HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy
the unique experience of a sun that hardly sets as we cross the polar
circle
- Create
unforgettable memories by reaching earth's southernmost regions
- Follow
in the footsteps of the world's most legendary explorers who reached
the South Pole within weeks of each other
- Marvel
at the colours as they change from glassy white to turquoise green in
this vast frozen wilderness
- Discover
rarely-visited islands where the world's rarest birds live among
exceptional flora
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Feb 16, 2024 | Mar 19, 2024 | 23,046 |
25,063 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Feb 16, 2024 | Mar 19, 2024 | 23,046 |
25,063 |
ITINERARY
DAY
1 USHUAIA
Ushuaia
is the gateway to the White Continent. Found at the southernmost tip of
South America in Argentinian Patagonia, the city is often described as
"the End of the World". The city's mountain backdrop rises above the
harbour and entrance to the Beagle Channel. The town itself is walkable
and has a few small museums as well as pubs, restaurants and cafes - a
good place to try Patagonian lamb cooked over open fire pits.
DAY
2 AT SEA
Sea
days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go
by. The ship's observation decks provide stunning views of the passing
ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other
passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head
to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an
expert's view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your
photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional
photographers.
DAY
3-5 SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS & ANTARCTIC SOUND
While
the South Shetlands' proximity to Antarctica makes the ice-bound sea
impassable during winter (April to November), these are the first
islands to see snow melt in spring (March) and the slightly warmer
temperature means that the fauna is also different from what you see in
Antarctica proper. As we go ashore by Zodiac, notice ferns, grasses,
lichens and native flora that have more in common with Patagonia than
they do with Antarctica. The Antarctic Sound takes it up a notch with
even more impressive bergs and ice cliffs. Possible landing points
where you will meet thousands of breeding Adelie penguins include Brown
Bluff and Paulet Island.
DAY
6-7 ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Among
captivating glaciers, majestic icebergs and snowy islands, the
Antarctic Peninsula is where most visitors to the White Continent will
live out their Antarctica dream. The Antarctic Peninsula, the most
accessible area of the continent, hosts several scientific bases and
some of the most interesting wildlife scenery, such as the extremely
photogenic Lemaire Channel. Shore excursions might include Petermann
Island, where among Adelie penguins, blue-eyed shags and skuas, huge,
lumbering elephant seals haul out.
DAY
8-11 BELLINGSHAUSEN SEA
Take
in the magnitude of translucent bergs silently floating on
crystal-clear seas, often broken up by the tail of a fluking whale and
leopard seals resting on an ice floe, as we sail via two of the largest
islands in the Antarctic - Alexander and Thurston Islands - past Peter
I Island. Rarely visited by ships, Peter I is claimed by Norway. This
ice-covered volcanic island is home to elephant seals, cape pigeons and
southern fulmars.
DAY
12-14 AMUNDSEN SEA
One
of the most remote areas of Antarctica, covered mostly by glacial ice
from the Thwaites ice tongue, and part of the Southern Ocean, Amundsen
Sea is named for legendary Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen who led
the first team to reach the South Pole in 1911. Marie Byrd Land on
Antarctica's western coast is the largest single unclaimed territory on
earth where chinstrap penguins and skuas have set up home on the
ice-capped Shepard Island.
DAY
15-22 ROSS SEA
One
of the least-visited spots in Antarctica, our on-shore excursions will
hopefully take us to Hut Point on Ross Island, site of the US McMurdo
research station and New Zealand's Scott Base. But the big draw is
following in the footsteps of the great explorer, Robert Scott. Scott's
cabin is here on the slopes of Mount Erebus, where he set off for the
South Pole reaching it on 17 January 1912 five weeks after Amundsen.
DAY
23 AT SEA
DAY
24 BALLENY ISLANDS
The
Balleny Islands lie over 2,000 kilometres south of New Zealand, only a
couple of hundred kilometres off the coast of Antarctica. The heavily
glaciated islands have had few human visitors since their discovery in
1839. The surrounding Ross Sea is one of the most biologically
productive regions in the Southern Ocean, with research into the extent
of this claim still ongoing. Weather and condition permitting, here we
can explore the striking coastal environments in our Zodiacs. We'll be
hoping to spot humpback, fin and minke whales along with crabeater,
Weddell, elephant and leopard seals. Some of the islands here are also
home to large colonies of Adelie and chinstrap penguins.
DAY
25-26 AT SEA
DAY
27 MACQUARIE ISLAND
Sealers
discovered the tiny windswept Macquarie Island (or Macca) in 1810. The
southernmost territory of Australia, it is the site for Macquarie
Island Station, an Australian Antarctic base, and a Tasmanian natural
reserve and world heritage site protecting a pesty tundra ecosystem.
Colonies of loudly barking southern elephant seals breed here and you
might spot giant petrels and albatross. Four species of penguin make
the island home including royal penguins, king, gentoo and southern
rockhoppers.
DAY
28 AT SEA
DAY
29 CAMPBELL ISLAND & AUCKLAND ISLANDS
Renowned
for their seafaring and whaling traditions, the principal Maori iwi,
Ngai Tahu considers Auckland Islands (Maungahuka) a place of great
spiritual significance. Port Ross at the north end of the main Auckland
Island - the largest of New Zealand's subantarctic islands - is a
breeding site for southern right whales. You might also get to spot New
Zealand sea lions alongside some of the world's rarest birds including
yellow-eyed penguins, white-capped mollymawk and Gibson's wandering
albatross.
DAY
30 ENDERBY ISLAND
The
smaller Enderby Island is a treat for birders including the Auckland
Island snipe and teal, southern royal and light-mantled sooty
albatrosses. The pocket-sized Auckland Island tomtit is a regular
visitor and Hooker's sea lion haul out here. Growing on this remote
archipelago 465 km south of South Island is an exceptionally rich flora
of 200 native species such as pink gentiana, red rata blossoms, white
tree daisies and megaherbs including the Campbell Island carrot.
DAY
31 AT SEA
DAY
32 DUNEDIN
Your
luxury expedition cruise sadly comes to an end in Dunedin, on the South
Island, the principal city of the Otago region. Set in a pretty bay
that serves as a port and surrounded by bush-covered hills, the town
has quirky historic appeal. One of the best-preserved Victorian and
Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere, Dunedin is known as the
Edinburgh of New Zealand, and it's proud of its Celtic connections.
Small and eminently walkable, see elaborate civic buildings, New
Zealand's only castles, funky alleyways filled with street art, and
picturesque parks. The Toitu Otago Early Settlers Museum and Otago
Museum come highly recommended, as well as a visit to the Dunedin
Chinese Garden.
SH Minerva
SH Minerva has been designed to journey to off the beaten path destinations and remote polar regions in style and comfort. The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Return
regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation
(where specified)
- Group
return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included
accommodation where applicable)
- One
night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or
onboard
- All
meals onboard
- 24-hour
room service
- Coffee,
tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours
per day
- Lecture
programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
- Standard
WiFi
- Onboard
gratuities and port taxes
- One
selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call
- Branded
Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
- Itineraries
are correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change
- Lecture Programme
- Zodiac Excurcions
- Polar Plunge
- Kayaking : 250 USD per person per outing as per weather
conditions offered on board, please pre register.
- Snowshoeing
