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Trip Details

Great Antarctic Explorers - Ross Sea - Ice-Breaker, Enderby Island, McMurdo Station, Historic huts of Scott and Shackleton, Dry Valleys
26 Days   |   Departures: 12/13/08  |   From $18 500

Connected pages:  Request Information about an Antarctica Vacation | Travel - The Basics | Travel - The Details
Clothing  | Photography: equipment  technique  Prices in $USD, bookings readily arranged from anywhere

Locations:  Antarctic Peninsula | South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands | South Shetland Islands | Falkland Islands

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2008/09 Itinerary

Antarctic Peninsula, Falklands, South Georgia cruises

Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula
from $3,500
Antarctica Cruise
Possibly the best overall trip, kayaking and scuba
Falklands, South Georgia, & Antarctic Peninsula
South Georgia and the Falkland Islands
Antarctic Peninsula -climbing, kayaking
Antarctica Cruise
Comfortable expedition ship at half capacity
Emperor Penguin Safari, ice-breaker trip to the Weddell Sea
Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula (Active Adventure)
Antarctic Circle
optional scuba
Antarctic Circle Kayaking, Camping

Antarctic Peninsula - Hiking Voyage

Cruises in Eastern Antarctica - Ross Sea Region

Historic Huts & Antarctic Heroes
Ross Ice Shelf, McMurdo Sound
Epic Semi-Circumnavigation of Antarctica
31 days, icebreaker
Antarctica the Ross Sea Region
Ross Ice Shelf, Cape Adare, Shackleton, Scott's Hut, 26 days
Whale watching cruises
Galapagos cruises

Recommended Books


Lonely Planet travel guide to Antarctica
Buy USA Buy from Amazon USA 
Buy UK Buy from Amazon UK

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, Alfred Lansing

Antarctic Oasis: Under the Spell of South Georgia, Pauline Carr and Tim Carr

The Worst Journey in the World, Apsley Cherry-Garrard

Terra Incognita: Travels in Antarctica, Sara Wheeler

The Crystal Desert, David Campbell

 

Testimonials  |   Ship types

Trip Highlights: This trip focuses on the Polar Explorers. Another highlight is the Dry Valleys / Macquarie Island. Expect a real expedition where everything depends on weather and ice conditions.

Rates: $18,500 - $33,500
Triple: $18,500, Twins from: $25,500
Single: $43,300 (twin cabin)

Ship Name: - Kapitan Khlebnikov - Icebreaker
Passengers: 102

Introduction

This is your chance to be part of history, in the tradition of Cook, Ross, Scott, Shackleton, and, of course, Amundsen. In addition to a visit to the Bay of Whales, the closest area to the South Pole accessible by ship, you will visit the humbling remains of century old base camps, accompanied by a renowned Antarctic historian. At the same time specialists in marine biology, ornithology and glaciation provide expert commentary on the wildlife and scenery you encounter.

Itinerary

Day 1: Christchurch, New Zealand
You spend the night at a hotel in Christchurch to rest and relax before the expedition.

Day 2: Embarkation Day
You have arranged for a group transfer to Lyttelton, where you will embark the icebreaker. Scott began his final journey to Antarctica from the same port.

Days 3-5: Exploring Campbell and Enderby Islands
Anonymous whalers and sealers were often the first to visit sub Antarctic islands such as Enderby and Campbell Islands. Now protected habitats, the islands are nesting grounds for Royal Albatross, while Enderby is home to the rare Yellow-eyed Penguin. You go ashore, if conditions permit.

Days 6-9: Sailing to the Ice Edge
As you sail southward a full program of onboard activities will be underway. In addition to Adrian’s presentations, the Expedition Team will provide insight into the natural history of Antarctica. On deck there will be photo opportunities as you sail the ice edge, searching for Antarctic wildlife. The Expedition Leader may deploy the onboard helicopters to provide spectacular aerial views of glaciers and mountains.

Day 10: Drygalski Ice Tongue
This extension of the David Glacier is named for Erich von Drygalski, a German geophysicist who pioneered the study of ice formation. He used a balloon to take aerial photographs. You'll use the helicopters for aerial photography.

Days 11-12: McMurdo Station, Scott Base, Cape Evans and Cape Royds
It is a haunting experience to enter the small, dark huts left behind by the expeditions of Scott and Shackleton – some still stacked with tinned goods, along with seal blubber that was hoarded as emergency fuel. This visit may, however, be particularly poignant as you share Adrian’s Raeside first visit to the hut that played such a significant role in the life of his grandfather.

Days 13-14: The Dry Valleys and the Ross Ice Shelf
As you approach in helicopters from the sea, the expanse of fast ice stops abruptly, revealing a parched land with no vegetation other than lichen that grow inside rocks. It is a surreal experience to explore the Dry Valleys on foot, surrounded by odd granite formations sculpted by powerful winds.

