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Atlantic Odyssey
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'Professor Molchanov' |
Sunday 09 March - Saturday 26 April 2008 (49 days) aboard Professor Molchanov
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 you may see Adelie Penguins and the majestic icebergs of the Weddell Sea. On route to South Georgia you will visit the South Orkney Islands offering penguin and other seabird colonies, including the rare Snow Petrel. We call at Grytviken, a former Norwegian whaling station where you may visit the excellent whaling museum and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. On Salisbury Plain you will marvel at King Penguins and at Prion Island, 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 there are albatrosses, petrels and millions of shearwaters, as well as Fur Seals and Elephant Seals. 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 phenomena, including volcanoes and very friendly people. The Portuguese islands of the Azores have Macronesian flora and fauna. The ship finally docks in the port of Vlissingen in the Netherlands. The Atlantic Odyssey from Ushuaia to Europe takes 49 days but can be sub-divided into three voyages: Professor Molchanov Ushuaia - Ascension Island: Sunday 09 March - Tuesday 08 April 2008 (31 days) Ascension - Sal, Cape Verde Islands: Tuesday 08 - Tuesday 15 April 2008 (8 days) Sal, Cape Verde Islands - Hansweert, the Netherlands: Tuesday 15 - Saturday 26 April 2008 (12 days) Note: Please note that this itinerary is for guidance only. The exact program may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Itinerary Due to the uncertainty of flight schedules in 2008, we cannot give precise details of departure and arrival dates and flights to and from the UK, particularly from Ascension Island. The schedules may mean extra days there. The costs are given for the cruise only. Day 1 In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia and sail through the Beagle Channel, where we see our first Black-browed Albatrosses, Southern Giant Petrels and Magellanic Diving-petrels. Days 2 - 3 In the Drake Passage we witness a multitude of albatrosses and petrels. The former could include Wandering and Grey-headed Albatrosses, and possible Light-mantled Sooty and Royal Albatrosses, while White-chinned will be the most numerous petrel, with Soft-plumaged Petrel amongst the other possibilities, with Wilson's and Black-bellied Storm-petrels. Day 4 At Hope Bay and Brown Bluff we hope to set foot on the Antarctic Continent, and we hope to see our first immaculate Snow Petrels here. In this area there are good chances for encounters with Gentoo and Adélie Penguins, Weddell and Leopard Seals and Orcas. Humpback and Minke Whales can also be encountered amongst the huge icebergs. Day 5 Today we visit Devil Island, our southernmost landing, at the tip of the Weddell Sea, surrounded by the huge table icebergs of the Larsen Ice Shelf. We will climb a hill with a gentle slope from where we have a great view on the surroundings. The 43-mile crossing to Paulet Island can be unforgettable, filled with icebergs of every shape and size. We will observe the last individuals of a large Adélie Penguin colony close to the ruins of the Nordenskiöld Expedition from the beginning of the 20th century, together with larger numbers of Blue-eyed Shags. Day 6 At sea we will probably sail along the sea ice drifting north out of the Weddell Sea, where there is just a possibility of seeing Emperor Penguins - on the 2003 voyage down to less than 50m away, one even 'tobogganing ' on its belly, to the delight of the ship's company. Other possibilities include both Antarctic and Snow Petrels, although these can vary dramatically in number from year to year. Day 7 On our way north we plan to visit the South Orkney Islands, where the Scotsman Bruce once wintered and where we now may visit the friendly people of an Argentinean base. Day 8 We head north to South Georgia, back in the 'albatross latitudes', and these magnificent seabirds can be joined by Blue Petrels and the enigmatic and bat-like Kerguelen Petrel. Whales, orcas and dolphins can also be seen, the latter including the attractive Hourglass Dolphin. Days 9 - 11 In South Georgia we will pay visits to the abandoned whaling settlements Grytviken, where penguins now walk through the streets, and King Edwards Point with the grave of Shackleton. We will walk near the big King Penguin colony on Salisbury Plain and the breeding Wandering Alba-trosses on Albatross Island in the Bay of Isles. Our last day in South Georgia will be spent in Cooper Bay where we will observe Chinstrap and Macaroni Penguins and breeding Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses. Later we intend to sail to Gold Harbour to visit another King Penguin colony and to see many Elephant Seals and Fur Seals. It is a good area for long walks. We conclude our visit with zodiac excursions in the magnificent Drygalski Fjord and Larsen Harbour. Days 12 - 16 Today we start the long crossing to Tristan da Cunha. In the westerlies we have a pleasant tailwind. On both sides of the Antarctic Convergence, we can observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds. We should see our first Sooty Albatrosses together with increasing numbers of Great Shearwaters and Soft-plumaged Petrels, and every day should produce