|
|
This well-established 10 or 12 day expedition cruise offers you the ideal introduction to Antarctica. The itinerary visits the best sites along the Antarctica Peninsula and the neighbouring South Shetland Islands. The program enphasise wildlife observation, possible visit of scientific bases, and the breathtaking scenery with narrow waterways, huge glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains.
Sample Itinerary
The itinerary shown below is for the 12 day voyage the only difference for the
11 day voyages is that we spend one day less on the Antarctic Peninsula.
However, no two voyages are ever exactly the same and the itinerary outlined
here is for your guidance only. The Captain and Expedition Leader will
assess daily conditions and take full advantage of every opportunity to
make landings with our Zodiacs, using the almost continuous daylight
to maximize time ashore.
For exact itineraries and conditions, please download brochures
on the Antarctica page
DAY 1: Ushuaia
Passengers onboard Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Orlova, Shokalskiy
Arrive in Ushuaia and transfer independently to your hotel.
Today you are free to explore Ushuaia, often referred to as the southernmost
town in the world. Located on the shores of the famous Beagle Channel in Tierra
del Fuego, Ushuaia boasts a spectacular setting among snow-capped mountains
and dense forests of southern beech trees. Those interested in hiking should visit
Tierra del Fuego National Park or take the skilift to Glaciar Marcial to enjoy stupendous
vistas over Ushuaia Bay.
Passengers onboard Grigoriy Mikheevand Aleksey Marychev
Arrive in Ushuaia and transfer independently to the pier. Embark at 4pm and
sail east through the Beagle Channel for Antarctica, entering the Drake Passage
after midnight.
DAY 2: Ushuaia - Drake Passage
For passengers onboard Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Orlova, Shokalskiy, transfer to the pier
and embark in the morning on your expedition ship, and sail east through the Beagle
Channel for Antarctica.
Grigoriy Mikheev and Aleksey Marychev passengers already enjoy Drake Passage.
DAYS 3-5: Drake Passage - South Shetland Islands
Wandering Albatross, Storm Petrels and other seabirds accompany the ship as you
sail south across this famous passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 1
6th-century English navigator. A program of lectures by the shipboard team of
experienced naturalists and Antarctic specialists help prepare you for the
many adventures that lie ahead.
Depending on weather conditions, passengers onboard Grigoriy Mikheev and Aleksey Marychev
should discover their
first icebergs and make their first landing in the afternoon of day 3.
Passengers onboard Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Orlova, Shokalskiy have to wait the
afternoon of day 4.
In 1819 the British explorer William Smith described the South Shetland Islands
as barren and covered with snow, with seals in abundance. Yet, mosses and
lichens thrive during the short summer on the low-lying peninsulas of these
rugged maritime islands, which are located directly adjacent to the Antarctic
Peninsula.
Places such as King George Island or Livingston Island support huge numbers
of nesting penguins, while seabirds nest on the cliffs and elephant seals,
wallow along the shores. Deception Island is still considered to be an active
volcano and sailing through the narrow passage into its huge, flooded caldera
is a thrilling experience. Depending on weather and ice conditions we hope
to be able to approach the South Shetland Islands during the afternoon of
day four.
DAYS 6-9: Antartic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula is the most easily accessible part of the White
Continent, but it also has some of the most awe-inspiring scenery and a
rich variety of wildlife. This voyage offers ample time to experience the
special magic of this wilderness region.
Besides the magnificent scenery of mountains, snow and ice, you can expect
to see a wide variety of the native wildlife, including Gentoo, Chinstrap
and Adιlie Penguins, which occur in rookeries ranging from a few pairs to
many thousands. Other birds to look out for are Blue-eyed Shags, Kelp Gulls,
Cape Petrels, skuas, Snowy Sheathbills and Antarctic Terns. Marine mammals
that you are likely to see include Weddell, crabeater, leopard, and possibly
elephant seals, while Orcas, humpback and Minke whales are often spotted at
close range.
This area is also of substantial historical interest and has been extensively
explored by several expeditions during the last centuries. You will certainly
feel the same sense of excitement as the early explorers, as you keep a lookout
from the bridge or other vantage points while your vessel threads her way
through this pristine region. You may have the chance to meet scientists
working at research stations operated by various nations.
Among the places you may visit are aptly named Paradise Harbor, where glaciers
fill the calm waters with a vista of icebergs sculpted by wind and weather.