Days 15-16: The Bay of Whales
Roald Amundsen, who beat Scott in their race to be the first to reach the South Pole, began his journey from a camp at the head of the Bay of Whales. You'll explore the bay, which is an indention in the Ross Ice Shelf.

Days 17-21: The Ross Sea
While you sail the Ross Sea, you will hear more about the many discoveries of James Ross, after whom the sea and the ice shelf are named. Expect to land at Cape Adare, breeding ground of over half a million Adélie Penguins and the location of another historic hut built in 1899 by Carsten Borchgrevink, the first person to winter over in Antarctica.

Days 22-23: Macquarie Island
Three million Royal Penguins, virtually the entire world population, live on Macquarie Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. King penguins and elephant seals share the islands with the Royals. Enjoy shore landings if conditions permit.

Days 24-26: North to Hobart, Australia
Your final days at sea include presentations summing up the legacy of the great explorers. You’ll disembark in Hobart, Australia on the island of Tasmania.


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.

Mandatory Travel Insurance: Passengers travelling on this expedition are required to be covered by a travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. As this voyage travels to remote regions of the world, we recommend that the policy’s emergency evacuation benefit be higher than minimum.

Included:
One pre-cruise night hotel night with breakfast (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travellers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel.); Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; All meals on board throughout voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.); All shore landings and Zodiac excursions per the daily program; Formal and informal presentations by Expedition Team and guest speakers; Photographic Journal on DVD; A pair of rubber expedition boots on loan for shore landings. (So you don’t have to pack any.); Hair dryer in every cabin; Expedition parka to keep; 24-hour coffee, tea, cocoa, and bottled water; Comprehensive pre-departure materials; Group transfers from the hotel to the ship at the embarkation port, and from the ship to the local airport on disembarkation – plus all baggage handling aboard ship; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; Polar Arts Program featuring an artist-in-residence who gives presentations and may conduct workshops in digital photography or traditional media (e.g. pastel, watercolor, oils, pens and ink); All helicopter transfers and aerial sightseeing according to each day’s program on the icebreaker.

Not Included:
All airfare; Passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation; Baggage, cancellation and travel insurance (please note that emergency medical insurance is mandatory); Excess baggage charges; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges; Telecommunications charges; Customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personnel (guidelines will be provided); Any possible helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group will be charged at an hourly rate to be announced on board.

Antarctica Ross Sea Region Cruises - (not an exhaustive list)

Trip Departure Dates Visiting Ship / Pax Options* Prices** Days Departure port
Great Antarctic Explorers - Ross Sea

12/4/07, 12/9/08

Enderby Island, McMurdo Station, Historic huts of Scott and Shackleton, Dry Valleys Icebreaker

108 - Kapitan Khlebnikov

  $18,500 - $33,500 26 Christchurch New Zealand - disembark Hobart, Tasmania
Historic Huts & Antarctic Heroes - Ross Sea Exploration 1/8/09, 2/3/09 Auckland Islands, Macquarie and Campbell Islands, Explore the Ross Sea, Historic Huts, Ross Ice Shelf, McMurdo base. Expedition Ship

100 - Marina Svetaeva

Helicopter Sightseeing Flights $10,990 - $23,190 26 Port of Bluff / Invercargill, New Zealand - disembark Hobart, Tasmania
Epic Semi-Circumnavigation of Antarctica 11/13/08 Weddell Sea, Amundsen Sea, Ross Ice Shelf, Scott and Shackleton's Huts, Spectacular Scenery - rarely visited regions Icebreaker

108 - Kapitan Khlebnikov

Helicopter Sightseeing Flights $19,900 - $36,900 31 Ushuaia, Argentina - disembark  Lyttelton, New Zealand
Antarctica and the Ross Sea Region

1/11/09, 2/9/09

Macquarie Island and Campbell Island, Ross Ice Shelf and Cape Adare, Emperor Penguins, Shackleton and Scott's Hut.

