Antarctic Peninsula with South Shetlands 2010
11 days, 10 nights, Ushuaia - Drake Passage - Deception Island - Danco Island - Paradise Bay - Lemaire Channel - Ushuaia | The Antarctic Peninsula is part of the Antarctic Continent and is the southern continuation of the mountain chain that runs from North America through South America into the Scotia Sea. Here it continues as a mainly sub-marine ridge, the Scotia Ridge, until it comes above sea-level at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The peninsula consists of an 800 kilometres (500 mile) long mountain chain, the highest peaks rising to approximately 2,800 metres (9,186 feet), and numerous off-lying islands. The Peninsula offers the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. Visitors are easily overcome by sensory overload by the huge amount of ice-bergs, glaciers, high mountains and the abundant and tame wildlife.
The South Shetland Islands is a 540 kilometre (335 miles) long chain of islands that is located about 800 kilometres (500 miles) from Tierra del Fuego and about 120 kilometres (75 miles) from the Antarctic Peninsula. The archipelago consists of 11 major islands and numerous smaller ones. They are mainly mountainous and more than 80% glaciated. The islands are of volcanic origin.
| Triple private | Twin private | Superior |
|---|---|---|
| $6,990 | $7,990 | $9,190 |
Rates in USD, per person
| Departure | PLA23, December 10th - December 20th, 2010 |
| Price | From $6,990 per person, triple non private cabin |
| Included | Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff. All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program Comprehensive pre-departure material |
| Not Included | Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights Pre and post land arrangements Transfers to / from the vessel Passport / visa expenses Government arrival and departure taxes Meals ashore Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (strongly recommended) Excess baggage charges / items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges Telecommunication charges The customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards and other personnel aboard ( information will be provided ) $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | All dates & rates are subject to change. All rates are quoted per person in US Dollar, based on twin occupancy. It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 80 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of EURO 18 per passenger per night, to be paid by the contracting party of Oceanwide Expeditions. |
| Tour Options | Kayaking: $ 750 p.p. Field camping: $ 100 p.p.p.n. Hiking Expedition: $ Free of charge |
Antarctic Peninsula South Shetlands Map
World Travel Award 2009
Day 1 EMBARKATION USHUAIA / ARGENTINA
In the afternoon, we 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. We'll sail through this scenic waterway during the afternoon.
Day 2 & 3 DRAKE PASSAGE
During these two days we 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 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, we glimpse at the first icebergs.
Day 4 - 8 DECEPTION ISLAND - PARADISE BAY - LEMAIRE CHANNEL A typical itinerary in Antarctic Peninsula could be as follows. This is a sample only, the final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board.
We will sail to Deception Island first and hope for a good long walk and kayak trip which will depend on site availability and weather conditions. We then sail through the Gerlache Strait to "High Antarctica", passing Brabant Islands. In Orne Harbour we hope to make a landing in order to walk the spectacular Spigot Peak. The surroundings are very alpine, the walk as such brings us up to approx 300 m above sea level. The views from the summit are fantastic. The kayakers have much time to do their near shore exploratory trips. On Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island, we will find a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. On Danco Island we can observe Chinstrap Penguins and possibly Weddell and Crabeater Seals. In Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers, other continent landings are for example possible on Portal Point . During the cruise we will also offer zodiac cruises such as near Foyn Harbour on Nansen Island and Neko Harbour.
When sailing to Paradise Bay, with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we will have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, we visit the British research station and post office Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we can also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Imperial Shags.
We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pleneau and Petermann Island where 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 visit to one of the scientific stations in Antarctica will give you an insight about the life of modern Antarcticans working on the White Continent. Further south we may visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, where we will receive a warm welcome from the station crew. Sailing north 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.
Day 9 - 10 DRAKE PASSAGE
In the Drake Passage we have again a chance of seeing many seabirds and to take advantage of the knowledge of our lecture team.
Day 11 DISEMBARK USHUAIA/ARGENTINA
We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.