HIGHLIGHTS
- 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
- Explore
the spectacular Antarctic wilderness in a casual atmosphere of
like-minded travelers
- Cruise
in comfort along towering icebergs, serrated maritime mountains and
luminous glaciers
- Zodiac
landing craft allow visitation on remote shorelines and otherwise
inaccessible areas
- The
ship's "open bridge policy" allows observation of its sophisticated
navigation equipment and provides an excellent location to view
wildlife the landscape (subject to weather and critical navigation
maneuvers)
- Expert
lecturers and naturalist guides
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Triple Suite | Porthole Suite | Window Suite | Promenade Suite | Deluxe Suite | Veranda Suite | Penthouse Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Triple Suite | (Mid-range)
Deluxe Suite | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
Please Note: The
November 2020 departure is a 22-day tour, with an additional day at the
start of the itinerary that includes hotel reservations for both
nights. Embarkation for the 2020 departure happens on day 3.
Day
1: Puerto Madryn
Located
in the Patagonian province of Chubut, Puerto Madryn is one of
Argentina's fastest growing cities and the gateway to the Peninsula
Valdés. Puerto Madryn is a popular resort destination for
wildlife excursions - visit a sea lion colony or take a whale watching
trip to view the Southern Right Whales, watch for nesting cormorants
and magnificent elephant seals, or experience a walk through a colony
of Magellanic penguins and myriad species of native seabirds.
Day
2: Embarkation
Arriving
at the ship in the afternoon, you will be greeted by our Expedition
Team and ship's officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed
by the Captain's welcome dinner. Then, watch the city lights fade in
the fresh night air as we sail seaward.
Day
3-4: Southern Ocean
Among
the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are the
albatrosses, prions, and petrels that frequently follow the ship. Our
Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the whales and
dolphins that may also be seen in the area. Our experts will begin the
presentations with informative and entertaining talks on the wildlife,
history, and geology of The Falkland Islands and Southern Ocean.
Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety
will also be held in the comfortable lounge.
Day
5: West Falklands
The
westernmost settled outposts in the Falklands are remote farms that
have been family-owned for six and seven generations. The sheep graze
alongside albatross colonies and rockhopper, king, and Magellanic
penguin rookeries while striated caracaras patrol overhead and upland
geese graze at the water's edge. A visit to one of these homesteads
often includes an invitation for cakes and a cup of tea.
Day
6: Stanley, East Falkland
Chosen
for its sheltered harbor and access to abundant fresh water and peat
for fuel, Stanley is easy to discover on foot as most shops and
services are centered on the port. The museum, the post-office
featuring first day covers, plenty of shops with locally made wool
items and Stanley's lively pubs will all be available. It is possible
to experience the wildlife of the Falklands from the town including sea
lions and Peale's and Commerson's dolphins in the harbor or bird life
in nearby Gypsy Cove.
Day
7-8: Southern Ocean
There
will be plenty of wildlife spotting as we make our way east across the
Antarctic Convergence and officially enter Antarctic waters. Shipboard
presentations will continue featuring the exciting history and abundant
wildlife of South Georgia.
Day
9-12: South Georgia
Its
unique position inside the Antarctic Convergence yet outside the limit
of the yearly sea ice makes this 3,755 square kilometer island home to
tens of millions of breeding penguins, seals and seabirds. Magnificent
mountain scenery, glaciers galore, a rugged coastline punctuated with
castellate and tabular icebergs, a rich historical tapestry, and an
astounding array of wildlife are all available to us as we travel down
South Georgia's leeward coast. Landing sites feature huge elephant
seals, aggressive fur seals, macaroni penguins, albatross, petrels,
skuas, and gulls. King penguins from fuzzy little chicks to fattened
adults can be seen in the hundreds of thousands. We will visit historic
Grytviken whaling station, home of the whaling museum, Norwegian
seaman's church, the active British Antarctic Survey station plus the
tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton
is buried.
Day
13-14: Scotia Sea
Heading
farther south, we continue our informative presentations and wildlife
watch as the icebergs become more and more plentiful.
Day
15-18: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
Our
Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on
weather, ice, and opportunity. The route will stress the most scenic
bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries,
seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas as well as sites of
historic and scientific interest. The trip may include picturesque Neko
Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the Humpback Whale favored
Wilhelmina Bay, the wildlife-filled Errera Channel, the majestic
Neumayer Channel, or the striking Antarctic Sound with its tabular
icebergs. We may stop at an active scientific base such as
Poland’s Arctowksi or Argentina’s Esperanza as well
as a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or the
Nordenskjöld expedition remains at Hope Bay. Adelie, Chinstrap
and Gentoo Penguins abound, and Weddell, Crabeater and Elephant Seals
are often found hauled out to rest along with predatory Leopard Seals
and the irritable Antarctic Fur Seal. Minke and Humpback Whales are
frequent visitors in the late season and Orca sightings are also common.
Day
19-20: Drake Passage
We
will continue our lecture series and wildlife spotting as we sail back
to Ushuaia and reflect on beautiful Antarctica and its fragile future.
Day
21: Ushuaia disembarkation
Morning
disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in
Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- One
pre-voyage hotel night in designated embarkation city for 2019 departure
- Two
pre-voyage hotel night in designated embarkation city for 2020 departure
- Group
transfer from hotel to ship for embarkation
- Shipboard
accommodations
- All
scheduled shore landings
- All
meals onboard
- Coffee,
tea, cocoa and espresso available 24 hours daily
- Welcome
and Farewell cocktail parties
- House
wine/beer/soft drink with dinner
- A
pair of boots for use during the voyage
- A
waterproof jacket to keep
- Daily
international news service
- Wifi
from the public computers in the library
- 200
MB Wifi card (for use on your personal devices)
- All
port fees
- One
group transfer from ship to airport or central location upon
disembarkation in Ushuaia
- Digital
Voyage Log
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking:
- USD
695 (2019 season)
- USD
895 (2020 season)