Here you may set foot on the White Continent itself. At Port Lockroy you
will find thriving colonies of penguins and shags and a former British
scientific station that has recently been renovated and serves as a fascinating
museum. Cuverville Island and Rongι Island with their dramatic location
are home to a large colony of nearly 5,000 pairs of Gentoo Penguins. Many
visitors find the Antarctic scenery as rewarding as the wildlife, and you
will be enchanted by such beautiful waterways as the Neumayer and Lemaire
Channels.
Located south of the spectacular Lemaire Channel, and separated from the
mainland of the Antarctic Peninsula by Penola Strait, we plan to land on
Petermann Island. Adιlie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags
nest close to the landing site.
Please note:
On the 11 day itinerary you will spend one day less along the Antarctic Peninsula.
DAYS 10-11: Drake Passage
Today we leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Now is the
chance to relax and review the adventures of the past week, as well as enjoy
some final lectures from the expedition staff as you return
to Ushuaia.
DAYS 12: Ushuaia
After breakfast we disembark and passengers make their own way to the airport or
their hotel.
If you fly to Buenos Aires, book an afternoon flight. You arrive in the capital
in the evening and will probably have to overnight there.
Optional activities
Sea kayaking, camping and also scuba-diving are being offered as optional
adventure activities on some 'Classic Antarctica' departures.
Sea kayaking
What a fabulous way to explore the little bays and waterways as well as the wide expanses of Antarctica!
Antarctica is the last frontier for kayaking. Paddling in this pristine, icy wilderness is an
overwhelming experience even for the most seasoned adventurer. Imagine paddling in a sea of ice
floes or at a safe distance to beautifully sculptured icebergs, silently floating past rafts
of penguins or cruising inside a flooded volcanic crater.
With a little luck, we hope to see penguins flying through the water underneath our boats, curious
seals poking their heads out of the water alongside and even inquisitive 30-ton whales coming over
to investigate. It is a truly unforgettable and humbling experience.
We use 5-meter (16 foot) Prijon double sea kayaks, equipped with rudders, which are
very stable, surprisingly comfortable and incredibly tough - perfect for paddling
through such an icy environment. Each trip is led by two experienced and highly
qualified kayak instructors and a Zodiac safety boat stays in constant communication
ready to assist should the need arise.
There will be a maximum of ten kayakers per departure. Weather and ice permitting we plan
to make a minimum of four kayak excursions, each paddling over several miles and typically
lasting for two to three hours. With the long daylight hours of the southern summer, there
may be opportunities for short evening paddles as well.
Scuba-diving
This is a unique opportunity to explore the magical underwater world of Antarctica.
Our experienced Antarctic Dive Masters guide us through this fantastic, and
largely unexplored, underwater paradise. We dive around the wonderful sculpted
ice formations of icebergs, encounter rich marine life from soft corals and fish to
marine mammals, and even experience the remarkable underwater sounds of the
frozen continent.
Diving in Antarctica is very different to diving in other parts of the world.
The contrasting colors are spectacular - from the blue and white icebergs to the
dark sea floor - and the area has a rich invertebrate life (including many different
species of anemones, echinoderms, crayfish and coral sponges). We should encounter
krill in their natural environment and hope to see penguins and possibly even seals
underwater. Visibility is usually 5-15 meters (16-50 feet), depending on the position,
current and proximity to penguin rookeries.
There will be a maximum of ten divers per departure (except on special diving cruises
aboard Mikheev and Aleksey Marychev). All diving will take place in
the Peninsula area and, weather and ice permitting, we plan to have up to two dives
per day over the two days' diving. Our maximum dive depth will be about 15 meters (50 feet).
Divers must be certified to PADI Advanced Open Water diver
(or equivalent) - certificates will need to be shown onboard -
and must also have dry suit diving experience (20 dives recommended). We will provide
the tanks and weight belts. All other equipment needed would be
provided by the diver.
Camping
This is a great opportunity to enhance your appreciation of Antarctica as a wilderness and to
experience a more personal and private connection with the continent. We aim to give you a sense
of independence, while still retaining our high safety standards. Two experienced staff supervises
campers throughout the night.
There will be a maximum of 10 campers allowed ashore. Weather and ice permitting we plan
to offer one night of camping during each voyage. All meals will be taken onboard the vessel.
