HIGHLIGHTS
The great Weddell Sea not only features massive tabular icebergs, wildly dramatic landscapes, and fascinating historical sites, but it is also one of the best places in Antarctica for viewing iconic wildlife like whales, seals, juvenile emperor penguins, and many other rarely seen seabirds.
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: End of the world, start of a journey
Your
voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to
be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern
tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this
small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of
the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for
the remainder of the evening.
Day
2 – 3: Path of the polar explorers
Over
the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same
experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted
these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale
spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence
– Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when
north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas
– you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only
does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering
albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses,
light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars,
Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels
are a few of the birds you might see.
Day
4: Brown Bluff, Madder Cliffs and nesting penguins
This
morning we hope to land at Brown Bluff with its impressive scenery and
nesting Adelie penguins. In the afternoon, we head across the Antarctic
Sound to Kinnes Cove for a landing, where you can see the nearby Madder
Cliffs with their subtle red coloration as well as nearby gentoo
penguins.
Day
5: Antarctic sound islands and history
Today
we explore the southern end of the Antarctic Sound, including the
islands of Jonassen, Andersson, and Rosamel, depending on conditions.
In the afternoon, we head to Paulet Island, where an historic hut
remains from the 1903 Swedish Antarctic Expedition of Otto
Nordenskiöld. This hut enabled the team, whose ship had been
crushed in sea ice, to survive until they were rescued.
Day
6: Panorama from Devil Island
The
aim is to spend the day on and around Devil Island, an impressive
landing site that gives us the chance to ascend the summit and take in
breathtaking views of Erebus and Terror Gulf, as well as our ship
anchored in the bay below.
Day
7: The marvels of James Ross Island
Today
you can explore the area of Herbert Sound, named after the great
explorer Sir Wally Herbert. We will focus our attention on the area of
the Naze Peninsula and Comb Ridge on James Ross Island.
Day
8: Exploring remote islands
We
sail as close as the ice allows to the northwest area of Erebus and
Terror Gulf, where the Beak and Eagle islands await us. As with other
islands in this group, they are volcanic in origin. Beak island has two
freshwater lakes that are home to unique ecosystems, and Eagle Island
offers spectacular scenery. It is most famous for being the hottest
place in Antarctica during a heatwave that melted 20% of the
island’s snow and ice in 2020.
Day
9: Craters, hot springs, and abandoned whaling stations
The
next plan is to visit Deception Island. Actually a subducted crater,
this island opens into the sea and creates a natural harbor for the
ship. Hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, and multiple bird
species – cape petrels, kelp gulls, brown and south polar
skuas, and Antarctic terns – can be seen here.
Wilson’s storm petrels and black-bellied storm petrels also
nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.
Day
10 – 11: Familiar seas, familiar friends
Your
return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, we are
again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage
south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.
Day
12: There and back again
Every
adventure, no matter how great, must eventually come to an end.
It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia with memories that will
accompany you wherever your next journey leads.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Voyage
aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea.
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff.
- Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Pre-scheduled
group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly
after disembarkation).
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material.
Excluded
from this voyage
- Any
airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre-
and post- land arrangements.
- Passport
and visa expenses.
- Government
arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals
ashore.
- Baggage,
cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess
baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The
customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other
service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
ADVENTURE OPTIONS - Kayaking: USD 450
- Camping: USD 195
- Polar Diving: USD 535 (Offered only on the February departure)