The following 14 day sample itinerary exploring the Antarctic Peninsula has been designed as a fly-in / fly-out itinerary. We will arrange a charter flight for your group from Punta Arenas, Chile to King George Island (located off the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula). The expedition yacht HANSE EXPLORER will be waiting to meet your group at King George Island, once your charter flight lands. At the conclusion of your yacht charter aboard HANSE EXPLORER, a second charter flight will be arranged to fly your group from King George Island back to Punta Arenas, Chile. Antarctic Peninsula Map:
Sample Itinerary Antarctic Peninsula (14 days): Days 1 & 2: The South Shetland Islands These wildlife-rich islands are located at the very northern extent of Antarctica and are home to numerous penguin, elephant seal and seabird breeding colonies. Multinational scientific research stations are scattered throughout the islands and a rich history from the whaling and sealing era can also be observed in the South Shetlands. We may land ashore to wander through bustling penguin rookeries and get up close and personal with southern elephant seals as they rest on the beach. Cruising the coast in our trusty Zodiacs, we look for chance encounters with whales, seals and other marine life. Days 3 & 4: Antarctic Sound and the Weddell Sea Known to many as Iceberg Alley, Antarctic Sound lies off the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula where massive tabular icebergs drift north from the Weddell Sea. We plan to explore this spectacular region and if ice conditions permit, head south along the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula towards Snow Hill Island to perhaps catch a glimpse of the elusive Emperor Penguin. A colony of 4,000 breeding pairs of Emperor penguins has been discovered recently at Snow Hill Island, making it one of the most accessible Emperor Penguin colonies in the world!
Day 5: Brown Bluff and exploring the Antarctic Peninsula Brown Bluff was formed by a subglacial volcanic eruption and is so named because of the huge cliff of volcanic rock that dominates this spectacular landing site. Located near the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, Brown Bluff is home to hundreds of Gentoo and Adélie penguins, and may be our first opportunity to land on the continental mainland of Antarctica. In the afternoon, we cruise south along the edge of the Antarctic Peninsula, absorbing the magnificent scenery and seeking further adventure. Observe huge coastal glaciers spilling directly into the sea, marvel at the captain s skill as he manoeuvres the bow of HANSE EXPLORER right up to an iceberg, step ashore to climb a snow-covered hill (and then slide down back down again!), or slip quietly amongst the icebergs in the ship s sea kayaks the options are endless and with nearly 24 hours of daylight, we have all the time in the world.
Day 6: Paradise Bay, Neumayer Channel and Port Lockroy After anchoring amid the ice in Paradise Bay, we go ashore to wander through a colony of Gentoo penguins that have taken over an abandoned Argentine Research Base. Climb a small hill for a view over the bay that will take your breath away. Passing between the soaring cliffs of the majestic Neumayer Channel, we arrive at one of Antarctica s most exciting anchorages, Port Lockroy. A designated Historic Site and part of the British Antarctic Territory, Port Lockroy also functions as a museum and is the only public post office on the Antarctic Peninsula. We visit a Gentoo penguin colony, view nesting Blue-eyed shags (cormorants) and witness reminders of past whaling activities. We may also pay a visit to Palmer Station - a modern Antarctic Research Station (USA).
Day 7: Lemaire Channel, Petermann Island and Verdansky Station The Lemaire Channel (nicknamed Kodak Gap ) is an iconic 11km stretch of water between the steeply plunging cliffs of Booth Island and the glaciated landscape of the Antarctic Peninsula. Often choked with spectacular icebergs, Lemaire Channel is sure to leave a lasting impression. We take to the Zodiacs once again to cruise amongst the icebergs and look for close encounters with humpback whales, orca and seals that may be hauled out onto the ice. We venture ashore on Petermann Island to visit a bustling Adélie penguin colony. This evening, we may visit Verdansky Scientific Research Station to get a taste of Ukrainian hospitality (and perhaps some home made Ukrainian Vodka!)
Day 8: Across the Antarctic Circle Sea and ice conditions permitting, we will attempt to take HANSE EXPLORER across the Antarctic Circle - further south than most Antarctic ships ever venture (66 33 South). Some may choose to celebrate the crossing of the Antarctic Circle with a sub-zero polar plunge! and then raise the body temperature again in the ship s onboard sauna. With the mother ship parked in the edge of the ice floe, we set up camp for a night (not that it ever becomes very dark) camping out in Antarctica! Don t be surprised to awake the next morning with a few new neighbours Weddell and Crabeater seals have been known to bid for the same real estate.
