HIGHLIGHTS
- See
South Georgia's incredible wildlife, including 30 breeding bird species
and four penguin species
- Follow
in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton's perilous voyages to South
Georgia and pause for a moment at his grave site
- Witness
a rare total solar eclipse from the deck of Ocean Diamond in the Scotia
Sea between the Orkney Islands and South Georgia.
- Explore
the Antarctic Peninsula by ship, Zodiac and foot
- Learn
about Antarctica's unique geology, history and wildlife with our
onboard lecturers
- Immerse
yourself in the icy realm of the Antarctic, with an optional paddling
excursion
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Triple | Infinity Suite | Veranda Suite | Superior Suite | Deluxe Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Triple | (Mid-range)
Superior Suite | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1 - Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
You
will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port at the
tip of South America. It's the ideal gateway for you to explore the
southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead.
Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a
café in town.
Day
2 - Embarkation Day
Embarkation
will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail
down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego
archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of
anticipation as you depart!
Day
3 & 4 - Crossing the Drake Passage
Your
days at sea are filled with presentations led by your Expedition Team
who will prepare you for the wildlife, glaciology and history that will
greet you upon your arrival. In between presentations, spend time on
deck looking for wildlife or chatting with your shipmates over a drink
at the bar.
Days
5 to 7 - Antarctic Peninsula
The
most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of
reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, since few
places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica.
You
will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment
you'll be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence,
and at the next moment you'll be inspired by nature as a calving
glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a penguin waddles by to
inspect your footwear.
Your
Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, whether you
are Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or consorting with
penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are
found here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Keep
a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a Zodiac
cruise. Each day and each excursion will present a new collection of
creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy.
As
exciting as the Zodiac excursions and landings are, perhaps you'll
treat yourself to an extra-special Antarctic experience by partaking in
an optional paddling excursion (at an extra cost) or cast reason aside
and jump into Antarctic waters for the Polar Plunge!
Days
8 & 9 - At Sea
Say
goodbye to the Antarctic Peninsula, as your next destination is the
Scotia Sea, between the South Orkney Islands and South Georgia, where
you'll witness a rare natural phenomenon: a total eclipse of the sun in
Antarctica! Our Expedition Team will prepare you in advance with
presentations and workshops on astronomy, meteorology and other related
topics to help prepare you for that once-in-a-lifetime event: total
solar eclipse in Antarctica. Two world-renowned eclipse experts will
also be onboard: award-winning National Geographic night-sky
photographer Babak Tafreshi (who participated in the 2003 voyage) and
American Eclipse author David Baron, who is featured in the hugely
popular TED Talk, “You owe it to yourself to experience a
total solar eclipse.”
Day
10 - Solar Eclipse at Sea
Early
this morning, you will be summoned on deck to witness an extraordinary,
much-awaited moment: a solar eclipse, the very brief period (1 minute,
40 seconds) when the moon blocks the sun's light, plunging the polar
regions into darkness. Every guest will be provided with a pair of
eclipse glasses before the momentous event. You'll savor the stillness
of this magical moment with your fellow umbraphiles (eclipse chasers),
knowing you're among the few to have witnessed this once-in-a-lifetime
phenomenon. As with all eclipse sightings, visibility is
influenced by the weather and cloud conditions. Unique to this
experience will be its location at sea, and the more extreme latitude
which places the eclipse low on the horizon, making a successful
sighting that much more difficult, and more rewarding should all the
stars align for the eclipse to be visible. After the eclipse concludes
around breakfast time, feel free to celebrate the unforgettable moment
or return to your bed. In addition to the eclipse glasses, guests will
also receive an invitation to a special evening celebration to
commemorate their special total eclipse voyage.
Days
11 to 12 - South Georgia
South
Georgia is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for
sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins. It won't
take you long to realize that you are in a bird paradise, as burrowing
seabirds, albatross and petrels can be seen in abundance.
You'll
find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers,
is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity
from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team will help bring those days
to life while you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on
the South Georgia of then and now.
One
of the most significant sites you will visit on the island is
Grytviken. This settlement is one of the first whaling stations
established in sub-Antarctic waters. Many travelers find that this
place has a special appeal, as it is home to the remains of Sir Ernest
Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers.
Days
13 to 16 - At Sea
After
more than two weeks of unique wildlife encounters and remarkable
landscapes, your journey home begins. Spend time on deck watching for
seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or
simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.
Day
17 - Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
You
will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows for you to continue
your adventure onward or catch your flights home.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Leadership
throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including
shore landings and other activities
- All
Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
- All
shore landings as per the daily program
- Shipboard
accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All
meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
(Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as
possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare
kosher meals.)
- Beer
and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the
clock
- Formal
and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as
scheduled
- A
photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A
pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac
cruising excursions
- An
expedition parka to keep
- Hair
dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All
luggage handling aboard the ship
- Group
arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day
1
- One
night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with
breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin
occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who
reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the
hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
- Group
transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
- Group
departure transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local
airport or to luggage storage facility
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking:USD
995
- Paddling:
USD 295
- Stand
Up Paddleboarding: USD 295
