Small, ice-strengthened vessel offering an experience more like a private expedition than a conventional cruise during your polar travels.
The 72 metre, 1753 ton Professor Molchanov was built in Finland in 1983 for polar and oceanographic research. Continuously refurbished since its conversion for passenger use, the vessel is ideally suited for expedition cruising, carrying a maximum of just 49 passengers in comfortable twin and triple cabins, all outside and each with a desk and ample storage space.
Public areas include a lounge and bar, small library, infirmary (there is a doctor on board) and a sauna. Views are excellent from the large, open decks and the navigation bridge, where we are almost always welcome. The European chefs produce a varied menu and the comfortable bar is stocked with a good selection of wine.
The ship is staffed by Russian officers and crew, all highly experienced in ice navigation. Russian captains are recognized as the world experts in polar operations.
The atmosphere aboard the Professor Molchanov is relaxed and informal, more like a private expedition than a cruise. To explore such a region with just a small number of fellow passengers is a real luxury, and will help make your polar travel of discovery and adventure a truly unforgettable experience.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Embark from Ushuaia
Embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located in the shadow of the Andes and right at the Beagle Channel shore. The afternoon is spent sailing through this scenic waterway.
Days 2-3: Drake Passage
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 a variety of seabirds: 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, catch a glimpse at the first icebergs.
Days 4-9: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
This is a sample only, the final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. A typical itinerary in the South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula may be as follows.
At Aitcho Islands or Penguin Island, we will first land in Antarctic waters. These volcanic islands are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as Gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins and southern giant petrels. Elephant seals and fur seals may also haul out at the beaches. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and Black- bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. We might also try to land at Baily Head on the outer rim of Deception Island with a colony of ten thousands of Chinstrap Penguins. Deception Island is a huge volcano of which the crater opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Pigeons and many Dominican Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns.
On our way further South we will sail to Orne Islands with large colonies of Chinstrap Penguins and a beautiful view across the Gerlache Strait or to Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island. It contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. From there we sail through Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, while having chances of seeing large whales. Enjoy zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords.
Sailing through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pleneau and Petermann Island, 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 base visit will also be provided, to give you an insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent.
Northward, through Neumayer Channel, we arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape and again possibilities for zodiac cruising among the icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales.
Days 10-11: Drake Passage
Back in the Drake Passage, keep an eye out for any seabirds you may have missed during your first passge, and to take advantage of the knowledge of our lecture team.
Day 12: Disembark Ushuaia
We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
Departure dates: Dec 18, 2007; Dec 29, 2007 (Ship: Professor Molchanov)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the shared price for the 2006-2007 season, and 1.8 times the shared price for the 2007-2008 season. Superior cabins and suites available for single occupancy at 2 times the shared price.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Also see tour packages in:
Antarctica
Antarctica
Boating and Sailing
Glacier Tours
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