Antarctic Peninsula Adventure Cruise

Transcription

1 Antarctic Peninsula Adventure Cruise Experience the last utterly untamed place on earth on this small ship adventure cruise to the White Continent. Led by expert naturalists, we explore giant penguin and seabird colonies, the greatest concentration of sea mammals in the world, and a vast, awe inspiring landscape of monstrous icebergs, snow covered mountains and endless glaciers. Note: The following itinerary describes the cruise s general activities and route. However, the actual itinerary can vary. Changes in weather, ice conditions, wildlife movements, unplanned opportunities and other considerations will affect our route and activities. Our actual itinerary will be decided by the ship s captain and the expedition leader. Days 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, 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 spot our first icebergs. Days 4 9 (PLA21B & PLA22, days 4 8): Antarctica We will sail directly to High Antarctica, passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. We will sail to the Neumayer Channel, where we position our ship for the multi activity base camp. The protected waters around Wiencke Island will become our playground for all activities. In this alpine environment there are great opportunities to scout the region on foot, per zodiac and during kayak trips. Walkers will find opportunities to use snowshoes on hikes near the shore lines and the mountaineers will find their challenge by climbing hills and view points further inland, i.e. Jabet Peak (540 m). All climbs and excursions can only be conducted in good weather conditions. Day 1: 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. We plan to stay two overnights at anchor in order to implement two camp nights and two full activity days. We will visit the British research station and the post office Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Imperial Shags. We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Booth Island, Pleneau and Petermann Island where we can find Adelie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. In this

2 area there are good chances to encounter Humpback Whales, Minke Whales and Fin Whales. Our second Basecamp night will be erected near the Continent; we choose a camp site which is suitable and close to next day s activity. The mountaineers hope to reach the summit of Mt. Demaria (640 m) at Waddington Bay. 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 have time to visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station, where we will receive a warm welcome from the station crew. excursions. A small group of mountaineers may climb up on higher grounds of the glacier. We will spend the night at Neko or near Paradise Bay with a camp erected ashore. We will leave Neko Harbour in the early morning after breaking our last camp. We sail via Melchior Islands towards the open sea of the Drake Passage. We have again a chance of seeing many seabirds. Days (PLA21B & PLA22 days 9 10): At sea On our way north, we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage. In the afternoon at Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of a huge glacier and enjoy the landscape during zodiac cruises, hikes and kayak Itinerary All promoted itineraries are for general guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and ad hoc decisions by the Expedition Leader to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Landings are always subject to weather, local site availabilities and environmental regulations (IAATO). Official sailing plans and landing slots will be scheduled with IAATO approximately 5 months prior to the start of the season. The final sailing plan will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. The implementation of the sailing plan is subject to the capability of the vessel and the discretion of the Master. Taking the exorbitant high fuel prices into account, it is agreed that Oceanwide Expeditions has the right to reduce the speed of the engines (including sailing on one engine) wherever possible, unless this affects the character of the intended voyage substantially and jeopardizes the safety of the vessel, its crew, staff and passengers. Rubber Boots and Expedition Jackets Onboard Plancius & Ortelius all passengers are entitled to use a pair of sturdy rubber boots for free. Sizes need to be pre-ordered with Oceanwide reservation departments at least 8 weeks prior to departure. A voucher will be sent with final travel documents approximately 4 weeks prior to departure. Laying claims on equipment items without pre-order and voucher cannot be accepted when boarding the vessel. Boots will need to be returned to the expedition team at the end of the voyage. Rubber boots are of high quality, keeping your feet dry, warm and comfortable for all landings. Expedition jackets (on Plancius only) can also be pre-ordered for a special price. Terms and conditions are available on the pre-order form. Shore Excursions and Zodiac Cruising Guided shore excursions, walks and wildlife spotting and zodiac cruising are included in the fare and will be offered to all passengers during the voyages. We put our emphasis on active wildlife and nature experiences. Basecamp Plancius Our activity base (C H K M P) The ship becomes our base camp on selected dates. Base camp is by definition a temporary storing and starting place, from which an activity starts, in this instance a coast to mountain expedition. During designated Basecamp Plancius voyages the ship will be taken to carefully chosen places in the Antarctic. The vessel will stay for two or three days at specific locations to serve our active passengers as a comfortable hub to allow more time than usual for wide ranging activities: mountaineers (M) and hikers (H) to climb mountain ranges, photographers (P) to explore photo opportunities, campers (C) to enjoy life at shore base camps, kayakers (K) and zodiac passengers to explore near shores where the ship cannot go. Passengers who do not wish to become physically active will enjoy our zodiac excursions and follow the normal shore program and land excursions (easy to moderate walks and hikes with focus on wildlife). We

