AN NTARC CTIC EXPED DITIO ON CRU UISE & FLY Y ( TINE (I ERARY Y A) Aboar rd the M//V Antar rctic Dre eam
Itinerary Overview Our 12-day Antarctica Cruise and Fly itinerary has the advantage of crossing Drake Passage only once utilizing aircraft for the other leg of the journey between Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica. This means less time cruising open waters at sea and more time to explore Torres del Paine National Park and the stunning Patagonia landscape of Chile based from the historic Singular Patagonia Hotel. The Antarctic is one of the newest ice-strengthened expedition ships designed specifically for Antarctic exploration and recently refurbished to add the comforts and amenities of a small cruise ship. This is a true expedition experience, in the spirit of the early explorers, with multiple landings in the most pristine and impressive wildlife habitats amongst thousands of penguins, sea lions, and other marine and terrestrial animals amidst this spectacular beauty of the White Continent. There are even opportunities to kayak or camp! DAY OVERNIGHT Hotels MEALS Highlights 1 SANTIAGO, CHILE Park Plaza Arrival into Santiago 2 PUERTO NATALES Singular Fly to Punta Arenas, transfer BD Patagonia to hotel 3 PUERTO NATALES Singular Choose from activities on offer Patagonia including Torres del Paine NP 4 HOPE BAY Fly to Antarctica, embarkation on 5 Antarctica Sound, Esperanza VILLA ESPERANZA & Base, Gentoo and Adelie BROWN BLUFF penguins 6 7 8 PAULET ISLAND & ASTROLABE PARADISE BAY & CUVERVILLE ISLAND DECEPTION ISLAND & HALF MOON BAY 9 DRAKE PASSAGE 10 DRAKE PASSAGE 11 BUENOS AIRES Moreno Hotel B Adelie penguin colony, Mt Flora, stone shelter for shipwrecked Antarctica Paradise Bay via zodiac, Gentoo penguins South Shetland Islands, land excursions On-board amenities and lectures, views from deck, Antarctic Convergence On-board amenities and lectures, views from deck, Antarctic Convergence Arrival in Ushuaia and flight to Buenos Aires 12 DEPARTURE B City tour and departure -2
Itinerary in Detail DAY 1: SANTIAGO, CHILE Morning airport reception and transfer to the Santiago Park Plaza for overnight. DAY 2 & 3: PATAGONIAA Transfer to airport for morning flight to Punta Arenas and your Patagonia home at the beautiful and historic Singular Patagonia Hotel. During your visit, you can select among a broad menu of expeditions, ranging from visits to Torres del Paine National Park, horseback riding, trekking, kayaks, or bird watching. Or choose to relax and rejuvenate after your Antarctica adventure in the on-site spa. Regardless of your day s activities, you ll end the day with an exceptional meal, featuring authentic Patagoniann ingredients such as Magellan lamb and King Crab and paired with the finest Chilean wines. Overnight at Singular Patagonia Hotel. [BD] DAY 4: FLY TO KING GEORGE G ISLAND, ANTARCTICA Departing from Punta Arenas, fly south over the rugged Patagonian landscape and cross the Drake Passage arriving at King Georgee Island for embarkation on the a. Overnight aboard the. [] DAY 5: VILLA ESPERANZA & BROWN BLUFFF In the morning you ll awake in Hope Bay with a view of Mount Flora on the Antarctic Sound. The Antarctic Sound was named after the vessel, the Antarctic, used in the Nordenskjoldd Expedition 1902 1904, the first to navigate these challenging waters. You ll disembark at the historic Esperanza Base, a research station built in 1952 which houses scientists year round. This is also your first opportunity for close encounters with Gentoo and Adelie penguins who nest close to the base. In the afternoon, you ll sail south to Brown Bluff, a dark rocky cliff surrounded by incredible glaciers. [] DAY 6: PAULET ISLAND & ASTROLABE Overnight, the vessel will sail to Paulet Island, home of a huge Adelie penguin's colony, one of the two penguin species considered truly Antarctic. You ll also encounter a colony of blue eyed shags on the volcanic screee slopes. At this site, are the remains of a stone refuge built by the shipwrecked Antarctic survivors, crushed by heavy ice at the Weddell Sea in 1903. During lunch time the ship will re position to Astrolabe Island, on the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula, now outside of the Antarctic Sound. Astrolabe is a very rich site in wildlife with penguins & seals in abundance. Overnight aboard the M/V Antarctic. [] DAY 7: PARADISE BAY & CUVERVILLE ISLAND Today you lll visit Cuverville Island, site of the largest Gentoo penguin colony on Antarctica. Cruising into Herrera Channel up to Paradise Bay, on the north shore, high mountains raise up to 3,000 ft on the south shore of the Andean Mountain extension range. Cruise in a zodiac following the coast line, contemplating these dramatic glaciers and cliffs rising thousands of feet above you. In the afternoon, visit Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Discovered in 1903 by a French expedition, it was used first as a whaling and military base and then a research station. On the island is a small museum and post office, surrounded by a Gentoo penguinn rookery. Overnight aboard the. [] -3-
