Active Exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctica is the last wild, unspoiled place on earth, the largest, purest wilderness we know, the only continent that has been almost free of human contact since the beginning of time. It is a realm whose beauty is so spectacular and otherworldly that it often leaves visitors speechless.

And on the Antarctic Peninsula, a 700-mile-long finger of land pointing toward the tip of South America, it's not just the breathtaking scenery that beckons, it's also the spectacular display of wildlife. Thousands of penguins and numerous other seabirds such as petrels, skuas, and albatross. There is also an abundance of marine mammals in this region of Antarctica, including most of the world's great whale species and many kinds of seals.

Aboard a small, maneuverable ice-class expedition ship and in the company of a team of expert naturalist guides, you'll journey south to the "last continent" for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience that may change your life forever.

Activities

Easy ship travel, optional walks and Zodiac rides. (Optional sea kayaking, camping, skiing and mountaineering on select departures.)

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• A once-in-a-lifetime experience to the "last continent," the most remote destination on earth
  
• See a spectacular wonderland of mountains, glaciers, and icebergs in a pristie environment
• Interactive Antarctica on an expedition-style ship - not from the deck of a huge cruise ship!
  

Winter 2010/2011
$4,390-$11,690 (depending on cabin & departure)
Call for specific 2010/2011 itineraries and cabin prices.

Duration: 12 days Start Location: Ushuaia End Location: Ushuaia Best time to go: January - March, November - December

Itinerary

• Day 1 : Meet in Ushuaia, Argentina.

  Meet in Ushuaia, Argentina.

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  Day 2 : Board ship and set sail

  Board your expedition vessel and begin the journey to Antarctica with a scenic sail through the Beagle Channel, then enter the waters of the Drake Passage.

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  Days 3 - 4 : At sea, crossing the Drake Passage

  Continue to motor across the 620 miles of the Drake Passage, passing over the Antarctic Convergence, where nutrient-rich waters attract many species of seabirds and whales.

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  Days 5 - 9 : Explore the islands, bays, and channels of the Anta...

  Explore the islands, bays, and channels of the Antarctic Peninsula, with plenty of time for shore walks through penguin colonies and "ice cruises" by Zodiac for close-up inspection of towering bergs and creaking glaciers. Our itinerary focuses on scenic areas with large concentrations of wildlife, including Paulet and Cuverville Islands, the flooded caldera of Deception Island, Paradise Bay, and the Lemaire Channel, hemmed in by mountain walls rising thousands of feet straight out of the water (it's nicknamed "Kodak Alley"). We also usually visit one or more research stations.

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  Days 10 - 11 : sea, crossing the Drake Passage

  At sea, crossing the Drake Passage and rounding Cape Horn en route to Ushuaia.

• Day 12 : Ushuaia – fly home

  Arrive in Ushuaia.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

photo credits: ©Christopher Bettencourt