3 also offer photo workshops. All adventure activities are free of charge. Bilingual voyages (b): English-French or English-German English is the ship s language. Some German or French speaking expedition staff will be onboard for designated bilingual voyages (English German or English-French). Welcome and safety briefings, announcements, daily briefings, and recaps will be provided in English and German/French. English and German/French lectures may vary in content. Simultaneous translations of lectures will not occur but a summary in the second language may be given at the end of a lecture. Guidance during activities ashore will depend on the group each passenger chooses according to their own physical ability. Passengers will be split up in interest groups whenever needed, i.e. activity voyages: longer walks (faster-paced group) and a leisurely walk (slower-paced group) in the vicinity of the landing beach (more time for photography). A German or French speaking staff member will not necessarily be available for each group. During Zodiac cruises, each boat s driver/guide will not necessarily be bilingual. Camping (C) On some Antarctic voyages we offer an exciting open air camping option, which gives an intensive experience of the Antarctic wilderness. Special gear and field equipment will be provided: tents, wind and waterproof bivouac bags (lightweight alternative to a tent system). This shelter will protect you from the elements during the night in the open air of Antarctica. Mattresses and polar sleeping bags provide comfort during the night. The maximum number of participants for this camping option is 30 participants per night. One expedition guide will conduct the activity ashore. Camping is always subject to weather, local site and environmental regulations. 1 night has to be booked prior to the trip; any extra nights (if those are possible) must be arranged onboard. There is no guarantee that a second night can be implemented. Additional nights will be charged by the Hotel Manager. For more details please refer to the activity manual. Diving (D) Divers must be advanced and experienced in dry suit and cold water diving. We hope for 1-2 different dives per day parallel to all other activities. Diving depends on local ice and weather conditions. Dive masters and dive guides are responsible for safety during operation. Basic equipment is onboard (scuba tanks, compressors, weights and diving essentials). Divers bring their personal gear. A supplement will be charged for the activity package. For prices please refer to Dates & Rates. For more details please refer to the activity manual. Hiking (H) During voyages with hiking options we hope to be able to exceed on our normal shore excursion walking Program. The possibilities to hike longer distances in de Antarctic are limited by mountains and glaciers. In general the longest hikes can last up to two hours. We aim at one or two hikes per day during morning and / or afternoon landings. The final decision on those hiking options will be met by the Expedition Leader on the day of the excursion. We recommend bringing a proper pair of ankle high hiking boots (illustration in Basecamp activity selection form) and gaiters. Hiking is free of charge; more details can be found in the activity manual and the day by day Programs. Kayaking (K) In general we plan to at least offer 4 kayaking days. Basic kayaking experience is required and physical fitness is essential. Parallel to all other activities we are planning on offering kayaking excursions during morning and / or afternoon landings. The final decision on those excursions will be met by the Expedition Leader. Oceanwide will provide kayaks, neoprene wet suits, booties and gloves. Kayakers will bring their own personal gear. Kayaking is subject to weather and prevailing ice conditions. A supplement will be charged for the activity package (except Basecamp Plancius voyages). For prices please refer to Dates & Rates. For more details please refer to the activity manual. Photo workshop (P)

