ANTARCTIC EXPLORER January 11 January 28, 2015

Transcription

1 ANTARCTIC EXPLORER January 11 January 28, 2015 Another amazing personalised, escorted & catered small group eco-adventure created by Global Gypsies & Coates Travel! WOW! What an Adventure! If you re a serious traveller who likes to push the boundaries & has a bucket list of amazing, must-see, nature-based destinations, join us as we visit Antarctica on our most exciting eco-adventure yet! At the optimum time of year, we ll cruise for almost two weeks through the icy paradise of Antarctica on a comfortable, well equipped research vessel specially designed for polar conditions admiring scenery & wildlife seen by just a fortunate few. While exploring this last pristine frontier of our environmentally-challenged planet, we ll enjoy quality food & on-board accommodation, be inspired & educated by knowledgeable naturalists & local guides & be looked after by two experienced Australian tour escorts. Before we begin our voyage, we ll spend three days in bustling, cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, enjoy a city tour & a special dinner & spend a night in Ushuaia, Argentina, on the southern-most tip of South America. There will also be a day & night in Ushuaia after the cruise as well as several pre- & posttour options such as Tierra del Fuego, Iguazú Falls & Rio de Janeiro (details to come). Airport transfers, internal flights, ground transport, most meals, a range of activities, Pre-Departure Workshop & Pre-Departure Kit are all included. Minimum numbers are required for this tour to proceed & group size will be limited to 20 participants. Getting There We recommend flying Emirates to avoid delays & missed connections which often occur on other airlines flying to Buenos Aires from Perth. We have also arranged some fun activities in BA for those joining the recommended group flight. What to Bring Pack comfortable, casual, warm, winter clothes for the cruise - layers are best as even the Antarctic can have warm days in the summer! You ll also need summer clothing for Buenos Aires which can be hot & humid at this time of year. A suggested packing list will be included in your Pre Departure Kit. Soft bags with wheels are preferable weighing 15 kgs or less bring only what you can carry yourself along with a day/overnight pack. Please have a current passport valid for at least six months. Australia & New Zealand passport holders don't require a visa for Argentina or Antarctica but must pay a USD$100 Reciprocity Fee (included in tour package). If you hold a different nationality passport or are visiting other destinations, please check with Coates Travel as to what visas may be required. No special inoculations are currently required for Antarctica or Argentina but authorities recommend vaccinations against hepatitis A + B & typhoid. A yellow fever vaccine is also advisable if you're travelling to Iguazú. Please check with your doctor as to which particular inoculations you may need for the destinations you will be visiting. Motion sickness medication is also advisable.

2 PROPOSED ITINERARY PRE-CRUISE Sunday & Monday, January 11 & 12, 2015 Gypsies taking the recommended Emirates flight to Buenos Aires depart Perth at 10:05 p.m. on January 11, 2015, arriving Dubai at 5:15 a.m. on January 12 (in-transit). The group flies on to Buenos Aires at 7:10 a.m. arriving at 7:45 p.m. You will be met at BA airport by Jeremy & Jan & local guides & transferred to our hotel in the heart of this exciting cosmopolitan city. Remainder of evening free to relax & recover from jet-lag. No meals or activities are included today. Overnight at Hotel Pestana Tuesday, January 13, 2015 This morning there will be a Welcome Breakfast in the hotel followed by an important briefing by your Tour Escorts. We will then enjoy a private half-day guided city tour in a comfy A/C coach followed by lunch at a local restaurant. We ll return to the hotel that afternoon to freshen up or have a short siesta before enjoying a Special Welcome Dinner & Tango Evening at a local hot spot -Viva Argentina! Overnight at Hotel Pestana (B,L,D) Wednesday, January 14, 2015 After breakfast we say Adios Buenos Aires & fly to Ushuaia at the southernmost tip of Argentina, the departure point for our incredible Antarctic adventure. Afternoon at leisure to explore this small port town or do some shopping. We enjoy dinner together that night at a local restaurant where we are joined by a representative from our expedition