HIGHLIGHTS
- 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 kayaking
excursion
- Witness
a rare total solar eclipse from the deck of Ocean Diamond in the Scotia
Sea between the Orkney Islands and South Georgia.
- 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
- Wander
the quaint British town of Stanley in the Falkland Islands (Islas
Malvinas)
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Explorer Triple | Solo Panorama | Explorer Suite | Balcony Suite Deluxe | Balcony Suite | Terrace Suite | Penthouse Suite | Owner's Suite | Ultra Suite |
|---|
| Nov 25, 2021 | Dec 14, 2021 | 29,495 | 41,495 | 38,995 | 42,995 | 50,495 | 52,495 | 56,495 | 69,995 | 77,495 |
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Package Cost: USD 995 per person - One pre-night’s hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires 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 flight departing from Buenos Aires’ domestic airport (Aeroparque/AEP) to Ushuaia, and returning to Buenos Aires’ international airport (Ezeiza/EZE)
- Group transfer from hotel to airport in Buenos Aires
- Group transfer from Ushuaia airport to the ship, and return (Note: Transfer on arrival in Buenos Aires from airport to hotel at the beginning of the journey is not included. Please make your way to the included hotel.
- Combined airport transfer and express bus tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park after disembarkation in Ushuaia
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Explorer Triple | (Mid-range)
Balcony Suite | (High-end)
Ultra Suite |
|---|
| Nov 25, 2021 | Dec 14, 2021 | 29,495 | 50,495 | 77,495 |
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Package Cost: USD 995 per person - One pre-night’s hotel accommodation in Buenos Aires 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 flight departing from Buenos Aires’ domestic airport (Aeroparque/AEP) to Ushuaia, and returning to Buenos Aires’ international airport (Ezeiza/EZE)
- Group transfer from hotel to airport in Buenos Aires
- Group transfer from Ushuaia airport to the ship, and return (Note: Transfer on arrival in Buenos Aires from airport to hotel at the beginning of the journey is not included. Please make your way to the included hotel.
- Combined airport transfer and express bus tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park after disembarkation in Ushuaia
ITINERARY
Day
1 Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina
You
may arrive in Buenos Aires at any time during Day 1 of your itinerary.
Upon arriving in this splendid city, known for its architecture and
rich European heritage, you will independently transfer to your group
hotel (pre-expedition hotel night included in mandatory transfer
package).
Day
2 Fly to Ushuaia & Embark
After
an early breakfast at the hotel, the group will transfer to the airport
and board our private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina.
Upon
arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to a central downtown
location to have some time on your own to explore this quaint port town
before making your way to the pier.
Days
3 and 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 South Shetland Islands and 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 and 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: an eclipse of the
sun in Antarctica! Our Expedition Team will prepare you in advance with
expert 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. Joining you for the eclipse are
world-renowned eclipse experts Fred Espenak, Babak Tafreshi and David
Baron. Known as “Mr. Eclipse”, Fred Espenak is a
retired NASA scientist and has participated in 29 eclipse expeditions
around the world. Babak Tafreshi is an award-winning National
Geographic night-sky photographer who participated in our 2003 voyage.
American Eclipse author David Baron 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 14 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
15 and 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 incredible experiences.
Days
17 and 18 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Upon
your arrival in the Falklands (Malvinas), your camera will get its
first real workout capturing the abundant wildlife and rugged feel of
this sub-Antarctic region. The archipelago contains two main islands,
East Falkland and West Falkland, which you will explore during daily
Zodiac excursions and landings.
Stanley,
also known as Port Stanley, is often a favored landing site, as the
town offers a unique British outpost feel, complete with eclectic
charm. You’ll be free to explore, grab a pint at the local
pub or visit numerous churches and museums.
In
terms of wildlife, the archipelago is home to Magellanic, gentoo and
southern rockhopper penguins. If you’re lucky, you may even
spot king penguins here as well! You can expect to see black-browed
albatross, plus two endemic bird species—the flightless
Falkland steamer duck and possibly the elusive Cobb’s wren.
Your
team of lecturers and specialists will be sure to educate you on the
local flora and fauna, making the most out of your time in the
Falklands.
Day
19 At Sea
After
more than two weeks of endless wildlife encounters, 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
20 Disembarkation in Ushuaia & Fly to Buenos Aires
You
will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast.
The mandatory transfer package includes a taste of Patagonia with a
Tierra del Fuego National Park tour before transferring to the airport
for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires.
Ultramarine (Luxury Expedition, 199-guests)
Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the region has to offer. Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. It also features a best-in-class 70-day operational range and an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards.
(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.)
- Select
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
official Quark Expeditions® 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
- Emergency
Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD
$500,000 per person
- Group
arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day
1
- One
10- to 15-minute helicopter flightseeing excursion (weather and
logistics permitting)
Rates
specifically do not include:
- Mandatory
Transfer Package*
- International
airfare
- Passport
and applicable visa expenses
- Government
arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
- Meals
unless otherwise specified
- Baggage,
cancellation, interruption and medical travel
insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage
fees on international and domestic flights
- Mandatory
waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any
other gear not mentioned
- Laundry,
bar, massage services and other personal charges, unless specified
- Phone
and Internet charges
- Voluntary
gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard
crew
- Additional
overnight accommodation
- Arrival
and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
- Adventure
Options not listed in Included Activities
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Sea
Kayaking: USD 995
- Paddling
Excursion: USD 295
- Hiking
- Polar
Plunge
- Zodiac
Cruising