4 On selected voyages and Basecamp Plancius voyages Oceanwide Expeditions is going to offer photo workshops for beginners and advanced photographers under the supervision of a photo expert on board. Everybody is welcome to participate, no previous experience required. The workshop group (up to 20 participants per guide per landing, and up to 14 participants per guide on supplemented voyages) will be accompanied by the photo expert during activity ashore. Participants with a special interest in photography will bring their personal photo equipment. During cruise days everybody will be able to listen into photo lectures and workshops in order to learn more about objects, exposures and photo composition. The workshop does not intend to instruct on how to use specific camera models, but more to give an insight on better photo results by respecting basic rules of photography. Photographers can also take part in other activities of their choice. Photo workshops are free of charge on Basecamp voyages, and supplemented on other activity coded voyages. The photo workshop must be pre-booked prior to departure. Character of photo workshops: Basecamp Plancius and other non supplemented voyages: free try out activity for everybody, participants also dip into other activities, group size up to 20 participants per photo guide and landing, daily changing groups, workshop content not too specialised, target group beginners to experts who wish to receive daily photo tuition. During photo workshops powered by Leica Akademie (see attached dates & rates), participants can test Leica camera equipment free of charge. Activity coded & supplemented voyages: Leica Akademie photo workshop, up to 14 participants will be instructed by a photo guide lecturer of Leica Akademie, homogeneous group, progressive workshop sessions specialise on improving specific photo skills, Leica photo equipment can be tested (cameras and objectives), target group experts and those who want to become experts. Snowshoeing/hiking (S) Especially on early departures at the beginning of the season there are still snow covered hills and mountains further inland. During voyages to the Antarctic we are planning on offering hiking excursions with snowshoes. Snowshoe walking is easy and does not require any technical skills. With the use of snowshoes it is easier and safer to walk on snow surfaces. Snowshoes will be provided to everyone on board. Those will fit all boot sizes and can be used in combination with Oceanwide s rubber boots. Snowshoe hiking is free of charge; more details can be found in the activity manual and the day by day programs. Mountaineering (M) This is a technical and more strenuous activity for mountaineers who wish to walk beyond the shore radius in order to reach higher grounds and viewpoints. Mountaineers walk in rope parties under the leadership of a certified mountain guide mostly across glaciated environment. Mountaineering knowledge is preferable, but not required. Physical fitness is essential. The maximum number is limited to 6 mountaineers per rope party. Special glacier equipment will be provided: ropes and carabiners, harnesses, helmets, ice axes and crampons. Participants will bring their personal protective outdoor clothes, mountaineering boots (leather or plastic) suitable for using crampons. A mountain guide and assistants (depending on group size) will supervise and guide the activity. Kayaking Departures Kayaking is one of the most exciting ways to explore remote polar coastlines. Led by experienced guides, we have the chance to paddle among icebergs and pack ice offering unforgettably wildlife encounters. Our kayaks are stable single seat and double seat sea kayaks and excursions last 3 to 4 hours. You must be physically fit and be able to handle a kayak in moderate weather and sea conditions. Trips are not suitable for beginners. If you have any questions about the required skills, call us Basic kayaking skills required Includes westsuit, kayaks and paddles Maximum 14 kayakers per voyage Up to 4 kayaking days per departure subject to weather and ice conditions

5 Camping Departures Spending a night camping in the Antarctic can be the thrill of a lifetime. Our goal is to spend at least 1 night out on each cruise, more if conditions permit. International regulations do not allow us to take stoves, fuel nor food ashore, with the exception of emergency rations, survival gear, drinking water and medical supplies. We provide top quality wind and waterproof breathable bivouac bags, tents and polar sleeping bags. Groups go ashore after dinner and returns to the ship for breakfast. While on shore we are in radio contact with the ship and a field guide will stay ashore with the group throughout the night. Camping is subject to weather, site and environmental regulations. We camp only in areas that do not disturb wildlife. No experience required Maximum 15 campers per night Equipment provided (bivouac/tents, sleeping bag, mats) One night must be booked prior to departure, extra nights can be arranged on the cruise Hiking Departures Hiking and snowshoeing are wonderful ways to experience the beauty and solitude of polar landscapes. Choose from easy, moderate and challenging hikes depending on the landing site, all led by experienced professional guides. No snowshoeing experience required. Up to 2 hikes per day, 2-4 hours long Free use of snowshoes on all Plancius voyages No additional charge Tour Details Trip Type: Adventure Cruise 2015 Departure Dates & Rates - Rates are based on double occupancy. Dates and rates are subject to change and cruises operate subject to a minimum number of participants. Ship Dates (Days) Quad Triple Porthole Twin Porthole Twin Window Twin Deluxe Superior Plancius 2/3-2/13 (11) Request Request Request $9950 $10350 $11500 (c and k as below) Plancius 3/3-14 (11) $7800 $8650 Request $9800 $10200 $11300 (d as below; c, h, k, m, p all free) Plancius 3/14-23 (10) $5500 $6100 $7050 $7300 $76500 $8450 (whale watching voyage) (d) Scuba diving for $520 (h) Hiking available at no extra charge (k) Kayaking Departure: $450 per person including wetsuit. Daily guided kayaking in double and single kayaks. Maximum 15 kayakers per departure. (c) Camping Departure: $180 per person, per night. Everybody can participate, no previous experience required. Max. number is limited to 15 persons per night. Camping is subject to weather, local site and environmental regulations. All equipment on board (bivouac bags, sleeping bag, mattresses, back up tents). Campers bring personal gear.