vessel who will chat with us about our voyage & the natural wonders of the Antarctic. Overnight at Hotel Fueguino in Ushuaia - (B,D) THE CRUISE BEGINS! Day 1, Thursday, January 15 Breakfast in the hotel at leisure. Morning free to relax or walk around Ushuaia. We meet at the hotel lobby later that afternoon then board our vessel, Akademik Sergey Vavilov & familiarize ourselves with our new nautical home. We begin our exciting voyage that evening charting a course through the Beagle Channel. (B, D). (Please note that all meals are included for the duration of our voyage. Beverages will be charged on consumption & recorded on a bar tab which is paid at the end of the voyage.) Days 2 3, Friday, January 16 & Saturday, January 17 We cross the Drake Passage & make our way ever closer to the white continent. While we travel, numerous polar experts will deliver presentations on everything Antarctic from wildlife to history. We cross the Antarctic Convergence where we will notice a distinct drop in temperature as we enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean. Along the way, we will witness spectacular sights ranging from icebergs to seabirds & hopefully whales, which may even breach from the sea. The Drake Passage is the part of the voyage which can be the most unpleasant for those prone to sea sickness so please be sure to bring appropriate medication. There is also a ship s doctor on board who can be of assistance if required. 2

3 Days 4 10, Sunday, January 18 Saturday, January 24 For the next week we will explore the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula. We hope to spend as much time as possible in inflatable Zodiac boats which will enable us to admire nature's glory up close. Our first goal will be to sail south of the Antarctic Circle & into Matha Strait or Marguerite Bay. Given favourable ice conditions we will push our exploration even further southward looking for historic sites & wildlife. From our most southerly point (south of the Antarctic Circle) we will make our way north along the Antarctic Peninsula, cruising through its narrow waterways & channels. Spectacular waterways such as Crystal Sound, the Lemaire Channel, the Neumeyer Channel & the Gerlache Strait will all feature in our itinerary. Landing sites might include Neko Harbour, Wilhelmina Bay, Petermann Island & the Yalours where we will observe Weddell, Crabeater & Elephant Seals, Skuas & other seabirds as well as an abundance of penguins including large colonies of the comical Adelie Penguin. At Half Moon Island we ll visit a breeding colony of Chinstrap Penguins that share their territory with Fur Seals & Blue-eyed Shags. We also hope to see gentle Humpback Whales dining on krill in their feeding grounds & perhaps spot Orcas & Minke Whales as we go. We will plan on walking ashore at Paradise Harbour or Neko Harbour an unforgettable experience! The oddly shaped icebergs look like sculptures & we ll see the colossal 'tabular' icebergs that break away from the continent's ice shelf. There is also the opportunity for adventurous souls to camp on shore overnight, but brace yourself - you WILL be cold. Whatever your vantage point, whether onboard or onshore, expect to feel transformed & inspired as you experience dusk & dawn in this icy white world at the bottom of the planet. Days 11 12, Sunday, January 25 & Monday, January 26 We leave this magical place & make our way north, heading back across the Antarctic Convergence & the Drake Passage before rounding Cape Horn. Sailing down the Beagle Channel, we celebrate the conclusion of our polar expedition at a festive on-board party. Day 13, Tuesday, January 27 We arrive back in Ushuaia in the early morning, say farewell to our crew & fellow passengers & disembark. We are transferred to our hotel for a final day & night in Ushuaia. Remainder of day free to relax, pack, shop or walk around town to regain your land legs. We enjoy a special Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant that night hosted by Global Gypsies. Overnight at Hotel Fueguino (B, D) Day 14, Wednesday, January 28 We go our separate ways with some clients returning to Australia & others taking optional post- Antarctic tours arranged by Coates Travel. For more information about this tour, please contact: GLOBAL GYPSIES PO Box 123, Scarborough, WA Phone: (08) admin@globalgypsies.com.au web: Bookings & payments to be made to: COATES TRAVEL (Licence No. 9TA1135/36) P.O. Box 4502, Myaree BC, Myaree WA 6960 Phone: coates@iinet.net.au EFT Payments: Coates Travel Bankwest BSB: Account No:

