10-Day Antarctic Peninsula Expedition
Stunning scenery and iconic wildlife abound in these extraordinary expedition cruises along the western Antarctic Peninsula. These vessels are rugged though comfortable, and deftly navigate alongside a spectacular mountainous and glacial landscape. In the bays and on the beaches, enjoy the opportunity to see gentoo and chinstrap penguins, Weddell and crabeater seals, wandering albatross and perhaps even humpback and minke whales. Looking for more adventure? Step aboard a zodiac and cruise among chiseled icebergs and deep-cut fjords up close. On a number of these expeditions, for a modest extra charge, you also have further option to sea kayak along the coast or be the first of your friends to set up camp on "The White Continent." Let us know if you are interested in those activities. While there are numerous 10 and 11 day voyages on offer throughout each season, which runs November through March, we highly recommend booking a year or more in advance, if possible, to avoid disappointment.
*** GENERAL NOTE: Please contact us for specific day-to-day itineraries for any of the above expeditions, especially for any special or longer voyages. All itineraries are for guidance only. Program may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife. The final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
Full Itinerary
DETAILED ITINERARY >>
ITINERARY IN BRIEF >>
Day 1: Embark from Ushuaia
This afternoon, make your way to the port and board the ship. We embark from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.
*** Please note that we strongly recommend you fly into Ushuaia the day before your expedition and overnight. There are a number of hotels to choose from.
Meals included: Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Antarctica Vessel
Day 2: Sailing the Drake's Passage / At Sea
At sea - During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black- browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson's Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Antarctica Vessel
Day 3: Sailing the Drake's Passage / At Sea
We continue our way to the Antarctic Peninsula, keeping a sharp lookout for pelagic birds and whales. En-route, you'll enjoy a series of lectures from the guide staff regarding the continent's wildlife, geology, climate, and more.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Antarctica Vessel
Day 4: Explore Antarctica
We will sail directly to 'High Antarctica', passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. On Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island, we will find a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. If we land on Danco Island we can observe Chinstrap Penguins and possibly Weddell and Crabeater Seals. In Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glacier and enjoy the landscape during zodiac cruises. When sailing to Paradise Bay, with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we will have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, we hope to get permission to visit the British research station and post office Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Imperial Shags.
We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pleneau and Petermann Island where we can find Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. In this area, there are good chances to encounter Humpback Whales, Minke Whales and Fin Whales. A visit to one of the scientific stations in Antarctica will give you an insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent. Further south we may visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, where we will receive a warm welcome from the station crew. Sailing north through Neumayer Channel we arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape with icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Antarctica Vessel
Day 5: Explore Antarctica
Further exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula - please see Day 4.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Antarctica Vessel
Day 6: Explore Antarctica
Further exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula - please see Day 4.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Antarctica Vessel
Day 7: Explore Antarctica
Further exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula - please see Day 4.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Antarctica Vessel
Day 8: Sailing the Drake's Passage / At Sea
On our way north, we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Antarctica Vessel
Day 9: Sailing the Drake's Passage / At Sea
At Sea.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Antarctica Vessel
Day 10: Disembark in Ushuaia
We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark. The ship provides transfer to the airport (book your flight for 12:00pm or later). If you are staying in Ushuaia, there are taxis at the port that you can take to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Pricing
10-Day Antarctic Peninsula Expedition
from $8395 USD
*** Contact Us for other itinerary and lodging options! ***
NOTE: Prices are per person in U.S. dollars based on double/triple occupancy. All quotations are based on the current rates of park fees, VAT, other government taxes, and current exchange rates. Should any of these be increased or a new tax introduced, these increases will be added on even if your trip has already been paid for.
INCLUDES:
- All accommodations per itinerary
- All meals per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
- All transportation and transfers per itinerary
- Voyage aboard an ice-hardened expedition vessel
- Free use of rubber boots (for wet landings) and snow shoes
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the ship to the Ushuaia airport (directly after disembarkation)
- Lecture program by noted naturalists and experienced staff
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges during the program
- Comprehensive pre-departure material Services of professional expedition staff
- Coffee, tea, and water on the vessel
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EXCLUDES:
- International and domestic flights
- Meals not listed
- Beverages and alcohol
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
- Optional tours
- Single room supplement
- Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
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