EXPLORE ANTARCTICA! Including the Weddell Sea to look for Emperor Penguins December 1-16, 2009 AAAS members are invited to join this very special Antarctica Expedition, December 1-16, 2009, during which we will look for Emperor Penguins in the Weddell Sea, and then explore the Antarctica Peninsula! This is longer than the usual Classic Antarctic Cruise, and includes incredible savings! Depending on cabin category, prices are $1,195 to $3,665 below retail (only for members and friends of AAAS). Please book immediately because space is limited and will sell out quickly! ITINERARY Days 1/2 Miami to Buenos Aires. Transfer to hotel, city tour and welcome social. Day 3 Buenos Aires to Ushuaia & depart for Antarctica. Fly to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, and board your expedition vessel, M/V Molchanov. Days 4/5 Crossing the Drake Passage Enjoy the lecture program on board ship, and see the Antarctic Convergence. Look for Wandering Albatross, Wilson s Storm Petrels, and other seabirds. Day 6 Weddell Sea & Antarctic Sound Sail into the Weddell Sea and look for tabular icebergs if the Antarctic Sound is accessible. On Dundee Island see where Lincoln Ellsworth began his Trans-Antarctic flight in Nov - Dec 1935. Visit Paulet Island with millions of pairs of Adelie Penguins. Day 7 Snow Hill & James Ross Island -- Emperor Penguins Visit Snow Hill with the remains of the Nordenskiold Expedition. Look for Emperor Penguins on the ice edge making their way to open water. We will try to see them again tomorrow. Day 8 Devil Island and Vega Island If ice allows, we will go further into the Weddell Sea to visit Devil Island and Vega Island. See Adelie penguins and hike to a hilltop. See a spectacular waterfall at point Well-Met. Day 9 Antarctic Sound & Esperanza Station Today we visit the Esperanza Argentine station on the Antarctic Peninsula. We are still on the lookout for Emperor Penguins on the ice flows. See Adelie penguins, Cape Petrels, Pale-faced Sheathbills, Skuas, and Antarctic Terns. Day 10 Astrolabe Island See a great variety of Antarctic birds, like breeding Antarctic Fulmars. Sail along the Wright Ice Piedmont at the Antarctic Continent at Graham Land. The piedmont was named after the Wright brothers who made the first plane flight in December 1903. Day 11 Cuverville Island - Neko Harbor - Paradise Bay On our way further south, sail to Cuverville Island for Gentoo Penguins and Brown Skuas. Visit Neko Harbor or Paradise Bay. Zodiac cruise among the icebergs and there are good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. Day 12 Neumayer Channel - Melchior Islands Good possibilities here to Zodiac cruise among the icebergs and see Leopard Seals & Whales. Days 13/14 Drake Passage Cross the Drake Passage back to Ushuaia; continue our lecture program. Days 15/16 Ushuaia/Buenos Aires/Miami.
ABOUT THE SHIP The M/V Molchanov is a modern and comfortable oceanographic research vessel, built in 1983 in Finland. It has been converted for passenger use and is ideally suited for expedition cruising. It has a good anti-roll system, a range of 70 days independent operation, and is ISM certified. The vessel is strongly built of steel with an ice strengthened hull which is ideal for polar seas. The M/V Molchanov is manned by an enthusiastic Russian crew of around 20, all highly experienced in ice navigation. Russian captains are recognized experts in polar navigation. The international expedition leaders and lecturers are highly knowledgeable, helpful, and dedicated to the protection of the environment. The ship has a large bridge (where you are almost always welcome) and good open deck viewing areas. It carries a full complement of Zodiac craft, excellent for landings and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas. Excellent meals, prepared by international chefs, are served in the dining room, which also acts as the lecture room. Other public areas include a lounge and bar, small library and, infirmary. COSTS & CONDITIONS Expedition Fee: Per person for 16 days, based on twin or triple share of cabin on board M/V Molchanov plus air fare from Miami of $995.00 + tax + fuel surcharge. Cat A $5,855 pp Triple Non-Private Bath: Triple cabins have two lower and one upper berth, a desk, a small washbasin, storage and hanging space and portholes. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck. Cat B $6,525 pp Twin Non-Private Bath: Twin non-private cabins have two lower berths, a desk, a small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck. Cat C $7,125 pp Twin Private Bath: These cabins have a private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet, upper and lower berths, a desk, ample storage space and windows. Cat D $7,825 pp Superior Twin: These cabins have a double bed and a single sofabed, private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet. They also have a sitting area with a desk, video player and TV, coffee and tea facilities, refrigerator, and windows. Cat E $8,325 pp Suite: The large Suite has a double bed and a single sofa-bed. There is a large lounge area with a desk, video player and TV, coffee and tea facilities, refrigerator and large forward and side facing windows. Singles: We encourage singles to register on a twin or triple share basis. Your triple or twin share rate on board ship is then guaranteed (in Category A-C only), and we will assign a roommate for you. Should you desire single accommodations, single occupancy is 1.8 times the per person cruise fare. Any passenger in a single only in hotel accommodations must pay the supplement of $125. Airfare: The air fare from Miami is $995 per person plus tax and fuel surcharge. Group air bookings, ticketing, and invoicing will be handled by Betchart Expeditions Inc. If travelers do not take the group air and use frequent flyer miles to reach Buenos Aires, the in-tour air flights Buenos Air/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires are approximately $500, roundtrip. AIR FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. What to Expect: This expedition is planned for the travel enthusiast who would enjoy exploring Antarctica abroad the comfortable 53-passenger ship M/V Molchanov. This expedition allows you to discover first-hand the world s most remote region, without disrupting it s delicate balance of wilderness and wildlife. The typical low and high temperatures in December are 24 F to 42 F on the Antarctic Peninsula, and the weather can change rapidly. In Buenos Aires the temperatures range from the 60 s at night to the mid-80 s or 90 s during the day.
