| Departures | Duration | Season |
|---|---|---|
|
November 20th 2012 to Decmeber 9th 2012 |
20 days - 19 Nights |
Austral Spring and Summer. |
| Highlights | Prices (2 p base) | Ship |
|---|---|---|
| An amazing Expedition to Antarctica: Ushuaia, Falklands Island, South Georgia Island, Peninsula Antarctica. |
19-Night Cruise: Cabin Type: -Cabine C : U$ 9480 -Cabine B : U$ 12290 -Cabine A : U$ 15350 -Superior : U$ 16250 -Suite : U$ 17080 Zekeseven Offers:1)One night before departure of the expedition at Ushuaia in 4-star hotel. 2)Transfers at Ushuaia. 3)Domestic Flights Buenos Aires- Ushuaia round trip. 4)10% discount in A, Superior and suite cabins. |
The Ushuaia See more information below. |
VOYAGE PROGRAM
Day 1 – November 20th
We board at the Ushuaia harbor in the afternoon. Meeting with scientific staff and officers. We sail towards the Beagle Channel and the magnificent Mackinla landscape heading to the Malvinas Island.
Day2 – November 21st
En route to the Falkland archipelago our expedition team looks forward to greet you during their first introductory lectures and invites you to join them on the outer decks for amazing bird watching.
Day3 –November 22nd .
New Island / West Point (Malvinas Islands).
In the morning we will reach the west point island to discover a huge colony of Black-browed Albatross. In the afternoon we will reach the Carcass Island. A huge field of tussac grass covers the east region of the island. We will find here a huge variety of small birds. The Gentoo and Magellan penguins breed here, Caracas Striatum are seen almost everywhere as well as the Cobb Wrens that are also abundant in the island. Peale´s and Commerson´s dolphins come often close to the shoreline and with a little luck, Rob McGill, the owner of this delightful island might have the kettle on and invite us for an islander´s tea with scones and cake.
Day4 – November 23rd
Stanley and Malvinas Island Visit to the east part of the island. Departure in the afternoon to the South Georgia Island.
Day 5, 6, 7 – November 24th to 27th
At the sea.
The open doors policy at the Ushuaia will allow you to observe the officials and captain in the cruise and learn about the difficulties of sailing in this region. You will also observe multiple seal birds and whales. On Board you will enjoy several conferences hold by experts. In case of good weather conditions, you will be able to experience your first contact with the royal penguins.
Day 8 to 11 – 27th to 30th November
Our exact destinations will be determined by weather conditions. Here we make a short description of the different possibilities available to explore:
Grytviken Whale station, where we will visit a natural history museum, surrounded by outstanding mountains where we will be able to explore. We might also visit the grave of Ernest Shackleton.
The Salisbury Plein: It is an incomparable wild place. Here you will find majestic glaciers, covered with thousands of royal penguins. In the beaches we will be surrounded by these curious creatures, as well as the seals that will give birth in this paradise.
Gold Harbor: Gold Harbor offers a lot of spectacular views with its suspended glaciers and alpine landscapes. We expect to be able to visit the beach, guided by professional stuff, appreciating every single sign of the nature. The cliffs provide a nesting place for the Sooty albatrosses, that you will be able to observe flying over the beach. This will be a great opportunity to take amazing pictures. This beach is the seal wolves’ favorite one, There is also a small colony of gentoo penguins nesting in the grass that protects them from the storms and hostile weather.
Cooper Bay: We expect to be able to explore two areas at the Cooper Bay. Firstly, we will visit the main beach to observe the royal penguins, and seal elephants and go for a walk. We will also try to get into a Zodiac Tour around the volcanic cliffs and observe a wonderful colony of golden penguins.
St. Andrews Bay:St. Andrews Bay is covered with penguins, sea elephants (in November) and seals. This great number of fauna attracts to hundreds of persistent and hungry scavengers. Stromness Located in the central harbor of Stromness Bay, this whaling station stands in the southernmost region of the Island. In this place Shackleton ended his voyage. Walking at the Stromness bay, a whaling station now abandoned, is an unforgettable experience.
Drygalski Fjord: Drygalski Fjord with 14km long is spectacular scenery. Although Drygalski Fjord glaciers have retreated significantly in recent decades, they remain one of the most striking features of this coast, especially glaciers Ristinge and Jenkins. It is also a breeding place for snow petrels at South Georgia. The birds nest on the foothills of the cliff and mountain ridges along the banks.
Day 12– 1st December
At the sea, to the islands South Orkney
Day 13– 2nd December
South Orkney Island: The archipelago consists of four main islands: Coronation, Laurie, Powell and Signy Island. We will try to address the second largest island, Laurie. The seas around these islands are often covered with glacial ice and surrounded by huge tabular icebergs But we might get lucky and step ashore to visit the Argentine Station Orcadas, where seals haul out on the beach and we might get a tour through the facilities of the station.
