Explorer`s cruise

"Antarctica - Falklands - South Georgia"

This extraordinary itinerary offers magnificent scenery and an amazing range of wildlife. In the historic Falkland Islands (Malvinas) you explore some of the privately owned outer islands that are home to extraordinary concentrations of wildlife, possibly along with a brief stop at Stanley, the islands’ charming capital. South Georgia has no permanent inhabitants, can only be visited by ship, and is viewed by many who have been there as one of the most beautiful places on earth. Sailing along the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands we once again concentrate on wildlife viewing, but also possible visits to scientific bases, and the breathtaking scenery with narrow waterways, glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains.

The Itinerary (Explorer's cruise 1)

As no two voyages are exactly the same 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 maximise time ashore. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Explorer's cruise last from 17 to 21 days. Most leave from Ushuaia but a couple of them from Puerto Madryn, nearby Valdes Peninsula
For exact itineraries and conditions, please download brochures
on the Antarctica page

Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina
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 - Beagle Channel
For passengers onboard Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Orlova, Shokalskiy, transfer to the pier and embark on your expedition ship, and sail east through the Beagle Channel and towards the Falklands
Grigoriy Mikheev and Aleksey Marychev passengers are already at Sea.


Day 3 At Sea
Wandering, Black-browed and Sooty Albatrosses, shearwaters, Giant and Cape Petrels and numerous other seabirds accompany us as we cruise these wildlife-rich waters. A program of lectures by the shipboard team of experienced naturalists and Antarctic specialists will help prepare you for the many adventures that lie ahead.

Days 4-5 Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Depending on conditions our possible visits may include Stanley, the charming capital of these remote South Atlantic Islands, dominated by a 19th-century Anglican cathedral. You will enjoy strolling the streets and visiting the small, but excellent, museum. Exploring the outer islands, you may visit Carcass Island, home to a large variety of land birds, as well as Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins. On West Point and New Island, the highlights are superb colonies of Black-browed Albatrosses, which nest side by side with feisty Rockhopper Penguins. On these islands you will also appreciate the opportunity to walk on the rolling moorland, and meet the hospitable island owners.

Days 6-7 Southern Ocean
Continuing east, marine mammals and seabirds lure us to the decks as we cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zones. Our lecture program continues and you are introduced to the Subantarctic Island of South Georgia and the rich wildlife we hope to encounter. Permissions, weather and sea conditions will determine specific landing sites.

Days 8-11 South Georgia
South Georgia has an awe-inspiring scenery, with towering, 7,000-foot mountains and mighty glaciers, but also low-lying, grassy areas and beaches. First sighted by Captain James Cook in 1775, the island attracts an astounding concentration of wildlife. Thousands of King Penguins greet us at Salisbury Plain, where rugged snow-covered mountains and glaciers provide a backdrop for this marvelous scene. Wandering Albatrosses nest at Prion Island, where luxurious tussock grass provides habitat for a variety of seabirds - and camouflage for thousands of breeding fur seals. Huge elephant seals and a substantial number of King and Gentoo Penguins crowd the beaches along the coast, while Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses nest in the cliffs behind. For all those who love the wilderness, South Georgia is a dream. We have set four days aside to explore this island!
South Georgia also played a significant role in the story of Shackleton’s epic journey after the sinking of his ship, the Endurance. It was here, in the whaling station of Stromness, that he finally arrived after a harrowing voyage in a small boat from Elephant Island across the Scotia Sea and over the never-before-climbed mountain range of South Georgia. We pay tribute to this great explorer and visit his grave at Grytviken.

Days 12-13 Scotia Sea
A day at sea to relax, as well as to review our adventures in South Georgia. The first icebergs appear at the horizon, as we are heading south into Antarctic waters.

Days 14-17 South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
Approaching the rugged South Shetland Islands, your first landfall could be Elephant Island, where Shackleton’s men found refuge during the epic Endurance expedition. Places such as King George Island or Livingston Island support huge numbers of nesting penguins, while seabirds nest in the cliffs and elephant seals wallow along the shores. Deception Island is still considered to be an active volcano. Here you can walk along the black lava beach or take a dip in the warm thermal waters.
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. 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 now serves as a fascinating museum. Cuverville Island and Rongé Island with their dramatic location are home to a large colony of nearly 5,000 pairs of Gentoo Penguins and other breeding birds. 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. We will also attempt to land at Petermann Island where Adélie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to the landing site.