4 ABOUT THE SHIP Akademik Sergey Vavilov Ship Specifications Built: 1988, Rauma, Finland Length: 117m Breadth: 18.2 m Draft: 6 m Power: Twin engine, 5,000Kw diesel, twin propeller Max speed: 14.5 kts Crew & staff: 63 Passengers: 92 Designed for polar research, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov, is modern, comfortable, safe & icestrengthened. From small group sessions to briefings for all passengers, there are public spaces to suit each & every need. A separate bar & lounge with expansive 180 views as well as a library provide ideal places to sit & relax or catch up on some reading. There is also a theatre style presentation room, gift-shop, fitness room, massage room, hot water spa, sauna & salt water plunge pool. The ship s bridge is open to passengers 24 hours a day. The officer on watch & a helmsman can always be found on duty on the bridge & it is the best place to meet the master of the vessel. The chart room is a fascinating place to visit & expedition staff or ship s crew are often available to answer questions about equipment & instruments. The bridge is also an excellent place from which to sightsee & view wildlife. Binoculars & wildlife reference books are available & an expedition guide searches for wildlife from the bridge for much of the day. Sumptuous meals (buffet breakfasts, buffet or plated lunches & plated dinners) are prepared by an experienced culinary team. The attractive dining room can host all passengers in a single seating with ample room. Comfort & Stability Designed & built as a scientific research vessel in Finland, our ship is stable, quiet & comfortable. Refitting & refurbishment oriented towards her role as an expedition cruise vessel have greatly improved the comfort & calibre of the original facilities. There is little if any ambient noise from engines or machinery. With most of the public spaces on a separate deck from the majority of the cabins, there is little issue with passenger-generated noise. Vessel stabilization is gained through a combination of internal stabilizers & a built-in ballast trimming system. The rapid transfer of ballast between special trimming tanks reduces vessel motion & coupled with a modern hull design provides a stable platform for research, wildlife viewing & exploration. Marine Safety Our ship is a Russian-flagged vessel & carries all current certifications required by Russian & international maritime law for ensuring passenger safety & wellbeing. An extremely experienced captain & crew & an ice-strengthened hull ( Lloyds Register 1A, Canadian Type B) provides an exceptionally safe combination for polar expedition cruising. Safety & emergency equipment onboard the vessel is inspected & tested on a regular basis & a passenger lifeboat briefing & drill will be conducted on the first day of each voyage to ensure that passengers are familiar with onboard emergency procedures. The emergency equipment onboard the vessel includes two fully-enclosed lifeboats with a total capacity of 132 & four life rafts with a total capacity of

5 With two main engines & twin propellers, the vessel travels through the polar waters at up to 14.5 knots. Coupled with a bow-thruster & a stern multi-directional propulsion unit, the vessel is extremely manoeuverable & has a built-in propulsion back up. Communications The ship carries all required communications & navigation facilities & equipment. An Iridium satellite communication system is in place for both voice & personal use. Equipped with Inmarsat telephone & fax equipment as well as a variety of shortwave, SSB, & VHF radio systems, she also carries fully current GMDSS (Global Marine Distress & Safety System) equipment. Infirmary The infirmary can cater to basic medical needs. Although containing an impressive quantity of medical supplies, passengers with pre-existing medical conditions requiring medication or supplies should come self-reliant. An English speaking emergency physician accompanies every voyage. If there is a need to consult the ship s doctor & receive medications from the infirmary, passengers will be invoiced for the cost of any items supplied. DIAGRAM OF THE VESSEL 5