You sleep in high quality mountain tents and sleeping bags whicha reprovided. Only
emergency rations are taken ashore and no cooking is conducted. You are encouraged
to use toilet facilities onboard prior to going ashore, but one portable chemical toilet is available.
Note that the day you dive or sea kayak, you do not particpate in land excursions.
General Information
Rated: Easy
Important: Vessels do not wait !
We advise passengers to arrive in Ushuaia
one day before. In case your international flight to Buenos Aires or your flight to Ushuaia is
delayed or cancelled, you still have time to arrive on time for the departure. If you miss
the departure, no money is paid back.
Additional services: These itineraries do not include any land or air service in Argentina.
We can book hotels, transfers between airports and airport/hotel, excursions and domestic
flights. Contact us for a quotation !
| Aboard Ushuaia | ||||||||||
| November 28, 2006 December 08, 2006 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| December 08, 2006 December 19, 2006 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| December 19, 2006 December 29, 2006 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| January 23, 2006 February 02, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| February 02, 2006 February 11, 2006 - 10 days | ||||||||||
| February 11, 2007 February 21, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| February 21, 2007 March 03, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| March 03, 2007 March 13, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| March 13, 2007 March 23, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| Deck | Cabin Type | 11 days | 12 days | 11 days | ||||||
| Lower C | Twin without bathroom | $ 3341 | $ 3675 | $ 4037 | ||||||
| 2773 | 3050 | 3351 | ||||||||
| £ 1871 | £ 2058 | £ 2261 | ||||||||
| Main B | Twin with private bathroom | $ 4155 | $ 4576 | $ 4958 | ||||||
| 3448 | 3798 | 4115 | ||||||||
| £ 2326 | £ 2562 | £ 2776 | ||||||||
| Upper A | Twin with private bathroom | $ 5194 | $ 5713 | $ 6232 | ||||||
| 4311 | 4742 | 5173 | ||||||||
| £ 2908 | £ 3199 | £ 3490 | ||||||||
| Upper A | Suite with private bathroom | $ 5772 | $ 6350 | $ 6918 | ||||||
| 4790 | 5270 | 5742 | ||||||||
| £ 3232 | £ 3556 | £ 3874 | ||||||||
|
- The cheaper 11 days fare (left column) concerns the first and last cruises of the season ( Nov 28,2006 and March 13,2007) - The 10 days February 02, 2006 cruise has a discount. Please inquire! |
||||||||||
| Aboard Mikheev | ||||||||||
| January 21, 2007 - January 31, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| January 31, 2007 - February 10, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| February 28, 2007 - March 10, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| March 10, 2007 - March 20, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| Deck | Cabin Type | 11 days | 11 days | |||||||
| Lower | Twin without bathroom | $ 5380 | $ 4557 | |||||||
| 4465 | 3782 | |||||||||
| £ 3012 | £ 2551 | |||||||||
| Lower | Twin with private bathroom | $ 6164 | $ 5184 | |||||||
| 5116 | 4302 | |||||||||
| £ 3451 | £ 2903 | |||||||||
| Captain | Superior with private bathroom | $ 7203 | $ 6027 | |||||||
| 5978 | 5002 | |||||||||
| £ 4033 | £ 3375 | |||||||||
|
The cheapest right column concerns the 10 last cruises of the season ( february 28 and March 10 cruises)
Discounts sometimes available on this vessel. ASK FOR INFORMATION |
||||||||||
| Aboard Maryshev | ||||||||||
| November 26, 2006 December 06, 2006 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| December 16, 2006 December 27, 2006 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| March 05, 2007 March 15, 2007 - 11 days (diving | ||||||||||
| Deck | Cabin Type | 11 days | 12 days | 11 days | ||||||
| Lower | Twin without bathroom | $ 4792 | $ 5929 | $ 4557 | ||||||
| 3977 | 4921 | 3782 | ||||||||
| £ 2683 | £ 3320 | £ 2551 | ||||||||
| Lower | Twin with private bathroom | $ 5478 | $ 6811 | $ 5184 | ||||||
| 4546 | 5653 | 4302 | ||||||||
