Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula
South Shetlands, Antarctic Peninsula, Penguin Rookeries, Lemaire Channel
10 Days | Departures: 11/15/13  |  From: $4,595

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Trip Highlights: This well-established expedition cruise offers you the ideal introduction to Antarctica. Departing and finishing in the port of Ushuaia in Argentina, the itinerary visits prime sites along the Antarctic Peninsula and the neighboring South Shetland Islands. This program will emphasize wildlife viewing, possible visits to scientific bases, and the breathtaking scenery with narrow waterways, glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains. Experience the beauty and wonder of the White Continent!

Rates: $4,595 - $8,995
Single Rate: 1.7 - 2 times the double occupancy rate
All-Inclusive Beverage Package: $275 per person request at time of booking.
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package: $120 per person request at time of booking.

Ship - Sea Adventurer - Expedition Ship
Passengers: 122

Summary

Traveling to the farthest reaches of the world doesn’t mean you can’t be comfortable! Embark on this ideal introduction to Antarctica aboard a beautiful expedition ship that combines adventure with service and many amenities of a classic passenger vessel. The outstanding cuisine may vie with the landscape and wildlife for your attention. Depart and finish in the port of Ushuaia in Argentina, and visit prime sites along the Antarctic Peninsula and the neighboring South Shetland Islands. This program emphasizes wildlife viewing, possible visits to scientific bases, breathtaking scenery with narrow waterways, glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains. Enjoy quality and value at a good price!

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. Despite recent growth, it has retained an easy going and accessible feel. With the sea to the south and mountains to the north, Ushuaia is a spectacular departure point for your Antarctic cruise. If you arrive early, you can spend some time in the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park, enjoy some Argentinean wines and barbeques in the city, or visit the many boutique shops and cafes before your expedition to Antarctica.

Day 2: Embarkation Day
Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel. This historic channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of excitement as we depart - the next time you see land we’ll be in the world’s most southern continent!

Days 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage
Prepare yourself for potentially rough water, but hope for smooth sailing as the Drake is unpredictable and always changing. You’ll spend these first days getting to know your shipmates, while provided with safety briefings and insights into what excitement lies ahead.

Days 5-7: South Shetland Islands & Antarctica Peninsula
When land is sighted for the first time in two days you know you have reached the South Shetland Islands. This impressive group of islands, lying to the north and roughly parallel to the Antarctic Peninsula, is a haven for wildlife. You visit vast penguin rookeries, land on beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and observe wallowing southern elephant seals. You also hope to visit one of the many research bases in the archipelago and look for Antarctica's only two flowering plants which thrive here during the short southern summer.

The Antarctic Peninsula is the most easily accessible part of the ‘White Continent,’ but it also has some of the most awe-inspiring scenery and a rich variety of wildlife. This voyage offers ample time to experience the special magic of this wilderness region. Among the places you may visit are aptly named Paradise Harbor, where glaciers fill the calm waters with a vista of icebergs sculpted by wind and weather. Here, you may set foot on the ‘White Continent’ itself. At Port Lockroy, you will find thriving colonies of penguins and shags and a former British scientific station that has recently been renovated and serves as a fascinating museum. Cuverville Island and Rongé Island, with their dramatic location, are home to a large colony of nearly 5,000 pairs of Gentoo penguins. Many visitors find the Antarctic scenery as rewarding as the wildlife, and you will be enchanted by such beautiful waterways as the Neumayer and Lemaire channels. Located south of the spectacular Lemaire Channel and separated from the mainland of the Antarctic Peninsula by Penola Strait is Petermann Island, on which we plan to land. Adélie and Gentoo penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags nest close to the landing site.

Days 8-9: Drake Passage
Today, you leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Now is the chance to relax and review the adventures of the past week as well as enjoy some final lectures from the expedition staff as you return to Ushuaia.

Day 12: Ushuaia
We’ll arrive in Ushuaia in the morning for you to continue your adventure on land or catch your flights home.

Notes:

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.

All-Inclusive Beverage Package: $275 per person, request at time of booking. One set price allows you to enjoy a wide variety of drinks without making purchases onboard. Alcoholic beverages include a wide selection of domestic and imported beer, spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails and two varieties of red and white wine. Non-alcoholic drinks include unlimited soft drinks, water and juice.

Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package: $120 per person, request at time of booking. One set price allows you to enjoy a wide variety of drinks without making purchases onboard. Includes unlimited soft drinks, water and juice.

Mandatory Travel Insurance:
All guests are required to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage. Due to the remoteness of the areas in this itinerary, travelers must have a minimum $50,000 of emergency medical coverage. Proof of coverage is required prior to embarkation. The shipping company will not be held responsible for delays due to force majeure. Any additional costs accrued will be the responsibility of the traveler. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends that the travel insurance policy covers trip cancellation insurance, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage and repatriation. ExpeditionTrips can assist you with this.

Included:
One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation with breakfast in Ushuaia (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel.); shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.); all shore landings per the daily program; leadership throughout the voyage by experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities; all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program; formal and informal presentations by Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled; Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage; a pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; an official parka to keep; coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock; hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin; comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader; a group transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from the ship to the local airport; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; all luggage handling aboard ship; Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $100,000 per person*.

Not Included:
Any airfare; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation; optional beverage packages (all-inclusive beverage package: $275 per person; non-alcoholic beverage package: $120 per person); baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance; excess baggage charges; laundry and other personal charges; telecommunications charges; voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew; supplements for adventure options; fuel surcharge may apply.

*Emergency Evacuation Insurance:
Emergency evacuation coverage to a maximum benefit per paying passenger of $100,000 is included in the cost of this expedition. Included coverage is applicable only to travel between the first and last day of the expedition purchased. Additional days of travel prior to the expedition and/or after the expedition are not covered by the included emergency evacuation insurance. We strongly advise all passengers to purchase medical, cancellation and baggage insurance, and additional emergency evacuation coverage.