coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock; hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin; a 10 Mb card for access to the ship’s wireless internet connection; comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader; group transfers in Ushuaia from the airport to any local hotel; group transfers from a designated location in Ushuaia to the ship on embarkation day; group transfers from the ship to the local airport on disembarkation; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; all luggage handling aboard ship; Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $100,000 per person*.
Not Included:
Any airfare; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation; baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance; excess baggage charges; laundry and other personal charges; telecommunications charges; voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew; supplements for adventure options; fuel surcharge may apply.
*Emergency Evacuation Insurance:
Emergency evacuation coverage to a maximum benefit per paying passenger of $100,000 is included in the cost of this expedition. Included coverage is applicable only to travel between the first and last day of the expedition purchased. Additional days of travel prior to the expedition and/or after the expedition are not covered by the included emergency evacuation insurance. We strongly advise all passengers to purchase medical, cancellation and baggage insurance, and additional emergency evacuation coverage.
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.