6 (m) Mountaineering available at no extra charge. (ss) Snowshoeuing available at no extra charge. (p) Photogtaphy workshop free Single Supplement: As available for twin share and twin private cabins for a 70% addition to double occupancy rate, superior and suite cabins as available for a 100% addition to double occupancy rate. Trip Fees Include: Accommodations aboard the indicated vessel, all meals aboard ship including snacks, coffee and tea, all shore excursions and activities by Zodiac, lectures by noted naturalists, leadership by experienced expedition staff, all service taxes and port charges. Trip Fees Exclude: Airfare, pre- or post land arrangements, transfers to / from the vessel, passport and visa expenses, government arrival and departure taxes, meals ashore, travel insurance, excess baggage charges, personal items such as laundry, bar, beverages, phone, fax, or internet charges, gratuity for staff and crew as deemed appropriate. Free Rubber Boots: Free use of rubber boots on Plancius cruises. These boots are high quality, perfect for the Antarctic conditions and will keep your feet dry, warm and comfortable for all landings. Boots provided onboard. Payments & Cancellations: A deposit of 10% of the cruise price is due at reservation. Balance is due 90 days before cruise departure. The following cancellation fees will apply: - Cancel 90 days or more prior to departure: 10% of total cruise price - Cancel days prior to departure: 50% of total cruise price - Cancel days prior to departure: 75% of total cruise price - Cancel less then 31 days prior to departure: 100% of total cruise price For bookings of 10 passengers or more, a 20% deposit is due at reservation and the following cancellation fees will apply: - Cancel 180 days or more prior to departure: 10% of the total cruise price - Cancel days prior to departure: 50 % of the total cruise price - Cancel less than 90 days: 100 % of the total price Roommate Policy: If you are traveling alone, you can request us to try and arrange a roommate of the same sex. If we cannot arrange a roommate, your single supplement fee will be waived. Trip Rating: Easy Meeting Time & Place: Ushuaia, Argentina. On Day 1 meet at the pier located in the main port on Maipu Street. The entrance is opposite Lasserre Street and the Hotel Albatross. You must show your boarding pass. Boarding starts at 4:00 p.m. and the ship sails at 6:00 p.m. On arrival in Ushuaia take a taxi to your hotel or directly to the ship--both are only a few minutes from the airport. We recommend arriving in Ushuaia a day early in case of flight delays or lost luggage. If you are unable to find the pier, contact our port agent (Navalia S.R.L., 25 de Mayo 260, P.B. Of. 3, 9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina). Ask for Carlos or Patricia. Phone: +54 (2901) Trip Conclusion: Approximately 9:00 a.m. Day 11 in Ushuaia, Argentina Travel Insurance: Emergency medical evacuation insurance is required for this cruise. We also strongly recommend travel insurance to protect you in case of lost or damaged luggage, a sudden illness or death in the family, other medical expenses and transportation costs, and flight delays. We d be happy to arrange travel insurance coverage for you, so contact us at (800) with any questions. Itinerary & Rate Changes: All dates and rates are subject to change and cruises operate subject to a minimum of 30 participants. The itinerary above describes the cruise s general activities and route. However, the actual itinerary will often vary. Changes in weather, ice conditions, wildlife movements, unplanned opportunities and other considerations can all affect our routes and activities. The itinerary described above is one of a number of potential itineraries available as luck and conditions allow. Our Ships

