PLA22
22 November - 03 December, 2012
(12 days)
aboard Plancius
Ushuaia-Ushuaia
PLA30
26 February - 09 March, 2013
(12 days)
aboard Plancius
Ushuaia-Ushuaia
aboard Plancius
Please note that the itinerary is provisional at this stage and must be used as a guide only.
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.
Two Basecamp stops throughout the voyage on Wiencke Island and Waddington bay, provides the opportunity to scout the region by foot, zodiac or kayak. Activities include hiking, climbing, mountaineering for the more adventurous members of the group, bountiful photographic opportunities and camping. Passengers who do not wish to become physically active will enjoy our zodiac excursions and follow the normal shore program and land excursions (easy to moderate walks and hikes with focus on wildlife). With three days/two nights at each of our Basecamp destinations to extensively explore the magnificence of the Antarctic Continent, this voyage becomes a true expedition!
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 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.
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Prices per person:
2012-2013 | PLA 22, 30 |
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Quadruple with porthole en suite | £ 5,290 |
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Triple with porthole en suite | £ 5,790 |
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Twin with porthole en suite | £ 6,290 |
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Twin with window en suite | £ 6,590 |
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Twin deluxe en suite | £ 6,990 |
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Superior | £ 7,750 |
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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.
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
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