Days 18-19 Drake Passage
Two final days at sea to write up your journal and reminisce about your extraordinary experiences on this exciting expedition.

Day 20 Ushuaia After breakfast we disembark and transfer by complimentary bus to the exit of the port, which is centrally located in town.

Amended itineraries

Some cruises have a slightly different itinerary, as follow:

EXPLORERS' CRUISE 2
20-day voyage embarking in Puerto Madryn, Argentina and disembarking in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Day 1: Buenos Aires - Arrive in Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina, where we meet our fellow adventurers. Overnight at the Hotel Presidente, or similar hotel.
Day 2: Buenos Aires/Trelew - Fly* to Trelew and transfer to Puerto Madryn (close to the wildlife-rich Peninsula Valdez and the largest breeding ground in the world for southern right whales). Embark the Professor Molchanov in the late afternoon.
Days 3-4: At sea.
Days 5-6: Falkland Islands.
Days 7-8: At sea.
Days 9-12: South Georgia.
Days 13-14: At Sea.
Days 15-17: Antarctic Peninsula.
Days 18-19: At sea.
Day 20: Ushuaia.

EXPLORERS' CRUISE 3: IN THE WAKE OF SHACKLETON
20-day voyage embarking and disembarking in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Day 1: Ushuaia - Arrive in the southernmost city in the world and transfer independently to the Hotel Los Nires or similar hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore this 'frontier town' at leisure.
Day 2: A day to wander around Ushuaia, nestled between the spectacular snow-capped mountains of the Andes and the Beagle Channel. Embarkation begins later in the afternoon.
Day 3-4: Drake Passage.
Days 5-7: Antarctic Peninsula.
Day 8: Elephant Island.
Days 9-10: At sea.
Days 11-13: South Georgia.
Days 14-16: At sea.
Days 17-18: Falkland Islands.
Day 19: At sea.
Day 20: Ushuaia.

EXPLORERS' CRUISE 4
17-day voyage embarking in Stanley, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and disembarking in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Day 1: Santiago, Chile - Arrive in the busy capital of Chile and transfer independently to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco or similar hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore this colorful town at leisure.
Day 2: This morning, after breakfast, fly* to Stanley, the charming capital of the Falkland Islands. Embark the Professor Multanovskiy in the afternoon.
Day 3-4: At sea.
Days 5-8: South Georgia.
Days 9-10: At sea.
Days 11-14: South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula.
Days 15-16: At sea.
Day 17: Ushuaia.
Please note - there will be a specialist photographer to accompany this voyage

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 09, 2006 November 28, 2006 - 20 days
Deck	Cabin Type	20 days
Lower C	Twin without bathroom	$ 6350
		€ 5270
		£ 3556
Main B	Twin without bathroom	$ 7898
		€ 6556
		£ 4423
Upper A	Twin with private bathroom	$ 9868
		€ 8190
		£ 5526
Upper	Suite with private bathroom	$ 10966
		€ 9101
		£ 6141

Aboard Mikheev
January 3, 2007 - January 21, 2007 - 19 days
February 10, 2007 - February 28, 2007 - 19 days
Deck	Cabin Type	19 days
Lower	Twin without bathroom	$ 9692
		€ 8044
		£ 5427
Lower	Twin with private bathroom	$ 11074
		€ 9191
		£ 6201
Captain	Superior with private bathroom	$ 12936
		€ 10736
		£ 7244
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Aboard Maryshev
December 27, 2006 - January 17, 2007 - 22 days
January 28, 2007 - February 15, 2007 - 19 days
Deck	Cabin Type	19 days	22 days
Lower	Twin without bathroom	$ 9692	$ 11368
		€ 8044	€ 9435
		£ 5427	£ 6366
Lower	Twin with private bathroom	$ 11074	$ 13132
		€ 9191	€ 10899
		£ 6201	£ 7353
Captain	Superior with private bathroom	$ 12936	$ 15288
		€ 10736	€ 12689
		£ 7244	£ 8561
Diving suplement of: $1862 / € 1545 / £ 1042
- The December 27, 2006 to January 17, 2007 cruise allows divers onboard Discounts often available on this vessel. ASK FOR INFORMATION