Walks during the shore excursions are short but may be over wet and uneven terrain. You may encounter rough seas and wind or rolling swells while crossing the Drake Passage. We will adhere to the planned itinerary as closely as possible but please note that the itinerary is subject to changes that may arise due to weather/sea/ice conditions beyond our control. The ship s captain has the final word on any decision make with regard to the vessel s itinerary, and it is understood that such decisions will be made in the interest of the safety of the vessel and all passengers on board. With this in mind, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime voyage of discovery and adventure. Expedition Fee Includes: Group transfers in Buenos Aires; one night hotel in Buenos Aires and breakfast; half-day Buenos Aires sightseeing tour and social; all meals, accommodations, lectures, Zodiac excursions on board the M/V Molchanov from dinner on day 3 to breakfast on Day 15; baggage handling; leadership, administration. Expedition Fee Does Not Include: Airfare from Miami to Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, Argentina, round trip; tips to ship s crew or naturalists; some meals; fuel surcharge; any personal items such as alcoholic beverages or soda; radio communications while on board ship; laundry, independent transfers; passport; visa fees (if any); travel insurance; or foreign airport departure taxes. Reservations, Deposits & Payments: Please contact Betchart Expeditions Inc. to reserve a space: (800) 252 4910 (Toll free USA) or (408) 252 4910 (international calls) and mail a deposit of $1,500 per person to: Discover Antarctica Expedition, Betchart Expeditions Inc., 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435. Balance is due 90 days before departure. All reservations will be acknowledged in the order received. Final payment is due September 1, 2009. Cancellations & Refunds: The initial deposit is refundable up to 90 days before departure less a handling fee of $700 per person. There is no refund after the 90-day period unless your place is resold, then only the $700 per person handling fee is withheld. There are no refunds for unused meals, or unused services. (see back side of page)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - RESERVATIONS #1102 YES! I/We want to explore Antarctica, December 1-16, 2009, offered by AAAS Travels and Betchart Expeditions Inc. Please reserve space(s) on the expedition. As a deposit, I/we have enclosed a check for $ ($1,500 per person), payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. Name(s) Age Sex Age Sex Address City State ZIP Phone: Home ( ) Work ( ) Email #1: #2: Membership (please circle): AAAS Sigma Xi ACS Planetary Society Accommodations aboard the M/V Molchanov are per person based on twin or triple share of cabin + air from Miami (please indicate 1st, 2nd & 3rd choice): Cat A $5,855 pp Triple Non-Private Bath Cat B $6,525 pp Twin Non-Private Bath Cat C $7,125 pp Twin Private Bath Cat D $7,825 pp Superior Twin Cat E $8,325 pp Suite Roommate Preference: Twin Single Share with friend Assign roommate Triple or Twin Nonsmoker Smoker Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Please mail to: Discover Antarctica Expedition 2009 Betchart Expeditions Inc. 17050 Montebello Road Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 Responsibility: Betchart Expeditions Inc., AAAS, and Sigma Xi act only as agent for the passenger with respect to transportation and hotels and exercises every care possible. Operation of the ship is solely the responsibility of Oceanwide Expeditions. You will receive a Cruise Contract prior to embarkation; please read it carefully. Betchart Expeditions Inc. acts only as agent for the suppliers providing air and other transportation and land services and assumes no responsibility, however caused, for your personal or property loss or damage in connection with any service. Betchart Expeditions Inc. can assume no liability for airplane, ship, motorcoach, or any other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other service, sickness, weather, strike, war, terrorism, quarantine, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provided for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to substitute another leader of similar expertise or to cancel an tour prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of an tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participants. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk entirely. It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. c 2009 Betchart Expeditions Inc. All rights reserved. CST#2036304-40