Departure date
15 January - 27 January, 2012
(13 days) Ushuaia - Ushuaia
aboard Akademik Ioffe
After spending 12 nights on board our vessel exploring this wonderful part of the world, we are certain our guests will leave Antarctica with a completely different perspective than when they arrived. After all, it would be impossible to feel quite the same after gazing upon an unimaginable profusion of penguins tobogganing and waddling their way across the snow - or watching yet another species of whale crest the waves in close proximity. And then there is the awe you will feel when you first glimpse the sweeping ice sheet that spans an entire continent. Antarctica gets under your skin unlike any other place on earth.
Sailing in comfort aboard the comfortable and well-appointed Akademic Ioffe, we begin this 12-night expedition at the tip of South America. We chart a course through the Drake Passage with a goal of heading directly south to the Antarctic Circle at 66o33'S. The farther south we go, the more sea ice we will find and our aim is to cross the circle before getting stopped by this ice. Few ships go this far south and we will take full advantage of being on a modern, ice-strengthened vessel of this caliber.
Marguerite Bay and Detaille Island are two places that we might visit while traveling south of the circle. Who knows, we may even try to camp ashore south of the circle. We will slowly make our way back up the peninsula, visiting penguin rookeries as we go
When we arrive at the Antarctic Peninsula, be prepared to be dazzled. Even our experienced crewmembers many of which have visited the southern region a hundred times or more are still astonished by its pristine beauty. The abundance of wildlife here is truly extraordinary including five seal species, massive penguin rookeries of gentoo, Adélies and chinstraps as well as a profusion of seabirds from albatross to skuas. It is nature you will experience up close and personal on frequent excursions inland.
Our journey will take us to Petermann Island or Wilhelmina Bay where we encounter colossal icebergs and, of course, the ice landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see. Hardy adventurers or those with a yen for history have the chance to camp out on the ice overnight and feel the thrill and audacity of early explorers who attempted to conquer this continent.
As with all our expeditions, safety is our top priority. For that reason weather, ice or other conditions may require us to change our itinerary and shore excursions as we go but that is half the fun of Polar exploring. Predictability is a word that has no relevance in this environment.
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Prices per person 2012 | Ushuaia - Ushuaia |
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Triple Share | £ 5,565 |
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Twin Semi-Private | £ 7,135 |
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Twin Private | £ 7,565 |
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Superior | £ 7,925 |
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Shackleton Suite | £ 8,280 |
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One Ocean Suite | £ 9,135 |
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Deposit: | £ 1,500 per person |
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 flight UK/Ushuaia return, fuel surcharges, any necessary accommodation in Buenos Aires or 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: Please enquire for details.
Leaders: Guides from One Ocean Expeditions
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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