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14 days / 13 nights
Aboard the M/V Plancius
Ushuaia (Argentina) – Santiago (Chile)
We get the rare chance to explore the Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula and Falkland Islands.
Highlights during this voyage we have the chance to observe all eight Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic penguin species; Emperor Penguin, King Penguin, Adelie Penguin, Macaroni Penguin, Chinstrap Penguin, Gentoo Penguin, Magellanic Penguin and Rockhopper Penguin.
A partial solar eclipse will occur on November 25, with its longest duration at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula including the Weddell Sea.
Such a partial Solar Eclipse occurs only in the Polar Regions when the center of the Moon's shadow misses the Earth. It is a rare phenomenon.
All itineraries are for guidance only. The exact program may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife. The final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
Please note: a one way flight with LAN Chile from the Falkland Islands to Santiago de Chile is included in the ship’s passage price.
Day 1: Ushuaia
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located in the shadow of the Andes and right at the Beagle Channel shore. We’ll sail through this scenic waterway during the evening.
Day 2 & 3: At sea
During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black- browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs.
Day 4: Deception Island
Deception is a sub-ducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Pigeons and many Dominican Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. On our first landing we may visit Macaroni Point, searching for Macaroni Penguins. Conditions allowing we may also land at Baily Head home to a colony of ten thousands Chinstrap Penguins (please note this landing is not always guaranteed and is only possible in good weather conditions). Good walkers may hike from Baily Head over the ridge of the crater into Whalers Bay, while our ship braves its entrance into the crater through the spectacular Neptune’s Bellow into the ring of Deception Island.
Day 5: South Shetland Islands
In the morning we plan to land at Half Moon Island at the South Shetland Islands, where we can observe Elephant, Weddell and Fur Seals as well as Chinstrap Penguins, Blue-eyed Shags, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Kelp Gulls, Snowy Sheathbills, Antarctic Terns and Antarctic Brown Skuas. Thereafter we will continue our way to the Weddell Sea.
Day 6 – 8: Solar Eclipse, Weddell Sea
A partial solar eclipse will occur on November 25, with its longest duration at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula including the Weddell Sea. Such a partial Solar Eclipse occurs only in the Polar Regions when the center of the Moon's shadow misses the Earth. It is a rare phenomenon.
We might visit Brown Bluff in order to make a continental landing at the Northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. We will sail into the Weddell Sea and if the Antarctic Sound is accessible and the ice does not prevent us to sail further, we might see the huge tabular icebergs that announce our arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula.
We plan to visit Paulet Island with a million pairs of Adelie Penguins and to see the remains of the Nordenskiöld expedition. Between Snow Hill Island and James Ross Island there are chances to observe Emperor Penguins on the ice-edge making their way to open water. We are on the search!
Day 9: Elephant Island
We try to land at Elephant Island. Depending on the weather conditions we may visit Point Lookout on the South side of the Island or Point Wild on the North Coast. Point Lookout is a favored haul-out site for Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. Point Wild is the historical outpost west of Cape Valentine where Shackleton’s men beached here after the Endurance sank in the Weddell Sea. Shackleton started from here his successful open-boat passage to South Georgia. We follow his voyage up North.
Day 10 – 11: At sea
Day 12 – 13: Falkland Islands
In the Falklands (Malvinas) we plan to stay two days on the fascinating western side of the archipelago. We will visit New Island, a beautiful place where we will observe Rockhopper penguins, Blue-eyed Shags and Black-browed Albatrosses.
A hike along the shore of Carcass Island will give us views of Magellanic and Gentoo-Penguins, as well as close encounters with water fowl and Night herons and passarines. Weather and conditions depending, we may attempt, instead of Carcass, a landing at Steeple Jason to visit the largest black browed albatross colony in the world (113.000).
On Saunders we will be able to observe four species of breeding penguins (Gentoo, King, Magellanic and Rockhopper), Black-browed Albatrosses and King Cormorants.
Day 14: Port Stanley
We arrive in the morning in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. Disembarkation and transfer to the international airport Mount Pleasant and flight to Santiago de Chile.
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.
Code: ANTOCE006
Departure 20 Nov - 3 Dec 2011, prices from €6,990 per person based on double occupancy.
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 share price.
A 5% discount will be granted for bookings for one or more consecutive voyages.
Prices include:
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).
A net fuel surcharge of US$20 per person per night
Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change. All voyages will operate subject to a minimum of 30 participants.