HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit
the fascinating Falkland Islands with its quaint English architecture
- Make
Zodiac landings and wildlife observations on pristine and sheltered
beaches
- Stop
at the South Georgia Island, which is one of world's greatest natural
wonders
- Explore
wildlife-packed beaches, active research stations, former whaling
stations
- Visit
Shackleton's final resting place
- Travel
to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Make
Zodiac landings at penguin rookeries, research stations and fascinating
lookouts
- The
Subantarctic islands and Antarctic Peninsula are a nature
photographer's paradise
- On
the return trip, indulge in bird watching from the top deck and
attending lectures, workshops and photo re-caps in one of the ship's
lounges as we cross the mighty Drake Passage.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
ITINERARY
Day
1: ARRIVAL AND EMBARKATION IN USHUAIA
Arrive
and embark in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world's southernmost town.
Explore the quaint city or local countryside. Alternatively, consider a
day trip off the beaten path to the raw, natural archipelago of Tierra
del Fuego. It's a hiker's paradise with rugged snow-capped mountains,
glaciers, flower-filled meadows and boggy quagmires. Afterwards we
embark the ship Ocean Atlantic, our home for the coming days. Our
journey begins as we navigate through the calms of Beagle Channel, a
strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.
Day
2: AT SEA TOWARDS THE FALKLAND ISLANDS
While
we make our way towards the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) there
will be plenty of time to get to know the ship as well as participating
in the many activities offered on board. Lectures about wildlife and
the history of the Falkland Islands will be held, and our experienced
expedition team will share stories and lectures that vary based on the
locations we visit and their areas of expertise.
Day
3-4: FALKLAND ISLANDS, VISIT PORT STANLEY
As
we approach the Falkland Islands we will make landings –
weather permitting – at two of the islands' many magnificent
wildlife spots, where penguins and other sea birds gather. During
following morning we approach the sheltered natural harbor of Port
Stanley and cast anchor. Stanley is the capital of the Falkland Islands
(Islas Malvinas), a remote South Atlantic archipelago. Utilizing our
Zodiacs, we will land in town center, and take a leisurely stroll
through the streets of Stanley.
Day
5-6: AT SEA TOWARDS SOUTH GEORGIA
Days
at sea are great for participating in lectures, photo sessions and
recaps, reading books in the ship library and watching the ubiquitous
storm petrels and albatrosses from top deck. From photography workshops
to lectures on the regions we visit by our knowledgeable expedition
team and guest lecturers. Additionally, a raffle or auction onboard
usually takes place during this time, to raise funds for charitable
organizations focused on global issues and local environmental
solutions. In this case, for example, South Georgia Heritage Trust,
Whale & Dolphin Conservation, and more. Take this opportunity
to give back to the world while educating yourself on the subjects that
these organizations support in a fun and enjoyable time.
Day
7-10: SOUTH GEORGIA ISLAND, WILDLIFE PARADISE OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC
South
Georgia has a dramatic setting with glacier-clad rugged mountains.
Lying in the Southern Ocean south of the Antarctic convergence, the
cold sea is booming with life. The island, often referred to as
“The Galapagos of the Poles”, can only be reached
by ship. There is no permanent human settlement, but seabirds and seals
breed in the millions. The difficulty of getting there and the
restrictions to protect the environment, makes South Georgia one of the
least-visited tourist destinations in the world. Today the island has
been largely left to recover from human over-exploration, resulting in
dramatic increases in the number of whales, seals as well as penguin
and seabird populations. The itinerary and activities over the next
days are largely dependent on the weather and the sea.
We
will have a chance to visit Salisbury Plain, home to one of the largest
king penguin colonies on the island, estimated between 250,000 and
5,000,000. Gentoo penguins, giant petrels and Antarctic prions also
breed on the island. The British administration at Grytviken, a former
Norwegian whaling station, is also worth a visit. The famed British
explorer Ernest Shackleton died in Grytviken on his second visit, and
is buried south of the station. The endemic South Georgia pipits and
South Georgia pintails may be seen around the buildings.
Day
11-12: AT SEA TOWARDS THE SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS. LECTURES AND BIRD
WATCHING
The
next days are spent travelling on the South Atlantic Sea's southern
waters, crossing the 60th parallel south and from hence on, we are in
the Southern Ocean's swells. During our time at sea, a variety of
activities will be arranged on board and it provides the perfect
opportunity to socialize with fellow travelers. As the white shimmer of
Antarctica looms on our horizon, the presence of wildlife multiples by
tens of thousands with many species of lively penguins, inquisitive
seals, nesting birds and the spray of marine mammals.
Day
13-18: ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
Over
the coming days, we will begin the exciting Antarctic experience at the
very tip of the Continent. The itinerary and activities over the next
few days depend on weather and ice conditions. The route and shore
landings will be determined by the captain and expedition Leader and
communicated to the guests through regularly scheduled briefings.
Wildlife abounds on the Antarctic Peninsula: leopard, fur and Weddell
seals of Cuverville Island; humpback whales of Gerlache Strait;
Paradise Bay; the dramatic Lemaire Channel's orcas. Days at sea are
great for enjoying the seascapes, relaxing, or participating on the
program onboard.
Day
19-20: CROSSING DRAKE TOWARDS USHUAIA
Today,
we depart Antarctica and spend two days at sea on our way back to the
calms of Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, Argentina. Enroute, we will cross
the Drake Passage and cruise past Cape Horn, a legendary maritime
landmark and the southern tip of South America. During our time at sea,
a variety of activities will be arranged on board and it provides the
perfect opportunity to dwell on some of the fantastic moments we have
witnessed during our great voyage.
Day
21: ARRIVAL IN USHUAIA AND DISEMBARKATION
This
morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia for the conclusion of our voyage,
where you can continue your adventures or begin your return home.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 21-day
cruise with accommodation in a shared outside double stateroom with
private facilities
- All
Zodiac landings and excursions as per itinerary
- Expedition
parka
- Rubber
boot rentals
- Guiding
and lectures by our expedition leader and team
- English-speaking
expedition team
- Full
board on the ship - breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon snacks
- Free
tea and coffee daily
- Guiding
and lectures by our experienced expedition leader and team
- Special
photo workshop
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails
- Digital
visual journal link after voyage, including voyage log, gallery,
species list and more!
- Taxes
and port fees
Exclusions
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Single
room supplement and stateroom upgrades
- Meals
not on board the ship
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea)
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
- Personal
expenses
- Anything
not mentioned under "Inclusions"
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking
- Zodiac
Cruising
- Photography
- Wildlife
Observations
- Lectures