|
|
|
|
|
Classic Antarctica
|
© Martin Enckell/Quark  'Professor Multanovskiy' greeted by penguins |
Classic Antarctica offers you the perfect introduction to the White Continent. Between your departure from and return to the port of Ushuaia, Argentina, you will experience the wildlife and scenic highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. Each voyage incorporates as much wildlife viewing as possible with visits to scientific bases, and plenty of time to enjoy breathtaking waterways, glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains.  No two voyages are exactly alike, no matter which Classic Antarctica voyage you choose. The Captain and Expedition Leader continually assess daily weather conditions and wildlife opportunities, taking advantage of the extended daylight to maximize time ashore. You will become one of the fortunate few to have set foot on the continent of Antarctica. The itinerary presented here is for the 15-day trip - the 14 day trip has one less day along the Antarctic Peninsula. Itinerary Day 1 Depart London in the afternoon for a flight via Madrid, arriving Buenos Aires on Day 2. Flights from regional UK airports may also be available; please enquire for details. Day 2 - Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Arrive Buenos Aires International airport, and transfer to Buenos Aires Aeroparque for the flight to Ushuaia, arriving in the evening. Overnight Ushuaia Day 3 - Ushuaia Spend the morning with a local guide on a group excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park, and then enjoy a traditional Argentine asado lunch. Embark in the afternoon, settle into your cabin, and meet your Expedition Team before the ship sets sail along the scenic Beagle Channel. Days 4-6 - Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands Journey across the famous Drake Passage, named after the 16th-century English navigator Sir Francis Drake - an experience in itself. The ship is accompanied most of the way by albatrosses - including the magnificent Wandering Albatross - along with an impressive variety of other seabirds. Cross the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zones. Land is usually sighted for the first time late afternoon on Day 4 - the South Shetland Islands, which lie to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula. Visit vast penguin rookeries, land on beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and observe wallowing southern elephant seals. You may also visit one of the many research bases in the archipelago or look for Antarctica's only two flowering plants, which thrive here during the short southern summer. Often the ship sails through a narrow passage leading into the sunken caldera of Deception Island. Here, if the tide allows you may dip your toes in the thermal waters of Pendulum Cove. Days 7-10 - Antarctic Peninsula The Antarctic Peninsula, the most readily accessible part of the White Continent, has some of the best wildlife and scenery. You have plenty of time to experience the special magic of this awe-inspiring wilderness of snow, ice, waterways, and mountains. Expect to see enormous rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adeacute;lie Penguins. Blue-eyed Shags, Kelp Gulls, Cape Petrels, Snowy Sheathbills and Antarctic Terns are also abundant. You may also encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, humpback, and Minke whales. Our exploration of the Antarctic continent often begins with a visit to the aptly named Paradise Bay, or to nearby Neko Harbor. Glaciers fill the calm waters with an amazing vista of icebergs as you set foot on the Antarctic continent itself. At Port Lockroy, you enjoy the thriving penguin colonies and visit a recently renovated former British scientific station that serves as one of the most isolated and intriguing museums in the world. The station also acts as a post office from which you can mail postcards home. If pack ice and icebergs allow, you navigate some of the most beautiful waterways in the world. Two in particular, the Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, are impressive narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. Some voyages sail south of the Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island, where Adeacute;lie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to the landing site. On our longer voyages, the expedition may also visit the northern tip of the Peninsula to navigate the Antarctic Sound, or 'iceberg alley', where huge tabular icebergs drift north from the Antarctic continent. If weather and ice conditions permit, you land on Paulet Island to see its vast Adeacute;lie Penguin rookery Days 11-12 - Drake Passage You bid farewell to Antarctica as you sail north across the Drake Passage. The adventure is not over as there are more opportunities to watch birds and whales cavorting in the open ocean. Final presentations by our expedition staff enhance the voyage en route to Ushuaia. Day 13 - Ushuaia We arrive in Ushuaia and disembark. Overnight Ushuaia. Day 14 Today we fly from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires for the return flight to the UK, arriving on Day 15. Please note: Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission. SCUBA-DIVING Ship: Akademik Shokalskiy Expedition Dates: January 6 - 20, 16 - 30 and January 26 - February 9, 2006. Explore the magical underwater world of Antarctica with experienced Antarctic Dive Masters who guide you through a fantastic and largely unexplored paradise. Dive around naturally sculpted icebergs, encounter rich marine life from soft corals and fish to marine mammals, and experience the remarkable underwater sounds of the frozen continent. Group size and number of dives We can accommodate a maximum of 10 divers per departure. Each diver can expect to complete a