HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore
the spectacular Antarctic wilderness in a casual atmosphere of
like-minded travelers
- Experience
abundant wildlife including immense penguin colonies and other
seabirds, seals and even some of the great whales at close range
- Sail
south of the Antarctic Circle
- Cruise
in comfort along towering
icebergs, serrated maritime mountains and luminous glaciers
- Optional
opportunities to kayak and camp during the cruise
- Zodiac
landing craft allow visitation on remote shorelines and otherwise
inaccessible areas
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 Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
You
will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at
the tip of South America. This Argentine town is an ideal gateway for
you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for
your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted
chocolate at a café in town.
Day
2 Embarkation Day
As
the ship sets sail in the late afternoon, you will begin your Antarctic
journey, passing through the Beagle Channel. Named after the famed ship
on which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents great photo
opportunities of landscapes and seabirds. Eventually the channel opens
up to the Southern Ocean, and onwards to Antarctica.
Days
3 and 4 Crossing The Drake Passage
Your
days at sea are filled with presentations and lectures led by your
Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife that will greet
you upon your arrival. In between presentations, spend time chatting
with your shipmates over a drink at the bar, or enjoy the fresh air and
views on the outer decks.
Days
5 to 7 South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
The
most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of
reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are
as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate
why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and
travelers alike. Every visit to Antarctica, we witness something new or
unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any
other—creating a unique, personal experience.
Each
day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local
bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront
of our minds, you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and
minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species,
including the cunning leopard seal.
Your
Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are
exploring the Antarctic terrain, visiting a research station or
consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and
gentoo penguins are found here, along with five different species of
seals. Zodiac cruising can offer opportunities to view some of the
larger local marine mammals more intimately, such as Antarctic minke
and humpback whales. Each day and each excursion will present a new
collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy.
Your
days will be busy spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the
astounding beauty of Antarctica. Listening to the crackling and
crumbling of icebergs and glaciers and watching penguins waddling on
the beach will become your daily entertainment, while sea kayaking,
paddle excursions, or camping are optional activities available on
select voyages (at an extra cost).
Days
8 and 9 Antarctic Circle
Crossing
the Antarctic Circle is both a memorable experience and impressive
achievement, as few travelers reach so far south. If conditions allow
us to cross this famed line at 66°33´ S,
we’ll toast the first explorers who ventured here, and you
can raise a glass and take pride in knowing you’ve made it to
a part of the world visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica,
home of the midnight sun, Weddell seals, and your best chances of
encountering sea ice – the foundation of the Antarctic marine
ecosystem.
Days
10 and 11 Northbound Along The Peninsula
By
now, your knowledge of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins
will be matched by your ability to differentiate between a leopard, fur
and Weddell seal. Terms like ‘bergy bits’ and
‘pancake ice’ will become part of your vocabulary,
yet there are still many tales to be told. As you head north, Zodiac
excursions will fill your days, and your Expedition Team will continue
looking out for species of seabirds, seals and whales that may have
eluded you on your journey south.
Days
12 and 13 Crossing the Drake Passage
As
you recross the Drake, Antarctica fades away, leaving you with a
collection of memories to last a lifetime. Excited conversations with
your newfound friends will make the crossing fly by, regardless of
weather and sea conditions. Your Expedition Team will round up its
series of presentations as well, with a slideshow of the great landing
sites and wildlife you’ve witnessed over the course of your
voyage. Be sure to take some time to reflect on everything
you’ve experienced so far.
Day
14 Disembarkation in Ushuaia
Today,
you’ll say goodbye to your Expedition Team and fellow
travelers, disembarking in the morning to catch your homeward flights
or continue your travels on your own.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Leadership
throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including
shore landings and other activities
- All
Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
- All
shore landings as per the daily program
- All
shore landings as per the daily program
- Shipboard
accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All
meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
(Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as
possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare
kosher meals.)
- Select
beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around
the clock
- Formal
and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as
scheduled
- A
photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A
pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac
cruising excursions
- An
official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Hair
dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All
luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency
Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD
$500,000 per person
- Group
arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day
1
- One
night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with
breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin
occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who
reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the
hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
- Group
transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
- Group
departure transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local
airport or to luggage storage facility
Rates
above do not include the following:
- International
airfare
- Passport
and applicable visa expenses
- Government
arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
- Meals
unless otherwise specified
- Baggage,
cancellation, interruption and medical travel
insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage
fees on international flights
- Mandatory
waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any
other gear not mentioned
- Laundry,
bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
- Phone
and Internet charges
- Voluntary
gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard
crew
- Additional
overnight accommodation
- Arrival
and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
- Adventure
Options not listed in Included Activities
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking:
USD
995
- Paddling:
USD 295
- Stand
Up Paddleboarding: USD 295