6 MEET YOUR TOUR ESCORTS Your Tour Escorts will be Jeremy Perks & Jan Barrie, Directors of Global Gypsies Tours & Training, assisted by local English-speaking guides. The couple established Global Gypsies in The company offers a range of self-drive eco-adventures in outback Australia as well as escorted tours to such destinations as Borneo, Botswana, China, The Silk Road, Kenya, South Africa, North & South America & now Antarctica! Our clients come back to us again & again & are like part of our family. We work closely with Coates Travel on many of our overseas adventures who provide our clients with such travel agency services as international flights, insurance & visas. In 2011, Global Gypsies won the Tourism Council WA Gold Award for Adventure Tours & the Bronze Award for Tour Guide Training. Born in South Africa, Jeremy is a professional Tour Guide & a former Tour Guide of the Year. In his youth he served as an Officer in the elite South African Defence Force (similar to the SAS) where he learned bush survival & leadership skills. He is a qualified mechanic & an experienced four-wheel-driver who loves flora & fauna & holds a certificate in remote area first aid. In addition to leading Australian & overseas tours, he also teaches four-wheel-driving, towing & tour guiding. Prior to establishing Global Gypsies, Jeremy was the Managing Director of a major advertising agency in Johannesburg & manager of a safari camp in Kenya s Rift Valley. Jan is a former journalist, travel writer & award-winning communications manager responsible for the administration, marketing & customer relations aspects of Global Gypsies. She was born in England, has lived & worked in Africa, America & the UK & has called Australia home for the past 30 years. PRICE PER PERSON: * * * USD$15,695 per person (two people per cabin with semi-private bathroom) USD$15,995 per person (two people per cabin with private bathroom) USD$16,495 per person (two people in Superior Room with private bathroom) Sorry, no single supplements, but we will do our best to find you a travelling buddy! INCLUDES: Fully escorted by Jeremy Perks & Jan Barrie from Global Gypsies plus local English speaking guides. Airport transfers Buenos Aires (BA) airport/hotel/ airport $100 reciprocity fee 2 nights accommodation in 4-star hotel in BA Half-day city sightseeing tour in BA Welcome Dinner with tango performance in BA Group LAN Flight from BA to Ushuaia on January 14, 2015 Airport transfers Ushuaia airport/hotel/ship/airport 1 night accommodation (pre-cruise) in 4 star hotel in Ushuaia 1 night accommodation (post-cruise) in 4 star hotel in Ushuaia Activities as per itinerary Meals as per itinerary (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner) DOES NOT INCLUDE: Return airfares Australia/Buenos Aires Airfares from Ushuaia after the cruise Transfer hotel/ushuaia Airport Travel insurance please note this is compulsory Optional pre and post tour travel arrangements All other private expenses Beverages unless stated in the itinerary Tips & gratuities Global Gypsies will create & distribute a Tip Kitty based on an advance contribution of USD$250 per person. PLEASE NOTE THAT: A non-refundable deposit of USD$2000 is due at time of booking. Final payment is due on or before September 10, 2014 & is non-refundable after September 10, Please take out travel insurance prior to this date to cover the possibility of your cancellation. 6

7 ANTARCTIC EXPLORER BOOKING & DEPOSIT FORM Each participant to complete a separate form please! PLEASE INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT WITH THIS BOOKING FORM! Name (as shown in passport) : copy enclosed? Address:. Phone:.. Mobile: address:... Date/Place of Birth:.. Nationality: Passport Number:.. Date of Issue: Expiry:. Please note that the price of this tour is quoted in US Dollars. A non-refundable deposit of USD$2000 per person is required to secure your booking. If you wish to pay by credit card (Visa/MasterCard) please complete the following. Please note that a credit card levy of 1.5% will apply. We will be in touch again soon with a receipt & more information. Type of card:... Number:... Expiry date:... Name on card:... Three digit code on reverse :. Amount: USD$... Terms & Conditions The Antarctic cruise is being operated & conducted by OneOcean Expeditions (OO) under Canadian laws, conditions & regulations in conjunction with Coates Travel of Western Australia (CT) hereafter called The Operators who are coordinating the tour & arranging the land content. Global Gypsies Pty Ltd of Western Australia (GG) is providing two professional Tour Escorts & assisting with marketing & customer inquiries. International flights can be booked with Coates Travel. Clients wishing to book