maximum of four dives during the expedition, subject to weather and water conditions, of course. The maximum dive depth will be about 15 meters (50 feet). What to expect The diving in Antarctica is very different from diving in other parts of the world. The contrasting colours are spectacular - from the blue and white icebergs to the dark sea floor. The area has a rich invertebrate life (including many different species of anemones, echinoderms, crayfish and coral sponges). You may encounter krill in their natural environment and see penguins and seals underwater. Visibility is usually 5-15 meters (16-50 feet), depending on the position, current and proximity to penguin rookeries. Dive sites Possible dive sites include Port Lockroy, Deception Island, and Neko Harbour Call to learn more about SCUBA diving in the Antarctic with Quark Expeditions. Please note that participants must have PADI advanced open water certification or equivalent. SEA KAYAKING Ship: Professor Multanovskiy Expedition Dates: January 30 to February 13, February 09 - 23 and February 19 to March 5, 2006 Ship: Akademik Shokalskiy Expedition Dates: November 09 - 23, November 19 to December 3 and November 29 to December 13, 2005. Sea-kayaking is a fabulous way to explore the little bays and waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula. You use 5-meter (16 foot) Prijon rudder-equipped double sea-kayaks, which are very stable, surprisingly comfortable and incredibly tough - perfect for paddling through the icy environment. Each trip is led by two experienced and highly qualified kayak instructors and a Zodiac safety boat stays in constant communication ready to assist should the need arise. Group size and number of excursions There will be a maximum of 10 kayakers per departure and a minimum of four kayak excursions, each over several miles and lasting for two to three hours. With the long daylight hours of the southern summer, you may have opportunities for short evening paddles as well. What to expect Antarctica is the last frontier for kayaking. Paddling in this pristine, icy wilderness is an overwhelming experience even for the most seasoned adventurer. Imagine paddling in a sea of ice floes or at a safe distance amongst beautifully sculpted icebergs. Float silently past rafts of penguins or cruise inside a sunken volcanic crater. Kayaking sites Possible kayaking sites include Hannah Point/Aitcho Islands, Deception Island, Port Lockroy, Neko Harbour, Paradise Harbour, and Lemaire Channel. Call to learn more about sea-kayaking in the Antarctic with Quark Expeditions. ANTARCTIC CAMPING Ship: Professor Multanovskiy Expedition Dates: January 30 to February 13, February 09 - 23 and February 19 to March 5, 2006 Ship: Akademik Shokalskiy Expedition Dates: November 09 - 23 and November 19 to December 3, 2005 This is your chance to be one of the few who have spent a night under canvas on the pristine ice of the White Continent. Experienced staff handles all the logistics. Group Size and Number of Excursions You will be one of a maximum of 20 campers who venture ashore for the night. Weather and ice permitting, you will spend one night ashore. All meals are taken on board the vessel. What to Expect Sleep in high quality mountain tents and sleeping bags that are provided. Only emergency rations are taken ashore and no cooking is conducted. Camp Sites Our camp sites are generally close to Port Lockroy on the shores of Neumayer Channel and are selected away from vegetated sites and wildlife concentrations to avoid contamination or disturbance. Your expedition vessel will be out of sight, but close enough to respond in case of any problems. There is no supplementary charge for this option. Participation will be confirmed at booking on a first come, first served basis. THE FLEET The fleet is equipped with all necessary communication and navigation equipment. The officers and crew are highly experienced in ice navigation. Our Russian captains are recognized as world experts in polar operations. They are joined by our expedition staff and lecturers from all over the world - internationally renowned experts on a wide variety of subjects from marine mammals and birds to the history of polar exploration and geology. Professional chefs produce an excellent international menu and the relaxing bars are well stocked with a good selection of beer, wine, and spirits. Former Scientific Research Vessels: PROFESSOR MULTANOVSKIY, PROFESSOR MOLCHANOV & AKADEMIK SHOKALSKIY
Public areas include a spacious forward lounge and bar which also acts as a gathering place for lectures and recaps of the day's adventures, a window-lined dining room which accommodates all passengers in leisurely single seatings, an infirmary, and a well-stocked library. There are ample deck areas and promenades for excellent views of the passing scenery and wildlife.
Travel: Flights from regional UK airports may also be available; please enquire for details. Leaders: Guides from Quark Expeditions Professors Molchanov, Multanovskiy & Akademik Shokalskiy prices per person:
The prices are per person, and are fully inclusive of return flights UK/Ushuaia, two nights' accommodation in Ushuaia, transfers in Ushuaia & Buenos Aires, the cruise, meals during the voyage, shore excursions by Zodiac and activities throughout the voyage, lectures and leadership by expedition staff, taxes and port charges and pre-departure information. The prices exclude travel insurance, meals ashore, optional tips to leaders and crew, drinks, and other personal expenses. Please note that we can arrange optional extensions in Ushuaia (see our Patagonia itinerary for details), or anywhere else in Argentina. You can also opt to leave the UK a day earlier and spend a day in Buenos Aires to break the long journey south. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