Day 14– 3rd December
At sea. To Weddel sea.
Day15 to 17 – 4th to 6th December
Our exact itinerary will be determined by local conditions on sea and land. The following destinations are among those we hope to explore: King George Island, South Shetland Islands King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland Islands. Russia, China, Korea, Poland, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina have all built research stations here. We may have an opportunity to visit one of these stations, where researchers welcome us with descriptions of their projects and a firsthand look at life in the Antarctic. King George Island features colonies of nesting Adélie and Chinstrap Penguins, as well as Kelp Gulls, Blue-eyed Cormorants, Antarctic Terns and Southern Giant Petrels. Southern elephant seals can often be found in muddy wallows close to the shoreline. The island is also known for its flora, including luxuriant moss beds, two species of grass which grows in sheltered areas and beautiful brightly-colored orange and green lichens found on coastal rocks. Invertebrates can also be found in tide pools along the shore. Deception Island, South Shetland Islands
Long ago, volcanic pressure on Deception Island resulted in a tremendous eruption that caused the island’s peak to explode. The resulting caldera flooded with seawater, creating the unique landmass we may visit today. Our Captain will expertly pilot the ship through a narrow gateway in the icy cliffs of the island, taking the USHUAIA into the caldera itself. Hundreds of thousands of Chinstrap Penguins inhabit the outer volcanic slopes of the island at Baily Head, along with nesting Pintado Petrels and Antarctic Terns. Brave souls may don their bathing suits for the unusual opportunity of a swim in the Antarctic, since the waters around Deception Island are usually geo-thermally heated!
Antarctic Sound
The passage to the east side of the Antarctic Peninsula traverses Antarctic Sound, which is 30 miles (48 km) long and 7-12 miles (11-19 km) wide and runs northwest-to-southeast.
This is where huge tabular icebergs roam. All-white, Black-pupiled, and Black-billed Snow Petrels are likely to be coursing over the scenery, often joined by Pintado Petrels and early in the spring, by Antarctic Petrels streaming south to nesting territories on slopes fringing the Weddell Sea.
Brown Bluff
The spectacular rust-colored promontory on the Tabarin Peninsula, Brown Bluff, is located south of Hope Bay. On its long beach more than 20,000 Adélie penguins and a smaller group of Gentoo Penguins have found their home. There is also a potpourri of Kelp Gulls, Snow Petrels, and Pintado Petrels swirling above.
Esperanza Station – Hope Bay
At the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula the mighty ice-tongue of the Depot glacier has cut a broad valley into the continent. In the meantime the glacier has retreated and left a large bay, Hope Bay. It is here, where the biggest station of the entire Antarctic Peninsula is situated, the Argentine Station Esperanza. The friendly base personal might give us a tour of their installations, including the little church and the school they maintain open for their children.
Day18 and19 – 7th and 8th December
We will be sailing at the Drake Passage, heading north.
We depart from Antarctica through the Drake passage with some final observations of the whales and birds. Named by the famous explorer, Sir Frances Drake who explored this area in 1578, The Passage also marks the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds. As we sail across the passage, Antarpply Expeditions’ lecturers will be out with you on deck to help in the identification of whales and an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow in our wake. Join our lecturers for some final lectures and take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.
Day 20 – 9th December
Arrival in the port of Ushuaia after breakfast.
Itinerary: The itinerary above is only indicative. The captain and officers reserve the right to modify or remove part of the program, without notice, when the well-being, passenger safety or protection of the environment are at stake for the same reasons, the exact hours of departure of the vessels are subject to change.
The Ushuaia
Constructed as ship observation by the Navy Marine Observation (NOAA), the Ushuaia has-been remodeled to Accommodate 84 Passengers in 41 comfortable cabins (double cabin and suites) with window (s) outside (s). The polar ship Ushuaia HAS wide decks and open to all. It is well Zodiacs HAS semi-rigid land for the outputs of the Antarctic Peninsula. The Public Areas Consist of a large dining room, an observation room (lounge bar), a conference room, a library.
THE CABINS
Cabines C: Inside cabins with two bunk beds and bathroom semi-private.
Cabines B: Lower deck. Exterior door with double and bunk beds and bathroom semi-private
Cabines A: Double cabin with window and outdoor beds, private bathroom.
Superior cabins: double cabins with two single beds and windows. The cab 301 includes a double bed and one single bed.
Suites: • Livingroom and bed. •1 or 2 double beds. • Starboard and bow windows in the room and bow window in the living • Private bathroom. •TV, DVD and minibar.
Included services
- Voyage aboard the USHUAIA as indicated in the itinerary.
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the USHUAIA.
- 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 program
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
- Detailed post-expedition log.
BOOKING
To book this trip, please fill the booking request form or simply contact us by e-mail booking@zekeseven.com