| £ 3067 | £ 3814 | £ 2903 | ||||||||
| Captain | Superior with private bathroom | $ 6360 | $ 7928 | $ 6027 | ||||||
| 5278 | 6580 | 5002 | ||||||||
| £ 3561 | £ 4439 | £ 3375 | ||||||||
| Diving suplement of: $970 / 805 / £ 543 | ||||||||||
|
- The cheapest 11 days cruise fare corresponds to the march, 2007 cruise
- The March 05, 2007 to March 15, 2007 cruise allows divers onboard Discounts sometimes available on this vessel. ASK FOR INFORMATION |
||||||||||
| Aboard Multanovskiy | ||||||||||
| December 7, 2006 - December 18, 2006 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| December 17, 2006 - December 28, 2006 - 12 days (* | ||||||||||
| December 27, 2006 - January 8, 2007 - 12 days (*) | ||||||||||
| January 7, 2007 - January 18, 2007 - 12 days (*) | ||||||||||
| February 4, 2007 - February 14, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| February 13, 2007 - February 23, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| February 22, 2007 - March 5, 2007 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| March 4, 2007 - March 15, 2007 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| Deck | Cabin Type | 11 days | 12 days | 12 days | ||||||
| 3 | Triple without bathroom | $ 4695 | $ 3995 | $ 5395 | ||||||
| 3896 | 3315 | 4477 | ||||||||
| £ 2629 | £ 2237 | £ 3021 | ||||||||
| 3 | Twin without bathroom | $ 5795 | $ 4995 | $ 6495 | ||||||
| 4809 | 4145 | 5390 | ||||||||
| £ 3245 | £ 2797 | £ 3637 | ||||||||
| 4+5 | Twin with private bathroom | $ 6995 | $ 5895 | $ 7495 | ||||||
| 5805 | 4892 | 6220 | ||||||||
| £ 3917 | £ 3301 | £ 4197 | ||||||||
| 5 | Superior with private bathroom | $ 7995 | $ 6995 | $ 8995 | ||||||
| 6635 | 5805 | 7465 | ||||||||
| £ 4477 | £ 3917 | £ 5037 | ||||||||
| 5 | Suite with private bathroom | $ 8995 | $ 7495 | $ 9995 | ||||||
| 7465 | 6220 | 8295 | ||||||||
| £ 5037 | £ 4197 | £ 5597 | ||||||||
|
Cruises which dates have an (*) are special adventure. You can choose either to do sea kayak or camping on land (1 night). There is a limited number of space for those options.
The cheapest 12 day fare (middle column) concerns the first departure (December 7, 2006 - December 18, 2006 - 12 days) and the last departure (March 4, 2007 - March 15, 2007 - 12 days) |
||||||||||
| Aboard Sholkalskiy | ||||||||||
| November 9, 2006 - November 20, 2006 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| November 19, 2006 - November 30, 2006 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| November 29, 2006 - December 10, 2006 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| December 9, 2006 - December 19, 2006 - 11 days (*) | ||||||||||
| December 19, 2006 - December 28, 2006 - 11 days (* | ||||||||||
| December 27, 2006 - January 6, 2007 - 11 days (*) | ||||||||||
| January 5 2007 - January 16, 2007 - 12 days (*) | ||||||||||
| January 15 2007 - January 26, 2007 - 12 days (*) | ||||||||||
| January 25 2007 - February 5, 2007 - 12 days (*) | ||||||||||
| February 4, 2007 - February 15, 2007 - 12 days (*) | ||||||||||
| Deck | Cabin Type | 11 days | 12 days | 12 days | ||||||
| 3 | Triple without bathroom | $ 4695 | $ 3995 | $ 5395 | ||||||
| 3896 | 3315 | 4477 | ||||||||
| £ 2629 | £ 2237 | £ 3021 | ||||||||
| 3 | Twin without bathroom | $ 5795 | $ 4995 | $ 6495 | ||||||
| 4809 | 4145 | 5390 | ||||||||
| £ 3245 | £ 2797 | £ 3637 | ||||||||
| 4+5 | Twin with private bathroom | $ 6995 | $ 5895 | $ 7495 | ||||||
| 5805 | 4892 | 6220 | ||||||||
| £ 3917 | £ 3301 | £ 4197 | ||||||||
| 5 | Superior with private bathroom | $ 7995 | $ 6995 | $ 8995 | ||||||
| 6635 | 5805 | 7465 | ||||||||
| £ 4477 | £ 3917 | £ 5037 | ||||||||
| 5 | Suite with private bathroom | $ 8995 | $ 7495 | $ 9995 | ||||||
| 7465 | 6220 | 8295 | ||||||||
| £ 5037 | £ 4197 | £ 5597 | ||||||||
|
SPECIAL OFFER: The cheapest 12 day fare (middle column) concerns the 3 first November cruises and the December 9, 2006 to December 19, 2006, 11 days cruise
Cruises which dates have an (*) are special adventure. You can choose either to do sea kayak or camping on land (1 night). There is a limited number of sspace for those options. |
