|
Rates:$9,400
to $15,400
See
Deckplan
Summary:
This voyage combines the comfortable adventure cruises
of Classic Antarctica with visits to the Falkland Islands
(Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia. Many of the wildlife
and scenic highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula and the
South Shetland Islands are included as well as the best
of these two wildlife-rich sub-Antarctic islands. Explorers’
Cruises are designed to include as much wildlife viewing
as possible, but also include visits to scientific bases
and allow plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery
of icy waterways, glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains.
|
Trip
Itinerary
Days 1-2: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
On reaching Ushuaia, check into your conveniently located
hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring this historic
port ringed by mist-shrouded mountains.
The following morning, local guides take you into 63,000- hectare
Tierra del Fuego National Park. Walk coastal paths through forests
of twisted guindo trees, keeping an eye out for indigenous species
such as Kelp Geese and Black-chested Buzzard-eagles. After your
traditional Argentine asado lunch, you transfer to the ice-strengthened,
100-passenger ship for a late-afternoon sailing.
Day 3: At Sea
As you cruise these wildlife-rich waters, your expedition staff
introduces the various species of birds and marine life that
you will encounter on your voyage. Wandering, Black-browed and
Sooty Albatrosses, shearwaters, Giant and Cape Petrels and numerous
other seabirds accompany you. A program of lectures will help
prepare you for the many adventures that lie ahead. You will
also attend safety briefings and familiarize yourself with the
guidelines for visitors to Antarctica.
Days 4-5: Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
You will spend these days in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas),
renowned for their amazing wildlife. On Carcass Island, highlights
include Flightless Steamer Ducks, Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins
and a colony of the rare Black-crowned Night Herons. Peale's
and Commerson's dolphins are often seen along the coast. Nearby
New Island boasts fantastic Rockhopper Penguin rookeries, along
with Black-browed Albatrosses and Blue-eyed Shags. You will
also explore Stanley, the charming capital of the Falkland Islands
(Malvinas). Don't miss the chance to visit the small, but interesting
museum.
Days 6-7: Southern Ocean
Continuing east, marine mammals and seabirds lure you to the
decks as you cross the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier
where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the
more temperate zones.
Days 8-11: South Georgia
Sharing many of the biological characteristics of Antarctica,
South Georgia has awe-inspiring scenery with towering, 7,000-foot
mountains and mighty glaciers, but also low-lying, grassy areas,
deep fjords and beaches. First sighted by Captain James Cook
in 1775, the island attracts an astounding concentration of
wildlife and is viewed by many as one of the most inspiring
places on earth. Thousands of King Penguins greet you at Salisbury
Plain. Wandering Albatrosses nest at Prion Island, where luxurious
tussock grass provides a habitat for a variety of seabirds -
and camouflage for thousands of breeding fur seals. Huge elephant
seals, King and Gentoo Penguins crowd the beaches along the
coast at places such as Gold Harbor, while Light-mantled and
Sooty Albatrosses nest in the cliffs behind. The island also
played a significant role in the story of Shackleton's epic
journey after the sinking of his ship, the 'Endurance.' It was
here, at the whaling station of Stromness, that he finally arrived
after a harrowing voyage in a small boat from Elephant Island
across the Scotia Sea and over the never-before-climbed mountain
range of South Georgia. You visit his grave at Grytviken, a
once-active whaling station.
Days 12-13: Scotia Sea
Two days at sea to relax as well as to review your adventures
in South Georiga. The first icebergs appear on the horizon as
you head south to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Days 14-17: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
Approaching the rugged South Shetland Islands, your first landfall
could be Elephant Island where Shackleton's men found refuge
during the epic 'Endurance' expedition. Places such as King
George Island and Livingston Island support huge numbers of
nesting penguins while seabirds nest in the cliffs and elephant
seals wallow along the shores.
Deception Island is still considered an active volcano and
sailing through the narrow passage into its huge, flooded caldera
is a thrilling experience.
Sailing around the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula,
we hope to navigate the Antarctic Sound, often referred to as
‘iceberg alley.’ Huge tabular icebergs drift north
from the Antarctic continent. Pending weather and ice conditions,
you may land on Paulet Island. This crater island is carpeted
with nesting Adelie Penguins that surround the remains of a
primitive hut where Captain Larsen and his men of the ‘Nordenskjold’
expedition sought refuge in 1903. Cruising Palmer Archipelago,
several thousand Gentoo Penguins wait for you under the dramatic
cliffs of Cuverville and Ronge Islands. Sheathbills, Antarctic
Terns, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest in this area. Navigating
the Neumayer Channel, you enjoy extraordinary vistas of Anvers
Island. Your plans also include a landing at Port Lockroy where
bleached whale bones commemorate its time as a favorite anchorage
of the whalers.
You sail into Paradise Harbor on the Danco Coast where a series
of huge glaciers flow into quiet waters. Your Zodiacs take you
along rugged cliffs with nesting Cape Petrels, Blue-eyed Shags
and Kelp Gulls. You keep watch for humpback whales and groups
of crabeater seals on the ice and land at Almirante Brown, an
Argentine research station located on the continent. Lemaire
Channel is another narrow passage between towering rock faces
and stunning glaciers. This channel is one of the highlights
of a visit to the Antarctic Peninsula but it can be choked with
icebergs and pack ice.
Days 18-19: Drake Passage
You leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage.
Your expedition staff will review the adventures of your journey
as you return to Ushuaia.
Day 20: Ushuaia
After breakfast, you disembark and transfer by bus to the exit
of the port which is centrally located in town. Continue independently
to the airport for your flight back home.
Notes:
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: Passengers traveling on this expedition
are required to be covered by a travel insurance policy that
includes emergency evacuation coverage. As this voyage travels
to remote regions of the world, we recommend that the policy’s
emergency evacuation benefit be higher than minimum.
Included:
Pre-cruise hotel accommodation on a share basis with breakfast
as indicated in the itinerary; All meals throughout the voyage
aboard the ship; All shore excursions and activities throughout
the voyage by Zodiac; Program of lectures by noted naturalists
and leadership by experienced expedition staff; Transfers and
baggage handling between the hotel and the ship for embarkation
and from the ship to the Antarctic Unit office located at the
entrance of the pier after disembarkation; Passengers departing
on the same day on the morning flight will continue by bus to
the airport; Comprehensive pre-departure materials and Antarctic
handbook; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout
the program; Use of rubber boots for duration of voyage; CD
chronicle of the voyage in narrative, photography and video.
Not Included:
Airfare; fuel surcharge may apply; passport and visa expenses;
government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; supplement
for single hotel accommodations; baggage, cancellation and personal
insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges
and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and
beverage charges and telecommunication charges; gratuities to
ship crew and hotel staff.
Want
more travel info?
Click
Here!
Deck
Plan - Orlova
- Back to Top -
|
Travel
Home 
Trip
Offerings 