Day 9: A day in the Ice We spend the day revelling in the icy wonderland of the Deep South. We may send the Zodiacs out exploring amongst a graveyard of huge grounded icebergs - a photographer s playground. Or if it is silent solitude you are after, you may prefer to slip quietly amongst the ice in the sea kayaks, keeping an eye out for wildlife as you go.
Climb a snow-clad hill for sweeping views of the Antarctic Peninsula s rugged icescape. At the end of the day, the captain may seek out some fast ice - seawater that has frozen solid on the surface, and is also attached to the shore, holding it in place. Lean over the bow as the captain drives HANSE EXPLORER s sturdy ice-class hull into the fast ice, wedging the ship firmly in position. It is not uncommon to find seals playing in the ship s trail of slurry as she ploughs through the ice. Lower the gangway and walk straight out onto the ice for sunset cocktails (Antarctic sunsets can last for hours at the height of the southern summer). In a land without marinas, it is certainly an advantage to be able to create your own wharf, wherever you please.
Day 10: The Gullet, Crystal Sound and the Fish Islands The Gullet is a narrow channel separating Adelaide Island from the Antarctic mainland. Named for the complex of twisting channels that look something like a digestive tract, and choked with ice for much of the year, the Gullet is notoriously difficult to pass through, but rewards adventurous navigators with spectacular views of the high mountains and tumbling glaciers on each side of the channel. Through the Gullet (ice conditions permitting) and into Crystal Sound is the perfect place for the captain to demonstrate the capabilities of the ship in relatively heavy ice conditions. We set out in the Zodiacs and cruise alongside the ship for a closeup view as HANSE EXPLORER cuts through the metre-thick ice floes like a hot knife through butter. Ice conditions permitting we may attempt to land at an abandoned British Survey Base of the 1950 s, where equipment and stores left behind provide many clues as to what daily life must have been like for researchers.
In the afternoon, we explore the Fish Islands in search of Blue-eyed shags, Adélie penguins, spectacular ice formations and Leopard seals. Days 11 & 12: Gerlache Strait, Errera Channel, Cuverville Island and the Melchior Islands We cruise north through Gerlache Strait in search of whales. Humpbacks, orca, Minkes and perhaps even the gigantic Blue whale. We then cruise along the very scenic Errera Channel en route to Cuverville Island where we may go ashore to explore a large colony of Gentoo Penguins.
The Melchior Islands in Dallmann Bay offer more wildlife encounters, magnificent glaciers and some wonderful snow-covered hills to slide down. The Melchior Islands are known to some as the Venice of Antarctica because of the many narrow canals within the island group. Days 13 & 14: Hannah Point (Livingston Island) and Deception Island Livingston Island, as part of the South Shetland Islands, is further north than the Antarctic Peninsula. It has more rocky land with less snow and ice cover, and generally has (comparatively) milder climates, and so plays host to a greater variety of wildlife. Gentoo, Macaroni and Chinstrap penguins nest together in large numbers. Other seabirds such as Giant petrels, Kelp gulls, Skuas and Snowy sheathbills also inhabit the island. Southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals are among the larger life forms observed at Hannah Point.
A visit to the Antarctic Peninsula is not complete without a visit to volcanic Deception Island. Where else in the world can one say they sailed into the caldera of an active volcano! The captain carefully navigates through a small gap in the caldera called Neptune s Bellows. Thousands of chinstrap penguins cover the hills at Bailey Head and inside the caldera, we explore the extensive ruins of an old whaling station. An eerie sulphurous steam rises off the beach, which adds to the otherworldly feel of the island. The brave-of-heart may decide to don the bathing suit and take a quick dip in Antarctic waters, as the shallows just off the beach are warmed (slightly) by the geothermal activity below! THE EXPEDITION SPIRIT: Please note that the highlights mentioned above are for guidance only and are subject to change. Landing locations and activities may be altered depending on weather, sea and ice conditions. In the true spirit of expedition cruising, we exploit the weather and ice conditions to undertake as many opportunistic activities as possible. Itinerary design by Mark Buckingham