Antarctic Peninsula Polar Circle, Deep. Discovery and whale watching voyage

Transcription

1 Antarctic Peninsula Polar Circle, Deep South Discovery and whale watching voyage Whale watching voyage Title: Dates & Tripcode: Duration: Ship: Embarkation: Disembarkation: Language: Important: Antarctic Peninsula Polar Circle, Deep South Discovery and whale watching voyage 14 Mar 2018 (OTL32-18) 18 Mar 2019 (OTL33-19) 14 nights / 13 nights m/v Ortelius Ushuaia Ushuaia English speaking voyage Diving is an optional activity

2 ITINERARY PLEASE NOTE: A typical itinerary to the Antarctic Peninsula is illustrated below. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife. The final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Average cruising speed for m/v Ortelius is 10,5 knots. Day 1: Embarkation in Ushuaia In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening. Day 2-3: At sea 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, Blackbrowed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Albatrosses, Cape Petrels, Southern Fulmars, Wilson s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs. Day 4 5: Antarctica We will sail directly to High Antarctica, passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. At Cuverville Island, a Included in this voyage 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. Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes. Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia. Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation). All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme. Comprehensive pre-departure material. Excluded from this voyage Any airfare, whether on scheduled or

3 small precipitous island nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Rongé Island we will attempt our first landing. It contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. In Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, we have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. We shall have the opportunity to zodiac cruise between the icebergs in the inner parts of the amazing water way of Paradise Bay before taking the ship through the spectacular Lemaire Channel. Day 6-8: We pass through the narrow The Gullet between Adelaide Island and the Continent After a long night of sailing around the myriad of islands south of Lemaire Channel we find ourselves near the Antarctic Circle. We pass through the narrow The Gullet between Adelaide Island and the Continent with spectacular scenery all around. We will attempt to get permission to land at Rothera which is the primary British research station in Antarctica. Alternatively we explorer the area and make a landing one of the many islands in the area. We will try to circumnavigate Pourqoui Pas Island named after the ship of the famous French explorer Charcot. The area is spectacular with narrow fjords and high mountains with cascading glaciers all around. On Horseshoe Island we find the former British Base Y from the 1950 ies which now stands unmanned but almost fully equipped from the time it was in service. Stonington Island is home to the former US East Base ( ) and later the British Base E. Base E was occupied until We will attempt a landing here which will also mark our southernmost landing site of the trip. As we head north again we may attempt a charter flights Pre- and post- land arrangements. Passport and visa expenses. Government arrival and departure taxes. Meals ashore. Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is mandatory). Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges. The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

4 landing at the small Avian Island named due to the large number of bird species found here. Among them a large colony of Adélie penguins, Antarctic shag, South Polar Skua, and Wilson s storm petrel. Day 9-11: Wilhelmina Bay In the morning of day 9 we will find ourselves near the Antarctic Circle once again as we head north into Crystal Sound. We have an excellent chance to see Humpback whales here as we approach Fish Islands for a Zodiac cruise and possible landing. As always the scenery is unparalleled in beauty and we may well see more Adélie penguins among the myriads of icebergs large and small. Petermann and Pléneau Islands offer a great variety of bird life and some excellent opportunities to Zodiac cruise amongst icebergs with good chances to see both Leopard seal and Crabeater seals. Minke whales and Humpback whales are also most often spotted in this area along with Gentoo penguins. We aim to enter Wilhelmina Bay with truly excellent whale watching opportunities. Numerous Humpback whales often feed here and if the weather conditions allow we may try and launch the Zodiacs to experience them at closer range. At Foyn Harbour we visit the wreck of Guvernøren, and old whaling factory vessel which caught fire and burned in Day 12: South Shetland Islands On our final day in the Antarctic Peninsula Region we hope to land at Hannah Point, Livingston Island. He where we will find a nice variety of Gentoo Penguins, Chinstraps and southern Giant Petrels, as well as Elephant Seals hauling out on the beach. Here in the late season we may well see quite a

5 number of Antarctic fur seals here. The sea surrounding this place is teeming with life and we have a great chance to enjoy even more Humpback whales. We will depart to the Drake Passage around noon. Day 13-14: At sea On our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage. Day 15: Disembarkation in Ushuaia We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark. M/V ORTELIUS The ice-strengthened vessel Ortelius is an excellent vessel for Polar expedition cruises in the Arctic and Antarctica.

6 ACTIVITIES YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN Polar Diving 700 USD Dive into the beautiful blue deeps If you re searching for a way to expand your diving experience, join us on one of our diving cruises. Experienced divers will have the chance to glide through the amazing blue waters of the Arctic or Antarctic.

7 CABINS & PRICES Quadruple Porthole 2 portholes 2 upper / lower berths Flatscreen TV Telephone 14 Mar U S D 18 Mar USD 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD Triple Porthole 2 portholes 1 upper / lower berth + 1 single lower berth Flatscreen TV Telephone 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD

8 Twin Porthole deck 3 2 portholes 2 lower berths Flatscreen TV Telephone 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD Single cabin Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate). 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD Twin Porthole deck 4 2 portholes 2 lower berths Flatscreen TV Telephone 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD Single cabin Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate). 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD

9 Twin Window 2 windows 2 lower berths Flatscreen TV Telephone 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD Single cabin Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate). 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD 14 Mar U S D 18 Mar USD Twin Deluxe 3 windows 2 lower berths Small sofa Refrigerator Coffee & tea maker Flatscreen TV, Telephone 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD Single cabin Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate). 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD

10 Superior 2 windows (minimum) 1 double bed 1 single (sofa) bed Flatscreen TV, Telephone Refrigerator Coffee & tea maker Single cabin Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate). 14 Mar U S D 18 Mar USD 14 Mar USD 18 Mar USD