Witness
the total eclipse, positioned in the center of the moon shadow at the
edge of the sea ice in the Weddell Sea, between the South Orkneys and
South Georgia
Visit
three diverse and spectacular biomes including the temperate Falkland
Islands, sub-Antarctic South Georgia and the frozen Antarctic continent
Encounter
hundreds of thousands of stately king penguins on the beaches of
incomparable South Georgia
Experience
abundant wildlife including seabirds, seals and even some of the great
whales at close range
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
Start Date
End Date
Quad Porthole
Triple Porthole
Twin Porthole Deck 3
Twin Porthole Deck 4
Twin Window
Twin Deluxe
Superior
Rates are listed per person in USD
Start Date
End Date
(Starting from) Quad Porthole
(Mid-range) Twin Porthole Deck 4
(High-end) Superior
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: The winged life of the westerlies
Several
species of albatross follow the vessel into the westerlies, along with
storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.
Day
3: Finding the Falklands
The
Falkland (Malvinas) Islands offer an abundance of wildlife that is
easily approachable, though caution is always advised. These islands
are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and
Argentina. Not only do various species of bird live here, but chances
are great you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and
Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters.
During
this part of the voyage, you may visit the following sites:
Carcass
Island – Despite its name, this island is pleasantly
rodent-free and hence bounteous with birdlife. Anything from breeding
Magellanic penguins and gentoos to numerous waders and passerine birds
(including Cobb’s wrens and tussock-birds) live here.
Saunders
Island – On Saunders Island you can see the black-browed
albatross and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along with breeding
imperial shags and rockhopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic
penguins, and gentoos are also found here.
Day
4: Port Stanley
The
capital of the Falklands and center of its culture, Port Stanley offers
a little Victorian-era charm: colorful houses, well-tended gardens, and
English-style pubs are all to be found here. You can also see several
century-old clipper ships nearby, silent witnesses to the hardships of
19th-century sailors. The small but interesting museum is also worth a
visit, covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War.
Approximately 2,100 people live in Port Stanley. Feel free to wander at
will, though be aware that admission fees to local attractions are not
included in the voyage.
Days
5-6: Once more to the sea
On
the way to South Georgia, you cross the Antarctic Convergence. The
temperature gradually cools, and nutritious water rises to the surface
of the sea due to colliding water columns. This phenomenon sometimes
attracts a multitude of seabirds near the ship, including several
species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas.
Days
7-9: South Georgia journey
Today
you arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in
mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely
dictating the program.
You
may visit the following sites over the next few days:
Fortuna Bay
– Near beaches inhabited by various penguins and seals, you
have the chance to follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route
to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across
the mountain pass beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the
terrain is partly swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams.
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay,
Gold Harbor – These sites not only house the
three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, they’re
also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for
southern elephant seals. Only during this time of year do they peak in
their breeding cycle. Watch the four-ton bulls keep a constant vigil
(and occasionally fight) over territories where dozens of females have
just given birth or are about to deliver. You can also see a
substantial number of Antarctic fur seals here during the breeding
season (December – January).
Grytviken
– In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the
streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place
– because they basically do. Here you might be able to see
the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.
Cooper Bay
– A Zodiac cruise in Cooper Bay offers a great opportunity to
see macaroni penguins below a large rookery. Numerous fur and elephant
seals are found on the beach, while majestic light-mantled albatrosses
can be seeing gracefully gliding above.
Day
10: Southward bound
There
may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south
polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the
vessel south.
Day
11: Weddell Sea pack ice & total solar eclipse (Dec 4, early
morning)
The
ship positions itself in the center of the shadow of the moon, and if
possible, some distance into the Scotia Sea drift ice. The ice edge
will be about 60°S, 41°W.
Some
coordinates for the path of the moon’s shadow:
Enormous
icebergs and a fair chance of fin whale sightings ensure
there’s never a dull moment on this last sea voyage south.
Also, your best chance to spot Antarctic petrels is here.
Days
14-17: Awe-inspiring Antarctica
If
the ice conditions permit, you now sail into the Weddell Sea. Here
colossal tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of
the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of
Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. You might also visit
Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you
could get the chance to set foot on the Antarctic Continent itself.
If
conditions aren’t favorable to enter the Weddell Sea from the
east, the ship will set course for Elephant Island and head into the
Bransfield Strait, between South Shetland Island and the Antarctic
Peninsula. Here you can attempt to access the Antarctic Sound from the
northwest.
The
volcanic islands of the South Shetlands are windswept and often cloaked
in mist, but they nonetheless offer many subtle pleasures. A wide
variety of flora (mosses, lichens, flowering grasses) and fauna (gentoo
penguins, chinstrap penguins, southern giant petrels) live here.
On
Deception Island, the ship plunges through Neptune’s Bellows
and into the flooded caldera. If a landing here is possible, you will
find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, and thousands of cape
petrels. A number of kelp gulls, brown skuas, south polar skuas, and
Antarctic terns can be spotted here too. Your last activities before
venturing into the Drake Passage are likely to find you around the
northern Gerlache Strait. One option is Cierva Cove and the rugged,
ice-gripped mountains of the Davis Coast. Mikkelsen Harbor on the south
coast of Trinity Island is another alternative. Here you may enjoy a
gentoo penguin rookery as well as some fine scenic cruising.
Conditions
on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
Day
18-19 North by sea
Your
return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake,
you’re greeted by a vast array of seabirds. But they seem a
little more familiar to you now, and you to them.
Day
20: There and back again
Every
adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end.
It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that
will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
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
Luggage
transfer from the pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation
Pre-scheduled
group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly
after disembarkation)
Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff
All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
Comprehensive
pre-departure material
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