DAY 8: DECEPTION ISLAND & HALF MOON While enjoying dinner aboard the a, the Captain will navigate the Neumayer Channel and into Gerlache Straight. The next morning you ll explore the coast of the South Shetland Islands, a haven for wildlife including fur seals, penguin rookeries, and wallowing elephant seals. In 1819, the British explorer William Smith described the South Shetland Islands as barren and covered with snow, with seals in abundance. Depending on wind and swell conditions the Captain and expedition leader will coordinate a landing either on Deception Island or Halfmoon Island, Yankee Harbor or Robert Point. Flexibility and adaptability are key on this day the weather and seas will be the deciding factor in determining the days activities. Overnight aboard the. [] DAY 9 & 10: DRAKE PASSAGE Today, we will leave Antarctica and head north back acrosss the Drake Passage. Wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and other seabirds willl escort our vessel sailing south across this famous 400 mile passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English navigator. The ship continues toward the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zone creating a zone of upwelling known for its concentration and abundance of seabird, whales and other marine life. Now is the chance to compare and revise notes and dwell on the adventures of the past week, to take in the final lectures and to enjoy the delicious cuisine on board as you return to Ushuaia. Overnight aboard the M/V Antarctic. [] DAY 11: DISEMBARK IN USHUAIAA & BUENOS AIRES After an early breakfast, arrival in Ushuaia is around 9:00AM. Thus ends an incredible and unique expedition. You ll be met at the dock and transferred to the airport for your afternoon flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, transfer for overnight at Moreno Hotel. [B] DAY 12: BUENOS AIRES & DEPARTURE Spend the morning and early afternoon exploring one of the most atmospheric cities in South America - Buenos Aires. Options include are historical sites such as the Barrio Norte with its splendid old homes; San Telmo where the artist and musicians live and work; La Boca, a neighborhood of brightly painted Italian family homes and restaurants; and the Avenida 9 de Julio with its towering obelisk as much a symbol to Buenos Aires as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. In addition to the standard tour, we have developed a special city tour called "The Four Balconies of Buenos Aires" in which a local guide uses four parks and plazas to introduce visitors to the city, its history, its style, and the peculiar psychology of the Porteno (inhabitant of Buenos Aires) ). On your own free time you may also take in a tango show or visit some of the more than 150 art galleries and museums. In the evening, transferr to airport for your international flight home. Actual routes and activities may vary. Local trip coordinators reserve the right to change accommodations to similar quality alternatives. -4-
Accommodations The is an expedition vessel with ice strengthened hull, built specifically for Antarctica exploration and totally refurbished to add the comfort of a small cruise ship. This vessel allows a true expedition experience, in the spirit of the early explorers, with multiple landings in the most unique and marvelous settings of Antarctica. It has a capacity of 80 passengers, in 40 double cabins, all equipped with private bathroom, closed circuit TV, individual central heatin and with exterior views. Our ample dining room with its large windows looking out on the scenery can seat all passengers in one sitting (and it serves as a comfortable lounge between mealtimes). Breakfast and lunches are with a wide assortment of dishes. Dinner is more formal with full multicourse service by our professional Chilean wait staff. The cuisine is international with an appealing mix of famed Chilean fish and shellfish along with world famous Argentine meats. And naturally both lunch and dinner are accompanied by complimentary Chilean wines. In the freee time between landings, lectures and dinning, passengers can browse our small library, work out in our fitness room or hang out in our cozy pub. Our on board style is always casual. Finally there is the fascination of getting to know like-minded people from many countries around the world. Our sailings typically include at least 10 nationalities. SANTIAGO PARK PLAZA, SANTIAGO Right in the Heart of Santiago, the boutique Park Plazaa offers spectacular sightseeing opportunities in the city. It is just moments from national monuments, art museums, opera houses, the financial district, and a diversee array of entertainment options. The hotel itself is sylish and comfortable, with traditional British Charm and a helpful and friendly staff. HOTEL MORENOO A landmark art deco building restored into a posh playground, Morenoo perfectly captures the city s vibe and its brilliant reflection of haute bohemian heritage. Unique features include the 130 lounge seat on-site theater hosting live tango and music performances by renowned local and international artists, a dazzling bar and restaurant heart of Buenos Aires nightlife and 39 unusually large bedroom lofts. -5-