new seabird highlights - Little Shearwaters, White-bellied Storm Petrels, Antarctic Prions and Grey Petrels should all be seen. Day 17 Today we plan to approach the unique World Heritage Site of Gough Island for zodiac cruising around the island, weather permitting. In 2003 the trip managed to circumnavigate all but four miles of the 33mile circumference of the island in the ship, saw spectacular scenery and an unprecedented abundance of wildlife. The group felt very privileged to be among the few visitors who have been able to experience Gough and in particular, to see it at such close quarters and in such favourable conditions. In 2003 the Zodiac cruise close to the beaches produced good views of both endemic landbirds: Gough Bunting and Gough Moorhen We hope to be lucky enough to repeat this unique experience in future years. Days 18 - 20 In the Tristan da Cunha archipelago we call at the settlement at the west side of the main island - probably the most remote inhabited island in the world. We will also try to make landings at Nightingale Island to observe millions of seabirds ranging from Yellow-nosed Albatrosses to Brown Noddies and the local endemics - Tristan Bunting and Tristan Thrush. One of the highlights here is the rare and beautiful Spectacled Petrel. One day is held in reserve in case of bad weather. Days 21 - 24 At sea, heading for St Helena, we now encounter the species of seabirds and dolphins that inhabit these sub-tropical waters, as well as our first flying fish. Days 25 - 26 St. Helena has a good anchorage and landing site. As we approach, we'll see the pure white of the Fairy Terns and Red-billed Tropicbirds against the dark volcanic cliffs of Jamestown. On this island, we will have ample opportuni-ties to enjoy local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic plants and birds, the latter including the 'Wirebird' or St Helena Plover. 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, home to many species of fish. Days 27 - 28 We head for Ascension Island, watching for Sperm Whales with their distinctive sideways 'blow'. Days 29 - 30 Ascension Island is a dry volcanic island with a moist and richly vegetated top. We will try to climb to the summit and also make a zodiac-cruise around Boatswain Bird Island, which offers great opportunities for snorkelling. The Sooty Tern colony sometimes consists of more than a million breeding pairs. We may witness egg-laying Green Turtles coming ashore at night. Some of our passengers may disembark and fly with the scheduled RAF (Royal Air Force) flight to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, UK. In the evening the vessel will depart from Ascension Island. Days 31 - 35 At sea, we witness the northbound spring migration of northern birds such as Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas, which join us to cross the Equator ("the Line"), at which point we'll raise the traditional toast to King Neptune, who may even appear in person ... Day 36 The Cape Verdes 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 In the early morning we plan to sail by Boavista with its satellite islets Curral Velho and Baluarte, breedng places for Magnifient Frigate-birds, Brown Boobies and several species of procellariiformes. In the afternoon we disembark on Sal, an extension of the Sahara desert, where we make a bus excursion to the southern coast of the island. At midnight (Day 38 Molchanov April 15 and Maryshev April 26) we fly to Lisboa 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 April 26(Molchanov) and May 07 (Maryshev). From Hansweert there are nearby train connections to Amsterdam/Schiphol International Airport (2 _ hours train ride). M/V Professor Molchanov
The ships are modern, ice-strengthened research vessels, built in Finland for the Russian Academy of Science. They are under long-term contract to Oceanwide Expeditions and have been converted for passenger use and are ideally suited to expedition cruising in polar areas. They comply with the highest international safety and environmental regulations, as well as the Arctic and Antarctic Shipping guidelines. The passengers are accommodated in triple, twin, superior cabins or a suite. All cabins are 'outside' and most cabins have private facilities. The public areas are comfortable and cosy and include a dining room which could also act as the lecture room, a bar with reference books, a small infirmary and a sauna. The best viewing places on board for spotting wildlife are the bridge (where passengers are welcome) and the open-deck areas. The ships carry a full complement of Zodiac crafts, for both cruising and landing ashore. Usually on our voyages the Chef will organize a Polar barbecue on deck. Surrounded by an impressive landscape and accompanied by your fellow-travellers, staff members and the Russian crew members, this event is one to remember. 
Accommodation: Cabins as described above subject to availability. Travel: Please enquire for details. Leaders: Guides from Oceanwide Expeditions
The prices are per person, and are fully inclusive of 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 flight UK/Ushuaia (allow approx. £ 850 with transfers), and flights back from Ascension/UK and Cape Verde/UK, any necessary accommodation in Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Ascension and Cape Verde, 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||