|
|
Antarctic Dream
offered by supplier M16923 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 11
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 80
people
Destination(s):
Antarctica
Specialty Categories:
Boating and Sailing
Wildlife Viewing
Season: November - March
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 5990 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 5990 US Dollar (USD)
|
|
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Board the M/V Antarctic Dream where you will be greeted by our friendly Expedition Leader and staff and shown to your cabin to commence this awe-inspiring Antarctic cruise!
Days 2-3: Drake Passage
Spot the wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds as you sail south across this famous passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th Century English navigator. We will continue towards the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zone. In 1819, the British explorer William Smith described the south Shetland Islands as “barren and covered with snow, with seals in abundance”.
Day 4: King George Island
King George Island will give us a hint of what Antarctic is all about. It is the biggest island of the South Shetlands. We will have a chance to disembark in Potter Bay. In the afternoon we visit Aitcho Island which is between Greenwich and Robert Islands. We then continue on to cross Bransfield and Gerlache Straits to enter Andvord Bay and arrive at Neko Bay.
Day 5: Antarctic Peninsula and Neko Bay
Besides the magnificent scenery of mountains and ice, in Antarctica you can expect to see a wide variety of the native wildlife. Birds to look out for are the blue-eyed shag, sea gulls, cape petrels, skuas, snowy sheath bills and Antarctic terns. Marine mammals you are likely to see include the Weddell crab-eater and leopard seal. You may be lucky enough to spot Orcas, humpback and mink whale at close range! You will experience your first landing on the White Continent (Neko Bay) and another at Port Lockroy (Gaudier Island). Neko Bay was discovered by Adrian de Gerlache, a Belgian explorer. Port Lockroy is close to Wiencke Island in the Antarctic Peninsula and was the principle base of the 1944 Tabarin Operation - the scientific research included the Antarctic’s first ionosphere measurements and also the first recording of an atmospheric whistle.
Day 6: Pleneau - Petermann Island
We sail south through the narrow Lemaire Channel whose high, sheer cliffs suggest that no passage could be found. Once through the channel, known as one of the most beautiful places in the world, and provided climate and ice conditions are good enough, we will be able to visit Petermann Island which is the most southern land point of our expedition. Here we will disembark and will be able to see the most southern colony of Gentoo penguins which nest near our landing spot. On this island we will also be able to see a colony of beautiful Adelei penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags. At Pleneau we should have the opportunity to take our zodiacs and visit impressive ice formations.
Day 7: Paradise Bay - Cuverville Island
At this point of our program we will begin our return voyage. During the morning and, stressing again that if weather permits, we will disembark or use our zodiacs in Paradise Bay. In the evening we will visit Cuverville Island. Beside its dramatic scenery it is home to one of the largest colony of Gentoo penguins and skuas. This rocky island is on the north side of the Errera Channel, between Ronge Island and the Arctowski Peninsula.
Day 8: Deception Island - Whaler’s Bay -Pendulum Cove
We continue sailing to Deception Island which is the largest active volcano in the area at the northwest side of the Peninsula. During the morning we will try to disembark in Whaler’s Bay and Pendulum Cove where you can live the unique experience of swimming in this water. In the afternoon we will disembark at Hannah Point (Livingstone Island). This is one of the best places in the Antarctic to see fauna and we should see Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, giant petrels, Wilson petrels, skuas and blue-eyed shags. With luck we should also see sea elephants.
Days 9-10: Drake Passage
Today, we will leave the Antarctic and head north back across the Drake Passage. Now is the chance to compare and revise notes and dwell on the adventures of the past week, to take in the final lectures and to enjoy the delicious gastronomy on board as you return to Ushuaia.
Day 11: Ushuaia, Argentina
After an early breakfast we will land at 9:00 am and bid farewell to our guests. Thus ends an incredible and unique expedition on the Antarctic Dream.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- All Meals,
- Daily activities on board.
Price Excludes:
- Pre tour accommodation,
- International and domestic flights.
Please note fuel surcharges may be applicable to your departure.
Also see tour packages in:
Antarctica
Antarctica
Boating and Sailing
Wildlife Viewing
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
|
|
|
, ext: 16923
