An 11 or 20 day day tour to the spectacular scenery and wildlife of the southernmost continent.

 

This 11-day voyage - beginning and ending in Ushuaia - features the clean unspoiled early season scenery, wildlife, and rich history of Antarctica. We have secured spots on the Hebridean Sky . It holds 114 passengers, has huge windows for views and public spaces. The Hebridean Sky is the perfect blend of luxury and adventurous exploration.  

 

The 20-day tour adds the Falkland Islands and South Georgia before heading to Antarctica. 

 

 

Trip Overview

 

Tour Type: Photography/Wildlife

 

Difficulty: Moderate

 

Temp Range: 10° F / 60 ° F

 

Leader: Thomas Kokta

 

Group Size: Maximum 10 people

 

11-day tour (Antarctica only):

Price: US $7,295 triple (per person, triple occupancy)
           US $8,995 porthole suite (per person, double occupancy)
           US $10,495 window suite (per person, double occupancy)

           US $10,995 promenade suite (per person, double occupancy)

           US $12,495 veranda suite (per person, double occupancy)

           US $13,995 penthouse suite (per person, double occupancy)

 

20-day tour (Falklands, South Georgia, Antarctica):

Price: US $14,995 triple (per person, triple occupancy)
           US $17,395 porthole suite (per person, double occupancy)
           US $18,995 window suite (per person, double occupancy)

           US $19,995 promenade suite (per person, double occupancy)

           US $22,495 veranda suite (per person, double occupancy)

           US $24,495 penthouse suite (per person, double occupancy)

Dates:

• Tour 1: November 17, 2017 to November 28, 2017

• Tour 2: October 29, 2017 November 18, 2017

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Included: 

• One night in Ushuaia

• 10/20 nights accommodation on the ship

• All meals on board

• Tour leader

• Photographic instruction

 

Not included:

• Flights to and from Ushuaia

• Airport taxes

• Travel insurance

• Visa fees

• Staff gratuities

• Phone calls and personal expenses

• Alcoholic beverages

 

 

Itinerary -T0ur 1

 

Day 1: Ushuaia

Arrive in Ushuaia anytime today. Your day is free to relax, or enjoy the Argentinean leather markets and succulent lamb dishes that make Patagonia famous as you explore the southernmost town in the world. Our optional evening briefing is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and to meet some of your fellow travelers.

 

Day 2: Embarkation

The morning is free to explore Ushuaia until our mid-afternoon transfer to the ship, where you will be greeted by our Expedition Team and ship’s officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain’s welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on our early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies.

 

Days 3-4: Drake Passage

Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are the Albatrosses, Prions, and Petrels that frequently follow the ship. Our Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the Whales and Dolphins that may also be seen in the area. We will begin the presentation series with informative and entertaining presentations on the wildlife, history, and geology of Antarctica. Helpful briefings on expedition safety and environmental regulations will also be held in the comfortable presentation hall. The length of our crossing will depend on the sea conditions, but we are usually in sight of the South Shetland Islands of the Antarctic Peninsula on the evening of Day 4.

 

Days 5-9: Antarctica

The land of superlatives, Antarctica! Our Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. The route will stress the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas as well as sites of historic and scientific interest.The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the Humpback Whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. We may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well as an historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House. Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins abound, and Weddell, Crabeater and Elephant Seals are often found hauled out to rest along with predatory Leopard Seals and the aggressive Antarctic Fur Seal. Minke and Humpback Whales are frequent visitors in the late season and Orca sightings are also common.

 

Days 10-11: Drake Passage

We will continue our presentation series and wildlife spotting as we sail back to Ushuaia and reflect on beautiful Antarctica and its fragile future. We arrive at Ushuaia in the early hours of Day 12.

 

Day 12: Ushuaia Disembarkation

Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.

 

Itinerary -Tour 2

 

Day 1: Ushuaia

Arrive in Ushuaia anytime today. Your day is free to relax, or enjoy the Argentinean leather markets and succulent lamb dishes that make Patagonia famous as you explore the southernmost town in the world. Our optional evening briefing is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and to meet some of your fellow travelers.

