Antarctic Explorer - Discovering the 7Th Continent 26Th January to 5Th February 2022 (11 Days)

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Antarctic Explorer - Discovering the 7Th Continent 26Th January to 5Th February 2022 (11 Days) Antarctic Explorer - Discovering the 7th Continent 26th January to 5th February 2022 (11 days) Antarctica scenery by Markus Lilje Antarctica has been inspiring explorers for centuries. And this expedition offers you the chance to discover why, with an unforgettable journey through the spectacular wilderness of the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. You’ll encounter a world where nature creates the rules, her unpredictable temperament making each trip unique, exciting and personal. Imagine cruising in a Zodiac through crackling sea ice like shattered glass, witnessing penguins building their nests, or navigating through a maze of icebergs, each one uniquely shaped by its journey through the sea. You’ll enjoy iconic Antarctic highlights, exhilarating adventures and be rewarded with memories to last a lifetime. RBL Antarctica – Explorer - Discovering the 7th Continent Itinerary 2 THE TOUR AT A GLANCE… THE ITINERARY Day 1 Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina Day 2 Embarkation Days 3 & 4 Crossing the Drake Passage Days 5 to 8 South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula Days 9 & 10 Crossing the Drake Passage Day 11 Disembarkation TOUR ROUTE MAP… RBL Antarctica – Explorer - Discovering the 7th Continent Itinerary 3 THE TOUR IN DETAIL… Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina. You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentine town is an ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town. Day 2: Embarkation. Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart - the next time you see land, you’ll be in the world’s most southern continent! Days 3 & 4: Crossing the Drake Passage. The Drake Passage – named after Sir Francis Drake, the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world, is the body of water between the southern tip of South America, Chile and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. Here we will watch for seabirds and marine mammals from both the bridge and the stern, where albatrosses and giant petrels will by now be Wandering Albatross by Markus Lilje following our ship. The spectacular Wandering Albatross should be making its first appearances, along with Grey-headed and Black-browed Albatrosses, White-chinned Petrel, Great Shearwater and Slender- billed Prion. Wilson’s Storm Petrel is abundant, and we will scour the masses for the rarer Black-bellied and Grey-backed Storm Petrels. While sorting out the Northern Giant Petrels from the Southern species, we will also become familiar with the commoner petrels in order to spot any rarities amongst them. Dusky and the localized Peale’s Dolphin may also put in an appearance, and if we are fortunate, we might be treated to sightings of the rare Dwarf Minke Whale, one of the many mammal prizes of this adventure; and, with any luck, we may even witness whales as they fully breach from the sea! For the seabird enthusiast, these are some of the most exciting waters in the world, attracting huge numbers of animals from their distant breeding islands and waters. Though the Convergence attracts birds from both the north and south, we will nonetheless notice a distinct shift of species and relative numbers between the waters on either side of the Convergence. Albatrosses and petrels will predominate; and in addition to the species already noted, we are likely to see Royal Albatross (usually both the Northern and Southern species are observed), Light-mantled Albatross, Southern Fulmar, Soft-plumaged, White-headed and Blue Petrel, Antarctic Prion Hourglass Dolphin by David Shackelford and Common Diving Petrel. We will also look for RBL Antarctica – Explorer - Discovering the 7th Continent Itinerary 4 rarer prizes such as Kerguelen and Great- winged Petrels, and albatrosses from the other side of the Subantarctic. In addition, we will keep our eyes peeled for the delightful Hourglass Dolphin, amongst other possible cetaceans. At some point, we will encounter our first sea- ice: it is here that we have a chance to see some of the high-Antarctic species, including the beautiful Snow Petrel. Otherwise, your days at sea are filled with presentations led by your Expedition Team who will prepare you for the wildlife, glaciology and history that will greet you upon your arrival. Snow Petrel by Rich Lindie Days 5 to 8: South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every time we visit Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other - creating a unique, personal experience. Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are hiking the Antarctic landscape, visiting a research station or consorting with Chinstrap, Adelie and Gentoo Penguins, all of which can be found here. Keep an eye out for Weddell, Fur, Crabeater and Leopard Seals as well as curious whales, such as Humpback, Fin, or perhaps Killer while on a Zodiac cruise. Each excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy. Amid the serene silence of Antarctica, noisy interludes become indelible memories, such as penguins squabbling over prized pebbles, or the boom and crack of a calving glacier. Away from the Antarctic Peninsula, we will spend some time around the South Shetland Islands. On a sunny day, cruising along the pristine coast of Livingston Island is a memorable experience. There are several possible landing sites in the vicinity including Half Moon Island, where there is a breeding colony of Chinstrap Penguins that share their territory with Antarctic Fur Seals and blue-eyed Antarctic Shags, and the broad pebbly beach at Yankee Harbour, where we often encounter Leopard Seal by Markus Lilje Weddell Seals sunning themselves. In the RBL Antarctica – Explorer - Discovering the 7th Continent Itinerary 5 evening, we navigate north through the McFarlane Strait and into the Drake Passage, charting a course for South America. Every day will be different, having been carefully crafted by your Expedition Team to inspire and educate you about this wonderful part of the world. Days 9 & 10: Crossing the Drake Passage. The journey back across the Drake Passage provides final opportunities to enjoy the crisp Antarctic air. Spend time on the deck, watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy presentations by your Humpback Whale next to ship by Markus Lilje Expedition Team and celebrate the experiences shared exploring Antarctica. Day 11: Disembarkation. You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows for you to continue your adventure onward or catch your flights home. Possible Landing Sites - Antarctic Peninsula. CUVERVILLE ISLAND A large Gentoo Penguin rookery is situated on a rocky beach at the north end of the island. Depending on when in the season you arrive, you may see the penguins building nests or attending to their chicks. DAMOY POINT If you are lucky enough to mail a postcard in Antarctica, you’ll likely pass through Damoy Point, the northern entrance to the harbor where Port Lockroy is located. DANCO ISLAND Home to gentoo penguins, this small island is easy to explore, at only one mile (1.6 km) long. You can visit the marker of a former British Antarctic Survey hut, where you can enjoy the stunning view of the Errera channel. ENTERPRISE ISLAND Located in Wilhelmina Bay, this island was once used by whalers. A Zodiac cruise around the island passes a wrecked whaling Antarctica zodiac cruise by Markus Lilje ship. RBL Antarctica – Explorer - Discovering the 7th Continent Itinerary 6 LEMAIRE CHANNEL You’ll see firsthand why this strait, which runs between Booth Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, is one of the most scenic locations on the peninsula’s west coast. The channel may become impassable when ice fills the narrow 6.8-mile (11 km) long passageway, so we’ll hope for clear waters. MELCHIOR ISLANDS Crabeater Seal by Holly Faithfull This group of low islands in Dallmann Bay is where you may see hauled-out male Fur Seals as they recuperate from their battles for supremacy at the end of their breeding season. NEKO HARBOUR Little evidence remains that this bay was once used by the floating whale factory ship Neko. You might see whale vertebrae being used by resident Gentoo Penguins as shelter from the wind. Climb up a steep slope for spectacular views of the glacier-rimmed harbor. PETERMANN ISLAND Here, near the Lemaire Channel, you can stand ashore and see the southernmost breeding colony of Gentoo Penguins. Adelie Penguins, shags and South Polar Skuas also inhabit the island. PORT LOCKROY As part of Operation Tabarin during the Second World War, a secret British base was built in this sheltered harbor, located on the west side of Wiencke Island. Now a designated historic site, the base is a museum and post office. Proceeds from your purchases in Port Lockroy support the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, which preserves historic sites from the Heroic Age of Exploration. A large Gentoo Penguin population resides here and is observed for any effects of tourism. WATERBOAT POINT You may venture to this unique point, which at low tide is connected to the Antarctic mainland.
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