Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Explorer
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FALKLANDS, SOUTH GEORGIA & ANTARCTIC EXPLORER Departing from Ushuaia 21 Days/20 Nights OVERVIEW Join us aboard the spacious and well-appointed Ocean Endeavour on this epic 21-day voyage that introduces you to the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. This is a once in a lifetime adventure that will appeal to wildlife enthusiasts, history buffs, adventure-seekers and photographers alike. After several days of excursions among the snow and ice of the Antarctic Peninsula, we follow in the footsteps of the heroic polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, tracing his route north via Elephant Island to the rugged and breathtaking archipelago of South Georgia. It’s on this remote island that the majestic King Penguins congregate - numbering in the hundreds of thousands and carpeting beaches as far as the eye can see. South Georgia is home to the greatest concentration of wildlife on Earth and also boasts the final resting place of Shackleton himself. To round out the final part of our voyage, the rolling hills and windswept albatross colonies of the Falkland Islands await us on the journey west. Here we will land on whitesand beaches, enjoy a beer in downtown Stanley and witness the history of this contested archipelago. HIGHLIGHTS ARGENTINA CHILE Falkland Atlantic Ocean South • Unspoiled wilderness, uninhabited by man, where the Islands penguins, seals, whales and seabirds are the true rulers. Georgia • Take in the Sub-Antarctic South Shetland Islands and the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula. Punta Arenas • Discover the top wildlife destination in the world where you Ushuaia can see penguins, seals, whales and albatrosses. • Admire breathtaking scenery such as icebergs, glaciated mountains and volcanoes. • Enjoy daily zodiac excursions and on-shore landings. Drake Passage • Benefit from a variety of onboard activities including South Shetland Islands educational lectures on history, geology and ecology by the expedition team. Weddell Sea • Take advantage of optional activities during the voyage such as sea kayaking and snowshoeing. ANTARCTIC • Enjoy the amenities onboard including expedition lounge, CIRLCE ANTARCTIC restaurant, bar, pool, jacuzzi, library, gym, sun deck, spa PENINSULA facilities and sauna. ITINERARY DAY 1 - Ushuaia, argentina DAY 3 & 4 – AT SEA, DRAKE PASSAGE On arrival at Ushuaia Airport, please make your way The infamous Drake Passage, named after the famous through to the Arrivals Hall where our representative English explorer, Sir Frances Drake, separates the tip will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel. He/ of the Antarctic Peninsula from the southernmost tip she will be holding a sign with your name on it. Should of South America. It is often rough and turbulent, but you not be able to contact them, please refer to the front sometimes as calm as a lake. It is unpredictable, so be of your itinerary for emergency contact details of our prepared! representative office. Enjoy the fabulous onboard facilities, maybe join a yoga class, attend a presentation or two given by the The first night of your voyage is spent in the quaint town Expedition Team to prepare you for what lies ahead – of Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world and the from the geology of Antarctica to the history, wildlife and capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire). even the ice! The remainder of the day is at leisure and you are free As we sail towards Antarctica, there is a fall in to explore, maybe making a few last-minute purchases temperature as we cross the Antarctic Convergence and from the many shops or artisan markets, or relaxing in a enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean. The Antarctic café. Avenida San Martin is the main street and there are Convergence is marked by an increased number of some excellent museums to visit or you may prefer to seabirds, whales and other species that are attracted wander the streets taking in the town’s dramatic setting, by the nutrient-rich waters pushed to the surface by with views of the mountains to the north and the Beagle the colder waters of the polar region flowing north and Channel to the south. meeting the warmer equatorial waters flowing south. Head out on deck to look out for the mighty albatrosses DAY 2 – Embarkation in ushuaia that fly overhead, scan the waters for breaching whales and icebergs, or gaze out from the panoramic windows This morning is again free for you to explore Ushuaia of the observation deck. further, or maybe discover Tierra del Fuego National Park, the most southerly national park of South America. Keep on the lookout for the first sighting of land – that The park offers a range of hiking trails that lead you heralds your arrival to the White Continent! through the stunningly beautiful and dramatic scenery of snow-capped peaks, lush meadows, rugged coastline, glaciers, waterfalls and lakes. Look out for guanaco, DAY 5-8 – South shetland islands & Antarctic Andean foxes, muskrats and the North American beaver. peninsula Birds found here include the Andean condor, Magellanic oystercatcher, kelp goose, austral parakeet and torrent The next four days are spent exploring the South duck. Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, a region that has captivated explorers for centuries and now enthrals Late this afternoon we transfer to the port of Ushuaia in travellers. We explore by Zodiac, cruising amongst the time for embarkation on board the Ocean Endeavour. The magnificently sculpted icebergs and making shore Expedition Team and the Ship’s Officers will be waiting to landings where we mingle with penguins, climb to welcome us aboard. As we set sail, familiarise yourself vantage points to absorb the spectacular panoramic with the layout of the Ocean Endeavour and its great views, maybe visiting a scientific or historic base. amenities and enjoy a welcome dinner. There may even be opportunities to sea kayak and This evening we sail along the wildlife-rich Beagle snowshoe and of course learn more about photography Channel, towards the White Continent of Antarctica. with one of the experts. As we leave the lights of Ushuaia behind, look out for Magellanic penguins, rock cormorants, petrels and Antarctica will enchant you with its incredible scenery, black-browed albatross from the deck as well as noisy from imposing glaciers to towering snow-capped peaks, sea lion colonies. vast icebergs and ice-strewn channels. ITINERARY Not to mention the wildlife – from extensive colonies DAY 11 - 14 – south georgia of chinstrap, Gentoo and Adelie penguins, to crabeater, Weddell, fur and elephant seals and a plethora of South Georgia captivates every traveller that steps fascinating birds. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the foot on its shores. Home to the greatest concentration mighty crack of a glacier calving. of wildlife on the planet, here penguins number in the hundreds of thousands, carpeting beaches as far as the Maybe you will be one of the brave few to take a eye can see. polar plunge in the icy waters! Every day brings a new experience and new landing site. We spend four days exploring this stunningly beautiful island, an island that is not only overrun with an incredible As we cruise from one landing site to the next, enjoy the array of fauna, but one that is steeped in history. continued lecture programme and take in the scenery South Georgia was an intrinsic part of Sir Ernest from the outer decks of the Ocean Endeavour. Make the Shackleton’s ill-fated Endurance Expedition and was most of the health and fitness facilities from the relaxing once the centre of a thriving Southern Ocean whaling spa and saunas to the pool and gym. industry. South Georgia is home to over 30 million breeding birds, DAY 9 – ELEphant island thousands of seals, the introduced Norwegian reindeer, We leave the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland nesting sites of the wandering albatross, four breeding Islands behind us as we chart a course for historic species of penguin and the largest colony of king Elephant Island. If conditions permit, we will attempt to penguins on this planet. It is known as the ‘Galapagos of take the Zodiacs to Point Wild. the South’. If the wildlife is not enough of a drawcard – then the Elephant Island has its place firmly etched in polar spectacular scenery against which it is set can only history, as this is where Shackleton’s crew from the enhance your visit – emerald green bays, snow-covered 1914-17 Trans-Antarctic Expedition took refuge when peaks and blue glacier ice. their ship, The Endurance, was crushed by pack ice in the Weddell Sea. We explore by Zodiac and sea kayak and on foot, with opportunities to learn more about photography from one They set up camp at Point Wild, a harsh and inhospitable of our expert guides. place and waited for over four months, whilst Shackleton sailed with 5 other men in the James Laird lifeboat to Every day provides a different experience and a different South Georgia. This is one of history’s most miraculous location. Stand in awe amongst tens of thousands tales of Antarctic survival and a story revered by of penguins, look out across beaches blanketed with explorers and sailors ever since. elephant seals, visit the remains of abandoned whaling stations and even the grave of Shackleton himself. DAY 10 – at sea DAY 15 & 16 – At sea With the historic Elephant Island behind us, we will start out tracing of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s route by sailing Saying goodbye to the wildlife of South Georgia, we north toward the Island of South Georgia. head west towards the isolated and sparsely populated Witnessing the rugged seas that Shackleton and his men Falklands archipelago, where the silence is broken only navigated in wooden tender is a marvel for history buffs.