Antarctica | Antarctic Explorer
This journey takes us to one of the world's most awe inspiring destinations. With visits along the way through the South Shetland Islands we arrive on the mainland, on the Antarctic Peninsula and are dazzled by perhaps the most dramatic scenery to be found anywhere on earth.
| Duration: | 12 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW593 |
| Trip Style: | Standard |
| Departure Dates: | 13 Nov 2011, 19 Nov 2011, 23 Nov 2011, 29 Nov 2011, 03 Dec 2011, 11 Dec 2011, 21 Dec 2011, 31 Dec 2011, 07 Jan 2012, 10 Jan 2012, 20 Jan 2012, 24 Jan 2012, 31 Jan 2012, 10 Feb 2012, 19 Feb 2012, 25 Feb 2012, 26 Feb 2012 |
| Price: | Please Contact Us |
| Places you'll visit: |
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| Highlights: |
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Trip Details
Sailing aboard our well-appointed expedition vessel, we see Antarctic nature in all its glory. These areas boast an extraordinary abundance of wildlife, including five seal species and massive penguin rookeries of gentoo, Adelies and chinstraps as well as a profusion of seabirds from albatross to skuas. A wildlife highlight may well be watching a variety of magnificent whale species in close proximity as they crest the surface of the waves.
On the White Continent, we also see remarkable landscapes of ice. At Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay we find many icebergs dotting the waters, including some that are colossal in size, containing natural caves shrouded in an eerie translucent light. On land, there is a sweeping ice sheet, masking mountains and filling trenches binding together an entire continent that is about the size of Africa. We'll even have the chance to camp ashore on this expanse of ice if conditions are suitable.
Even in the company of our experienced expedition crew, some of whom have travelled to Antarctica over 100 times, it still seems astonishing to think of the early explorers attempting to conquer this beautiful, yet formidable land.
Note: Weather, ice, or other conditions may necessitate changes to our itinerary and alteration to certain shore excursions.
Day 1: Ushuaia
Day 1 is an arrival day and you can arrive at any time. You will be on your own to make your own discoveries in Ushuaia. A night in a hotel is included in the voyage price. No meals are included on Day 1.
Day 2: Ushuaia - Embarkation Day
A transfer from your hotel or town centre to the pier for embarkation on to the ship will take place at 4pm. Once onboard, our expedition team will welcome you and once you've settled in we'll set sail from Ushuaia, charting our course through the Beagle Channel.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Days 3 - 4: Drake Passage
As we cross the Drake Passage, our team of experts will be out on deck to help us spot whales and identify seabirds. We'll also have the chance to take part in the onboard presentation series preparing us for our adventures on the "White Continent". Talks on wildlife, ice and polar history will create enormous anticipation that continues to build as we cross the Antarctic Convergence.
Here the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean meet the warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We'll notice a sharp drop in temperature at this point. Huge icebergs loom up against the horizon and seabirds, such as the wandering albatross and petrels, are regularly in view.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Days 5 - 9: South Shetland Islands and Antarctica
We cruise among the volcanic South Shetland Islands and the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, travelling ashore as frequently as possible in inflatable zodiac boats. We'll hope to make shore excursions to Livingston, Half Moon and King George Islands beginning on day 5 or day 6.
Admiralty Bay, on King George Island, is a favoured feeding ground for humpback whales and, with luck, we may see them dining on krill. At crescent-shaped Half Moon Island, we'll observe a breeding colony of chinstrap penguins that share their territory with fur seals and blue-eyed shags while at Livingston Island, we'll discover more flourishing wildlife. Here there are Weddell and elephant seals, skuas, giant petrels, Antarctic terns and rookeries of chinstrap, gentoo and macaroni penguins.
Weather permitting, we'll also hope to enter the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island, a recently active volcano and one of the most perfect crater islands in the world. Steam rises in places along its shores where the cold Antarctic waters mix with the thermal waters of the bay. Here, the very adventuresome may choose to take a dip, if conditions are suitable.
Our journey continues onto Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay, both situated on the mainland. Here we'll see some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. We'll observe an impressive array of icebergs in many different shapes and sizes, including those that have eroded into natural ice sculptures as well as city-block sized 'tabular' bergs which break from the thick ice shelves.
If the weather is temperate, we'll have the chance to set foot on the Antarctic continent, and even to spend a night camping out on shore if you wish. The lights of the southern sky bath the landscape in an eerie luminescence, making this camping experience truly remarkable. The days are long, and the short nights are often preceded by a wonderful twilight. On board, we'll spend ample time on the bridge or on deck simply marveling at the glory of the passing scenery.
Meals included: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Days 10- 11: Drake Passage
We leave the Antarctic Peninsula, heading back across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. The crossing is completed with the rounding of Cape Horn. We celebrate the conclusion of our adventure and last evening together on board, at the Captain's Dinner as we make our way down the Beagle Channel.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Day 12: Ushuaia
In the early morning, we'll arrive back in Ushuaia where our cruise ends. You'll be transferred to your hotel, or to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Inclusions
- Transfer on embarkation day from hotel to ship
- Transfer on disembarkation day from ship to airport
- One night pre-voyage hotel accommodation
- Complimentary expedition parka
- Port taxes
- Highly experienced expedition leader, crew and lecturers
- All meals including afternoon teas on most days
- Access to public viewing areas
- Shore excursions by Zodiac boat
- On-board lectures, videos, slide and film shows
- On-board medical officer
- Comprehensive pre-departure booklet and expedition manual
- Open bar
- 10mB internet connection
- Satellite telephone access in every cabin
What's Not Included
- Gratuities to staff and crew
Terms & Conditions
Click here for our Terms & Conditions
For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