their own flights must arrive at Hotel Pestana, Buenos Aires, Argentina, by p.m. on January 12, OO/CT/GG reserve the right to cancel the tour if there are insufficient participants (minimum 12/maximum 20). Deposits are non-refundable (unless the tour is cancelled by the operators in which case all moneys will be refunded in full). A non-refundable deposit of USD$2000 is due at time of booking. Final payment is due on or before 10/9/14 and is non refundable after 10/9/14. Where written notice is received, all cancellations by clients are subject to an administration fee of USD$200 per person plus the following cancellation fees: Deposit of USD$2000: Non refundable. Cancellations up to 125 days prior to departure : 50% of total tour cost. Cancellations within 124 days of departure : 100% of total tour cost. No refund given if client fails to join the tour or leaves it early. Whilst all care is taken, OO/CT/GG do not accept liability for loss or damage to baggage, sickness or injury, or additional expenses caused by factors beyond their control. Travel insurance is compulsory & should cover most circumstances of cancellation as well as luggage loss, medical cover & evacuation. The client accepts that this tour is of an adventurous nature & involves an element of personal risk, & that neither OO/CT/GG nor their agents can be held liable for any injury, damage to property or loss of life caused. The client accepts responsibility for all risks involved. It is the client s responsibility to ensure that they are in possession of valid travel documents including passports, visas, health certificates etc. OO/CT/GG cannot accept any liability for incorrect documentation. It is the client s responsibility to advise the Operators of any pre-existing medical condition and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention or that might affect the normal conduct of a tour & the enjoyment of other tour participants. You are required to provide an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. Travelling in polar regions requires a degree of flexibility & open mindedness & an understanding that the itinerary may change due to unstable weather conditions & wildlife movements in these remote regions. Changes to the itinerary or to excursions or landings may occur due to 'Force Majeure', weather, ice conditions or other circumstances beyond the Operators control or which cannot be foreseen. The Operators do not accept any responsibility for loss of enjoyment, delays or compensation resulting from circumstances beyond their control. Every attempt will be made to adhere to the itineraries described within the limits of safety and time. No refund will be made to those passengers choosing not to take part in any activity. Alterations to other parts of the itinerary may occur due to weather conditions, mechanical defect, political events or other reasons. Any additional expenses incurred by clients are not OO/CT/GG s responsibility. The Operators and/or their agents & employees are unable to guarantee exact arrival & departure times & will not be liable for failure to make connections with any other service. In the event of breakdown or other unforeseen circumstances, OO/CT/GG reserve the right to substitute different vessels & personnel. Properties used may change, however the same or similar standard is guaranteed. The client agrees to comply with the laws & regulations of the countries visited & to comply with all reasonable instructions of the Tour Leaders & Escorts relating to the safety & organisation of the tour. This agreement between client & OneOcean Expeditions is made subject to & shall be interpreted & construed in a Canadian court of law. Any legal conflict with CT/GG shall be resolved in the jurisdiction of Western Australia. Please keep luggage packed in soft/pliable bags with wheels - maximum 15 kg per person plus light carry-on bag or day pack. All prices are based on current 2014 costs & are subject to change if subsequently affected by increased government taxes, exchange rate differences, increases in fuel prices and/or any other influence beyond the control of the operators. I have read & understand the above tour conditions & agree to abide by them. I acknowledge that there are risks associated with this tour & accept that these risks are my own responsibility. Signature.... Date:.. PLEASE SEND TO: COATES TRAVEL, P.O. Box 4502, Myaree BC, Myaree WA 6960 Tel: coates@iinet.net.au EFT: Coates Travel; BSB: ; Account: