HIGHLIGHTS
- If
you're a wildlife lover, you will love this cruise
- Visit
a variety of islands with varied wildlife
- Birds
would include albatross, storm petrels, shearwaters, Cobb's wrens and
tussock-birds, and diving petrels
- You'll
see both Peale's dolphins and Commerson's dolphins in the surrounding
waters
- You'll
also see a variety of penguins including rockhopper penguins, King
penguins, Magellanic penguins, and gentoos
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Dec 17, 2023 | Jan 04, 2024 | 12,550 |
13,295 |
Jan 04, 2024 | Jan 22, 2024 | 13,550 |
14,355 |
Feb 01, 2024 | Feb 20, 2024 | 13,550 |
14,355 |
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Dec 17, 2023 | Jan 04, 2024 | 12,550 |
13,295 |
Jan 04, 2024 | Jan 22, 2024 | 13,550 |
14,355 |
Feb 01, 2024 | Feb 20, 2024 | 13,550 |
14,355 |
ITINERARY
PLEASE NOTE:
1st February 2024 departure is 1 day longer!
All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on
ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site
availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per IAATO
regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled
with IAATO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader
determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition
cruises. The average cruising speed for our vessel is 10.5 knots.
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: The winged life of
the westerlies
Several species of albatross follow the vessel into the westerlies,
along with storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.
Day 3: Finding the
Falklands
The Falkland Islands offer an abundance of wildlife that is easily
approachable, though caution is always advised. These islands are
largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and
Argentina. Not only do various species of bird live here, but chances
are great you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and
Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters.
During this segment of the voyage, you may visit the following sites:
Carcass Island – Despite its name, this island is pleasantly
rodent-free and hence bounteous with birdlife and many endemic species.
Anything from breeding Magellanic penguins and gentoos to numerous
waders and passerine birds (including Cobb’s wrens and
tussock-birds) live here.
Saunders Island – On Saunders Island you can see the
black-browed albatross and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along with
breeding imperial shags and rockhopper penguins. King penguins,
Magellanic penguins, and gentoos are also found here.
Day 4: The seat of
Falklands culture
The capital of the Falklands and center of its culture, Port Stanley
has some Victorian-era charm: colorful houses, well-tended gardens, and
English-style pubs are all to be found here. You can also see several
century-old clipper ships nearby, silent witnesses to the hardships of
19th century sailors. The small but interesting museum is also worth a
visit, covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War.
Approximately 2,100 people live in Port Stanley. Admission to the
museum is included.
Day 5 - 6: Once more to
the sea
En route to South Georgia, you now 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 7 - 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.
Over the next several days, you have a chance to visit the following
sites:
Prion Island – This location is closed during the early part
of the wandering albatross breeding season (November 20 –
January 7). From January on, the breeding adults have found their
partners and are sitting on eggs or nursing their chicks. Enjoy
witnessing the gentle nature of these animals, which possess the
largest wingspan of any bird in the world.
Fortuna Bay – A beautiful outwash plain from Fortuna Glacier
is home to a large number of king penguins and seals. Here you may also
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.
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 Antarctic fur seals. Literally millions breed on
South Georgia during December and January. Only during the mid-season
do they peak in their breeding cycle. There will be some young adult
Elephant seals as well as this seasons ‘Weaner’s;
the young Elephant Seals that have been left to fend for themselves.
Watch your step and stay cool when walking the beaches during this
time.
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.
In the afternoon of day 10 and depending on the conditions, we will
start sailing southwards in the direction of the South Orkney Islands.
Day 11: Southward bound
There may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some
south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds
trailing the vessel south.
Day 12: The scenic vistas
of South Orkney
Depending on the conditions, you might visit Orcadas Base, an Argentine
scientific station on Laurie Island in the South Orkney archipelago.
The personnel here will happily show you their facility, where you can
enjoy expansive views of the surrounding glaciers. If a visit
isn’t possible, you may instead land in Coronation
Island’s Shingle Cove.
Day 13: Last push to the
Antarctic
Enormous icebergs and a fair chance of fin whale sightings ensure
there’s never a dull moment on this last sea voyage south.
Also, your best chance to spot Antarctic petrels is here.
Day 14 - 16:
Awe-inspiring Antarctica
If the ice conditions permit, you now sail into the Weddell Sea. Here
colossal tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of
the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of
Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. You might also visit
Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you
could get the chance to set foot on the Antarctic Continent itself.
If conditions aren’t favorable to enter the Weddell Sea from
the east, the ship will set course for Elephant Island and head into
the Bransfield Strait, between the South Shetland Islands and the
Antarctic Peninsula. Here you can attempt to access the Antarctic Sound
from the northwest.
The breathtaking scenery continues in the Bransfield Straight and, if
conditions allow further South in the Gerlache Strait. Conditions on
the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
Day 17 - 18: Familiar
seas, familiar friends
Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake,
you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered
from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you
now, and you to them.
Day 19: There and back
again
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end.
It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that
will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
Hondius (Expedition, 170-guests)
MV Hondius offers luxury accommodation for up to 180 passengers. The ship has a luxury standard while Oceanwide's signature cozy and informal atmosphere. Hondius the strongest ice-strengthened vessel will be in the polar regions and will be equipped with stabilizers, and great trips for advanced, innovative exploratory quality in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
(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.
- Luggage
transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in
Ushuaia.
- 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).
ADVENTURE OPTIONS - Zodiac Cruising & Shore Program
- Shore-Based Walking