Antarctic cruises

Atlantic Odyssey

Aboard the Professor Molchanov

Ushuaia, Argentina - Ascension Island
10 March - 8 April 2008
31 days from £4139

Ascension Island - Praia, Cape Verde Islands
8 - 15 April 2008
8 days from £550

Praia, Cape Verdes - Hanssweert, Netherlands
15 - 26 April 2008
From £694

The first part of our Odyssey is south from Ushuaia to the Antarctic Peninsula where we shall visit Hope Bay or Brown Bluff, and Paulet Island, where we see Adelie penguins and the majestic icebergs of the Weddell Sea. On our way to South Georgia we sail by the South Orkneys, where the Scotsman Bruce once wintered. At sea, we spot a multitude of albatrosses, petrels and fulmars. We call at Grytviken, a former Norwegian whaling station, where you may visit the excellent whaling museum and Sir Ernest Shackleton's grave. On Salisbury Plain you will marvel at King Penguins and on Prion Island, at the Wandering Albatrosses and Giant Petrels. From South Georgia we sail to Tristan da Cunha, followed constantly by many seabirds around the ship. Tristan has a small village and on nearby Nightingale Island, albatrosses, petrels and millions of shearwaters, as well as Fur Seals and Elephant Seals can be found. Now accompanied by flying fish, as well as birds and dolphins, we visit St. Helena where Napoleon lived in exile, and continue to Ascension Island, where we visit a Sooty Tern colony with over a million birds. Around these tropical islands there are great opportunities for snorkelling. The Cape Verde Islands offer a great variety of natural attractions, including volcanoes, and are home to very friendly people.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia and sail through the Beagle Channel.

Day 2 and Day 3: Drake Passage
In the Drake Passage we spot a multitude of sea birds, including albatrosses, petrels and fulmars.

Day 4: Antarctic Continent
At Hope Bay and Brown Bluff we hope to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. In this area we may see Gentoo Penguins, Weddell Seals, Leopard Seals and Orcas.

Day 5: Weddell Sea, Antarctic Continent
Devil Island, at the tip of the Weddell Sea, is surrounded by huge table icebergs from the Larsen Ice Shelf. We climb a hill with a gentle slope, for a great view of the surroundings. At Paulet Island, we will see the last individuals of a large Adelie penguin colony, near the ruins of the Nordenskiöld Expedition base of the beginning of the 20th century.

Days 6 - 7: At Sea
At sea we will probably sail along the sea ice drifting north out of the Weddell Sea. On the floes we may see some juvenile Emperor Penguins. On our way north we plan to visit South Orkneys, where the Scotsman Bruce once wintered and where we now may visit the friendly people of an Argentinean base.

Day 8: At Sea
On our way to South Georgia, we see a multitude of albatrosses, petrels and fulmars.

Days 9 - 11: South Georgia
In South Georgia we pay visits to the abandoned whaling settlements at Grytviken, where penguins now walk the streets, and to King Edwards Point, with Shackleton's grave. We will walk by the large King Penguin colony on Salisbury Plain and the breeding Wandering Albatross on Albatross Island, in the Bay of Isles. We spend the last day on South Georgia at Cooper Bay, where we will see Chinstrap Penguins, Macaroni Penguins and breeding Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. We later intend to sail to Gold Harbour, to visit another King Penguin colony and to see great numbers of Elephant Seals and Fur Seals. It is a good area for taking long walks. We conclude our visit with zodiac excursions in the magnificent Drygalski Fjord and Larsen Harbour.

Days 12 - 16: At Sea
In the westerlies we have a pleasant tailwind. On both sides of the Antarctic Convergence, we observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds.

Day 17: Gough Island
Today we plan to approach the unique Gough Island for zodiac cruising around the island, as always weather permitting. In 2003 we managed to circumnavigate all but four miles of the 33 mile circumference of the island, saw spectacular scenery and an unprecedented abundance of wildlife. We felt very privileged to be among the few visitors to experience Gough and, in particular, to see it at such close quarters and in such favourable conditions. We hope to be lucky enough to repeat this unique experience with you on board.

Days 18 - 20: Tristan Da Cunha
In the Tristan da Cunha archipelago we call at the settlement on the west side of the main island. We will also try to make landings at Nightingale Island, with millions of seabirds, ranging from Yellow-nosed Albatross to Brown Noddies. We allow one day in reserve for bad weather.

Days 21 - 24: At Sea
We now enter sub-tropical waters with their own brand of seabirds and dolphins.

Days 25 - 27: St. Helena
St. Helena has a good anchorage and landing site. On this island, we will have ample opportunities to enjoy local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic plants and birds. We will visit the place where Napoleon lived in exile. There will be opportunities to explore the Island on your own and for snorkelling; in the shallow surf near a wreck we can find a lot of fish.

Days 28 - 29
At sea

Day 30 - 31: Ascension Island
Ascension Island is a dry volcanic island with a moist and richly vegetated top. The Sooty Tern (wide-awake) colony sometimes consists of more than 1 million breeding pairs. We will try to climb the moist summit of Ascension Island and make a zodiac-cruise around Boatswain Bird Island, offering great opportunities for snorkelling. We may witness egg-laying sea turtles coming ashore at night. Some of our passengers may disembark and fly with the scheduled RAF flight to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, UK. In the evening the vessel will depart from Ascension Island.

Days 31 - 35: At Sea
At sea, we witness the northbound spring migration of northern birds like Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas. When crossing the Equator ("the Line") passengers will be 'baptized' by Neptune, Ruler of the Sea.

Day 36: Cape Verde Islands
The Cape Verde Islands offer a variety of nature phenomena and have friendly people. We land at Praia, on the main island Sao Tiago, where we will explore the island by bus, making excursions, here and there during the main part of the day. In the evening we will have the opportunity to visit a café in Praia with Cape Verdian music and other expressions of local culture.

Day 37: Praia, Cape Verde Islands
In the early morning we plan to sail by Boavista, with its satellite islets Curral Velho and Baluarte, breeding places for Magnificent Frigate-birds, Brown Boobies, and several species of procellariiformes. In the afternoon we disembark on Sal, an extension of the Sahara desert, where make a bus excursion to the southern coast of the island. At midnight (Day 38, April 11 Mochanov & April 22 Maryshev) we fly to Lisbon in Portugal (not included in the cruise rate).

Passengers can also stay on board the vessel and join us for a repositioning voyage to Hansweert in the Netherlands, arriving on 21 April (Molchanov) and 9 May (Maryshev). From Hansweert there are nearby train connections to Amsterdam / Schiphol International Airport (2 ½ hours train ride).

Note: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programmes may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. The final itinerary for each voyage will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.

Prices and departure dates 2008

Code: ANTOCE014

All prices are in Pounds Sterling.

Notes

All rates are quoted per person in Pounds Sterling, based on twin occupancy. Twin non private and Twin private cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the shared price.

A 5% discount will be granted for bookings for one or more consecutive voyages.

Prices include:

• Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
• All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
• All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
• Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
• Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Prices do not include:

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre and post land arrangements; transfers to / from the vessel; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance; excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change. All voyages will operate subject to a minimum of 30 participants.