2013/2014 CHARTER EXPEDITIONS

Transcription

1 2013/2014 CHARTER EXPEDITIONS to New Zealand, Southern Ocean, Antarctica, South Georgia, Falklands, Cape Horn & the Patagonian Fjords

2 Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Patagonia & Cape Horn are among the most beautiful and pristine places on Earth. These unique southern wildernesses are home to many of the world s most amazing wildlife spectacles, animal migrations and breeding events, and the most concentrated populations of penguins, seals, whales, seabirds and albatrosses. There are two ways to visit these southern lands; The first option is by joining a large cruise ship along with up to 450 other passengers. As part of a large group, each individual is restricted as to where he/she may go, what is encountered, and how much time is spent ashore. Usually time is limited, groups are crowded, and some cruises do not even involve any landings at all (passengers remain aboard for the entire duration of their trip viewing from afar). Many cruises are short and rushed, and often participants return home wishing that they had experienced more. The second option to visit the South is to charter a small, privately owned specialist vessel operated by a dedicated crew of expert mariners. This option enables boutique, intimate and personal voyages and with small group sizes, privately chartered vessels can visit locations where the big cruise ships cannot reach, and can land to experience the full majesty and awe of the South up close. From walking amongst populations of up to half a million penguins, to seeing whales breach just a few metres away, to hearing the crash of gigantic ice bergs and glaciers. Additionally, working with a small, private team gives the flexibility to respond to weather, wildlife movements and group interests, and personalise every voyage as a unique adventure. Many visitors purchase tickets on cruise ships to avoid the difficulty of finding sufficient people to make a charter viable, and to avoid the hassle of planning a voyage to a part of the world they do not know. Building on the success of previous charters since 2006, the following private voyages have been organised for the 2013/2014 season to enable anyone to simply purchase a place to join the charter group and come along on an adventure of a life time.

3 2013/2014 season voyages (maximum of six guests per trip, plus skipper and crew): Charter 1: Cross the Tasman Sea on an open ocean voyage. 22nd Oct 31st Oct (10 days/9 nights). Start: Newcastle (Australia), end: Wellington (New Zealand). Charter 2: Sail the great Southern Ocean in the Furious Fifties & round Cape Horn. 4th Nov 10th Dec (37 days/36 nights). Start: Wellington (New Zealand), end: Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. Charter 3: Cruise the Falkland Islands. Meander in and out of wonderful bays and celebrate New Year s Eve entirely differently. 28th Dec 1st Jan (5 days/4 nights). Start: Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, end: Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. Charter 4: Falklands to South Georgia to Antarctica including Elephant & Deception Islands, Cape Horn and Beagle Canal. 5th Jan 2nd Feb (29 days/28 nights). Start: Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, end: Ushuaia, Argentina. Charter 5: Ushuaia to Antarctica and Cape Horn via Puerto Williams, Chile. 9th Feb 4th March (24 days/23 nights). Start: Ushuaia, Argentina, end: Ushuaia, Argentina. Charter 6: Cape Horn & Tierra del Fuego. 15th March 21st March (7 days/6 nights). Start: Ushuaia, Argentina, end: Ushuaia, Argentina. Charter 7: Cape Horn & Tierra del Fuego. 26th March 1st April (7 days/6 nights). Start: Ushuaia, Argentina, end: Ushuaia, Argentina. Charter 8: Cape Horn, Tierra del Fuego, Chilean Fjords & Glaciers of Southern Patagonia. 6th April 19th April (14 days/13 nights). Start: Ushuaia, Argentina, end: Ushuaia, Argentina. Charter 9: Chilean Fjords, Glaciers of Southern Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego. 24th April 7th May (14 days/13 nights). Start: Ushuaia, Argentina, end: Ushuaia, Argentina. Price NZ $2,960pp Price NZ $8,520pp Price NZ $2,225pp Price NZ $13,580pp Price NZ $10,595pp Price NZ $3,095pp Price NZ $3,095pp Price NZ $6,160pp Price NZ $6,160pp Please see break down of itinerary for each charter over the following pages. Vessel: All 2013/2014 voyages will be aboard Team Mowbray s specialised 60 foot charter yacht, Commitment. Sailing, navigation and cooking is undertaken by the crew, but guests are warmly welcomed to take part if they desire. Each cabin consists of two comfortable, solid, berths (each berth for one person). What to expect: an intimate experience with wildlife and the wild landscapes of the South. From standing on ice bergs to observing wildlife up close (within conservation guidelines). The flexibility to decide day to day plans along the general itinerary (if we see a beautiful ice berg or glacial valley, we will detour to explore). Chartering is not for everyone. It does involve being in a small group for period of time, and smaller vessels are prone to movement inducing sea sickness. However, this all adds to the adventure and experience.

