HIGHLIGHTS
- Participate
in a Photo Workshop
- Visit
Shackleton’s grave
- Visit
the Gold Harbour
- Get
to see Chinstrap Penguins, Southern Elephant Seals, Gentoo Penguins,
Macaroni Penguins and the light-mantled Albatross birds among the wide
range of exotic wildlife in this region
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1: End of the world, start of a journey
Your
voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to
be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern
tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this
small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of
the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for
the remainder of the evening.
Day
2 – 3: Sea life, sea birds
En
route to South Georgia, you cross the Antarctic Convergence. The
temperature cools considerably within the space of a few hours, and
nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water
columns. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds near the
ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels,
prions, and skuas.
Day
4: Shag Rocks
This
small group of 6 islands on the South Georgia Ridge in shallower
waters. The nutrient-rich waters in this area offers a lot of food for
birds and whales. The islands are named after the South Georgian Shags,
known for their bright blue eyes and yellow patch on their beak.
Day
5 – 10: South Georgia journey
Today
you arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in
mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely
dictating the program.
Sites
you might visit include:
Prion Island
– The home of the great wandering albatrosses. The previous
summer’s wandering albatross chicks are almost ready to
fledge, and adults are seeking out their old partners after a year and
a half at sea.
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay,
Gold Harbour – These sites not only house the
three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, they’re
also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for
southern elephant seals. Only during this time of year do they peak in
their breeding cycle. Watch the four-ton bulls keep a constant vigil
(and occasionally fight) over territories where dozens of females have
just given birth or are about to deliver. You can also see a
substantial number of Antarctic fur seals here.
Fortuna Bay
– A beautiful outwash plain from Fortuna Glacier is home to a
large number of king penguins and seals. You may have the chance to
follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route to the abandoned
whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across the mountain pass
beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the terrain is partly
swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams.
Leith Harbour, Stromness, Husvik
– These sites remind us of the scale of the whaling industry
in the early 20th century. Elephant and fur seals breed and moult here.
Gentoo penguins also occupy the landing sites. Antarctic prions and
South Georgia dive petrels may be observed, especially in the area of
Husvik.
Grytviken
– In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the
streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place
– because they basically do. Here you might be able to see
the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.
Cobblers Cove, Godthul –
At Cobblers Cove we aim for Rookery Point to see macaroni penguins.
Light-mantled sooty albatrosses nest along the coastline and giant
petrels can be observed as well. Godthul (Norwegian for “good
cove”) was named by Norwegian whalers and seal-hunters and
remains such as bones can still be found along the shore line. Beaches
are the home of gentoo penguins and seals.
Royal Bay (Moltke Harbour, Will
Point & Brisbane Point) – Moltke harbour
in Royal Bay was named by the German International Polar Year
Expedition in 1882 and some of the remains of their dwellings are still
visible. The scenery of Royal Bay is beautiful, dark sandy beaches,
followed by the green tussock colors and finally dominated by the snow
and ice covered Ross Glacier. Royal Bay one of the windiest bays on the
island, zodiac cruising is spectacular. Approx. 30,000 pairs of king
penguins live here.
Cooper Bay
– Offers the largest chinstrap penguin population and gentoo
and also macaroni penguins are present. Antarctic terns, white-chinned
petrels, blue-eyed shags and light-mantled sooty albatrosses can be
spotted too.
Drygalski
Fjord – offers spectacular landscapes as the ships sails the
narrow fjord, with ca. 2 kilometer high mountain peaks at a very close
distance.
King Haakon Bay –
British explorer Ernest Shackleton reached King Haakon Bay during his
journey of 800 sea-miles by open boat “James Caird”
from Elephant Island. From here he crossed to Stromness to ask for help
to rescue his party at Elephant Island after they had left the Weddell
Sea where their ship got crushed by ice. Elephant seals dominate the
beaches. Birdwatchers will look out for South Georgia pipits, Antarctic
prions as well as common diving and blue petrels.
Day
11 – 14: Westward bound
There
may be sea ice on this route, south polar skuas and snow petrels could
join the other seabirds such as albatrosses and petrels trailing the
vessel. Eventually we reach the Drake Passage and you’re
again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage
south.
Day
15: Earth’s southernmost city
You
arrive and disembark in Ushuaia, commonly held to be the
world’s most southern city. It is located on the Tierra del
Fuego archipelago, nicknamed the “End of the
World.” But despite this stopping point, the wealth of
memories you’ve made on your Antarctic expedition will travel
with you wherever your next adventure lies.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Voyage
aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea.
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff.
- Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Pre-scheduled
group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly
after disembarkation).
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material.
Excluded
from this voyage
- Any
airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre-
and post- land arrangements.
- Passport
and visa expenses.
- Government
arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals
ashore.
- Baggage,
cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess
baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The
customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other
service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
