PLA29
04 March - 15 March, 2011 (12 days) aboard Plancius
PLA29
27 February - 09 March 2012 (12 days) aboard Plancius
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.
Our small, specially designed expedition ship, Plancius, journeys south, taking full advantage of the 24 hours of daylight during the austral summer. Ice-strengthened hulls and state-of-the-art equipment allow us to navigate safely through the pack ice and narrow waterways. Our zodiac excursions, guided by foremost Antarctic experts, offer the freedom to explore remote locations and observe Antarctica's abundant wildlife.
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.
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Prices per person 2011 | PLA 29 |
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Quadruple en suite | £ 5,090 |
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Twin en suite | £ 6,190 |
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Superior en suite | £ 7,050 |
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Deposit: | 10% of cost |
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Prices per person: 2012 | PLA 30 |
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Quadruple en suite | £ 5,290 |
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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 en suite | £ 7,650 |
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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: Please enquire for details.
Leaders: Guides from Oceanwide 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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