SINGULAR PATAGONIA HOTEL The Singular Patagonia Hotel is located in the restored Bories Cold-Storage Plant. Built in 1915 in true post-victorian industrial style, this industrial plant was fully operational for nearly seven decades, generating employment and contributing to the population growth in the Patagonia region. It was declared National Historic Landmark in 1996 by the Government of Chile. This heritage has been restored by The Singular Hotels preserving the architectural and cultural legacy by transforming them into a luxury hotel. Its ideally located for exploring the Chilean Patagonian landscape. A team of expert guides will host expeditions to the most nteresting places in Patagonia. These will be made through fjords, mountains, glaciers, farms and forest. Guests can choose different activities: horseback riding, trekking, kayaks, bird watching among many others. The hotel has a complete spa with therapies that blend the best of the original roots of Patagonia with the modern techniques of wellness. Heated pool, indoor and outdoor, it s the perfect rest after a day of incredible expeditions. The mix of native and international cuisine, will provide a unique dining experience. At the bar you will find the time to talk about the different experiences of the day or planning the next day sharing the best wines of Chile 2012/2013 DEPARTURE DATES December 11-22 December 26-January 6 January 10-21 January 25-February 5 2013 PRICING: BASED UPON 2 PEOPLE SH SUBJECT TO CHANGE HARING - H HOTEL HOLIDAY RATES & RESTRICTIONS LAND COST CAPE HORN PER PERSON High Season $18,095 PILOTO SHACKLETON PARDO $16,800 $13,775 AMUNDSEN $11,995 Internal airfare* $650 $650 $650 $650 *A AIRFARE IS AN APPROXIMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL TICKETS ARE ISSUED. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: 1.7 X THE DOUBLE OCCUPANCY COST Single supplement is the additional cost of a single travelerr not sharing a room in double occupancy. If you request single accommodations you will be charged the single supplement. If you are willing to share a room we will attempt to match you with another traveler of the same gender, in which case the single supplement will be waived. However, if we are unable to find another traveler with whom you can share a room in most cases you will be charged the single supplement. -6-
INCLUDED SERVICES Local airfare: Ushuaia - Buenos Aires & Santiago Punta Arenas (listed as separate cost) One-way air Punta Arenas - Antarctica Hotel and boat accommodations as indicated English-speaking naturalist guides Guided tours and excursions Airport-hotel transfers and land transportation Meals as specified [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner] Services of in-bound land operator for airline reconfirmation, and tour operations Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services. NOT INCLUDED SERVICES International airfare Airport taxes ($140 reciprocity fee arriving Chile, $7 Ushuaia, $29 departing Argentina (may be included in ticket). Airport taxes can be paid in Argentine Pesos or USD cash, or by debit card. Tips and gratuities Drinks, alcoholic beverages, and meals other than listed above Personal expenses for extra services, optional activities, or changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control Travel insurance for trip cancellation, medical services, or evacuation Any other items not mentioned above TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Wildland Adventures, Inc. has arranged your trip utilizing the travel services of local in-country ground operators who are independent contractors. These local outfitters, lodges, hotels and other suppliers of your travel services will make every effort to conduct this trip as described in the itinerary. It is however possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, this itinerary may vary from what is described. Participants must assume all risks whether identified in advance or unforeseen. All optional activities are at your own risk. Extra costs due to unexpected changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control are not included. We highly recommend purchasing traveler s insurance for trip delay, trip cancellation, baggage, accident or sickness. Representatives are available for assistance at any time during your trip. If preferred hotels are not available, every attempt will be made to reserve alternative accommodations of similar quality. (If upgrade is necessary, higher rates may apply.) All information and services provided are subject to our Terms and Conditions -7-