4 Charter 1: Newcastle (Australia) to Wellington (New Zealand) 10 days/9 nights. Price NZ $2,960. Sail the Tasman Sea on an open ocean crossing. Learn more about how to sail perhaps you may wish to fine tune your offshore sailing capabilities or hone your navigation skills. This trip offers all of this and much more! Charter 2: Wellington (New Zealand) to Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) 37 days/36 nights. Price NZ $8,520pp. Sail with Solo, Non-Stop and unassisted World Sailor, Tony Mowbray in The Great Southern Ocean. Experience day on day the Roaring Forties and the Furious Fifties and THEN.round Cape Horn, the Holy grail of sailing.

5 Charter 3: Cruise around the Falklands 5 days/4 nights. Price NZ $2,225pp. Often remembered only for the 1982 war, the Falkland Islands are the secret gem of the Southern Ocean. Technically temperate, not sub Antarctica, the Falklands harbour an enormous wealth of animals and plants, including many of the most spectacular bird species of the Southern Hemisphere, as well as numerous birds, mammals and plants that cannot be seen across South Georgia, Antarctica and Patagonia. Over five days, we will cruise the archipelago to see the greatest wildlife sights that the Falklands has to offer; from populations of tens of thousands of Black browed albatrosses and numerous penguin species, to enormous elephant seals and sea lions, 19th century shipwrecks, unique plant life and spectacular, mountainous scenery. As we cruise, pods of Comerson s dolphin may ride the waves of our bow, and as we pass ruins of whaling stations, we may be lucky to see the great whales that have returned back to the waters of the Falklands. The Falklands cruise trips are designed to complement expeditions to South Georgia and Antarctica. Deliberately organised before or after the main South Georgia and Antarctica trips, this add on offers a unique contrast with the icy worlds of the South. The wildlife of the Falklands is very impressive in its own right, and a break of a few days between this trip and the South Georgia and Antarctica expeditions enables those that are interested to explore Stanley, the charming capital of the Falklands, and experience its interesting cultural and historical heritage.

6 Cruise around the Falklands

7 Charter 4: Falklands to South Georgia to Antarctica including Elephant & Deception Islands, Cape Horn and Beagle Canal 29 days/28 nights. Price NZ $13,580pp. This epic voyage leaves the Falklands to retrace the footsteps of Ernest Shackleton s ill-fated Endurance expedition to South Georgia, then South. After departing Stanley, we reach South Georgia after 4 or 5 days at sea. South Georgia is simply one of the most spectacular and visually beautiful places on Earth. It is also home to arguably the greatest concentrations of animal life found anywhere on the planet. All who come to this island wish that they could return. We remain at South Georfia for 4 to 5 days and have ample opportunity to observe, photograph and experience South Georgia s great sea mammals; Elephant Seals, Fur Seals and the Great Whales, as well as a plethora of penguin species (including million bird strong populations of king penguins), numerous albatross species (including the Wandering Albatross), Shags, Petrels and more. We visit the Grytviken whaling station where Shackleton first landed on South Georgia, and spend a day thoroughly exploring the ruins where history has been frozen in time. Ships still armed with whaling harpoons lie anchored to a rotting pier, the machinery and refinaries still stand rusting in the cold, and most poignantly of all, the oil tanks still contain whale oil that still drips onto the cold ground. It is as if the whalers left just yesterday. As we progress south along the northern coast of South Georgia, distinct changes in the landscape and wildlife populations become apparent. We find spectacular fjord-like inlets with enormous glaciers, and increasing numbers of ice bergs. We visit beaches littered with giant whale bones, and the abandoned dwellings of seal and penguin hunters. And we see shipwrecks and whales off the coast....continued on next page

8 Falklands to South Georgia to Antarctica

9 continued from previous page... After three or four days of sailing, we reach Elephant Island, and stand on the very beach where Shackleton and his exhausted team landed, and recovered, before Shackleton continuing on to South Georgia. Another day or two of sailing brings us to the Antarctic Peninsula, where we see mighty ice bergs and picture post-card bays of brash ice, and usually being surrounded by pods of whales is a daily occurrence. We can visit the research bases of various nations (both historic and contemporary), and on rocky outcrops or basking on the ice, we will see leopard seals, crab eater seals and numerous species of penguins. Those that so wish can experience the thrill of jumping into ice cold Antarctic water. Starting the return journey, after one day of sailing, we reach the spectacular caldera of Deception Island. Passing inside the flooded crater, we find steaming geothermal black, volcanic sands and ruins of abandoned whaling stations. The water trickling from the sands is hot, and swimming in the spa-like waters is an unforgettable experience. From Deception Island, we sail towards Cape Horn and up the Beagle Canal to end the journey in the beautiful town of Ushuaia, Argentina.