Aboard Multanovskiy
November 19, 2006 - December 8, 2006 - 20 days
January 17, 2007 - February 5, 2007 - 20 days
Deck	Cabin Type	20 days	20 days
3	Triple without bathroom	$ 7995	$ 9795
		€ 6635	€ 8129
		£ 4477	£ 5485
3	Twin without bathroom	$ 9495	$ 11695
		€ 7880	€ 9706
		£ 5317	£ 6549
4+5	Twin with private bathroom	$ 10995	$ 13595
		€ 9125	€ 11283
		£ 6157	£ 7613
5	Superior with private bathroom	$ 12295	$ 14995
		€ 10204	€ 12445
		£ 6885	£ 8397
5	Suite with private bathroom	$ 13295	$ 15995
		€ 11034	€ 13275
		£ 7445	£ 8957
The more expensive 20 days cruise (right column) concerns the January 17, 2007 to February 5, 2007 cruise

Aboard Molchanov
November 4, 2006 - November 23, 2006 - 20 days
December 2, 2006 - December 21, 2006 - 20 days
December 30, 2006 - January 18, 2007 - 20 days
Deck	Cabin Type	20 days	20 days
3	Triple without bathroom	$ 7995	$ 9795
		€ 6635	€ 8129
		£ 4477	£ 5485
3	Twin without bathroom	$ 9495	$ 11695
		€ 7880	€ 9706
		£ 5317	£ 6549
4+5	Twin with private bathroom	$ 10995	$ 13595
		€ 9125	€ 11283
		£ 6157	£ 7613
5	Superior with private bathroom	$ 12295	$ 14995
		€ 10204	€ 12445
		£ 6885	£ 8397
5	Suite with private bathroom	$ 13295	$ 15995
		€ 11034	€ 13275
		£ 7445	£ 8957
The more expensive 20 days cruise (right column) concerns the New Year's Eve cruise (December 30, 2006 to January 18, 2007) The November 4, 2006 - November 23, 2006 departs from Pto Madryn and finish in Ushuaia.

Aboard Sholkalskiy
February 14, 2007 – March 5, 2007 - 20 days
Deck	Cabin Type	20 days
3	Triple without bathroom	$ 9795
		€ 8129
		£ 5485
3	Twin without bathroom	$ 11695
		€ 9706
		£ 6549
4+5	Twin with private bathroom	$ 13595
		€ 11283
		£ 7613
5	Superior with private bathroom	$ 14995
		€ 12445
		£ 8397
5	Suite with private bathroom	$ 15995
		€ 13275
		£ 8957
itineray in reverse order (Peninsula, South Georgia & Falkland Islands)

Aboard Orlova
January 15, 2007 - February 3, 2007 - 20 days
Deck	Cabin Type	20 days
Lower	Triple with private bathroom	$ 8595
		€ 7133
		£ 4813
Lower	Twin with private bathroom	$ 9995
		€ 8295
		£ 5597
Main	Twin with private bathroom	$ 10895
		€ 9042
		£ 6101
Captain	Twin with private bathroom	$ 10895
		€ 9042
		£ 6101
Upper	Superior with private bathroom	$ 12395
		€ 10287
		£ 6941
Upper	Suite with private bathroom	$ 13595
		€ 11283
		£ 7613

Included:
• Voyage aboard expedition vessels as indicated in the itinerary
• Pre-cruise hotel accommodations (except onboard Mikheev, Aleksey Maryshev and Ushuaia) on a share basis with breakfast as indicated in the itinerary
• All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship
• All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
• Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by an experienced expedition staff
• Comprehensive pre-departure materials and Antarctic handbook
• Transfers and baggage handling between the hotels, airports and ship for those traveling on the group flights
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
• Detailed post-expedition log

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.