DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Queenstown
Arrive at Queenstown, New Zealand’s world famous alpine
resort town. Guests should make their way to the designated hotel where
we will spend the first night of the expedition. This evening there
will be an informal get-together at the hotel for dinner; an excellent
opportunity to meet fellow adventurers on your voyage and some of our
expedition team.
Day 2: Port of Bluff
Today we enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant and have the morning
free to explore Queenstown before returning to the hotel for lunch and
departing for the Port of Bluff to embark your ship. You will have time
to settle into your cabin and familarise yourself with the ship; we
will also take the opportunity to conduct a number of safety briefings.
You are invited to join the expedition team in the Observation Lounge
and up on the Observation Deck as we set our course to The Snares and
our adventure begins.
Day 3: The Snares - North East Island
The closest Subantarctic Islands to New Zealand, they were
appropriately called The Snares as they were once considered a hazard
for sailing ships. Comprising of two main islands and a group of five
islands called the Western Chain; they are uninhabited and enjoy the
highest protection as Nature Reserves. It is claimed by some that these
islands are home to more nesting seabirds than all of the British Isles
together.Buller’s Albatross breed here from early January
onwards. There will be opportunities to view the forests of large tree
daisy Olearia lyallii which forms a canopy over much of the island
group.
Day 4: Auckland Islands - Enderby Island
The Auckland Islands group was formed by two volcanoes which erupted
some 10-25 million years ago. They have subsequently been eroded and
dissected by glaciation creating the archipelago as we know it today.
Enderby Island is one of the most beautiful islands in this group and
is named after the same distinguished shipping family as one of our own
vessels. This northern most island in the archipelago is an outstanding
wildlife and birding location and is relatively easy to land on and
walk around. The island was cleared of all introduced animals (pests)
in 1994 and both birds and the vegetation, especially the herbaceous
plants, are recovering both in numbers and diversity. Our plan is to
land at Sandy Bay, one of three breeding areas in the Auckland Islands
for the Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion, a rare member of
the seal family. Beachmaster bulls gather on the beach, defending their
harems from younger (ambitious) males, to mate with the cows shortly
after they have given birth to a single pup. Hooker’s or New
Zealand Sea Lion numbers are in a slow decline, for reasons which are
not obvious but most probably connected with a nearby squid fishery.
During our day ashore there will be several options, some longer walks,
some shorter walks and time to spend just sitting and enjoying the
wildlife. The walking is relatively easy. A boardwalk traverses the
island to the dramatic western cliffs, from there we follow the coast
and circumnavigate the island. Birds that we are likely to encounter
include the following species: Southern Royal Albatross, Northern Giant
Petrel, Auckland Island Shag, Auckland Island Flightless Teal, Auckland
Island Banded Dotterel, Auckland Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Pipit,
Red-crowned Parakeet, Yellow-eyed Penguin and Light-mantled Sooty
Albatross. There is also a very good chance of seeing the Subantarctic
Snipe.
Day 5: At Sea
At
sea, learn more about the biology and history of the Subantarctic
Islands and the Southern Ocean through a series of lectures and
presentations. We will be at sea all day, so it is another opportunity
to spot pelagic species including (but not limited to) the Wandering
Albatross, Royal Albatross, Shy and White-capped Albatross,
Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross and Black-browed
Albatross, Whitechinned Petrel, Mottled Petrel, White-headed Petrel,
Cape Petrel, diving-petrel, Grey-backed and Black-bellied
Storm-petrels. This is potentially some of the best pelagic
‘birding’ on the expedition.
Days 6 to 7: Maquarie Island
Described by one Australian explorer as “One of the wonder
spots of the world” this is the only place in the world where
the beautiful Royal Penguin breeds. Three other species of penguins,
the King, Gentoo and Rockhopper also breed here. You will never forget
your first experience of a noisy ‘penguin city’,
where the dapper inhabitants show no fear of their strange visitors and
where you will be immersed in a tumult of chattering, feeding chicks;
territorial disputes; petty pilfering and courtship displays. This all
happens amongst the hundreds of Southern Elephant Seals lolling on the
beaches and dunes. On arrival we meet with scientists and Park Rangers
based here who will accompany us on all our landings.
Day 8 to 10: At Sea
Soaring albatross and petrels circle the vessel as we steam south
through the Southern Ocean. Lectures now concentrate on the Ross Sea
region and beyond the bow of the ship; drifting icebergs of
extraordinary shapes begin to appear. Manoeuvring in close for your
first ice photographs we pass the Antarctic Circle and into the
continent’s realm of 24-hour daylight.