10 Falklands to South Georgia to Antarctica

11 Charter 5: Ushuaia to Antarctica and Cape Horn via Puerto Williams (Chile) 9th Feb 4th March. Price NZ $10,595pp. This voyage is designed for those with the specific goal of visiting Antarctica with as little transit time sailing as possible. Ushuaia represents the closest port to the Great White continent, and the most time-efficient departure point. In just five to six days sailing (depending upon weather), we reach the Antarctic Peninsula and explore key wildlife sites, home to chinstrap and gentoo penguins, elephant and fur seals, spectacular glaciers, and waters filled with immense icebergs and the great whales. As we proceed south along the Antarctic Peninsula, we visit historic and contemporary research bases such as Palmer Station, Primavera Station, Vernadsky Station, Brown Base and Port Lockroy. At Port Lockroy, we see history frozen in time: supplies and equipment that once supported the research team have been preserved in the cold, and outside, immense whale bone skeletons line a rocky beach. Depending upon weather, we will spend up to nine days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, including the Gerlache Straits and the Kodiak Gap - among the most scenic and beautiful (and photogenic - hence the name) places on earth. Depending upon group interest, there is the option of traveling north a day or two early to detour to Deception Island to explore the historic whaling station ruins and experience the geothermal sands and hot waters of this spectacular volcanic caldera. Returning home, we sail to Cape Horn and end our journey in Ushuaia after journeying through the spectacular fjiords of southern Patagonia and visiting Puerto Williams (Chile).

12 Ushuaia to Antarctica and Cape Horn

13 South America charters The three voyages to South America visit the same locations but differ in length and itinerary. All three depart Ushuaia and offer you the opportunity to discover the wondrous natural beauty of Southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. The southernmost extremities of South America are often forgotten and overshadowed by the fame of Antarctica, however they offer perhaps the most spectacular waters of the whole region. Experience the serene beauty of the incomparable Chilean Fjords. Sail the relatively calm waters of these wonderful canals with nightly stops within view of the snow-capped Andes. Photograph many of the most beautiful views on Earth, catch a giant Centolla King Crab for dinner, kayak in the pristine waters, or climb a glacier or mountain peak within a day. Be totally mesmerised by the unique wildlife including whales and dolphins plus majestic million year old grandfather glaciers. Charters 6 and 7: Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego 7 days/6 nights. Price NZ $3,095pp. We board in the morning for a departure bound for our first port of call, Puerto Williams, approximately a 5 hour sail away. After a wander around this southern outpost its dinner around the table in the main cabin possibly followed up by a visit to the bar of the retired navy munitions vessel, the Milcalvi to which we will be moored. During our second day, we head off early into The Beagle Canal so named after the HMS Beagle which transported Captain Fitzroy and Charles Darwin here in the 1800 s. Over the following days, we make our way progressively south into the relatively unprotected waters of Nassau Bay and work our way toward the cluster of islands that rim the northern side of that great rocky sentinel at the end of the world. Cape Horn! Conditions permitting, witness what few travellers have had the opportunity to see, the southernmost tip of South America. For centuries, rounding the Horn represented the ultimate in a nautical adventure. If the weather is on our side our aim is to put expedition members ashore on Cape Horn itself to allow a visit to the lighthouse and be greeted by the Chilean Navy officer and his family who are stationed at this rocky isolated outpost on the edge of the world. Depending on the weather we will spend time around the islands of the area taking in the spectacular scenery. We finally return back to Ushuaia and toast the end of a wonderful adventure.

14 Chilean Fjords, Glaciers of Southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego

15 Charter 8: Cape Horn, Tierra del Fuego, Chilean Fjords & Glaciers of Southern Patagonia 14 days/13 nights. Price NZ $6,160pp. This voyage follows the itinerary of the Chilean Fjords, Glaciers of Southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego expedition, except that we attempt the big one.cape Horn. Tradition dictates that if you successfully round Cape Horn, you are entitled to wear a gold ear ring! Weather permitting we will go ashore on Cape Horn itself to allow a visit to the lighthouse and be greeted by the Chilean Navy officer and his family who are stationed at this rocky isolated outpost on the edge of the world. Depending on the weather we will spend time around the islands of the area taking in the spectacular scenery. We finally return back to Ushuaia, having explored the little known beauty and adventure of the remote South of South America. Charter 9: Chilean Fjords, Glaciers of Southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego 14 days/13 nights. Price NZ $6,160pp. We begin out journey following the itinerary of the Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego expedition, however on day 3, we navigate a number of spectacular canals such as Cockburn, Brecknock and the famed Beagle Canal. Along the way we will nose into and stop off at spectacular anchorages Caleta Brecknock offers magnificent high sided bare granite walls providing a picture postcard incredibly serene place to spend a couple of nights as one of the must do anchorages of the world. Captivating cascading waterfalls flow at almost every turn, and we can jump in the dinghy and get up close and personal with a glacier. Over the course of the following week, we sail into some of the major fjords that carve their way into the Darwin Range to experience brash ice and reach Caleta Olla, a picture postcard anchorage into which dolphins often are our guides. Settle back and keep an eye trained for an Andean Condor or an Andean Fox.

16 ONLY SIX PLACES AVAILABLE PER VOYAGE To reserve a berth or for more information contact NZ Representatives:- Hogan & Associates Ltd PH: sales@hoganreps.co.nz Join now an secure yourself an adventure of a lifetime!