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Trip Details

Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula
Comfortable expedition ship, South Shetland, Paradise Bay, Lemaire Channel
14 Days | Departures: 12/7/08, 1/2/09, 2/6/09  | From $6,695

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

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Testimonials  |   Ship types

Trip Highlights: A comfortable expedition ship that normally holds 400 passengers, but brings 199 to Antarctica. Expect a full 5 days in Antarctica, large cabins, many public spaces and good naturalist staff.

Rates: $6,695 - $17,995

Early Booking Discount: Save $500 per person when you book before Mar 31, 2008.

Ship: Minerva  - Luxury Expedition Ship
Passengers: 199

Facilities: Lounge, Auditorium, Gymnasium, Library, Sauna, Shops, Cinema, Infirmary, Verandah Café, Beauty Salon

Introduction

Discover the best of the Antarctic Peninsula: vast colonies of penguins and nesting seabirds courting, nesting or rearing their young; hanging ice cliffs, stately icebergs and calving glaciers. Journey through the incredible adventures of Shackleton and Charcot; and experience the excitement of spontaneous explorations on sea and land.

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart / Buenos Aires, Argentina
Depart on your flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Day 2: Buenos Aires
Arrive this morning and transfer to your hotel, where immediate check-in has been arranged with time to relax before this afternoon’s optional city tour. Meet your fellow adventurers this evening for a welcome cocktail reception. Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel Buenos Aires.

Day 3: Buenos Aires / Ushuaia, Argentina
Fly to Ushuaia for a traditional Patagonian barbecue lunch. Later, arrive at your ship and settle in for your first night on board.

Days 4-5: Cruising the Drake Passage
The southward journey toward Antarctica is an exciting one, as you join the Captain on the bridge or spot wildlife from the deck-—these krill-rich waters are a particular favorite with marine mammals and seabirds.

Days 6-10: Exploring Antarctica
As the Antarctic Peninsula and its offshore islands appear on the horizon, a sense of excitement and expectation begins to build. A first shore expedition is swiftly followed by others, all carefully planned by the Captain and Expedition Leader to take full advantage of each day’s possibilities. On most days, two landings are scheduled. Head out in swift and versatile Zodiacs, guided by expert drivers and accompanied by lecturers to a number of islands filled with penguins in the South Shetlands, just off the continental coastline, which may include Half Moon, Cuverville, Paulet, Penguin, Goudier and Deception. Photograph penguins and nesting grounds of seabirds, and cruise iceberg-strewn passageways of breathtaking beauty. Weather permitting, the ship will land on the Antarctic Peninsula. ‘Minerva’ also plans to sail through breathtaking Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel, affectionately referred to as “Kodak Alley,” with other possibilities for exploration including a scientific research station and the remains of early-century whaling and sealing stations. After each evening’s leisurely dinner, there’s time to stroll the deck and gaze at the seascapes in the lingering light of an austral summer twilight.

Days 11-12: Drake Passage
The ship’s return through the Drake Passage is an interlude for recap and reflection, with time to compare notes with your lecturers, and bird- or whale-watch from the deck.

Day 13: Ushuaia, Argentina / Buenos Aires
Disembark after breakfast, and head out to explore Tierra del Fuego’s spectacular wilderness before transferring to the airport to board your flight home via Buenos Aires.

Day 14: Return Home
Arrive this morning and connect to homebound flights.

Due to the nature of expedition cruising, this itinerary is subject to change based on weather, ice, wildlife and other conditions beyond your guides' control.


Notes:

Included:
Luxury accommodations and state-of-the-art comfort aboard the ship; meals; complimentary parka and backpack; open bar onboard (except premium wines, premium liquors and champagne); fully guided sightseeing as noted in the itinerary (including park and entrance fees); bottled water supplied during sightseeing; services of on-board lecturers; immediate hotel check-in on arrival in Santiago; all gratuities; post-cruise journal of your voyage; transfers to/from hotel and airport, as long as your flight schedule corresponds with the above itinerary.

Not Included:
Air transportation (int'l and domestic); passport or visa expenses; laundry; meals, beverages or sightseeing not included in itinerary; premium wines and champagnes; communication charges; all items of a personal nature; transfers for passengers; travel insurance; excess baggage charges; optional excursions; departure tax; port charges ($285 per person); fuel surcharge may apply.