Days 11 to 22: Antarctica’s Ross Sea Region
During our time in the Ross Sea region, we will visit the highlights of
Antarctica’s most historic region. Due to the unpredictable
nature of ice and weather conditions, a day-by-day itinerary is not
possible. The Captain and Expedition Leader will assess daily
conditions and take advantage of every opportunity to make landings or
send you out in the Zodiacs. Our programme emphasises wildlife viewing,
key scientific bases and historic sites, as well as the spectacular
scenery of the coastal terrain, the glaciers and icebergs of the Ross
Sea. Whilst specific landings cannot be guaranteed, we hope to visit
the following: Cape Adare: A large flat spit of land, teeming with the
staggering sight of Antarctica’s largest Adelie Penguin
rookery: a tumult of chattering, feeding chicks, territorial disputes,
petty pilfering and courtship displays. Curious penguins often come
very close, offering superb photographic opportunities. Among the
shifting mass of penguins we will find Carsten Borchgrevink’s
Hut, the oldest in Antarctica, an overwintering shelter for the first
expedition to the continent in 1899. Cape Hallett: The enormous
Admiralty Range heralds our arrival; wild and extraordinary, the
mountains rear up towering out of the sea to over 4,000-metres high and
are bounded by colossal glaciers. We make our landing at an abandoned
base site, now home to large numbers of Adelie Penguins and Weddell
Seals. Franklin Island: Desolately beautiful and rugged, this is home
to a large Adelie Penguin population and other nesting seabirds. We
attempt a landing and explore the coastline. Possession Islands:
Rarely-visited, small and rugged, these rocks support tens of thousands
of penguins. Observe the birds’ busy and humorous activity,
with the Admiralty Mountains forming a superb backdrop across the
water. Ross Ice Shelf: The world’s largest body of floating
ice and a natural barrier, at times creating hazardous weather, with
sheets of snow blown at gale force by winds off the polar ice cap. Just
800 miles from the South Pole, this daunting spectacle prevented many
early explorers from venturing further south. We cruise along its
dizzying 30-metre high ice cliffs, perhaps lucky enough to see icebergs
‘calving’. Ross Island: Mount Erebus/Cape
Bird/Shackleton’s Hut/Scott’s Hut(s) and visits to
a scientific field station (Scott and McMurdo Stations are high on our
wish list but ice, weather and station operational requirements often
make them inaccessible). Ross Island was, and is, the ‘hub of
activity’ in the Ross Sea, dominated by Mt Erebus, a
monstrous active volcano named after the ancient Greek God of Darkness.
The carefully preserved huts of the ‘Heroic Era’
help make the history come alive. If we can reach the bases, we will
get a modern perspective on Antarctic Research. Terra Nova Bay: An
Italian research station where the scientists are always hospitable and
enjoy showing us around their lonely but beautiful home. They share
with us their scientific research and also, perhaps, the best
‘espresso’ in Antarctica! Nearby is the German
base, Gondwana Station, which is used occasionally and the South Korean
station, Jang Bogo and on Inexpressible Island, China is building its
fifth Antarctic base.
Days 23 to 25: At Sea
En
route to Campbell Island, take part in a series of lectures designed to
prepare you for our visit tomorrow. Pelagic species abound here as they
did en route to Macquarie Island earlier in our voyage. Above all, take
the time to rest and enjoy shipboard life after the excitement of the
Antarctic.
Day 26: Campbell Island - Perseverance Harbour
New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory, the
Campbell Island group lies approximately 660-kilometres south of Bluff.
We visit Campbell Island, the main island in the group, and spend the
day exploring the island on foot from Perseverance Harbour, a long
inlet cutting into the undulating landscape. Campbell Island is a truly
magnificent place of rugged scenery, unique flora and abundant
wildlife. Perseverance Harbour where we drop anchor is an occasional
refuge for Southern Right Whales who come here to calve. Here we will
find a now abandoned New Zealand meteorological station as well as
Campbell Island Shags, penguins, fur seals and rare Hooker’s
Sea Lions. The highlight of our visit is a walk to the hilltop breeding
sites of Southern Royal Albatross, over six thousand pairs of which
breed on Campbell Island. These magnificent birds, close relations to,
and the same size as, the Wandering Albatross, have the largest
wingspan in the world and are very approachable, making superb
photographic subjects.
Day 27: At Sea
At
sea en route to the Port of Bluff, take the opportunity to relax and
reflect on an amazing experience. This is a good opportunity to
download and edit any remaining photos while they are fresh in your
mind and you have the experience of our expedition team on board for
questions. We will recap the highlights of our expedition and enjoy a
farewell dinner tonight as we sail to our final port.
Day 28: Invercargill / Queenstown
Early this morning we will arrive in the Port of Bluff. After a final
breakfast we bid farewell to our fellow voyagers and take a
complimentary coach transfer to either Invercargill or Queenstown
Airports. In case of unexpected delays due to weather and/or port
operations we ask you not to book any onward travel until after midday
from Invercargill and after 3pm from Queenstown. Note: During our
voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate
from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather and
opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader
will keep you fully informed. Landings at the Subantarctic Islands of
New Zealand are by permit only as administered by the Government of New
Zealand. No landings are permitted at The Snares.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Includes:
- Pre/Post cruise transfers.
- One night hotel accommodation in a twin share room (incl. dinner/breakfast), all on board ship accommodation with meals, house beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner and all shore excursions and activities.
- Programme of lectures by noted naturalists. Pricing per person in US$.
Excludes: - All items of a personal nature, laundry, drinks, gratuities. International/domestic flights, visas and travel insurance.
Additional fees: - Landing Fees (per person in USD): $1000.00pp.