Antarctic Peninsula

Accessible Antarctica



PLA28
07 February - 17 February, 2013 (11 days)
aboard Plancius
Ushuaia - Ushuaia

PLA29
17 February - 26 February, 2013 (10 days)
aboard Plancius
Ushuaia - Ushuaia

PLA32
20 March - 29 March, 2013 (10 days)
aboard Plancius
Ushuaia - Ushuaia



aboard Plancius

We explore some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet, with icebergs, glaciers, snow-capped mountains and abundant wildlife, including many species of seals, seabirds, whales and vast numbers of penguins.



Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic Islands are some of the last truly unspoilt regions of the world. The mysterious White Continent, with its multi-coloured ice caps, glistening glaciers and towering snow-capped mountains, offers unparalleled scenery and photographic opportunities. Enormous numbers of penguins, whales, seals and seabirds congregate in the food-rich waters along the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic shores. The future of Antarctica is crucial to the climate and ecology of the world and on most of our cruises we have an opportunity to visit one of the many scientific bases.

The Antarctic Peninsula offers you the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. In the southern summer large ice-free areas provide breeding grounds for very large numbers of seabirds and seals. From Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, we sail out along the Beagle Channel and across the Drake Passage. Icebergs become a familiar sight as the ship approaches Antarctica. The South Shetland Islands were discovered in 1819 and lie parallel to the Antarctic Peninsula, separated by the deep-water Bransfield Strait, 150 km, (100mile) wide.

From King George Island and Penguin Island we will sail down to the beautiful Paradise Bay, where you can go ashore on the Antarctic mainland. Sailing on south we hope to pass through the narrow and spectacular Lemaire Channel, surrounded by mountains and glaciers and a popular passage for several species of whales journeying up and down the sheltered Antarctic Peninsula waterways. Here Minke Whales, the smallest of the rorqual whales, weighing 6,000-7,000 kilos (6-8 tons) and ferocious-looking Leopard Seals are common.

We sail on to volcanic Deception Island, in the South Shetlands Islands. Here the ship, weather permitting, will sail into the flooded crater through the narrow entrance known as Neptune's Bellows. Returning to Ushuaia across the Drake Passage, a multitude of seabirds follow the ship, including several species of albatross and petrel.

Please note that the full itinerary is for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.

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.

Accommodation:
Cabins as described in the full itinerary subject to availability.

Travel: We can arrange flights and overnight accommodation for you if necessary. Please contact us for prices and availability.

Leaders: Guides from Oceanwide Expeditions


Click here for a full, printable itinerary


UK Overseas Territories Conservation


Please note that 10% of the cost of this tour will be donated to the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (UKOTCF) to support UKOTCF's work in support of nature conservation in UK's Overseas Territories.


Prices per person: 2013 PLA 28
Quadruple with porthole en suite £ 5,490
Triple with porthole en suite £ 5,990
Twin with porthole en suite £ 6,490
Twin with window en suite £ 6,790
Twin deluxe en suite £ 7,190
Superior £ 7,290
Deposit: 10% of cost


Prices per person: 2013


PLA 29
Quadruple with porthole en suite £ 4,950
Triple with porthole en suite £ 5,390
Twin with porthole en suite £ 5,850
Twin with window en suite £ 6,090
Twin deluxe en suite £ 6,490
Superior £ 7,290
Deposit: 10% of cost


Prices per person: 2013


PLA 32
Quadruple with porthole en suite £ 4,090
Triple with porthole en suite £ 4,450
Twin with porthole en suite £ 4,790
Twin with window en suite £ 4,990
Twin deluxe en suite £ 5,350
Superior £ 5,850
Deposit: 10% of cost


Please enquire for single supplements.

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 return flights UK/Ushuaia (please allow approximately £1500.00), fuel surcharges, overnight accommodation in Ushuaia, transfers in Ushuaia, travel insurance, meals ashore, optional tips to leaders and crew, drinks, and other personal expenses.

Please allow two days either side of the cruise dates for travel and an overnight at each end of the cruise in case of any delays.