Research Vessel

48 - Spirit of Enderby

  $11,881 - $19,115 30 Port of Bluff / Invercargill, New Zealand - disembark same

Antarctic Peninsula Region Cruises - (not an exhaustive list)

Trip

Departure Dates

Highlights

Ship / Pax

Options* Prices** Days Departure port
Classic Antarctica 11/9/08, 11/19/08, 11/29/08, 2/10/09, 2/20/09, 3/2/09 South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, Port Lockroy Expedition Ship

110 - Orlova

  $3,360 - $9,200 11 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica - Cruise - The Peninsula
Comfortable expedition ship

 
12/8/07, 2/13/08 South Shetland, Paradise Bay, Lemaire Channel Luxury Expedition Ship

199 - Minerva

  $6,695 - $17,995 14 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise The Peninsula (Adventure Options)
 
11/22/08, 12/20/08, 12/30/08, 2/6/09, 2/16/09, 2/26/09 South Shetlands, Antarctic Peninsula, Penguin Rookeries, Lemaire Channel, Spectacular Glaciers Research Vessel

48 - Shokalskiy

Kayaking, Camping $4 800 - $10,600 12 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctic Peninsula - one of the most active programmes 12/08/08 South Shetland Islands, Abundant Wildlife, Lemaire Channel Research Vessel

56 - Polar Pioneer

Climbing
Kayaking
$5,790 - $8,990 12 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula 11/24/08, 12/4/08, 12/7/08, 12/14/08, 1/4/09, 1/14/09, 2/4/09, 2/14/09, 3/14/09 Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula - South Shetland Islands, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, Port Lockroy Research Vessel

52 - Professor Molchanov or Multanovskiy

  $4,890 - $9,790 11 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula (Active Adventure)

 

11/22/07, 12/16/07, 12/20/07, 12/30/07, 1/9/08, 2/6/08, 2/16/08, 2/26/08 South Shetlands, Antarctic Peninsula, Penguin Rookeries, Lemaire Channel Research Vessel

110 - Akademik Ioffe and Akademik Sergey Vavilov

Kayaking,
Camping
$4,400 - $9,010 12 Ushuaia, Argentina
Trip

Departure Dates

Visiting

Ship / Pax

Options* Prices** Days Departure port
Antarctica, Crossing The Circle 02/09/09 Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Island, set foot on Antarctica South of the Antarctic Circle Expedition Ship

82 - Ocean Nova

Kayaking, Camping $8,100 - £16,300 13 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - Endeavour - Possibly the best overall expedition cruise to Antarctica 10/31/08, 11/11/08, 11/22/08, 12/3/08, 12/14/08, 12/25/08, 1/5/09, 1/16/09, 1/27/09 South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, Port Lockroy Expedition Ship

110 - National Geographic Endeavour

Kayaking
Scuba
$10,250 - $17,590 15 Fly from Miami to Santiago - Chile, embark in Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula
Hiking voyage
2/24/09, 2/27/09 Antarctic Peninsula, Penguin Rookeries, Lemaire Channel Research Vessel

52 - Professor Molchanov or Multanovskiy

A special walking expedition, be prepared for walks up to six hours $3,950 - $7,490 10 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctic Peninsula and Across the Circle 2/6/09, 2/17/09 Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Crystal Sound, Antarctic Circle Research Vessel

56 - Polar Pioneer

Scuba $5,490 - $9,790 12 Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - Emperor Penguin Snow Hill Island Safari 10/8/08, 10/20/08, 11/1/08 Weddell Sea - Ice-Breaker / Helicopter trip Emperor Penguin Rookery, Gentoo and Adelie penguins, set foot on continental Antarctica Icebreaker

108 - Kapitan Khlebnikov

Helicopter Sightseeing Flights $11,500 - $20,900 14 Ushuaia, Argentina

Cruises Including South Georgia

Trip

Departure Dates

Visiting

Ship / Pax

Options* Prices** Days Departure port
South Georgia & the Falklands 10/15/08

 

Vast Colonies of King Penguins, Breathtaking Scenery, Historic sites - kayaking option, resident photographer Expedition Ship

110 - National Geographic Endeavour

 

Kayaking option, Resident photographer

 

$12,740 - $21,660

 

20 Ushuaia, Argentina

 

Antarctica, Falklands, & South Georgia - Most popular trip including South Georgia at the best time of year 1/14/09 Falkland Islands,  South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, as much wildlife viewing as possible, visits to scientific bases, Great guides and cuisine! Expedition Ship

110 - Orlova

  $9 800 - $18,400 20 Ushuaia, Argentina
Falklands, South Georgia, & Antarctic Peninsula 11/19/08, 12/17/08, 1/4/09, 1/22/09 Antarctic Peninsula, Vast Colonies of King Penguins with chicks, Breathtaking Scenery, Sir Ernest Shackleton Historical Sites Research Vessel

52 - Professor Molchanov or Multanovskiy

  $8,590 - $17,350 21 Ushuaia, Argentina
Notes
*
options may be at additional cost and are usually booked when the cruise is booked - it may be too late once the cruise has started.
** prices are based per person, the lowest price is usually for triple occupancy and the highest for double occupancy in the best available suite.

Feeling overwhelmed? contact our travel partners who will help you find the best cruise for your requirements.

 

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