7 Plancius: Originally designed as a research vessel for the Dutch Navy, the Plancius perfectly meets the exploratory and educational needs of our natural history adventures. Comfortable but not luxurious, Plancius was completely refurbished for passenger service in 2008 and is fully SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) compliant. It has 54 cabins, all with private baths and showers, accommodating up to 112 passengers plus a restaurant/lecture room, observation lounge and bar with picture windows and spacious open deck areas. Plancius specifications: Length 267 feet Width 43 feet Draft 15 feet Speed 12 knots Capacity 112 passengers Crew 30 Twelve staff and 1 doctor Plancius Cabin Description Quad: Two single lower berths, and 2 single bunk beds, private bath and shower. Approximately 50 sq. ft. Twin: All lower berths (2 single beds or 1 queen), private bath private bath and shower. Approximately 50 sq. ft. Superior: All lower berths (2 single beds or 1 queen), private bath and shower. Approximately 70 sq. ft. m/v Ortelius: The ice-strengthened vessel Ortelius is an excellent vessel for Polar expedition cruises in the Arctic and Antarctica. Ortelius was built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, was named Marina Svetaeva, and served as a special purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. The vessel is re-flagged and renamed Ortelius. As was Plancius, Ortelius was a Dutch / Flemish cartographer. Abraham Ortelius ( ) published the first modern world atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Theatre of the World in At that time, the atlas was the most expensive book ever printed. The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1 equivalent to 1A) and is therefore very suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice and loose multi-year pack ice. Ortelius is a great expedition vessel for 100 passengers with lots of open-deck spaces and a very large bridge which is accessible to the passengers. The vessel is manned by 34 highly experienced Russian nautical crew, 15 international catering staff, including stewardesses, 6 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 5 guides/lecturers) and 1 doctor. Ortelius offers a comfortable hotel standard, with two restaurants, a bar/lecture room and a sauna. Our voyages are primarily developed to offer our passengers a quality exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible. As the number of passengers is limited to approximately 100 on the Ortelius, flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities. Ortelius specifications: Length 299 feet Width 58 feet Draft 19 feet Speed 12 knots Capacity 100 passengers Crew staff and 1 doctor Ortelius Cabin Descriptions: All cabins are spacious outside cabins with a minimum of two portholes or windows. Quad: 5 with bunk beds and shared bathroom and shower facilities. Twin: All lower berths (2 single bed); 14 with shared bathroom and shower facilities; 9 with portholes and private bathroom and shower and 10 with windows and private bathroom and shower. Superior: 6 with double bed and separate day room. Suite: 1 with double bed and separate day room.

8 The Next Step References Don t take our word for it that The World Outdoors trips are the finest in the adventure travel industry. Ask our past guests. Call about any of our trips and we ll be happy to refer you to someone who s been there with us. The Best Value in Active Travel Guarantee: We commit to you that all of our trips are of the highest quality at the best value. If you find a trip of equal quality that matches our itinerary and inclusions at a lower fare within 30 days of booking your trip with us, we will gladly refund the difference. A simple guarantee that assures you of the best trip at the best fare! How do I join this trip? Call The World Outdoors at (800) and a Trip Consultant will reserve your space(s) or register online at Your travel agent can also book your trip at no extra cost and provide other helpful assistance. Special Requests: If you have any special dietary needs or any special request that will make your trip more enjoyable, please be sure to notify your Trip Consultant or travel agent upon booking. Then Leave the Rest to Us... Before you go, we provide you with extensive pre-departure information, including your reservation payment receipt and confirmation, travel insurance application, suggestions for preparing for your trip, a packing list, information on pre- and post-trip arrangements, a guest questionnaire and a liability release agreement. How do I book airfare for this trip? Call our in-house travel agent, Sherry Marriner, at from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time Monday through Friday or you can her at sherrym@theworldoutdoors.com. Sherry is also available to assist you with pre- and post-lodging needs. If Sherry is unavailable and your needs are urgent, please call Frosch Travel, a local travel agency, at and ask for Georgia (ext 251) or her at Georgia.Terry@frosch.com. Be sure to tell her you are traveling with The World Outdoors. Alternatively, you are welcome to book your airfare online, directly with the airline or through your personal travel agent. For flights to Ushuaia and pre or post trip lodging in Argentina contact Martin Perez at EUROTUR martinp@eurotur.com.ar. Be sure to tell them both you are traveling with The World Outdoors. General Information What weather can I expect? Our cruises are scheduled during the Austral Summer, December to March. If you are spending time in Buenos Aires, expect daytime temperatures in the 80 s and 90 s with high humidity. Ushuaia, the starting point of your voyage, is often cool, windy, and rainy with daytime highs in the 40s and 50s F. In Antarctica expect conditions like winter in temperate climates and pack like you would for a ski vacation. Be prepared for anything from calm sunny days in the 40s to windy, foggy, snowy weather in the 10s. And remember, on the water wind is often a companion that makes any temperature feel colder. How difficult is this trip?... Really: The trip is designed for healthy adults who are comfortable being active outdoors several hours a day. However, guests can participate in activities as much or as little as they choose. Terrain on shore is sometimes rocky, wet and slippery with snow and ice. Shore excursions generally last about two hours with most of the time spent walking near the coastline for distances up to three miles with climbs up to 300 feet. Many people find walking sticks helpful on excursions. Zodiacs access requires going up and down a steep gangway from the ship to water level. The cruise is in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities. Emergency Contact Information: Our office in Boulder, Colorado is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time For emergencies outside of our normal business hours call Bill Marriner at , Sherry Marriner at , or Eric Wagner at Oceanwide Expeditions is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. They can be reached from the U.S. at or , from outside U.S or within. After hours, call from the U.S for answering machine or ; from outside U.S for answering machine or to reach the Dutch Headquarters 24 hour response center. + means you need to dial the appropriate international calling code for the country you are calling from before the rest of the number. Ask local information for the correct code. Each ship also has contact information which passengers are given prior to departure.

