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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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Day 1: Montevideo
Arrive anytime and be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy exploring this
beautiful capital of Uruguay with its colorful neighborhoods.
Day 2: Depart Montevideo
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then join a group transfer to the ship in
the early afternoon. Start cruising southward this evening towards the
Falkland Islands.
Days 3-5: At Sea
Meet your Expedition Leader and get an overview of the trip. Lectures
and educational talks share the natural history and human endeavors in
Antarctica. Watch for albatross and other seabirds swirling around the
rear deck, and keep an eye out for whales and dolphins.
Days 6-7: Falkland Islands
Visit this remote British outpost that has been fought over for
centuries. Learn the history, and enjoy the colorful houses of the
hardy locals. Here you’ll see the animated, wild-haired
Rockhopper penguins, as well as Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. Sheep
are plentiful and watch for black-browed albatross, king cormorants,
giant petrels, night herons and skuas – along with sea lions.
Days 8-9: At Sea
Heading east to South Georgia Island, listen to experts about the
history and terrain. Keep an eye out for whales and seabirds.
Days 10-13: South Georgia Islands
South Georgia was named for King George III after the famous Captain
James Cook landed there in January of 1775. Here is an abundance of
wildlife not to be believed, including 100,000 King penguins blanketing
the plains. At least 25 species of breeding birds are found here,
including wandering albatrosses. You will see evidence of the decades
of whaling until 40 years ago. And visit Sir Ernest
Shackelton’s grave where his wife laid him to rest after his
return to Antarctica (1922); initially, he landed there after losing
his ship, Endurance, in 1916.
Days 14-15: At Sea
Keep an eye out across the Scotia Sea for whales, seals and seabirds.
Days 16-19: South Shetland
Islands, Antarctica
At the end of the Antarctic winter, there is much snow and sea ice;
seals can be found on ice flows, and penguins abound. We’ll
visit Gentoo, Adelie and Chinstrap penguin rookeries, watch for seals
such as the Crabeater, Weddell and Leopard seals, and hopefully see
Minke, Orca and Humpback whales that thrive here on shrimp-like krill.
These are exquisitely beautiful rugged islands. Attempts will be made to land twice a day so you can experience the variety of wildlife and extreme scenery. Shackleton made this destination famous when he and crew from his sunken Endurance managed to survive against horrendous odds; they charted a course from Elephant Island to South Georgia, and clambered over steep terrain to the Stromness Harbour whaling station.
Days 20-21: Drake Passage
Try to absorb this magnificent adventure while crossing the famous
convergence of Antarctic waters. Named after Sir Francis Drake, it
offers sightings of seabirds such as 3 types of Albatross and Cape
Petrels. The crossing can be quite dramatic or mellow, but it is
amazing to be a part of the expansiveness of the open ocean.
Day 22: Depart Ushuaia
After breakfast onboard, disembark in beautiful Ushuaia, Argentina. The
steep mountains and islands with so much water around make this a
fantasy setting; enjoy the colorful shops and energy in this remote,
adventurer’s destination.
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