||||||||||
| Aboard Molchanov | ||||||||||
| November 22, 2006 - December 3, 2006 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| December 20, 2006 - December 31, 2006 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| January 17, 2007 - January 28, 2007 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| February 22, 2007 - March 5, 2007 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| Deck | Cabin Type | 12 days | 12 days | |||||||
| 3 | Triple without bathroom | $ 3995 | $ 5395 | |||||||
| 3315 | 4477 | |||||||||
| £ 2237 | £ 3021 | |||||||||
| 3 | Twin without bathroom | $ 4995 | $ 6495 | |||||||
| 4145 | 5390 | |||||||||
| £ 2797 | £ 3637 | |||||||||
| 4+5 | Twin with private bathroom | $ 5895 | $ 7495 | |||||||
| 4892 | 6220 | |||||||||
| £ 3301 | £ 4197 | |||||||||
| 5 | Superior with private bathroom | $ 6995 | $ 8995 | |||||||
| 5805 | 7465 | |||||||||
| £ 3917 | £ 5037 | |||||||||
| 5 | Suite with private bathroom | $ 7495 | $ 9995 | |||||||
| 6220 | 8295 | |||||||||
| £ 4197 | £ 5597 | |||||||||
|
SPECIAL OFFER: The cheapest 12 day fare concerns the November 22 - December 3, 2006 cruise |
||||||||||
| Aboard Orlova | ||||||||||
| November 10 - November 21, 2006 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| November 20 - December 1, 2006 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| November 30, 2006 - December 11, 2006 - 12 days | ||||||||||
| December 10, 2006 - December 20, 2006 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| December 19, 2006 - December 29, 2006 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| December 28, 2006 - January 7, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| January 6, 2007 - January 16, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| February 2, 2007 - February 12, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| February 11, 2007 - February 21, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| February 20, 2007 - March 2, 2007 - 11 days | ||||||||||
| Deck | Cabin Type | 12 days | 11 days | |||||||
| Lower | Triple with private bathroom | $ 2995 | $ 3995 | |||||||
| 2485 | 3315 | |||||||||
| £ 1677 | £ 2237 | |||||||||
| Lower | Twin with private bathroom | $ 4495 | $ 5495 | |||||||
| 3730 | 4560 | |||||||||
| £ 2517 | £ 3077 | |||||||||
| Main | Twin with private bathroom | $ 4895 | $ 5895 | |||||||
| 4062 | 4892 | |||||||||
| £ 2741 | £ 3301 | |||||||||
| Captain | Twin with private bathroom | $ 4895 | $ 5895 | |||||||
| 4062 | 4892 | |||||||||
| £ 2741 | £ 3301 | |||||||||
| Upper | Superior with private bathroom | $ 5695 | $ 6795 | |||||||
| 4726 | 5639 | |||||||||
| £ 3189 | £ 3805 | |||||||||
| Upper | Suite with private bathroom | $ 6295 | $ 7595 | |||||||
| 5224 | 6303 | |||||||||
| £ 3525 | £ 4253 | |||||||||
Included:
Pre-cruise hotel accommodations (except onboard Mikheev, Marychev and Ushuaia) on a share basis with breakfast as indicated in the itinerary
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.
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Not included:
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights;
passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore;
supplement for single hotel accommodations; baggage, cancellation and personal
insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items
of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and
telecommunications charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the
voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Special booking & cancellation conditions
Each vessel has special booking and cancellation conditions. Upon reservation we will inform you about the specificities of
each vessel.
Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change. All voyages will operate subject
to a minimum of 30 participants.
Home
French
Belize
Bay Islands
Costa Rica
Guatemala
Nicaragua
Panama
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile & Easter Island
Colombia
Ecuador
Falklands
Guyana
Paraguay
Peru
Venezuela
Arctic
Antarctic