 

Day 2: Embarkation

The morning is free to explore Ushuaia until our mid-afternoon transfer to the ship, where you will be greeted by our Expedition Team and ship’s officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain’s welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on our early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies.

 

Days 3-5:  Southern Ocean / The Falklands Islands

Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are the albatrosses, prions, and petrels that frequently follow the ship. Our Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the whales and dolphins that may also be seen in the area. Our experts will begin the presentations with informative and entertaining talks on the wildlife, history, and geology of the Falkland Islands and Southern Ocean. Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety will also be held in the comfortable lounge.

The westernmost settled outposts in the Falklands are remote farms that have been family-owned for six and seven generations. The sheep graze alongside albatross colonies and rockhopper, king, and macaroni penguin rookeries while striated caracaras patrol overhead and upland geese graze at the water's edge. A visit to one of these homesteads often includes an invitation for cakes and a cup of tea.

Chosen for its sheltered harbor and access to abundant fresh water and peat for fuel, Stanley is easy to discover on foot as shops and most services are centered on the port. The museum, the post-office featuring first day covers, plenty of shops with locally made wool items and Stanley's lively pubs will all be available. It is possible to experience the wildlife of the Falklands from the town, including sea lions and dolphins in the harbor or bird life in nearby Gypsy Cove. 

 

Days 6-7: Crossing the Antarctic Convergence

There will be plenty of wildlife spotting as we make our way east across the Antarctic Convergence and officially enter Antarctic waters. Shipboard presentations will continue featuring the exciting history and abundant wildlife of South Georgia.

 

Days 8-11: South Georgia

 Its unique position inside the Antarctic Convergence yet outside the limit of the yearly sea ice makes this 3,755 square kilometer island home to tens of millions of breeding penguins, seals and seabirds. Magnificent mountain scenery, glaciers galore, a rugged coastline punctuated with castellate and tabular icebergs, a rich historical tapestry, and an astounding array of wildlife are all available to us as we travel down South Georgia's leeward coast. Landing sites feature huge elephant seals, aggressive fur seals, macaroni penguins, albatross, petrels, skuas, and gulls. King penguins from fuzzy little chicks to fattened adults can be seen in the hundreds of thousands. We plan to visit historic Grytviken whaling station, home of the whaling museum, Norwegian seaman's church, the active British Antarctic Survey station plus the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried..

 

Day 12-13: Scotia Sea

Heading farther south, we continue our informative presentations and wildlife watch as the icebergs become more and more plentiful. 

 

Days 14-17: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

The land of superlatives, Antarctica! Our Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. Approaching the Antarctic Peninsula from the east we cross the northern boundary of the Weddell Sea; this large cold body of water rotates clockwise driving cold water and ice north towards South Georgia and the South Orkney Islands. Large tabular icebergs born in the Weddell drift north into our path while the ocean currents drive nutrients from the deep, feeding countless species of marine animals. Large groups of wales are common, along with scores of seabirds thriving off the bounty the Weddell provides. Our route will stress the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas as well as sites of historic and scientific interest. The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, Wilhelmina Bay (a favorite of humpback whales!), or the majestic Neumayer Channel. We may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House. Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins abound, and Weddell, crabeater and elephant seals are often found hauled out to rest along with predatory leopard seals and the aggressive Antarctic fur seal. Minke and humpback whales are frequent visitors in the late season and orca sightings are also common.

 

Day 18-20: Drake Passage / Ushuaia

We will continue our lecture series and wildlife spotting as we sail back to Ushuaia and reflect on beautiful Antarctica and its fragile future. We arrive at Ushuaia in the early hours of Day 20.

Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.

 

Note: The actual may vary based on local weather, ice conditions, and opportunities to view wildlife.

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If you are interested in more tours to Antarctica, visit our partner Polar Holidays​!