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

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.