9 How much time do we spend on shore? It depends on the weather and constraints of time and distance. Depending on the voyage, you may spend several days aboard the ship, followed by a series of landings, each several hours long. On some voyages you land two or three times every day. During our cruise we have almost continuous daylight, which means we may schedule excursions before breakfast, after dinner - or in the middle of the night. Often the light for photography is best at these times. We want to show you as much as possible but leave it up to you to skip an excursion. Is seasickness a problem? This depends on the individual. If you feel that you are susceptible to sea-sickness, see your doctor before the cruise. Bring motion sickness medications and eat reasonably and get plenty of rest. Our ship s physician is always available to help you. What are the age limitations? Children 13 years of age or older are welcome. All minors must be accompanied by at least one adult. No children s discount are available. Local Tour Operator: Our cruise is operated by a company who specialize in small boat nature cruises. They have years of experience and an outstanding safety record in running cruises in polar seas. Tour Leaders and Ship Crew: All our expedition leaders are fluent in English, knowledgeable, helpful and dedicated to the protection of the environment. Ships are manned by Russian crews highly experienced in ice navigation. Our Russian captains are recognized experts in polar navigation. The language spoken by all the cruise staff cruise leaders, chef, purser - and used for all lectures, instructions and excursions is English. The crew is Russian and some speak a bit of English. Visas & Passports: Visit for the latest information on travel requirements to Argentina. There are no requirements for entering Antarctica. Luggage Restrictions: You are allowed a maximum of 44 lbs of luggage plus a carry-on maximum of 17 lbs. We ask you to pack reasonably and limit each person to two medium size pieces of luggage and a daypack. Soft sided luggage works best. Clearly mark each piece with your name, address and contact information. Clothing Rental: You can rent expedition clothing in Ushuaia from Antarctic Equipment (information below). If you are interested, reserve your items well ahead of your departure to be sure of getting the gear and sizes you need. Items must be picked up from Antarctic Equipment in Ushuaia at the Turismo Travel Agency next to the Drake Hostel. U.S. $100 deposit is required. Payment is made locally, credit cards are not accepted. Please note we are not responsible for purchases from this shop. ANTARCTIC EQUIPMENT (in the same building as the Drake Hostel - Turismo Ushuaia) Gobernador Paz Street 865 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Phone /5 ushuaiaturismo@speedy.com.ar / antarctic_equipment@hotmail.com Web: Hours: Open daily from: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. November thru mid-march Field Code Changed For 11/12 Day Voyages: Waterproof Parka US$ 30 Boots (Wellington-type) US$ 10 Rain pants (with and without insulation) US$ 20 Backpack US$ 15 For Longer (18-20 Day) Voyages: Waterproof Parka US$ 40 Boots (Wellington-type) US$ 15 Rain pants (with and without insulation US$ 25 Backpack US$ 25

10 Carbon Offsetting: If you would like to offset the carbon emissions from your trip, please visit the following link: